Closed, Illegal, and Abandoned (CIA) Disposal Sites

Part 2, Site Sampling and Analysis Plan: City of Portola Burn Site, SWIS #32-CR-0021, Plumas County

Part 1/Table of Contents

3. Sampling Plan

This sampling plan is intended to document the procedural and analytical requirements for this and any subsequent sampling events performed to collect soil samples and to characterize areas of potential contamination from the Portola Burn site. This plan was compiled after reviewing the US Environmental Protection Agency’s, Region 9, guidance document “Instructions for the One-time Sampling Event Sampling and Analysis Plan” dated March 1998.

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3.1. Sampling Methodology

Discrete sampling will be used to assess the burn ash and surrounding soils. The sampling will be conducted by using authoritative sampling protocol at locations shown on Figure 3. The authoritative protocol allows the investigator the flexibility to move sampling locations, as necessary, to accommodate unforeseen field conditions. The following outline describes the proposed sampling:

• Samples of surface soils (less than three inches deep) and subsurface soils 1-3 feet will be collected as shown in figure 3 (Portola Burn site Map Sampling Locations). A total of 30 locations will be sampled. Locations were selected based on areas designated as potential burn site areas. A visual inspection for surface waste remnants (broken glass, cans or other debris) will be performed to confirm the areas to be sampled. A total of 60 samples will be collected.
• Composite samples of surface soils will be collected from selected grid locations. The composite sample will combine the soil collected from each distinct area with debris. A total of 10 surface samples will be collected from these areas.
• Trenching will be performed at surface sampling locations to determine if subsurface waste is present. Samples of subsurface soils will be taken based on presence and extent of waste material.

Each sample will be collected using either decontaminated or designated sampling equipment. Samples will collected into disposable buckets using either decontaminated stainless steel or disposable trowels, homogenized, and then transferred into laboratory-supplied containers. Reusable sampling equipment will be decontaminated between each sampling event. Decontamination will follow the procedures outlined in Section 3.5 of this sampling plan. Personnel who collect samples will be required to change their gloves between each sampling event.

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3.2. Sampling Equipment

The following equipment will be necessary to perform the sampling:

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3.3. Sampling Procedures

Surface soil samples will be collected using either decontaminated or disposable trowels. At each surface sample location, soil will be collected within the upper three inches of the ground surface. To minimize the possibility of cross contamination, soil samples will first be collected at locations expected to be the least contaminated, proceeding last to areas of suspected or known significant contamination.

Subsurface sampling will not begin until all surface samples are collected.  Subsurface samples will be collected using decontaminated stainless steel or disposable trowels from trenches excavated by the City’s backhoe. Upon completion of sampling at a location, the backhoe will replace trench spoils and recompact the filled trench.

After each sample is collected it will be placed in a laboratory-supplied container, labeled, logged on the chain-of-custody document, screened for radioactivity, sealed, and stored in an ice chest that is cooled to 4 degrees Fahrenheit.

At the completion of sampling activities, CIWMB staff will deliver the selected samples to a State of California certified hazardous waste laboratory for analyses using strict chain-of-custody protocols.

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3.4. Sample Locations

Although trenching and sampling locations are proposed in Figure 3, exact soil sampling locations will be determined in the field based on accessibility, the presence of unforeseen impedances or other factors. Final soil sample locations will be recorded in the field logbook and staked in the field when sampling is completed. A survey crew will locate each trench and sample on the final site map. The map will be provided in a final sample report.

3.5. Decontamination Procedures

All equipment that comes into contact with potentially contaminated soil/burn ash will be decontaminated in a predesignated area. Disposable equipment intended for one-time use will not be decontaminated, but will be packaged for appropriate disposal. Decontamination will occur prior to and after each use of a piece of equipment. All sampling devices used, including trowels and augers, will be decontaminated by CIWMB staff.

The following decontamination procedures for primary contaminant, inorganic (metals):

1. Non-phosphate detergent and tap-water (bottled water) wash, using a brush if necessary
2. Tap-water rinse
3. 0.1 N nitric acid rinse
4. Deionized/distilled water rinse 2x

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3.6. Sample Containers and Preservation

Precleaned containers will be supplied by the laboratory and will not be rinsed prior to sample collection. No preservative will be added to the containers.

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3.7. Disposal of Residual Materials

In the process of collecting environmental samples at the Portola Burn site, the CIWMB sampling team will generate different types of potentially contaminated investigation-derived waste (IDW) that may include:

• Used personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Disposable sampling equipment
• Decontamination fluids

The U.S. EPA’s National Contingency Plan requires management of IDW generated during sampling comply with all applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements to the extent practicable. The IDW will contain minor residual amount of the soil/burn ash. These wastes are not considered hazardous and will be disposed of at a municipal landfill. Used PPE and disposable equipment will be double bagged and placed in municipal refuse dumpster. Any PPE and disposable equipment that is to be disposed of which can still be used will be rendered inoperable before disposal. Decontamination fluids that will be generated during sampling will consist of nitric acid, deionized water, residual contaminants, and water with non-phosphate detergent. The volume and concentration of the decontamination fluid will be sufficiently low to allow disposal at the site or sampling area. The water with detergent will be poured onto the ground or into a storm drain. The nitric acid will be diluted and tested with pH paper before pouring onto the ground or into a storm drain.

If hazardous or radioactive material are found during sampling screening activities, appropriate level of notification and response procedures will be implemented in accordance with the Site Specific Health and Safety Plan.

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3.8. Analytes of Concern

Analytes of concern at this site are residual heavy metals from burning solid waste and any unburned organic materials left in the soil matrix.

3.9. Analytical Procedures

Each sample container’s head space will be tested using an organic vapor analyzer (OVA) and a portable radiation meter. Samples will be swiped with pH paper to determine sample pH. After field screening the sample containers will be capped, sealed and labeled (see packaging procedures), and sent to CIWMB’s contract laboratory, ExcelChem, where discrete samples will be analyzed for CAM 5 metals (lead, nickel, cadmium, chromium and zinc) and compared to the 22 CCR Total Threshold Limit Concentrations (TTLC), and selected samples using the 22 CCR Waste Extraction Test (WET) to determine if Soluble Threshold Limit Concentration (STLC) limits are exceeded. Note: If metal analysis results show that concentrations exceed 10 times the STLC, the sample will be tested using the WET. Composite samples will be analyzed for CAM 17 metals, TPH BTEX/Diesel, organochlorine pesticides, PCBs and WET (to determine if STLC is exceeded). Selected burn ash samples will also be tested for semivolatiles (EPA method 8270C).

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3.10. Anticipated Cost

Based on discussions with ExcelChem Analytical Laboratory the following sampling costs are presented:

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3.11. Field Quality Control

One field duplicate sample will be collected simultaneously with a standard sample from the same source under identical conditions into a separate sample container. The duplicated sample is treated independently of its counterpart in order to assess laboratory performance through comparison of the results.

The duplicate samples will be collected at a random location that demonstrates elevated levels of metals based on field screening results. Sufficient soil will be collected from the sample location to prepare a primary and duplicate sample from a single batch of soil. The soil sample will be homogenized with a trowel in a sample-dedicated one-gallon disposable pail or a decontaminated stainless steel mixing bowl, and then transferred to each sample container for both regular and duplicate sample analyses.

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3.12. Laboratory Quality Control

The analytical laboratory will perform Quality Control (QC). The QC will include project specific QC, method blank results, laboratory control spike, and matrix spike results.

1. Project Specific QC. No project specific QC has been requested by the CIWMB.

2. Method Blank Results. A method blank is a laboratory-generated sample that assesses the degree to which laboratory operations and procedures cause false-positive analytical results for the CIWMB samples. The method blank results associated with the samples will be included with the analytical results.

3. Laboratory Control Spike. A Laboratory Control Spike (LCS) is a sample that is spiked with known analyte concentrations, and analyzed at approximately 10 percent of the sample load in order to establish method-specific control limits. The LCS results associate with CIWMB samples will be attached on the LCS and LCS Duplicated Analysis Report.

4. Matrix Spike Results. A matrix spike is a sample that is spiked with known analyte concentrations and analyzed at approximately 10 percent of the sample load in order to establish method-specific control limits. The matrix spike results associated with CIWMB samples will be attached on the Matrix Spike and Matrix Spike Duplicate Analysis Report.

5. Accuracy. Accuracy will be measured by percent recovery as defined by:

% recovery = (measured concentration) x 100
                           (actual concentration)

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4. Documenting and Reporting

4.1. Field Notes

A field logbook will be used to document the vital project and sample information. At a minimum, the following sample information will be recorded:

• Sample location and description
• Site or sample area sketch showing sample location and measured distances
• Sampler’s name(s)
• Date and time of sample collection
• Designation of sample as composite or grab
• Type of sample (soil, sediment or water)
• Type of sampling equipment used
• Field instrument reading, if applicable
• Field observations and details related to analysis or integrity of samples (e.g., weather conditions, noticeable odors, colors, etc.)
• Preliminary sample descriptions
• Sample preservation
• Sample identification numbers and explanatory code
• Name of recipient laboratory

In addition to the sampling information, the following specific information will also be recorded in the logbook:

• Team members and their responsibilities
• Time of arrival and departure
• Deviations from the sampling plan
• Level of health and safety protection

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4.2. Photographs

Photographs will be taken at the sampling location and at surrounding areas. The photos will verify information entered in the field logbook. Each photo taken will be written in the logbook with the approximate time, date, and location.

4.3. Labeling

All samples collected will be labeled in a clear and precise way for proper identification for tracking in the laboratory. Each sample will reference the sample date, the type of sample (S – surface; B – subsurface), and the sample point identification as shown on the pin flag. 

4.4. Chain-of-Custody

A chain-of-custody record will accompany all sample shipments. Shipped samples will have a custody seal placed across the lid of each sample container. All custody seals will be signed and dated.

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4.5. Packaging and Shipment

All sample containers will be placed in a strong-outside shipping container and will have the drain plug sealed, if applicable, to prevent melted ice from leaking out of the cooler. If ice is used to cool the samples, the ice will be packed in a double zip-lock bag. Special care will be provided to secure and prevent damage to the sample containers.

4.6. Reporting

Once the analytical results are received and evaluated, CIWMB will prepare a sampling report describing the nature of the waste and discuss the analytical results. The CIWMB anticipates submitting the sampling report to the LEA and City of Portola within 30 days after receipt of the analytical results.

Figure 3. Portola Burn Site Sampling Location Map (51 KB)	Figure 4. Portola Burn Site Sampling Location Map (25 KB)

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Last updated: April 18, 2008