Alpha Analytical

Sampling Reference Guide

Compliance with analysis-specific container and preservation requirements is a critical component to the sample collection process. In order to provide assistance to our clients during this stage of their projects, Alpha has a number of sampling reference guides which provide information on appropriate container type, required preservation, minimum sample volumes and associated method holding times for a variety of analytical parameters.

Aqueous Sample Reference Guide

Soil/Solid Sample Reference Guide

Sediment Sample Reference Guide

Tissue Sample Reference Guide

Oil/NAPL/Product Sample Reference Guide

Wipe Sample Reference Guide

Aqueous Sample Reference Guide

Inorganics
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
Alkalinity SM2320B Plastic, no headspace 250 ml 4° C 14 Days
Ammonia 350.1, SM4500NH3-BH Plastic 250 ml H2SO4, pH<2, 4° C 28 Days
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) SM5210B Plastic 500 ml 4° C 48 Hours
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) 410.4, SM5220D Plastic 250 ml H2SO4, pH<2, 4° C 28 Days
Chloride 9251, 300.0, SM4500Cl-E Plastic 250 ml 4° C 28 Days
Chlorophyll-a SM10200H Dark Glass/Plastic or foil-covered container 500 ml 4° C Filtration within 24 hours. Filtrate may be stored up to 3 Days, or stored frozen up to 3 Weeks.
Cyanide, Amenable 9010B, SM4500CN-G Plastic 250 ml NaOH, pH>12, 4° C 14 Days
Cyanide, Free 9016, SM4500CN-CE(M) Plastic covered with foil or Amber Glass 250 ml 50% NaOH, pH>12, 4° C 14 Days
Cyanide, Physiologically Available (PACN) 9010B, 9014 Plastic 250 ml NaOH, pH>12, 4° C 14 Days
Cyanide, Total 9010B, 9012A, 9014, SM4500CN-CE Plastic 250 ml NaOH, pH>12, 4° C 14 Days
Fluoride 300.0, SM4500F-B, BC Plastic 500 ml 4° C 28 Days
Formaldehyde 8315, PCAM (Mod.) Amber Glass 1000 ml 4° C 3 Days
Hardness 200.7, 200.8, 6010B, 6010C, 6020, 6020A, SM2340B Plastic 500 ml HNO3, pH<2, 4° C 180 Days
Hexavalent Chromium (Cr+6) 7196A, SM3500Cr-D Plastic 500 ml 4° C 24 Hours
MBAS 425.1, SM5540C Plastic 1000 ml 4° C 48 Hours
Nitrate 300.0, 353.2, SM4500NO3 -F Plastic 250 ml 4° C 48 Hours
Nitrate/Nitrite 353.2, SM4500NO3 -F Plastic 250 ml H2SO4, pH<2, 4° C 28 Days
Nitrite 353.2, SM4500NO3 -F, SM4500N02 -B Plastic 250 ml 4° C 48 Hours
Nitrogen, Total Kjeldahl (TKN) 353.3/.1 (Modified), SM4500Norg-C Plastic 250 ml H2SO4, pH<2, 4° C 28 Days
Oil & Grease 1664A Amber Glass (2) 1000 ml HCI, pH<2, 4° C 28 Days
Orthophosphate SM4500P-E Plastic 250 ml 4° C 48 Hours
pH 150.1, 9040B Plastic 250 ml 4° C Immediate
Phosphorous, Total SM4500P-E Plastic 250 ml H2SO4, pH<2, 4° C 28 Days
Solids, Total (TS) 2540B Plastic 250 ml 4° C 7 Days
Solids, Total Dissolved (TDS) SM2540C Plastic 500 ml 4° C 7 Days
Solids, Total Suspended (TSS) SM2540D Plastic 1000 ml 4° C 7 Days
Solids, Total Volatile (TVS) SM2540E Plastic 500 ml 4° C 7 Days
Specific Conductance SM2510B, 9050A Plastic/Glass, no headspace 250 ml 4° C 24 hours; or filter within 24 hours and store for 28 Days
Sulfate 9038, SM4500SO4 -E, 300 Plastic 250 ml 4° C 28 Days
Sulfide 9030B, SM4500S2 -AD Plastic (2) 250 ml ZnOAC, NaOH, pH>9, 4° C 7 Days
Total Metals 200.7, 200.8, 245.1, 6010C, 6020A, 7000A, 7470A Plastic 500 ml HNO3, pH<2, 4° C 180 Days, Hg 28 days
Total Metals - Low-Level Mercury 1631E Glass 250 ml BrCl 90 Days; 48 hours if unpreserved
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) 415.1, 9060, SM5310C Amber Glass (2) 40 ml VOA Vials H2SO4, pH<2, 4° C 28 Days
Total Phenol 420.1, 9065, SM510ABC Amber Glass (2) 1000 ml H2SO4, pH<2, 4° C 28 Days
Total Residual Chlorine SM4500Cl-D Plastic 500 ml 4° C 24 Hours
Turbidity 180.1, SM2130B Plastic 500 ml 4° C 48 Hours

Volatile Organics by GC or GC/MS
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
1,4-Dioxane 8260C-SIM Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (3) 40 ml VOA Vials HCL, pH<2, 4° C 14 Days
Dissolved Gases RSKSOP-175 Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 20 ml VOA Vials HCL, pH<2, 4° C. If CO2, 4° C. 14 Days preserved; 7 Days Unpreserved
Volatile Organics - 524.2 524.2 Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 40 ml VOA Vials Ascorbic Acid, HCL, pH<2, 4° C 14 Days
Volatile Organics - 624 624 Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 40 ml VOA Vials Na2S2O3, 4° C 7 Days
Volatile Organics - 8260 8260C Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (3) 40 ml VOA Vials HCL, pH<2, 4° C 14 Days

Extractable Organics by GC/MS
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
1,4-Dioxane 8270D, 8270D-SIM w/Isotope Dilution Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml 4° C 7 Days (Extraction)
Acid/Base Neutral Extractables (ABN) - 625 625 Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml Na2S2O3, 4° C 7 Days (Extraction)
Acid/Base Neutral Extractables (ABN) - 8270 8270D Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml 4° C 7 Days (Extraction)
Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) - 625 625 Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml Na2S2O3, 4° C 7 Days (Extraction)
Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) - 8270 8270D, 8270D-SIM Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml 4° C 7 Days (Extraction)

Extractable Organics by GC
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
Ethylene dibromide (EDB) & 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) 504.1 Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 40 ml Na2S2O3, 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
Chlorinated Herbicides 8151A Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml 4° C 7 Days (Extraction)
PCBs - 608 608 Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml Na2S2O3, 4° C 7 Days (Extraction)
PCBs - 8082 8082A Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml 4° C 7 Days (Extraction)
Pesticides (Organochlorine) - 608 608 Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml Na2S2O3, 4° C 7 Days (Extraction)
Pesticides (Organochlorine) - 8081 8081B Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml 4° C 7 Days (Extraction)

Extractable Organics by IC/MS/MS
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
Explosives 8330A Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml 4° C 7 Days (Extraction)
Perchlorate 332.0, 6860 Plastic 250 ml 4° C 28 Days (Extraction)

Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
CT ETPH CT ETPH Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml 4° C 7 Days (Extraction)
MA-DEP EPH EPH-04-1 Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml HCl, pH<2, 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
MA-DEP VPH VPH-04-1.1 Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 40 ml VOA Vials HCl, pH<2, 4° C 14 Days
ME DEP TPH DRO ME 4.1.25 Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml HCl, pH<2, 4° C 7 Days (Extraction)
ME DEP TPH GRO ME 4.2.17 Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 40 ml VOA Vials HCl, pH<2, 4° C 14 Days
NJ EPH NJDEP EPH Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml HCl, pH<2, 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
Petroleum Hydrocarbon Identification (PHI) 8015D (M) Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml 4° C 7 Days (Extraction)
TPH-DRO 8015C (M) Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml 4° C 7 Days (Extraction)
TPH GC/FID Quantitation only 8015C (M) Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml 4° C 7 Days (Extraction)
TPH-GRO 8015C (M) Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 40 ml VOA Vials HCl, pH<2, 4° C 14 Days
TPH - Oil & Grease EPA 1664A Amber Glass, Teflon Lined (2) 1000 ml HCl, pH<2, 4° C 28 Days

Microbiological (Non-Potable)
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
Coliform, Fecal SM9221E, SM9222D Specimen Cup (Sterile) 100 ml, 1-inch headspace 4° C; Na2S2O3 for chlorinated source 8 Hours
Coliform, Total SM9221B, SM9222B, SM9223B Specimen Cup (Sterile) 100 ml, 1-inch headspace 4° C; Na2S2O3 for chlorinated source 8 Hours
Enterococcus 1600 Specimen Cup (Sterile) 100 ml, 1-inch headspace 4° C; Na2S2O3 for chlorinated source 8 Hours
Heterotrophic Plate Count SM9215B Specimen Cup (Sterile) 100 ml, 1-inch headspace 4° C; Na2S2O3 for chlorinated source 8 Hours

Soil/Solid Sample Reference Guide

Inorganics
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
Ammonia SM4500NH3-B Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 28 Days
Cyanide, Physiologically Available 9010B, 9014 Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days
Cyanide, Total 9010B, 9012A, 9014, SM4500CN-CE Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days
Flashpoint 1010 Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days
Hexavalent Chromium (Cr+6) 7196A Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 30 Days
Ignitability 1030 Amber Glass 4 oz Container; no headspace 4° C 14 Days
Mercury 7471B, 7474 Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 28 Days
Metals 6010C, 6020A, 7000A Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 180 Days
Moisture Content SM2540G Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days
Nitrate/Nitrite SM4500NO3-F Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 28 Days
Nitrogen, Total Kjeldahl (TKN) SM4500Norg-C Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 28 Days
pH 9045C Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C Immediate
Soot 9060 Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 28 Days (9060)
Specific Conductance 9050A, SM2510B Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 28 days
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) 9060, Lloyd Kahn (LK) Method Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 28 Days (9060), 14 Days (LK)
Total Phenol 9065 Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 28 Days
Total Phosphorus SM4500P-E Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 28 Days
Total Solids SM2540B Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days
Total Volatile Solids SM2540G Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days

Volatile Organics by GC/MS
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
Volatile Organics - 8260 (High Level) 8260C / 5035 (High Level) 40 ml Amber VOA Vial 15 Grams MeOH, 4° C 14 Days
Volatile Organics - 8260 (Low Level) 8260C / 5035 (Low Level) (2) 40 ml Amber VOA 5 Grams NaHSO4, 4° C 14 Days
Volatile Organics - 8260 (Low Level) 8260C / 5035 (Low Level) (2) 40 ml Amber VOA 5 Grams Water, 4 48 Hours

Extractable Organics by GC/MS
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
Acid/Base Neutral Extractables (ABN) 8270D Amber Glass, Teflon Lined 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) 8270D, 8270D-SIM Amber Glass, Teflon Lined 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)

Extractable Organics by GC
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
PCBs 8082A Amber Glass, Teflon Lined 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
Pesticides (Organochlorine) 8081B Amber Glass, Teflon Lined 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
Chlorinated Herbicides 8151A Amber Glass, Teflon Lined 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)

Extractable Organics by IC/MS/MS
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
Explosives 8330A Amber Glass, Teflon Lined 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
Perchlorate 6860 Amber Glass, Teflon Lined 4 oz Container 4° C 28 Days (Extraction)

Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
CT ETPH CT ETPH Amber Glass, Teflon Lined 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
MA-DEP EPH EPH-04-1 Amber Glass, Teflon Lined 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
MA-DEP VPH VPH-04-1.1 40 ml Amber VOA Vial 15 Grams MeOH, 4° C 28 Days
ME DEP TPH DRO ME 4.1.25 Amber Glass, Teflon Lined 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
ME DEP TPH GRO ME 4.2.17 40 ml Amber VOA Vial 15 Grams MeOH, 4° C 14 Days
NJ EPH NJDEP EPH Amber Glass, Teflon Lined 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
Petroleum Hydrocarbon Identification (PHI) 8015D (M) Amber Glass, Teflon Lined 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
TPH-DRO 8015C (M) Amber Glass, Teflon Lined 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
TPH GC/FID Quantitation only 8015C (M) Amber Glass, Teflon Lined 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
TPH-GRO 8015C (M) 40 ml Amber VOA Vial 15 Grams MeOH, 4° C 14 Days
TPH - Oil & Grease 1664A Amber Glass, Teflon Lined 4 oz Container 4° C 28 Days

TCLP/SPLP
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
Mercury 1311, 1312, 7470A Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 28 Days (Extraction)
Metals 1311, 1312, 6010C, 6020A, 7000A Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 180 Days (Extraction)
Semivolatiles 1311, 1312, 8270D, 8081B, 8151A Amber Glass, Teflon Lined 8 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
Volatiles 1311, 1312, 8260C Large Amber Glass VOA Vial, Teflon Lined 8 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)

Sediment Sample Reference Guide

Inorganics
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
AVS/SEM (Acid Volatile Sulfide / Simultaneously Extracted Metals) EPA-121-R91-100 Glass with teflon septa cap 4 oz Container, No headspace 4° C 21 Days
Cyanide, Physiologically Available 9010B, 9012A, 9014 Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days
Cyanide, Total 9010B, 9012A, 9014 Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days
Grain Size, Bulk Density, Organic Matter, Moisture Content ASTM Methods, SM2540G ziploc bag Quart ziploc NA NA
Hexavalent Chromium (Cr+6) 7196A, SM3500Cr-D Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 21 Days digestion) 3 Days after digestion
Ignitability 1010 Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 180 Days
Inorganic Anions (Bromide, Chloride, Fluoride, Nitrate, Nitrite, Sulfate) 300 Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 28 Days (extraction) except Nitrate/Nitrite
Mercury 7471B, 7474 Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 28 Days
Metals 6010C, 6020A, 7000A Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 180 Days
pH/Corrosivity 9045C Glass 4 oz Container 4° C Analyze immediately
Reactivity - Cyanide/Sulfide Ch. 7 SW-846 Glass 4 oz Container 4° C Analyze immediately
Sulfide 9030B, SM4500S2-AD Glass 4 oz Container, No headspace 4° C 28 Days (ext.) 7 Days (after ext.)
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) 9060, Lloyd Kahn (LK) Method Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 28 Days (9060) 14 Days (LK)
Total Solids SM 2540B Glass 4 oz Container 4° C NA
Total Volatile Solids SM 2540G Glass 4 oz Container 4° C NA

Volatile Organics by GC/MS
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
Volatile Organics - 8260 (High Level) 8260C / 5035 (High Level) 40 ml VOA Vial 5 Grams 5ml MeOH, 4° C 14 Days
Volatile Organics - 8260 (Low Level) 8260C / 5035 (Low Level) (2) 40 ml VOA Vial 5 Grams 5ml Water, 4° C 48 Hrs freeze, 14 Days analysis

Extractable Organics by GC/MS
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
Acid/Base Neutral Extractables (ABN) 8270D Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
PCB Congeners 8270D(M); 680 Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
PCB Homologs 8270D(M); 680 Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) 8270D, 8270D-SIM Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)

Extractable Organics by GC
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
PCB Aroclors 8082A Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
PCB Congeners 8082A Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
PCB Homologs 8082A Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
Pesticides 8081B Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)

Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
MA-DEP EPH EPH-04-1 Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
MA-DEP VPH VPH-04-1.1 40 ml Amber VOA Vial 15 Grams MeOH, 4° C 28 Days
TPH-DRO 8015C (M), 8015D (M) Amber Glass 4 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)
TPH-GRO 8015C (M) 40 ml Amber VOA Vial 15 Grams MeOH, 4° C 14 Days

TCLP/SPLP
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
Mercury 1311, 1312, 7470A, 7474 Glass 8 oz Container 4° C 28 Days (Extraction)
Metals 1311, 1312, 6010C, 6020A, 7000A Glass 8 oz Container 4° C 180 Days (Extraction)
Semivolatiles 1311, 1312, 8270D, 8081B Glass 8 oz Container 4° C 14 Days (Extraction)

Tissue Sample Reference Guide

Inorganics
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
Cyanide, Total 9010B, 9012A, 9014 Glass 4 oz Container Frozen 1 Year
Mercury 7471B, 7474 Glass 4 oz Container Frozen 1 Year
Metals 6020A, 7000 Glass 4 Frozen 1 Year
Moisture Content SM2540G Glass 4 oz Frozen 1 Year
Percent Lipids Alpha Method Glass 4 oz Container Frozen 1 Year
Total Solids SM 2540B Glass 4 oz Container Frozen 1 Year

Extractable Organics
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
Acid/Base Neutral Extractables (ABN) 8270D Glass 4 oz Container Frozen 1 Year
PCB Aroclors 8082A / 8270D (M) Glass 4 oz Container Frozen 1 Year
PCB Congeners 8082A / 8270D (M) Glass 4 oz Container Frozen 1 Year
PCB Homologs 8082A / 8270D (M) Glass 4 oz Container Frozen 1 Year
Pesticides 8081B / 8270D (M) Glass 4 oz Container Frozen 1 Year
Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) 8270D, 8270D-SIM Glass 4 oz Container Frozen 1 Year

Oil/NAPL/Product Sample Reference Guide

Volatile Organics by GC/MS
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
PIANO Volatiles 8260B Mod. Glass 20 mL vial 4° C NA

Extractable Organics by GC/MS
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
Acid/Base Neutral Extractables (ABN) 8270D Glass 20 mL vial 4° C NA
Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) 8270D, 8270D-SIM Glass 20 mL vial 4° C NA

Extractable Organics by GC
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time

Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
Saturated Hydrocarbons 8015D (M) Glass 20 mL vial 4° C NA
TPH-DRO 8015D (M) Glass 20 mL vial 4° C NA
Whole Oil Analysis Alpha Method Glass 20 mL vial 4° C NA

Wipe Sample Reference Guide

Inorganics
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
Mercury 7471B, 7474 4oz. Amber Glass 1 jar with wipes 0.2% HNO3 28 Days
Metals 6010C, 6020A 4oz. Amber Glass 1 jar with wipes 0.2% HNO3 180 Days

Extractable Organics
Analyses Methods Container Sugg. Qty. Preservative Holding Time
PCBs 8082A 4oz. Amber Glass 1 jar with wipes Hexane 14 Days (Extraction)
Pesticides 8081B 4oz. Amber Glass 1 jar with wipes Hexane 14 Days (Extraction)
Acid/Base Neutral Extractables (ABN) 8270D 4oz. Amber Glass 1 jar with wipes Methylene chloride (DCM) 14 Days (Extraction)

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