$EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Research and
Development
Washington, DC 20460
EPA/600/F-99/008
April 1999
Program Demonstration Update
Performance Verification of Sediment Sampling Technologies
Introduction
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies
new technologies for hazardous waste sampling,
characterization, and cleanup through its Superfund Innovative
Technology Evaluation (SITE) Program. Created in 1986, this
program has four primary objectives: (1) identify and remove
obstacles to development and commercial use of innovative
technologies, (2) support a development program that identifies
and nurtures emerging technologies, (3) demonstrate promising
innovative technologies to establish reliable performance and
cost information for site characterization and cleanup decision-
making, and (4) develop procedures and policies that encourage
selection of innovative technologies for Superfund sites as well
as other sites and commercial facilities.
Two sediment sampling technologies are to be demonstrated
under EPA's SITE Program: Art's Manufacturing & Supply,
Inc.' s (AMS), Split Core Sampler for Submerged Sediments and
Aquatic Research Instruments' (ARI) Russian Peat Borer. The
technology demonstration is a cooperative effort of the SITE
Program and EPA Regions 1 and 5.
The SITE Program
The SITE Program includes the following elements: the
Monitoring and Measurement Technology (MMT) Program, the
Remediation Technology Program, and the Technology Transfer
Program. The innovative sediment sampler demonstration is
being conducted as part of the MMT Program, which is briefly
described below.
The MMT Program provides developers of innovative
hazardous waste measurement, monitoring, and sampling
technologies an opportunity to demonstrate the performance of
their technology under actual field conditions. These
technologies may be used to detect, monitor, sample, or
measure hazardous and toxic substances in soil, sediment, waste
material, and groundwater.
The technologies include chemical sensors for in situ (in place)
measurements, groundwater samplers, soil and sediment
samplers, soil gas samplers, laboratory and field-portable
analytical equipment, and other systems that support field
sampling or data acquisition and analysis.
The MMT Program strives to achieve the following objectives:
• Test field analytical technologies that enhance monitoring
and site characterization capabilities
• Identify performance attributes of innovative technologies
to address field characterization and monitoring problems
in a cost-effective and efficient manner
• Prepare protocols, guidelines, methods, and other technical
publications that enhance acceptance of these technologies
The MMT Program is administered by the Environmental
Sciences Division, National Exposure Research Laboratory in
Las Vegas, Nevada.
Purpose and Scope of the Demonstration
The demonstration of the AMS Split Core Sampler for
Submerged Sediments and the ARI Russian Peat Borer will be
conducted under the MMT Program during the last week of
April and the first week of May 1999 at sites in EPA Regions 1
and 5. The purpose of the demonstration is to obtain reliable
performance and cost data on these innovative samplers in order
to provide (1) a better understanding of innovative sediment
samplers that may be more versatile, more cost-effective, and
faster to use than conventional sediment samplers and (2) an
opportunity for the innovative sediment samplers to enter the
marketplace and compete with conventional samplers without
long delays.
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AMS Split Core Sampler for Submerged
Sediments
The AMS Split Core Sampler for Submerged Sediments is
designed to collect undisturbed, cylindrical core samples of
various types of sediment, including saturated sands and silts,
up to a maximum depth of 36 inches below the sediment surface
(bss). The sampler is designed to collect sediment with a
paniculate diameter not exceeding 2/3 inch. The AMS Split
Core Sampler for Submerged Sediments is a modified version
of the AMS Split Core Sampler, which is commonly used to
collect undisturbed soil samples.
Technology Description
Components of the AMS Split Core Sampler for Submerged
Sediments include (1) up to three 12-inch-long pairs of 300-
series, stainless-steel split core cups with interlocking, recessed
channels and male, square-threaded ends; (2) a 400-series,
stainless-steel coring tip; (3) a rigid plastic basket retainer; (4) a
ball check valve-vented top cap; (5) a female, square-threaded
coupling for attachment to additional stainless-steel split core
cups; and (6) stainless-steel or 4130 Alloy AMS extensions
available in 3-, 4-, and 5-foot lengths (see Figure 1). The
sampler can be operated with the AMS Slide-Hammer, the
stainless-steel or rubber-coated AMS Cross Handle, or the AMS
Electric Hammer Drill. Also, the sampler may be used with a
core tube liner available in plastic, stainless steel, brass,
aluminum, and Teflon® to facilitate removal of an intact sample
from the split core cups. Ancillary components for operation of
the sampler include crescent wrenches and slip wrenches for
assembly of the sampler, core caps for enclosing a sediment core
within the core tube liner, the AMS Sample Preparation Station
for splitting core tube liners and examining samples, and the
AMS Tripod Winch for recovering the sampler during
sampling.
The assembled AMS Split Core Sampler for Submerged
Sediments has an inside diameter of 2 inches and is designed to
collect sample volumes of 620; 1,240; and 1,860 milliliters
(mL) using one, two, and three pairs of interlocking split core
cups, respectively. The fully equipped sampler, including one
pair of 2-inch-diameter split core cups, the top cap with the ball
check valve, the coring tip, the coupling, and the basket
retainer, weighs about 7.5 pounds. The AMS Slide-Hammer
weighs about 10.2 pounds.
The AMS Split Core Sampler for Submerged Sediments can be
either manually pushed into sediment using the AMS Cross
Handle or hammered into sediment using the AMS Slide-
Hammer or Electric Hammer Drill. The ball check valve in the
sampler's top cap allows water to exit the sampler during
deployment and creates a vacuum to help retain a sediment core
during sampler retrieval. Also, the basket retainer is designed
to help retain sediment within the interlocked split core cups.
The sampler can be retrieved manually, by reverse hammering
using the AMS Slide-Hammer, or using the AMS Tripod
Winch.
Cross handle
Extension
Top cap coupling
Ball check
valve- vented
top cap
,Split core cups
Basket retainer
Coring tip
Not to scale
Figure 1. AMS Split Core Sampler for Submerged Sediments.
According to AMS, the Split Core Sampler for Submerged
Sediments is innovative because it incorporates a ball check
valve in the top cap to allow water to escape as the sampler is
deployed and to prevent water from entering the sampler as it is
retrieved. Also, the coring tip of the sampler has been modified
from earlier versions of the sampler to accommodate a basket
retainer designed to help prevent sample loss as the sampler is
retrieved.
Operating Procedures
The AMS Split Core Sampler for Submerged Sediments can be
operated by one person from a platform, from a boat, or while
wading in shallow water. Depending on sampler decon-
tamination requirements and sampling conditions such as water
depth and sediment type, the stainless-steel AMS extensions or
the stronger, more widely used 4130 Alloy AMS extensions can
be attached to the sampler before its deployment. The fully
assembled sampler is manually lowered into the water in such
a way that the coring tip is placed on the sediment surface. The
sampler can then be either manually pushed with the AMS
Cross Handle or driven with the AMS Slide-Hammer to the
desired sediment depth. The sampler is removed from the
sediment either manually or by reverse hammering using the
AMS Slide-Hammer. The sampler is raised out of the water
manually or using the AMS Tripod Winch. Once the sampler
has been retrieved, the interlocking split core cups are separated
from the extensions and carefully opened. The sediment core
enclosed in the core tube liner, if used, can be either sealed in
the core tube using two core caps or removed. The core is
removed by splitting the liner with a knife or using the AMS
Sample Preparation Station.
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ARI Russian Peat Borer
The ARI Russian Peat Borer is a manually driven core sampler
designed to consistently collect uncompressed samples of bog
and marsh sediment. The sampler is designed to operate in
shallow water (a depth of up to 15 feet) and to achieve complete
sediment profile collection to a maximum depth of 65 feet bss,
depending on the sediment thickness.
Technology Description
Components of the ARI Russian Peat Borer include a stainless-
steel core tube; 1-inch-diameter, aluminum extension rods with
a stainless-steel coupling nut; a stainless-steel turning handle;
and a Delrin® core head and bottom point that support a
stainless-steel cover plate. The cover plate is curved and
sharpened to minimize disturbance when the sampler is inserted
into sediment (see Figure 2). The core tube is hinged to the
cover plate by two stainless-steel pivot pins at the top and
bottom of the plate. Support equipment for operation of the
sampler may include a slide-hammer mechanism or 10-foot-
long, magnesium-zirconium rods that are each 1.3 inches in
diameter.
The ARI Russian Peat Borer is available in two separate models
with 20- and 40-inch core tube lengths. The two models are
designed to collect maximum sample volumes of 500 and
1,000 mL, respectively. The fully assembled samplers without
extension rods weigh about 5.5 and 15 pounds, respectively.
Each additional 40-inch-long extension rod weighs about
2 pounds.
The ARI Russian Peat Borer is manually inserted into sediment
in the beginning position and turned 180 degrees clockwise.
This procedure allows the sharp edge of the core tube to rotate
and longitudinally cut through the sediment, collecting a
semicylindrical sediment core 2 inches in diameter. While the
core tube is manually turned, the stainless-steel cover plate
provides support so that the collected material is retained within
the core tube.
According to ARI, the Russian Peat Borer is innovative because
the core head and bottom point are made of Delrin®, a
thermoplastic polymer that has a high modulus of elasticity as
well as strength, stiffness, and resistance to abrasion and the
degrading effects of moisture. Earlier sediment samplers with
a similar design were typically made entirely of stainless steel.
ARI has also installed a rubber strip on the cover plate of its
sampler to create a seal that prevents loss of collected material
from the core tube when it is in the closed position. In addition,
ARI limited the thickness of the cover plate and the core tube to
2 millimeters in order to minimize the resistance created by the
sediment during sampler deployment and core tube rotation.
Finally, according to ARI, the optional, 10-foot-long,
magnesium-zirconium rods available for sampler deployment to
depths greater than 50 feet bss are durable, light in weight, and
easily coupled and uncoupled in cold weather.
Sharp edge
Pivot pin
Empty
core tube •
Beginning position
Sediment
Turning handle
IN
Extension rods
with coupling nut
Core head
Pivot pin
Coring position
-Sediment
Closed position
-'"- '<*:—Sediment
Extruding position
Cross-sectional top views
Core tube
Sediment
Sharp
•-edge
Pivot pin
•4)— Bottom point
Cross-sectional side view
Not to scale
Figure 2. ARI Russian Peat Borer.
Operating Procedures
The ARI Russian Peat Borer can be operated by one person from
a platform, from a boat, or while wading in shallow water.
Figure 2 includes a four-stage depiction of the sampler
operating procedures. The sampler is operated by manually
inserting the bottom point into sediment with the blunt edge of
the core tube turned against the cover plate to prevent sediment
from entering the core tube during penetration. A slide-hammer
mechanism can be used to drive the sampler to a depth of up to
65 feet bss. Once the sampler is driven into the sediment to the
desired depth, the turning handle is manually turned
180 degrees clockwise, allowing the sharp edge of the core tube
to longitudinally cut through the sediment. During rotation of
the core tube, the cover plate stabilizes the collected material.
The sampler reaches the closed position when the sharp edge of
the core tube is in contact with the cover plate.
Once it is in the closed position, the ARI Russian Peat Borer can
be manually retrieved. As the sampler is retrieved, a constant,
clockwise pressure on the sampler is required to ensure that the
core tube remains in the closed position. After retrieval, the
turning handle and extension rods are removed, and the core
tube is manually turned counterclockwise to expose the
semicylindrical core sample on the cover plate.
To allow consecutive, complete reconstruction of a long
sediment profile, two ARI Russian Peat Borers should be
alternately deployed side-by-side to alternating depths. This
procedure is designed to minimize disturbance to the sediment
while a complete, continuous sediment core is collected.
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The demonstration has both primary and secondary objectives.
The primary objectives are critical to the technology evaluations
and require use of quantitative results to draw conclusions
regarding technology performance. The secondary objectives
pertain to information that is useful but do not necessarily
require use of quantitative results to draw conclusions. The
demonstration has the following primary objectives:
• Evaluate whether the samplers can consistently collect a
specified volume of sediment
• Determine whether the samplers can consistently collect
samples at a specified depth interval
• Assess the samplers' ability to collect multiple samples
with consistent physical or chemical characteristics, or
both, from a homogenous layer of sediment
• Evaluate whether the samplers can collect a representative
sample from a "clean" sediment layer that is below a
contaminated sediment layer
• Assess the samplers' ability to be adequately
decontaminated between sampling areas
• Measure the time required for each activity associated with
sample collection (sampler setup, sample collection,
sampler disassembly, and sampler decontamination)
• Estimate costs associated with sample collection activities
(capital, labor, supply, investigation-derived waste disposal,
and support equipment costs)
The secondary objectives of the demonstration are as follows:
• Document the skills and training required to properly
operate the samplers
• Evaluate the samplers' ability to collect samples under a
variety of site conditions
• Assess the samplers' ability to collect an undisturbed
sample
• Evaluate the samplers' durability based on their materials
of construction and engineering designs
• Document the availability of the samplers and spare parts
The performance and cost of each innovative sampler will be
compared only to those of a reference sampler (that is, a
conventional sediment sampler); innovative samplers will not
be compared to other innovative samplers. A Hand Corer will
be used as the reference sampler in EPA Region 1, and a
Vibrocorer will be used as the reference sampler in EPA
Region 5.
After the demonstration is complete, EPA will publish
innovative technology verification reports for the innovative
sediment samplers. The reports will be completed by the end of
1999.
Site Descriptions
The two innovative sediment samplers will be demonstrated at
sites in EPA Regions 1 and 5. At the Region 1 site,
demonstration sampling activities will be conducted in two
areas. One area represents open-water conditions; water flow
is low, and water depth is about 10 feet. The other area is in a
low-lying wetland; water flow in this area is low to moderate,
and water depths range from 0.2 to 2 feet.
At the Region 5 site, demonstration sampling activities will be
conducted in two river environments. One sampling area
represents open-water conditions: the water flow is low to
moderate, and its depth is about 5 feet. The second sampling
area has a very slow-moving current and a water depth of about
2.5 feet.
Contacts
For information regarding the innovative sediment samplers,
please contact the following individuals:
Mr. Brian Anderson
Art's Manufacturing & Supply, Inc.
7353 Cedar Crest Drive
Sauk City, WI 53583
Telephone: (608) 643-4913
Mr. Will Young
Aquatic Research Instruments
1 Hayden Creek Road
Lemhi, ID 83465
Telephone: (208) 756-8433
For information regarding the MMT Program and the
demonstration, please contact the following individuals:
Dr. Stephen Billets
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Exposure Research Laboratory
944 East Harmon Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Telephone: (702) 798-2232
Dr. Brian Schumacher
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Exposure Research Laboratory
944 East Harmon Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Telephone: (702) 798-2242
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