Oil Spill Sampling

Contents

• Overview of Reference Material

• Sampling Equipment

• Sample Collection

• Labeling

• Review

References *ASTM Standards (American Society for Testing and Materials)D 4489 - Standard Practice for Sampling of Waterborne OilsD 3325 - Standard Practice for Preservation of Waterborne Oil Samples

*COMDTINST M16201.1 (30 Jul 1997) CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

Chapter 3. General Investigative Techniques and Evidence CollectionSubchapter H. Sampling….Pg. 3-8

*G-MOA Policy Letter 4-04POLLUTION INVESTIGATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT: EVIDENCE NEEDEDTO PROSECUTE A NOTICE OF VIOLATION OR CLASS I CIVIL PENALTY

*MSL SAMPLE HANDLING AND TRANSMITTAL GUIDE(Access through MSL website.)

http://cgweb.comdt.uscg.mil/g-mo/moa/docs2/4-04.pdf

Sampling Equipment• 1 Sampling Kit Carrier

• 12, 4 oz. Sample Jars

• 1 Sampling Extension Pole

• 12 Jar Rings

• 4 McGill Sheen Net Kits

• 6 Cardboard Mailing Tubes

• 1 Box Nitrile Gloves

Sampling Equipment (Cont.)• 1 Roll Adhesive Labels (Sample Data and COC)

• 1 Roll Cotton Twine

• Absorbent Towels

• Hand Cleaner

• 6 Tongue Depressors

• 1 Roll of Jar Seal Tape (electrical tape)

• Waterproof Felt Markers

*Wear Personal Protective Equipment consistent with the nature of the spill.

Optional Sampling Equipment

– Small Ice Chest/Cooler

– Expendable Cooling Pack

An advanced sampling kit mayinclude the following means

to cool samples while still in the field.

Sampling Collection Objective

Obtain a sample for analysis that is

representative of the spilled oil.

Sampling Guidelines

• Sampling Plan

• Sampling Procedures

• Chain of Custody

• Preservation of Samples

Sampling Plan

Procedures for taking samples from the surface of the water will vary with the sheen size and thickness, on-scene weather and sea state, the type of petroleum product, and all necessary safety precautions.

Shipboard sample procedures will depend on the number of tanks and bilges requiring sampling, and the access of those tanks and bilges.

COMDTINST M16201.1

Sampling Procedures

Grab Sampling

Sheen Net Sampling

• Applicable for thick layers of waterborne films, viscous oils, oil globules, and tar balls.

• Also applicable to sampling oil stranded on shorelines or oil soaked debris.

• The sample container serves as the sampling device.

Grab Sampling

Grab Sampling Procedures

Procedures for Floating Sample

1. Select a sampling site.

2. Lower the sample jar into the water and skim the oil layer or globules from the water surface into the sample jar. Continue the process until the sample container is approximately ¾ full. Decant if necessary, repeat until oil collection is complete.

3. Attach sample identification label to cleaned jar.

Procedures for Shoreline Sample

1. Select a sampling site.

2. Using either the lid, tongue depressor, or sample jar as a scoop, fill the jar 3/4 full with oil-saturated material.

3. Attach sample identification label to cleaned jar.

Grab Sampling Procedures

Sheen Net Sampling Procedures

1. Sampling is accomplished by slowly dragging the sheen net through the sheen and using its natural affinity to collect the oil.

2. Deposit oiled net into jar.

3. Attach sample identification label to cleaned jar.

TFE-fluorocarbon polymer net

Labels

• Use indelible ink, and print legibly.

• Seal sample with oil-resistant tape.• Electrical tape works very well.• Do not tape over label.

• Do not seal jar with the label.

Label Information

• MSL recommends using COC labels for criminal cases, or when samples are transferred in the field from one agency to another (e.g. EPA takes sample and transfers it to USCG).• COC must be continuously maintained from the time

samples are taken.• If used, ensure COC label data on jars matches data on the COC record.

Chain of Custody

Preservation of Samples

Apparatus:

Glass vs. Plastic Containers

Plasticizer may dissolve in sample

Refrigeration:

Explosion proof Refrigerators

4-5 ° C

Sampling:

Collect a representative sample in accordance with Practices D 4489.

Preservation of Samples:

Protection against Microbial Attack - Maintain Refrigeration

Shipment of Samples:

Use appropriate shipping carrier.

ASTM Standard D 3325

Things to Remember• Quality of samples

depends upon sampler.

• Use of Tool Bag for Collecting Samples – “Be Prepared”

• Timely turnaround of samples.

• Review All Paperwork and MISLE Activity entries.

Any Questions?