Effect of Collection and Handling Practices on Concentrations of Volatile Organic Compounds Detected in Soil Subsamples

The losses of trichloroethylene from soil samples transferred to and from a storage bottle were evaluated by comparing values obtained using standard techniques with values obtained using a method that limits sample disruption, exposure, and volatilization losses from a subsample after a single transfer step. Results strongly suggest that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are readily lost from contaminated soils when care is not taken to limit surface area exposure and ensure subsample isolation. For this site investigation and others using similar sample-handling protocols, VOC losses are most abundant during field collection and storage.