Sample Container And Preservation List

All samples shipped to the Region 9 Laboratory must be bottled and preserved in accordance with protocols. The following tables indicate the required containers, volumes and chemical preservation, as necessary.

Please Contact the Lab regarding preservation and container requirements for Microbiology and Marine/Freshwater Toxicity Testing.

ANALYSIS--AQUEOUS	CONTAINER	PRESERVATIVE
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY:
1,4-dioxane	2 x 1L glass amber	4C
Chlorophenols	2 x 1L glass amber	4C
EDB/DBCP	3 x 40 ml VOA Vial	4C
Organochlorine Pest/PCBS	2 x 1L glass amber	4C
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons	2 x 1L glass amber	4C
Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds	2 x 1L glass amber	4C
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons - TEH (Diesel, Motor Oil)	2 x 1L glass amber	4C
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons + BTXE - TVH (Gasoline, Jet Fuel)	3 x 40 ml VOA Vial	HCL, pH <2, 4C
Volatile Organic Compounds	3 x 40 ml VOA Vial	HCL, pH <2, 4C
METALS:
ICP Metals	1 x 250 ml Plastic	HNO3, pH <2
Mercury	1 x 250 ml Plastic	HNO3, pH <2
Lead, Copper (Drinking Water)	1 x 250 ml Plastic	HNO3, pH <2
GENERAL CHEMISTRY:
Alkalinity	1 x 500 ml Plastic	4C
Anions	1 x 250 ml Plastic	4C
Ammonia	1 x 250 ml Plastic	H2SO4, pH <2, 4C
Biochemical Oxygen Demand	1 x 500 ml Plastic	4C
Cyanide	1 x 250 ml Plastic	NaOH, pH >12, 4C
Hardness	1 x 250 ml Plastic	HNO3, pH < 2, 4C
Sulfide	1 x 500 ml Plastic	NaOH + Zn Acetate pH >9,4C
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)	1 x 250 ml Plastic	H2SO4, pH <2, 4C
Total Organic Carbon (TOC)	1 x 125 mL glass	H2SO4, pH <2, 4C
Total Phosphorous	1 x 250 ml Plastic	H2SO4, pH <2, 4C
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)	1 x 250 ml Plastic	4C
Total Solids	1 x 250 ml Plastic	4C
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)	1 x 250 ml Plastic	4C

ANALYSIS -- SOILS	CONTAINER	PRESERVATIVE
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY:
Organochlorine Pest/PCBs	1 x 4 oz. Glass Jar	4C
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons	1 x 4 oz. Glass Jar
Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds	1 x 4 oz. Glass Jar	4C
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons - TEH (Diesel, Kerosine. Paint Thinner)	1 x 4 oz. Glass Jar	4C
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons + BTXE - TVH (Gasoline, Jet Fuel)	3 x 5g EnCore-type samplers	4C
Volatile Organic Compounds	3 x 5g EnCore-type samplers	4C
GENERAL CHEMISTRY:
Anions	1 x 4 oz. Glass Jar	4C
Perchlorate	1 x 4 oz. Glass Jar	4C
Total Organic Carbon	1 x 4 oz. Glass Jar	4C
METALS:
Metals (all)	1 x 4 oz. Glass Jar	4C

Note: all recommendations apply only to samples submitted to the U.S. EPA Region 9 Laboratory and are for single sample quantities.

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