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Field Sampling Plan

Section 4 - Field QA/QC Program

This section is a summary of the field QA/QC program, covering identification and description of control parameters used during field operations, acceptance criteria for each parameter controlled, and corrective actions required for field or laboratory personnel in the event control limits are exceeded.

4.1 - Control Parameters

During sampling activities, three types of field QA/QC samples will be collected, as described in Section 2.4. In addition, the following samples will be collected for laboratory QA/QC:

  1. One trip blank will accompany every cooler of soil and water samples sent to the laboratory for the analysis of volatile organic compounds. The trip blank will be analyzed for VOCs only.

  2. One equipment rinsate blank will be taken by for every twenty environmental samples collected. This blank will be analyzed for the same chemical constituents as all environmental samples collected at the site.

  3. Field duplicates will collected at a rate of one for every ten environmental samples. Duplicate samples will be analyzed for the same constituents as the original in the laboratory.

  4. One set of MS/MSDs will be collected at a rate of one set for every twenty environmental samples.

Monitoring instruments used in field activities will be calibrated, adjusted, and maintained according to the manufacturer's specifications at specific intervals to maintain accuracy within necessary limits. The field equipment calibration, adjustment and maintenance procedures and schedules are discussed in Section 3. Equipment calibration and maintenance will be documented in the field logbook.

4.2 - Control Limits Field Sampling Plan

This section specifies the methods used to collect and document the samples collected from the site. Samples will be collected for various purposes including planning and confirmation and will be documented accordingly.

4.3 - Corrective Actions

Corrective actions for field measurements are listed in Table 4.1. If control limits are exceeded during calibration and maintenance of field monitoring instruments, corrective action will be taken. Corrective action plans are discussed in the QAPP. In the event that field QA/QC control limits are exceeded, the field logbook will document exceedance of criteria and discuss subsequent corrective actions.

4.4 - Record Keeping

4.4.1   Field Logbooks

All information (except drill logs) pertinent to field activities (including instrument calibration data) will be recorded daily in program-numbered and project-designated field logbooks. These books will be bound, and pages will be consecutively numbered. Entries in the logbook will be made in ink, and each page will be signed and dated. At a minimum, the following information will be included in the field logbooks:

Name and title of author, date and time of entry, and environmental conditions during field activity;

Location of sampling activity;

Name and title of field crew;

Summary of equipment preparation procedures including the lot numbers, manufacturer, and expiration dates of buffer and standard solutions used for field instrument calibration;

Sample media (surface water, soil);

Sample collection method;

Number and volume of sample(s) taken and sample identification numbers;

Date and time of collection;

Sample distribution (laboratory);

Field observations;

Any field measurements made such as temperature;

Health and safety information such as personnel air monitoring, heat or cold stress monitoring data, upgrades or downgrades of personnel protective equipment, and the reasons for such upgrades or downgrades; and

All sample document, such as dates and methods of sample shipments and sampling handling (preservation).

In addition, the following observations about each sample collected will be recorded in the logbooks as appropriate:

Sample depth,

Color and physical description,

Type(s) of laboratory analyses requested, and

Any changes in sampling locations (also to be indicated on annotated maps).

In summary, sufficient information will be recorded in the field logbooks during field activities to permit reconstruction of the sampling event without reliance on the collector's memory.

If an error is made, the individual will make corrections simply by crossing a line through the error, initialing, dating, and entering the correct information. The erroneous information should not be obliterated. The person who made the entry should correct any subsequent error discovered on an accountable document. All corrections must be initialed and dated.

4.4.2   Geological Logs

All drill logs will subscribe to the following requirements:

Logs will be prepared in the field as borings and wells are drilled by a qualified, experienced geologist, soil scientist, or hydrologist. The preparer will sign each log.

All log entries will be printed. Photo reproductions will be clear and legible. Illegible or incomplete logs will not be accepted.

Borehole depth information will be from direct measurements accurate to 0.1 foot.

Logs will be prepared on the attached sheets (see Appendix A) or similar boring or drilling log.

All relevant information blanks in the log heading and log body will be completed. If surveyed horizontal control is not available at the time of drilling, location sketches referenced by measured distances or prominent surface features will be shown on or attached to the log.

Log scale will be approximately 1 inch = 1 foot for soil borings.

Each and every material type encountered will be described in the log form.

Unconsolidated materials will be described as follows:

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Descriptive USCS classification,

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Consistency of cohesive materials or apparent density of noncohesive materials,

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Moisture content assessment, e.g., dry, moist, wet,

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Color, and

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Other descriptive features (bedding characteristics, organic materials, macrostructure of fine-grained soils, e.g., root holes, fractures, etc.).

Rock materials will be described in accordance with standard geologic nomenclature for:

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Rock type,

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Relative hardness,

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Texture,

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Color,

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Weathering,

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Bedding,

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Fractures, joints, bedding planes, and cavities, including any filling materials if present, and

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Other descriptive features (fossils, pits, crystals, etc.).

Stratigraphic or lithologic changes will be identified by a solid horizontal line at the scale depth on the log's classification section which corresponds to measured borehole depths at which changes occur, measured and recorded to the nearest 0.1 foot. Gradational transitions, changes identified from cuttings, or methods other than direct observation and measurement will be identified by a horizontal dashed line at the appropriate scale depth based on the best judgment of the logger.

Logs will clearly show the depth intervals from which all samples are retained.

Logs will identify the depth at which water is first encountered, the depth to water at the completion of drilling, and the stabilized depth to water. The absence of water in borings will also be noted. Stabilized water level data will include time allowed for levels to stabilize.

Logs will show borehole and sample diameters and depths at which drilling or sampling methods or equipment change.

Logs will show total depth of penetration and sampling. The bottom of the hole will be identified on the log by solid lines from margin to margin with a notation as to the total depth drilled.

Logs will show drilling fluids used, if necessary, including:

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Source of water,

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Drill fluid additives by brand and product name, and mixture proportions, and

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Type of filter for compressed air.

Logs will identify any intervals of hole instability.

Intervals of lost bedrock core will be shown. Intervals of intact soil sampling attempts will also be noted, including depths from which attempts were made and length of sample recovered from each attempt. Bedrock coring information will be recorded in consecutively numbered runs and will include the following:

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Depth to top and bottom of each core run, and

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Length of core recovered from each run.

Any special drilling or sampling problems will be recorded on logs, including descriptions of problem resolutions.

Logs will contain all other information relevant to a particular investigation, including but not limited to:

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Odors,

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PID/OVA measurements or other field screening or test results, and

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Any observed evidence of contamination in samples, cuttings, or drilling fluids.

Copies of the field logs will be included in the final report. All core that is obtained will be photographed in such a manner that the top depth, bottom depth, and boring number for each section of core are legible within the photo. An example of a geologic boring log is located in Appendix A.

4.4.3   Project Change Records

The FSP for this investigation is a working document; thus, changes or revisions to the FSP or field changes may be necessary at any time during the investigation. These changes may be attributable to field conditions, data evaluation, personnel changes, contracting, or any number of unforeseen circumstances. Minor changes, such as moving a boring or sampling location in the same vicinity as originally planned, will be documented in the field. Minor changes will likely require implementation prior to notification to the CSSA point of contact. The field team leader or task manager will document minor changes, and the date the change was implemented, in the field logbook. Changes should be very specific and reference the FSP or WP page number, figure number, and any specific wording to be changed.

Major changes to the planned investigation, such as putting in optional borings, adding or eliminating tasks, or changing or modifying analytical methods, will require notification and approval before implementation. A formal modification request will be submitted to AFCEE, AMC, and CSSA. All changes will be approved by the appropriate authorities prior to implementation.

4.5 - Site Management

The installation point of contact (POC) is Brian Murphy (telephone number 210/698-5208). The Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE) technical project manager is Jo Jean Mullen (telephone number 210/536-5940).

CSSA will provide Parsons ES personnel and their subcontractors with contractors� passes, at the main gate each day before entering CSSA. Parsons ES will provide written notification of the names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of all personnel scheduled to work on-site. This information will be provided to CSSA at least two weeks before any field work is to be performed.

A paved area and large quantities of potable water must be available for use at CSSA for decontamination by Parsons ES personnel and their subcontractors. A 110/115-volt AC electrical outlet must be available within 25 feet of the paved area for steam cleaner hookup.

The post will assign accumulation points to which Parsons ES can deliver any drill cuttings or well development/purging fluids which are suspected to be hazardous.

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