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Evaluation of Sample Preservation Methods for Analysis of Selected Volatile Organic Compounds in Groundwater at the Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho

Scientific Investigations Report 2022-5076
DOE/ID-22257
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20225076

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Abstract

During 2020, water samples were collected from 25 wells completed in the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer and from 1 well completed in perched groundwater above the aquifer at the Idaho National Laboratory to determine the effect of different sample-preservation methods on the laboratory determinations of concentrations of volatile organic compounds. Paired-sample sets were collected at each well. One sample in each set was preserved with hydrochloric acid, and one sample without. Both samples were chilled after collection and during shipping to the laboratory for analysis. The samples were analyzed for 61 volatile organic compounds at the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy. A comparison of the reproducibility of the analyses of co-located unpreserved and preserved samples by a relative percent difference method determined that all sample pairs were statistically equivalent. Using a normalized absolute difference method, 81 percent of the analyses were found to be statistically equivalent. This study confirms that the results of analyses of historical collected samples, which were preserved by chilling only, are statistically comparable to the analyses of samples being currently collected and preserved by both hydrochloric acid and chilling, and thus are valid for use in future geochemical evaluations.

Suggested Citation

Treinen, K.C., and Bartholomay, R.C., 2022, Evaluation of sample preservation methods for analysis of selected volatile organic compounds in groundwater at the Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2022–5076 (DOE/ID-22257), 17 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20225076.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Study Methods
  • Evaluation of Variability in Volatile Organic Compound Concentrations in Paired-Samples
  • Summary
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. U.S. Geological Survey Water Quality Memorandum, January 30, 1996
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Evaluation of sample preservation methods for analysis of selected volatile organic compounds in groundwater at the Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2022-5076
DOI 10.3133/sir20225076
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Idaho Water Science Center
Description Report: v, 17 p.; 1 Figure
Country United States
State Idaho
Other Geospatial Idaho National Laboratory
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details