Environmental Field Sampling and Monitoring Program Design Course

Lesson 1 • Environmental Media and Matrices

Covers the physical matrices sampled in field programs: air, water, soil, sediment, and biota. Links matrix choice to program objectives.

Lesson 2 • Environmental Sampling Principles

Introduces core sampling concepts: representativeness, bias, and error. Establishes vocabulary used throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Regulatory and Program Drivers

Explains how environmental regulations, permits, and liability frameworks drive sampling program design. Connects compliance needs to technical decisions.

Lesson 1 • Sample Size and Power Calculations

Introduces statistical methods for determining minimum sample numbers to meet DQOs. Connects power analysis to cost and schedule constraints.

Lesson 2 • Conceptual Site Model Development

Guides construction of a conceptual site model integrating sources, pathways, and receptors. The CSM drives spatial and temporal sampling decisions.

Lesson 3 • Sampling Design Selection

Compares probabilistic, judgmental, and systematic sampling designs against DQO requirements. Students select and justify a design for a given scenario.

Lesson 4 • Systematic Planning Process Overview

Walks through the seven-step systematic planning framework from problem statement to decision rule. Provides the structural backbone for all subsequent planning activities.

Lesson 1 • Field Sampling Procedures Writing

Teaches how to write step-by-step field procedures that are unambiguous and reproducible. Covers equipment, decontamination, and sample handling instructions.

Lesson 2 • Health and Safety Plan Integration

Explains how site-specific health and safety plans are integrated into sampling documentation. Covers hazard identification, PPE selection, and emergency response.

Lesson 3 • Sampling and Analysis Plan Structure

Describes the required components of a sampling and analysis plan and their logical order. Establishes the document as the primary field governance tool.

Lesson 4 • Quality Assurance Project Plan Elements

Covers the QAPP as the quality governance document linked to the SAP. Explains roles, responsibilities, and performance criteria documentation.

Lesson 1 • Groundwater Sampling Procedures

Teaches well purging methods, low-flow sampling, and passive sampling for groundwater. Emphasizes stabilization parameters and minimal disturbance principles.

Lesson 2 • Surface Water Sampling Methods

Covers grab, composite, and depth-integrated sampling techniques for rivers, lakes, and effluent streams. Addresses flow conditions and sample representativeness.

Lesson 3 • Air and Vapor Sampling Methods

Introduces active and passive air sampling, soil vapor probes, and sub-slab sampling. Connects method selection to target analytes and detection limits.

Lesson 4 • Soil and Sediment Sampling

Covers hand auger, split-spoon, and core sampling for soil and sediment matrices. Addresses depth interval selection and sample homogenization.

Lesson 1 • Preservation Techniques and Hold Times

Covers chemical preservatives, temperature requirements, and maximum hold times by analyte group. Links preservation failure to data usability consequences.

Lesson 2 • Chain-of-Custody Procedures

Explains the legal and technical requirements of chain-of-custody documentation from field to lab. Covers custody seals, transfer signatures, and discrepancy resolution.

Lesson 3 • Container Selection and Preparation

Explains how analyte chemistry drives container material, volume, and pre-cleaning requirements. Prevents contamination introduced by improper container choice.

Lesson 4 • Sample Labeling and Field Documentation

Teaches standardized labeling, field log entries, and photographic documentation practices. Ensures every sample is traceable from collection to analysis.

Lesson 1 • Photoionization and Combustible Gas Detectors

Teaches PID and CGI calibration, correction factors, and field screening applications. Links screening results to sampling decisions and health and safety.

Lesson 2 • Calibration Documentation and QC

Establishes documentation requirements for instrument calibration records and QC checks. Ensures instrument performance is traceable and defensible.

Lesson 3 • Water Quality Multiparameter Instruments

Covers calibration and operation of multiparameter sondes for pH, DO, conductivity, and turbidity. Establishes stabilization criteria for groundwater and surface water.

Lesson 1 • Field QC Sample Types and Purposes

Defines equipment blanks, field blanks, trip blanks, duplicates, and matrix spikes. Explains what each QC sample type detects and when it is required.

Lesson 2 • Field Audits and Performance Evaluations

Covers technical systems audits, performance evaluations, and readiness reviews for field programs. Prepares students to conduct and respond to field audits.

Lesson 3 • Nonconformance and Corrective Action

Establishes procedures for identifying, documenting, and resolving field nonconformances. Ensures problems are captured and corrected before data are reported.

Lesson 4 • Field QC Data Evaluation

Teaches how to calculate RPD, evaluate blank contamination, and flag data based on QC results. Connects field QC performance to data usability decisions.

Lesson 1 • Statistical Analysis of Monitoring Data

Introduces descriptive statistics, trend analysis, and nondetect data handling for environmental datasets. Connects statistical outputs to regulatory decision thresholds.

Lesson 2 • Program Performance Review and Optimization

Evaluates whether the monitoring program is meeting its DQOs and identifies opportunities for optimization. Closes the adaptive management loop for long-term programs.

Lesson 3 • Monitoring Report Preparation

Guides preparation of a complete monitoring report including methods, results, and conclusions. Addresses audience-specific communication and regulatory submission requirements.

Lesson 4 • Data Validation and Usability Assessment

Teaches systematic data validation against method, QC, and holding time criteria. Produces a data usability summary that supports decision-making.