Demonstration/Validation of the Snap Sampler Passive Groundwater Sampling Device at the Former McClellan Air Force Base

Abstract : Objectives of this demonstration/validation project were to determine whether the Snap Sampler passive ground water sampling device can provide: 1) technically defensible analytical data for the wide spectrum of analytes that are of concern to the Department of Defense and 2) substantial cost savings over currently used ground water sampling methods. This particular demonstration was conducted at the former McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, CA. Ten wells were sampled using the Snap Sampler, low-flow purging and sampling, and the dialysis (or regenerated cellulose) membrane passive sampler. Analytes included dissolved and total inorganics (including nonmetal anions, metalloids, and metals), and four Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) (including three chlorinated solvents and methyl tert-butyl ether [MTBE]). Analyte concentrations in samples collected with the two passive sampling methods were compared with concentrations found in samples collected using low-flow sampling. Cost analyses were also conducted to compare the cost of conducting quarterly sampling on a similar site with 50 wells using the three sampling methods.