Soil Sample Prep; Preparing Bulk Soil Samples; Cleaning Your Equipment - Thermo Scientific XL2 User Manual

5
Common Operations

Soil Sample Prep

Soil Sample Prep

Preparing Bulk Soil Samples

Cleaning Your Equipment:

60 Niton XL2 Analyzer User's Guide
Examine the site for differences in surface characteristics before sampling. Valid results depend
on a sufficient and appropriate selection of sites to sample. Incorrect sample collection may
give rise to misleading or meaningless results, regardless of the analysis method. Delineate
sections with different characteristics and treat them as different areas. It may be desirable to
subdivide larger areas even if they have the same characteristics to ensure a thorough
examination. Make certain to label each bag thoroughly. Common information included on
each bag includes the person and/or the company who collected the sample, the location and
area where the sample was taken, and the date the sample was collected.
Prepared sample analysis is the most accurate method for determining the concentration of
elements in a bulk medium using the instrument. Sample preparation will minimize the
effects of moisture, large particle size, variations in particle size and sample non-homogeneity.
Note More sample preparation (drying, milling and sifting) will yield greater accuracy. The
drier, finer, and more homogeneous the particles, the better the measurements.
We recommends establishing a specific sample protocol. Following this protocol for preparing
and testing samples is vital for achieving a level of accuracy comparable with laboratory
results. The equipment you need to prepare samples is included in your kit. Among these are
a mortar and pestle, several different sized metal sieves, and cups to hold the samples
.
CAUTION All test equipment must be kept clean to prevent contaminationof samples.
The mortar, pestle, and grinding mill may be cleaned with dry paper towels. You can also
clean the mortar, pestle, and the mill's container with water, but be sure each is absolutely dry
before using them on another sample. The mortar and pestle may be cleaned by grinding
clean, dry sand in the mortar. Use the short bristle brushes (included in your Soil Testing Kit)
to clean the sieves. If you have an electric soil grinder in your kit, when the soil grinder blades
wear out, unbolt the worn blades and replace them. Call the Thermo Sales Department at
1-800-875-1578 for replacement blades.
Note Using the soil grinder may artificially increase the amount of Fe in soil samples.
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