Ground Water Issue: Mineralogical Preservation of Solid Samples Collected from Anoxic Subsurface Environments October 2006

Remedial technologies utilized at hazardous waste sites for the treatment of metal and metalloid contaminants often take advantage of reduction-oxidation (redox) processes to reach ground water clean up goals (Barcelona and Holm, 1991; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2002). This is because redox reactions, in many cases, govern the biogeochemical behavior of inorganic contaminants by affecting their solubility, reactivity, and bioavailability. Site characterization efforts, remedial investigations, and long-term post-remedial monitoring often involve sampling and analysis of solids. Solid-phase studies are needed to evaluate contaminant partitioning to various mineral fractions, to develop site conceptual models of contaminant transport and fate, and to assess whether or not remedial mechanisms are occurring as expected. Measurements to determine mineralogical compositions, contaminant-mineral associations, and metal/metalloid uptake capacities of subsurface solids or reactive media used for in situ treatment of the subsurface all depend upon proper sample collection and preservation practices. This Issue Paper discusses mineralogical preservation methods for solid samples that can be applied during site characterization studies and assessments of remedial performance. A preservation protocol is presented that is applicable to solids collected from anoxic subsurface environments, such as soils, aquifers, and sediments.