Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

In collaboration with AET Environmental and TEC Inc. 

Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall 

Deepwater Horizon Oil Release, Gulf of 

Mexico, 2010 

Addendum to Standard USGS Methods for the 

Collection of Water, Sediment, Benthic 

Invertebrates, and Microorganisms 

By F.D. Wilde, S.C. Skrobialowski, and J.S. Hart 

Open-File Report 2010–1191

U.S. Department of the Interior 

U.S. Geological Survey
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

U.S. Department of the Interior

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Marcia K. McNutt, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 2010

For product and ordering information:

World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod

Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS

For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth,

its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment:

World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov

Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS

Suggested citation:

Wilde, F.D., Skrobialowski, S.C., and Hart, J.S., 2010, Sampling protocol for post-landfall Deepwater 

Horizon oil release, Gulf of Mexico, 2010: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2010–1191, 155 p. 

Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual 

copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report.

 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

iii

Contents 

1.0 Post-Landfall Sampling Protocol ......................................................................................... 1

2.0 Preparations for Multi-Media Sampling at Oil-Impacted Sites ........................................... 3

3.0 Safety in Field Activities ..................................................................................................... 6

3.1 Health and Safety Plans ........................................................................................................ 6

3.2 Training ................................................................................................................................. 8

3.2.1 HazWOper and BP Training .......................................................................................... 8

3.2.2 Motorboat Operation ...................................................................................................... 9

3.2.3 Water-Quality Field-Methods Training ....................................................................... 10

3.3 Air Monitoring .................................................................................................................... 10

3.4 Personal Protective Equipment ........................................................................................... 11

3.5 Health Monitoring: Exposure and Heat-Stress ................................................................... 13

3.6 Points of Contact ................................................................................................................. 14

3.6.1 Incident Command Operations and Safety Officers/Industrial Hygienists .................. 14

3.6.2 Waste Disposal and Other Environmental Issues ........................................................ 15

3.6.3 Watercraft Decontamination ........................................................................................ 15

3.6.4 Air Monitoring ............................................................................................................. 15

3.6.5 Accident Reporting ...................................................................................................... 16

4.0 Decontamination ................................................................................................................ 16

4.1 Work-Zone Boundaries ....................................................................................................... 17

4.1.1 Contamination Reduction Zone Setup for Small Equipment ...................................... 17

4.1.2 Decontamination Setup for Large Sampling Equipment ............................................. 18

4.1.2.1 Offsite Decontamination ........................................................................................18

4.1.2.2 Onsite decontamination .........................................................................................19

4.2 Method Summary................................................................................................................ 19

4.2.1 Five-Step Generalized Equipment-Cleaning Method .................................................. 20

4.2.2 Cleaning Agents ........................................................................................................... 20

4.3 Post-Decontamination Procedures ...................................................................................... 21

4.4 Equipment/Apparatus ......................................................................................................... 22

5.0 Multiparameter Sondes: Preparation, Deployment, and Cleaning Procedures .................. 25

5.1 Sonde Preparation ............................................................................................................... 25

5.2 Methods for Sonde Deployment ......................................................................................... 26

5.2.1 Direct-Dip (Sorbent-Sweep) Method ........................................................................... 26

5.2.2 Plastic Bag Method ...................................................................................................... 27

5.2.3 PVC Tube Method ....................................................................................................... 27

5.3 Instrument Decontamination ............................................................................................... 28

5.3.1 Cleaning Procedure ...................................................................................................... 28

5.3.2 Decline in Sensor Sensitivity ....................................................................................... 28

5.4 Materials and Supplies ........................................................................................................ 29

6.0 Collection of Sonde Data and Water Samples ................................................................... 30
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

iv

6.1 Objectives and Method Overview ...................................................................................... 30

6.2 Equipment and Supplies ..................................................................................................... 31

6.3 Sampling Location .............................................................................................................. 34

6.4 Step-By-Step Procedures .................................................................................................... 34

6.4.1 Preparation and Order of Sample Collection ............................................................... 35

6.4.2 Peristaltic-Pump Method ............................................................................................. 36

6.4.3 Direct Dip Method ....................................................................................................... 39

6.5 Collection of Quality-Control Samples .............................................................................. 43

6.5.1 Blank Samples ............................................................................................................. 44

6.5.2 Replicate (Duplicate) Samples and Matrix Spikes ...................................................... 45

6.6 Sample Handling and Storage ............................................................................................. 45

6.7 Addendum: Disposable-Bailer Sampling Method .............................................................. 45

7.0 Sediment Samples .............................................................................................................. 50

7.1 Method Overview and Considerations................................................................................ 50

7.2 Equipment and Supplies ..................................................................................................... 51

7.3 Preparation, General Process, and Order of Sample Collection ......................................... 51

7.3.1 Preparation ................................................................................................................... 51

7.3.2 General Process ............................................................................................................ 52

7.3.3 Order of Sample Collection and Containerization ....................................................... 53

7.4 Step-By-Step Procedures .................................................................................................... 55

7.4.1 Tar-Ball Sample Collection ......................................................................................... 55

7.4.2 Benthic Invertebrate Sample Collection ...................................................................... 55

7.4.3 Bulk Sample Collection ............................................................................................... 56

7.4.3.1 Collecting a Bulk Sample ......................................................................................56

7.4.3.2 Sample Containerization and Storage ....................................................................56

7.4.4 Wrap-Up Procedures .................................................................................................... 57

7.5 Quality Control ................................................................................................................... 58

7.6 Analyses, Materials, and Supplies for Sediment Sampling ................................................ 59

8.0 Chain of Custody and Documentation Requirements: Labeling, Packaging, and 

Shipping ............................................................................................................................. 62

8.1 Method Summary................................................................................................................ 62

8.2 Field Procedures.................................................................................................................. 62

8.2.1 Field Logbooks and Other Documentation .................................................................. 62

8.2.2 Labeling Sample Containers ........................................................................................ 63

8.2.3 Transfer of Custody and Shipment .............................................................................. 65

8.3 Packaging Samples ............................................................................................................. 66

8.4 Shipping Samples................................................................................................................ 67

9.0 Quality Assurance and Quality Control for Field Sampling .............................................. 68

9.1 Quality-Assurance Requirements ....................................................................................... 68

9.2 Quality-Control Sampling ................................................................................................... 70
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

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9.2.1 Frequency and Distribution.......................................................................................... 70

9.2.2 Quality-Control Samples ............................................................................................. 71

9.2.2.1 Field Replicates ......................................................................................................71

9.2.2.2 Matrix Spikes .........................................................................................................72

9.2.2.3 Field Blanks ...........................................................................................................72

9.2.2.4 Equipment Blanks and other Office or Laboratory-Produced Blanks ...................73

10.0 References .......................................................................................................................... 74

11.0 Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Chemical Symbols ........................................................... 80

Appendices 

Appendix A. Pre-Impact Sampling Sites .................................................................................... 84

Appendix B. Field Supplies ......................................................................................................... 89

Appendix C. Activity Flow Charts: (1) Preparations (2) Equipment Decontamination, 

(3) Water-Column Sampling, (4) Sediment Sampling ........................................................... 93

Appendix D. Water and Sediment: Requirements for Sample Containers, 

Collection/Preservation, Shipping, and Laboratory Locations ............................................... 98

Appendix E. Health and Safety.................................................................................................. 107

Appendix F. Field Forms........................................................................................................... 129

Appendix G. Manufacturer Guidance for Use of Multiparameter Sondes in OilContaminated Waters............................................................................................................ 147

Figures 

1. Louisiana coastal marsh: (a) pristine and (b) oiled. ............................................................. 2 

2. Preparation for post-landfall sampling, Gulf of Mexico. ..................................................... 5 

3. Site setup for sampling and equipment decontamination. ................................................. 24 

4. Water-column sampling, Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon oil spill, 2010. ................. 49 

5. Sediment Sampling, Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon oil spill, 2010. ......................... 54 

6. An Example of a Sample Label ......................................................................................... 64 

7. Example of Custody Seal. .................................................................................................. 67 

Tables 

Table 1. Containers and Supplies Specific to Water-Column Sampling ..................................... 32

Table 2. Stabilization Criteria for Field Measurements ............................................................... 35

Table 3. Containers and Supplies Specific to Sediment Sampling .............................................. 59

 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

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Conversion Factors 

Inch/Pound to SI 

Multiply By To obtain

Length

inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter (cm)

inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter (mm)

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

Volume

ounce, fluid (oz) 0.02957 liter (L) 

gallon (gal) 3.785 liter (L) 

Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) may be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as follows:

°F=(1.8×°C)+32

Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) may be converted to degrees Celsius (°C) as follows:

°C=(°F-32)/1.8

SI to Inch/Pound 

Multiply By To obtain

Length

micrometer (μm) 3.937 x 10-5 inch (in.)

centimeter (cm) 0.3937 inch (in.)

millimeter (mm) 0.03937 inch (in.)

meter (m) 3.281 foot

liter (L) 33.82 ounce, fluid (oz)

liter (L) 0.2642 gallon (gal)

mlliliter (mL) 0.0338 ounce, fluid (oz)

Area

square meter (m2) 0.0002471 acre

Mass

gram (g) 0.03527 ounce, avoirdupois (oz)

kilogram (kg) 2.205 pound avoirdupois (lb)

Specific conductance is given in microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius (μS/cm).
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

vii 

Acknowledgments 

 

Technical Content

This report was produced in collaboration with AET International and TEC, Inc., whose 

knowledgeable staff provided the technical backbone for many of the protocols and 

recommendations contained herein. The authors thank the YSI and In Situ companies for the 

assistance and expertise of their technical staff.

Considerations and regulations regarding the health and safety of field personnel engaged in the 

water sampling for which this protocol was developed were provided in large part by U.S. 

Geological Survey staff A.E. Zepeda (Bureau Industrial Hygienist), G. Hill (Bureau Watercraft 

Safety Program Manager), and B. Demith (Regional Industrial Hygienist); B. Hardison, Safety 

and Occupational Health Manager, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and by D. O’Conner, AET. 

Instructions and guidance for preparing samples for laboratory analyses and maintaining sample

integrity were developed from information provided by Gary Cottrell of the U.S. Geological 

Survey National Water Quality Laboratory and by the following U.S. Geological Survey 

research scientists: G.R. Aiken, R.S. Carr, A.W. Demopoulos, R.P. Eganhouse, E.T. Furlong, 

A.J. Horowitz, J.T. Lisle, J.W. McCoy, and R.J. Rosenbauer. 

The leadership and technical expertise of D.N. Myers, Chief, Office of Water Quality, and

T.L. Schertz, Assistant Chief, Office of Water Quality, U.S. Geological Survey, helped to keep 

this project on track. 

Technical Reviewers

The expertise, insight, and practical knowledge of our technical reviewers improved and 

contributed to the usability of this document. The authors gratefully acknowledge the excellent 

comments and recommendations provided by Kristen Keteles, U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, Region 8; Gunnar Lauenstein, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and 

C.J. Oblinger, U.S. Geological Survey. 

The preliminary review and ongoing recommendations and suggestions provided by the science 

and technical staff of the Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida Water Science 

Centers (WSC) of the U.S. Geological Survey played a key role in making this document an 

understandable and usable sampling protocol. The authors extend their appreciation to all WSC 

staff and express their thanks specifically to C.R. Demas, D.K. Demcheck, R.B. Fendick, 

G.R. Kish, M.J. Lee, and S.V. Mize. 

Editorial, Graphics, Layout, and Bureau Approval

Well-deserving of mention are the conscientious efforts of the following staff to turn this 

sampling protocol into a publishable report: A.E. Hall, P.A. Campbell, I.M. Collies, S.C. Cooper, 

and C.Y. Knutson. 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

1 

1.0 Post-Landfall Sampling Protocol 

Purpose and Scope 

This document describes the sampling protocol for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) multi-media 

sampling teams responding to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, 2010, at the coastal environments 

in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Sampling locations will be decided 

closer to the time of field deployment and largely selected from among the sites that were 

sampled previously to characterize pre-landfall water and sediment conditions (Appendix A). 

Development of this protocol is in support of a focused Science Plan that will describe the 

overall study design, including selection criteria for the specific sites to be sampled and the 

frequency of sample collection. 

In general, analytical results of the post-landfall samples will be compared to the results from 

pre-landfall sampling to provide a record of the changes to the coastal environments as crude 

product intrudes the surf zone, beaches, and wetlands. Samples that represent constituents in the 

near-beach water column and coastal or wetland sediments will, for the most part, be collected

below the product/media interface and at some time after initial landfall of petroleum-associated 

product. The collection of free-product samples is not addressed and is beyond the scope of this 

protocol. 

This document is intended to be used as an addendum to the USGS National Field Manual for 

the Collection of Water-Quality Data (NFM) (http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A), which 

provides the basis for standard USGS sampling protocols. This document will provide updates 

to sections of the NFM that are needed to meet regulatory and logistical requirements associated 

with sampling beach and near-shore water, sediments, benthic invertebrates, and microorganisms 

(for example, ambient bacterial populations) from an oil-impacted environment. Post-landfall 

(sometimes referred to as “post-impact”) refers to conditions along the Gulf of Mexico coastline 

following the shoreline arrival of oil from the Deepwater Horizon well failure and ocean-bottom 

oil release (fig. 1). Site deployment and sample collection under these conditions necessitate 

modifications of standard USGS sampling and analysis procedures. 

Updates and Other Considerations 

The information provided is subject to change as a result of the response of Unified Command 

(UC) to the fluid situation in the Gulf of Mexico and the development of the overall Department 

of the Interior (DOI) Science Plan for response to the Deepwater Horizon oil leakage, 

consequent environmental conditions, and identification of specific data and research needs. 

This sampling protocol and site-specific Health and Safety Plans will be updated accordingly. 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

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Figure 1a. Pristine Louisiana coastal marsh. Photograph by Dennis Demcheck, USGS. 

 

Figure 1b. Oil encroaching on Louisiana coastal marsh. Photograph by Dennis Demcheck, USGS

Figure 1. Louisiana coastal marsh: (a) pristine and (b) oiled.

 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

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2.0 Preparations for Multi-Media Sampling at Oil-Impacted Sites 

Multi-media sampling associated with this document includes surface water, sediments, benthic 

invertebrates, and microorganisms at post-landfall sites along the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) 

coastline. The general preparations required to sample these media closely follow the National 

Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (NFM), Chapter A1, Preparations for 

Water Sampling. The NFM currently does not, however, provide the detailed guidance needed

for sample and data collection at field sites that are considered by regulatory agencies to include 

“hot zones” or “exclusion zones.” This document augments the standard protocols given in the 

NFM to prepare for and implement the legal and scientific defensibility of data collection and 

associated field activities at sites considered to be hot zones in GOM coastal areas during the 

duration of the USGS response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. 

Field personnel must allow sufficient time (at least two weeks) to obtain, test, quality-assure, and 

familiarize themselves with the equipment and supplies required for this water- and sedimentsampling operation. A list of the equipment and supplies needed has been compiled in Appendix 

B. Sample containers will be ordered either from the TestAmerica Laboratory (TAL) in 

Pensacola FL, from the USGS National Field Supply Service of the National Water Quality 

Laboratory (NWQL); WhirlPaks might need to be obtained on the open market and should be 

sterile. It is important to order a sufficient supply to bring at least one spare set of containers 

onsite, in addition to having a sufficient number of containers for collection of quality-control 

samples. Sample containers for analysis of oil and grease, trace metals, and nutrients are 

obtained from TAL and already contain the chemical preservative required for the respective 

analysis. These containers, therefore, must be handled with caution before, during, and after field 

operations. 

Upon arrival at the field site, the field team must (1) evaluate and record field conditions with 

respect to provisions of the site-specific Health and Safety Plan (see Section 3.0); (2) define the 

exclusion zone, contamination reduction zone, safety zone, and contamination reduction corridor 

(described in Section 4.0) for sampling and equipment decontamination before sample collection 

can begin; (3) evaluate and document the nature and extent of apparent oil-spill-related 

contamination at the time of site visits; (4) refer to these protocols and previous sampling 

training and experience to select and implement the appropriate environmental and qualitycontrol sampling and data-collection methods and procedures (Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9); and (5) 

follow to the letter all chain-of-custody and documentation requirements (Section 8). 

Sampling under post-landfall sampling conditions requires special training and procedures: 

• “Hot zones,” (referred to as “exclusion zones” or EZ in this protocol) as identified by the 

Deepwater Horizon Unified Command, are changing continually. USGS personnel are 

advised to contact the Incident Command (IC) for the area to report field activities planned 

for that day and for up-to-date information on officially designated exclusion zones when 

planning to sample at a given GOM location. 

• Training required for all personnel who will be involved in Deepwater Horizon Post-Landfall 

field activities includes 40 hours of Hazardous Waste Operations (HazWOper) training (or 

the 8-hour HazWOper refresher for those having had the 40-hour training over 1 year ago); 

an additional 4 hours of training provided by British Petroleum (BP); USGS Water-Quality 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

4 

Field Methods course (QW1028) or the Refresher course, completed within the last 5 years; 

and the Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC). 

• Chain of Custody (COC) procedures must be followed to preserve the record and 

results of the samples and data collected as legally as well as scientifically viable and 

verifiable. Section 8 of this document provides the procedures to be followed, including 

maintaining a logbook in which the date/time, place, personnel, visitors, site conditions, and 

procedures and methods used must be recorded. 

• The safety precautions outlined in this protocol are required when entering oilcontaminated areas and are described in detail in Section 3. These include monitoring and 

mitigating the effect of exposure to toxic and combustible compounds associated with the oil 

release on field personnel, use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and a familiarity 

with proper techniques to protect worker health and safety. These and other safety 

precautions should be thoroughly addressed in each site-specific Health and Safety Plan

(HASP) and understood by all members of the Field Team. It is recommended that the 

HASP require the use of organic vapor analyzers and the appropriate PPE and medical 

screening for sampling activities (Appendix B). 

• Before mobilizing for field work, each post-landfall field team should review thoroughly the 

site-specific field notes (and analytical results, if available) that were recorded during prelandfall field work. A Global Positioning System (GPS) instrument will be used by each 

team to provide and verify site and sampling locations in addition to documentation through 

photographs, on maps, and in field notes, in order to identify the correct sampling locations

(see Section 8.2.1). Label coolers/cartons clearly; e.g., Food; Water; H2O containers; 

Sediment containers; Decontamination supplies; and so on. 

• Some sampling locations must be accessed by boat; therefore, all training, certifications, and 

equipment necessary to conduct these activities safely and efficiently must be included in the 

site preparation (Section 3.0). Actions must be taken to ensure the proper decontamination of 

boats that may become coated with oil or transport invasive species of fauna or flora (Section 

4.0). 

• Field teams are advised that, in the course of developing this protocol, a trial-run to test these

field procedures required several days to assemble the gear needed, two vehicles to transport 

all the gear, and an entire day to complete sampling and other field activities at one site.

Figure 2 provides a flowchart listing the major actions needed before deploying to the field site.

These actions are described in greater detail in various sections of this protocol. This flowchart 

also is included in Appendix C along with similar flowcharts that summarize other stages of the 

field effort. Appendix D includes two tables, one for water sampling and one for sediment 

(solids) sampling, that list container requirements for each analysis, describe how the samples 

should be preserved and shipped, and list laboratory contacts and addresses.
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

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Figure 2. Preparation for post-landfall sampling, Gulf of Mexico.
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

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3.0 Safety in Field Activities 

Large-scale petroleum releases can result in various scenarios for human exposure. Exposure 

hazards should not be underestimated in planning for work in affected areas. The Health and 

Safety Plan and other safety procedures and precautions outlined in this section of the protocol 

are required for USGS personnel entering oil-contaminated areas. The protocol includes 

requirements for safe work practices, working in exclusion zones, personal protective equipment 

(PPE), training, and identification of contacts to assist with response to onsite conditions and 

emergencies. Much of the information covered in this section is included in greater detail in the 

HASP documents described below and in Appendix E. In brief, the safety requirements 

described in this section will mandate:

• Site-specific Health and Safety Plans (HASPs) and Job Hazard Analyses (JHA)

• HazWOper and British Petroleum (BP) GOM-specific training: Plan on 24 or 

40 hours of HazWOper training, plus an additional 4 hours of BP training 

(see explanation in 3.2 below). (In addition, OSHA generally requires medical 

monitoring and CPR/First-Aid Certification training; this is not covered in this 

document.) 

• 2-week Water-Quality Field Class training and Motorboat Operator training and 

certification. 

• Air-quality monitoring. Photoionization detection (PID) that exceeds the 20 ppmv action 

level for total volatile organic compounds will result in evacuation of the field site.

1

• PPE including Tyvek apparel, PFDs, latex overboots or rubberized waders, eye protection, 

rubberized elbow-length gloves and nitrile hand gloves, used as described in the protocols for 

sample collection and handling. 

Familiarization with the guidance provided in this section does not replace the requirement to 

read and understand the HASP.

3.1 Health and Safety Plans 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires the development of sitespecific Health and Safety Plans (HASPs) that must be provided in hard copy to each employee

performing oil-response or site-cleanup activities. The field-team supervisor has a responsibility 

to ensure that the safety protocols and their expectations are understood by each field-team 

member. CAUTION! Stop, rest at the first sign of heat discomfort. Do not push yourself. 

USGS HASP requirements for response to the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Deepwater Horizon

(DWH) oil spill are fulfilled by assembling a USGS DWH GOM HASP package, which should 

be kept on hand when deploying to the field site. This package includes the following 

 

1 Use of respirators and monitoring air quality for exposure to benzene are not included in this protocol as they are 

not relevant to the field conditions planned for USGS shoreline sampling.
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

7 

documents, some of which are included in Appendix E and which USGS personnel can 

download by opening “HASP Package” found on the my.usgs.com OWQ_Deep_Oil wiki2

:

1. Agency HASPs. A HASP provided by the Incident Command (IC) or Agency under 

whose jurisdiction the work will be conducted is required. In this case, the HASP 

provided by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will suffice, unless directed otherwise. 

a. U.S. Coast Guard (http://www.uscg.mil/forms/ics/ICS_208_CG.pdf), 

b. Fish and Wildlife Service 

(http://internal.usgs.gov/ops/safetynet/FWS%20WIldlife%20Branch%20HASP%

20(MC%20252%20Oil%20Spill).pdf)

2. The Daily Operational and Safety Situational Report (the “shift” or operations plan).

The Shift Plan – which usually covers a 48-hour time period – is obtained from the 

designated IC safety or Industrial Hygiene staff on or for the day(s) of field deployment. 

Arrangements can be made to receive the Shift Plan via e-mail for the time period of 

planned field deployment to avoid delay of field work. The Shift Plan fulfills the 

requirement to ensure that the HASP includes the specific information to cover health, 

safety, and hazards conditions that may be unique to USGS sampling sites on the days of 

sampling. 

a. Field personnel must be briefed on the health and safety information given in the 

Shift Plan before commencing with field work; this includes, for example, 

weather conditions, heat-index values, official emergency evacuation plans, and 

current emergency contacts. 

b. An example shift plan is included in Appendix E for illustrative purposes only. 

The field-team leader or representative also should request information about the 

accessibility to 911 or other emergency contacts at the site(s) to be visited. 

3. Evacuation plans generally are not included in the Shift Plan. Evacuation plans are 

specific to and provided by the Huoma, LA or Mobile, AL Incident Commands. 

Examples are included in Appendix E. The field team should request the latest evacuation 

plan when requesting the Shift Plan and include it in their HASP package. 

4. Site-specific job and work-site hazards (Job Hazard Analysis or JHA). Those hazards that 

have not been included in the HASP or Daily Report should be added to the JHA that is 

provided in Appendix E. Any other hazards that are identified onsite also should be 

recorded on the JHA form upon arrival, along with the actions to be taken to eliminate or 

reduce the hazard(s) noted. 

a. JHAs for the handling of dry ice, chemical preservatives such as hydrochloric 

acid and formalin (see NFM 9.6), and other types of equipment can be accessed at 

the following URL, and should be downloaded and added to the HASP package 

http://1stop.usgs.gov/safety/topic/jha/index.html. 

 

2 https://my.usgs.gov/OWQ_Deep_OilWiki/wiki/Main; non-USGS parties may request access by contacting 

fwilde@usgs.gov or sski@usgs.gov.
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

8 

b. Wildlife hazards, such as snakes (NFM 9.9.2), alligators (NFM 9.9.3), ticks and 

mosquitoes (NFM 9.9.1), and so forth, need to be identified and plans in place for 

a safe and appropriate response (see the following sections in Chapter 9 of the 

USGS Field Manual: 9.9.2; 9.9.3; 9.9.1, respectively). 

5. Section 3.0 (this section) and figure 3 (decontamination flow chart) of this Sampling 

Protocol. Standard procedures for avoiding contact with and removal of hazardous 

materials, including setting up Exclusion and Contamination Reduction Zones, normally 

are included in the HASP for petroleum product releases. A copy of section 3.0 and the 

decontamination flow chart are linked on the HASP Package section of the wiki. 

Consideration should be given to supplementing the current IC or Agency HASP with additional 

topical information that is provided within the USGS HASP Template for Oil Impacted Areas, as 

appropriate (http://internal.usgs.gov/ops/safetynet/HASP%20for%20Oil%20Spill%20Impacted%20Areas.doc). 

Supplemental information can be found at http://1stop.usgs.gov/safety/topic/jha/index.html .

Your Incident Command contact or USGS regional safety/industrial hygiene staff is available to

provide additional assistance on HASP requirements, if needed. General contact information is 

described in section 3.6; more specific information, such as contact names and numbers that are 

given in Appendix E and on the HASP section of the Deep_Oil wiki are subject to change.

3.2 Training 

Training is required for USGS personnel who perform field work in oil-impacted areas, who will

be operating a motor boat, who will be engaged in data and sample collection, and for USGS 

personnel who are not subject to exposure but who provide IC office support (e.g., indoor work 

on finance, information technology/management, etc.). 

3.2.1 HazWOper and BP Training 

USGS personnel who will be entering the “exclusion zones” or “hot zones” (see Section 4 on 

equipment decontamination) to collect samples are required to complete HazWOper training, 

plus an additional 4 hours of training, as described below: 

• The IC requirement stipulates a minimum of 24-hour HazWOper training for nonsupervisory onsite personnel and 40-hour training for “supervisory” personnel (defined as 

one who has authority, control, and oversight of the activities performed at the site). All other 

onsite workers are to have a minimum of 24 hours of HazWOper training. 

• Where no one has that onsite responsibility or an onsite supervisor is not present, then the 

individual who is remotely directing/supervising the activities is required to complete the 40-

hour HazWOper training. 

• The 8-hour refresher HazWOper training is required for personnel whose HazWOper training 

is not current. Initial and refresher training certification expires 12 months from the 

completion of the last training.
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• This protocol strongly recommends that all field personnel for this project complete the 

40-hour HazWOper training, in addition to the mandatory 4-hour BP training, before 

deploying to the field.

Various government agencies and private vendors offer HazWOper training. 

• USGS employees can take HazWOper training online through the Fish and Wildlife Service 

(FWS) vendor at no cost. Select the course below to register, then select “US Fish and 

Wildlife” as the company name. Leave the bottom (payment) portion blank, as billing 

arrangements have been made. After clicking to submit your registration, the course opens 

immediately. If you leave your session before finishing, your place is saved automatically. 

− 40 Hour HazWOper - 

https://www.natlenvtrainers.com/register.html?course=40HazWOper

− 24 Hour HazWOper - 

https://www.natlenvtrainers.com/register.html?course=24HazWOper 

− 8 Hour HazWOper Annual Refresher - 

https://www.natlenvtrainers.com/register.html?course=HazWOper

• USEPA- EPA OSHA Training Institute Education Centers. 

• Approved HazWOper vendors are listed at: 

http://www.ertpvu.org/kc/login/login.asp?kc_ident=kc0001. Registration is required to 

access the site. Upon log on, select the external provider from the left side of the screen and 

then select the List of EPA Approved External Providers to locate vendors. 

• On-site Instructor Led Training: Access https://www.pecpremier.com/files/bp-classschedule.pdf for the schedule of classes being offered at various locations in Louisiana, 

Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. 

In addition to the HazWOper training, all GOM field personnel MUST take the following 4-hour 

online BP training, regardless of previous/current HazWOper training: 

• “Post Emergency Spilled Oil Cleanup (HSEREH004)” 

https://www2.virtualtrainingassistant.com/BPPublic/wc.dll?learner~cmenu

• Instructions for taking this training are provided in Appendix E. 

3.2.2 Motorboat Operation 

All USGS personnel who operate a motorized watercraft vessel, less than 26 feet in length, for 

mission work, are required to complete the Department of Interior Motorboat Operator 

Certification Course (MOCC). This course involves "hands-on" watercraft activities, including 

watercraft handling and maneuvering, docking, emergency procedures, fire suppression, and 

trailering exercises, as well as classroom instruction. MOCC Certification is valid for 5 years and 

re-certification is available either on-line or in combination with a MOCC Instructor. 
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3.2.3 Water-Quality Field-Methods Training 

QW1028, the 2-week course on Groundwater and Surface-Water Water-Quality Field Methods, 

contains protocols and guidance on safety when sampling under a variety of environmental 

conditions, using various chemical agents. This course is based on the USGS National Field 

Manual, which also contains a chapter on Safety in Field Activities (Chapter A9). All USGS 

personnel engaged in GOM on-site sampling and data collection must have completed the 2-

week classroom and hands-on course or its refresher course within the past 5 years and have 

experience implementing the protocols and procedures provided within each chapter of the Field 

Manual. 

3.3 Air Monitoring 

Air monitoring will be required to determine if a given area is receiving volatilized petroleum 

compounds that may present a hazard to human health. The Department of the Interior (DOI) 

has set a limit on respiratory exposure to total VOC (volatile organic compounds) of 20 parts per 

million by volume (ppmv) 3. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) maintains a 

database of air-monitoring results at http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/air.html. 

In general, a combination meter that includes a photoionization detector (PID) and a lower 

explosive limit (LEL)/upper explosive limit (UEL) meter is recommended for field work with 

anticipated exposure to petroleum-based products. Depending on the situation, monitoring of 

benzene concentrations might need to be added to the HASP. 4 For the Gulf of Mexico shoreline 

work, a single function PID should be used to monitor for organic vapors in the ambient and 

breathing zone during sampling activities. An LEL/UEL meter is recommended if there is a 

source of ignition (e.g., a boat engine) in the area. Appendix B contains a checklist of field 

equipment, including PIDs. 

All air-quality monitoring equipment shall be field-calibrated daily before use and in accordance 

with the manufacturer’s instructions. Anyone calibrating or using the air-monitoring equipment 

should be trained and familiar with exposure-monitoring instrumentation as part of the Health 

and Safety Training Program. The time of calibration and ambient measurements are to be 

recorded in the field logbook and the data are to be recorded on the field form (Appendix F). 

Personnel are to evacuate the immediate area if the total VOC concentration indicated by 

the PID reaches 20 parts per million by volume (ppmv). It is necessary to report

exceedance conditions to the USGS or FWS Industrial Hygienist for input and guidance 

before reentering the area (2010, DOI Office of Occupational Health and Safety, 2010). 

 

3 16 June 2010 e-mail from Robert J. Garbe, MPH, CIH, Office of Occupational Health and Safety, US Department 

of the Interior: A 5 ppm cut point for the PID is too low to minimize false positive readings. Recommend that a 20

ppm initial cut point be used. Also recommend any excursion above this level be reported to USGS Safety for input 

and guidance prior to reentering the area.

4 OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) guidance stipulates a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 

1 ppm and a short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 5 ppm for benzene. The STEL is based on a 15-minute excursion 

average, while the PEL is based on an 8-hour average; i.e., over an 8-hour excursion the average benzene 

concentration is not to exceed 1 ppm.
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• To avoid potential inhalation of vapors, personnel should be positioned upwind of free 

product in the water or on land and upwind of field vehicles or other petroleum-containing or 

-burning equipment. If this is not possible the team leader will determine if the health and 

safety of personnel are at risk and if sampling should be aborted. 

• Field personnel must evacuate the site if PID action levels are exceeded. Do not enter or reenter the site until concentrations fall below the action limit, unless properly fitted 

respirators are at hand and the team leader determines that sample or data collection can 

continue. Personnel will not be placed in any situation where respirators are required, i.e., 

concentrations above 20 ppmv. 

• If personnel experience symptoms of exposure while in the site, even though air monitoring 

does not indicate excursions above the action limit, personnel are to evacuate the site and to 

contact the Safety Point of Contact (see Section 3.6) for specific guidance. 

It is recommended that readings be recorded: 

• Upon initial entry to the area

• Every 10 to 30 minutes, or as often as practical while in the breathing zone while work is in 

progress, as long as the PID reading does not appear to be increasing and does not exceed 20 

ppmv. 

• When weather conditions change, 

• When adverse conditions are encountered, such as exposing fresh crude oil or noticing an 

increase in odors since initial entry.

• When work begins on another portion of the site (for example, moving from water sampling 

to collection of sediments and other solid materials). 

Department of Interior (DOI) Industrial Hygienists are collecting air samples to characterize 

exposures for DOI employees involved in the response activities. USGS Safety and Health 

industrial hygienists are using this information to develop the safety and health requirements and 

guidelines provided in this document. At the end of field-related operations for a given period of 

sampling, the PID data should be sent to the Bureau Industrial Hygienist via e-mail or fax

(azepeda@usgs.gov, 703-648-7592). 

3.4 Personal Protective Equipment 

The recommendations in this section regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) have been 

developed from information taken from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

National Institutes of Health, regarding the crude oil spill, and from DOI and USGS Health and 

Safety officials. Appendix E contains PPE specifications. To the extent possible, disposable PPE 

will be used to minimize the risk of skin contact with potentially contaminated sediment or water

and to minimize extensive PPE decontamination procedures. Protocols and procedures for 

discarding contaminated clothing and materials are described in Section 4.

• All personnel working in a near-shore or off-shore environment must wear a properly fitted 

Personal Floatation Device (PFD) as described in USGS Safety Bulletin “Personal Floatation 
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Device Selection/Use,” issued 07/22/2010 (Appendix E). PFDs must be worn over the 

clothing and not under Tyvek or other apparel. 

• Where there is a potential for oil contamination, the Revere Type V Model 280 Work Vest 

(nylon-buckle closure) PFD is recommended. This PFD should be used and modified as 

follows to meet DOI standards: Obtain pre-cut patches of SOLAS adhesive-backed reflective 

tape from the Bureau Watercraft Safety Program Manager (727-803-8747) along with a 

detailed drawing of where to attach the tape. The Type V Model 280 PFD can be cleaned of 

oil using soap and water or alcohol swabs, and may be used for USGS work other than that 

related to oil-spill related projects. 

• The standard Type 3 PFD supplied to USGS personnel may be worn where there is no 

potential for oil contamination; however, should the PFD become contaminated with oil or 

oil-related product, the PFD may not be reused and must be discarded as hazardous waste. 

• For personnel working in water affected by free product, modified Level D clothing is 

required, including: Disposable Tyvek coveralls or pants, safety glasses, and disposable 

nitrile gloves (for handing sample containers and chemical preservatives); and nondisposable (cleanable) PFDs, rubber waders, elbow-length rubber gloves, Hearing protection 

is recommended when working in the vicinity of boat motors or other loud equipment. 

− Waders should be worn over Tyvek apparel. If working under conditions where water 

could enter the waders, the top of the wader should be taped to the underlying apparel 

with duct or Chemron tape. If working in shallow water for which waders are not 

required, latex waterproof boots need to be worn over waders and duct-taped to the 

Tyvek pants to form a seal, as water will leak through Tyvek seams. Waders should be 

removed and cleaned once back on shore. 

− PFDs should be worn over the Tyvek and wader suspenders when working in water and 

adequately cleaned or discarded (see Section 4) if soiled by free product or other 

contaminant. 

− Elbow-length rubberized gloves are worn over layered nitrile gloves. Do not reach into 

contaminated water to collect samples without wearing appropriate gloves. Rubberized 

gloves can be cleaned as described in Section 4. Disposable (nitrile) gloves need to be 

replaced often in order to maintain chemical protection, and disposed as described in 

Section 4. 

− Splash shields or safety glasses are worn to protect eyes from splashes during sampling, 

decontamination procedures, or boat travel. 

• When working on land, modified Level D clothing also is required. 

− Use latex boots in lieu of Tyvek booties, as Tyvek shreds readily when walking on beach 

sands. 

− The sediment sampling protocol calls for inserting gloved hands inside a clean Teflon 

bag before contacting the sample medium (Section 7). Do not reach into or mix 

contaminated sediments without wearing appropriate hand and arm covering. 
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CAUTION! Using the above-listed PPE can increase your risk for heat stress, 

exhaustion, and heat stroke in this field environment. Stay hydrated, and watch for 

signs of these conditions in yourself and others: Headaches, dizziness, nausea, cramps, 

and profuse sweating followed by no sweating. DO NOT PUSH YOURSELF. SWITCH 

SAMPLING DUTY AMONG TEAM MEMBERS EVERY 30 MINUTES OR LESS.

List of recommended PPE: 

• Calibrated PID, possibly in combination with an explosimeter (LEL/UEL meter) and benzene 

sensor. 

• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)-traceable calibration gases and 

regulators for the specific instrumentation

• Operator’s Manual for PID/UEL instrumentation

• Eye protection (safety glasses, splash shield, goggles, as appropriate) 

• Nitrile gloves 

• Rubberized gloves, elbow-length or longer 

• Tyvek pants or coveralls

• Latex waterproof overboots (as appropriate)

• Rubberized (cleanable) hip or chest waders

• PFD, Revere Model 280 Type V work vest (available from, for example, WestMarine/Port 

Supply, “Model# 10967776)) with nylon-buckle closure. This PFD must be modified to 

conform to the USGS standard for PFD reflectivity (Section 3.3 above). 

• PFD, standard Type 3, as specified in USGS Safety Bulletin 7/22/2010. 

• Duct or Chemron tape 

• Insect repellent (non-contaminating) and head nets

• Steel-toed shoes/boots (as specifically required by work task)

• Hard hat (as specifically required by work task)

3.5 Health Monitoring: Exposure and Heat-Stress 

Ingestion of contaminated materials will be minimized by good personal hygiene and taking the 

appropriate cautions while handling materials and solutions associated with petrochemical 

contamination and equipment decontamination (i.e., thoroughly washing face and hands with 

soap and water, especially before eating or drinking). 

The Heat Index (HI) is the temperature the body feels when heat and humidity are combined. It

sometimes is referred to as the "apparent Temperature". The HI, given in degrees Fahrenheit 

(oF), is a measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity (RH) is added to the actual air 

temperature. NOAA posts a heat-index calculator at 

http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/html/heatindex.shtml; the heat index also can be found from the 

National Weather Forecast. HazWOper training and subsequent refresher training should 

include prevention and identification of heat stress-related injuries and illnesses. Field personnel 

must record the Heat Index (HI) in their field notes (this information should be included in 

the Shift (Operational) Plan described in Section 3.1 above). 
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The Heat Stress Prevention Program outlines exposure controls to protect employees working in 

hot environments and follows current American Conference of Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), 

guidelines. These are general guidelines that need to be tailored to provide specific guidance for 

the work site. The Heat Stress Prevention Program is implemented when work-area 

temperatures rise above 90o

F when Level D PPE is worn. Work practices and exposure 

controls are used to reduce the risk of elevating an employee’s core body temperature. These 

work practices and exposure controls are detailed in the HASP package, include the following: 

• Defining and adjusting employee work/rest intervals.

• Monitoring for physiological signs of heat stress. 

• Providing cool liquids at the ratio recommended in the site-specific Shift Plan. 

• Establishing and implementing acclimatization schedules.

3.6 Points of Contact 

Points of Contact refer to offices or those individuals having responsibility over a specific 

function related to the DWH incident response. These personnel often rotate in and out of a 

given position along with their phone number, making it necessary for field personnel to obtain 

up-to-date contact information for the period of field work. This information is provided in the 

Shift (Operational) Plan that the team leader needs to obtain from the Houma or Mobile Unified 

Command Sector Safety Officer ahead of field deployment (Section 3.1). The information below 

shows which Office to contact for a given function or need and, if available, provides contact 

information that is persistent and therefore, generally, not subject to change. Contact information 

for individuals currently on duty is listed on the Deep_Oil wiki page under “Safety.” For this 

project, the FWS Safety Officer on duty is the primary coordinating contact.

3.6.1 Incident Command Operations and Safety Officers/Industrial Hygienists 

USGS personnel should notify the local Incident Command Center (IC) regarding the location 

and the type of work being done. The IC staff can advise on areas that are off limits, or if IC 

authorization is required to enter certain areas. USGS personnel can obtain current guidance on 

safety and health issues, such as known hazardous conditions, from their local and Regional 

Safety staff if primary points of contact are not available.

Incident Command 

• Houma LA Incident Command - 1697 Highway 311, Houma LA 70395, 

Main 985-493-7600; Operations 985-493-3343; mc252decon@gmail.com

• Mobile AL Incident Command - One South Water Street Mobile AL 36602, 251-442-1938. 

• Houma Sector, Wildlife Branch, Safety Officer -- BP persistent cell phone (985-665-

7093) 

• BP-provided Safety Officer for Houma - 985-709 5957

• St. Petersburg FL Incident Command - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 8th 

Avenue SE, St. Petersburg FL 33701, 904-755-8008
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Contact information for the following individuals are listed at the Deep_Oil wiki site 

• Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Safety Officer, Mobile, AL sector

• Fish and Wildlife Service Safety Officer, Houma, LA sector

• DOI Occupational Safety and Health Manager

• USGS Bureau Industrial Hygienist 

• USGS Eastern Region Industrial Hygienist 

PFD and other Watercraft Safety Issues. 

• USGS Bureau Watercraft Safety Program Manager, USGS Center for Coastal and Wetland 

Studies, St. Petersburg FL 

Online resources

• Joint Incident Command: 

http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doctype/2931/53023

• DOI: http://www.doi.gov/deepwaterhorizon/, and 

https://www.smis.doi.gov/smisaux/OilSpillInfo.htm

• USGS: http://www.usgs.gov/deepwater_horizon/, and 

http://internalgov/ops/safetynet/oilspillworkers.html

3.6.2 Waste Disposal and Other Environmental Issues 

Waste disposal and other environmental issues are covered in Section 4 and questions should be 

referred to the designated DOI IC staff at the Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance 

for Policy, Management, and Budget (See Appendix E or access the Deep_Oil wiki for more 

detailed contact information). 

3.6.3 Watercraft Decontamination 

• USGS personnel should notify the IC in advance regarding decontamination services for 

WSC vessels: Mobile, AL Incident Command Center, 985-493-3343 

• mc252decon@gmail.com 

• Mobile Decontamination Center 251-455-3010 (for locations of Mobile IC Region Decon 

Centers, see www.bpdecon.com) 

Vessels of Opportunity (VOO) 

• VOO coordination hotline: 866-279-7983 or 877-847-7470 

• VOO Program Coordinator for Houma, LA (see the Deep_Oil wiki) 

3.6.4 Air Monitoring 

• Contact: The DOI Occupational Health Program Manager or the Industrial Hygienist at 

Houma, LA Incident Command Center (Main Office): 985-493-7600 
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Department of Interior (DOI) Industrial Hygienists are collecting air samples and air-sample data

to characterize exposures for DOI employees involved in the response activities. USGS Safety 

and Health staff will use this information to develop the safety and health requirements and 

guidelines provided in this document. Send copies of the field form with air-monitoring results to 

the USGS Bureau Industrial Hygienist Air–monitoring results for the Gulf of Mexico can be 

found under the following URLs: 

• USEPA: http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/air.html

• Current Air Quality along the Gulf Coast: http://gulfcoast.airnowtech.org/

3.6.5 Accident Reporting 

All accidents shall be reported within the DOI Safety Management Information System (SMIS) 

accessible at https://www.smis.doi.gov/ and clicking on "Accident Reporting" tab. Note that 

under the "Special (Disaster Response Related) Accident Report" selection, the Department has 

added the following category "During the Response to the Gulf Oil Spill". Please mark this 

category when reporting accidents involving individuals who become ill or are injured during 

natural disaster relief efforts. On the injury selection page there is an entry button that allows the 

reporting supervisor to categorize an injury due to the Department’s response. This specialized 

entry page has specific questions on PPE and training. Questions related to SMIS may be 

directed to the DOI Occupational Safety and Health Manager, 202-288-5549/202-904-0008 or 

USGS Headquarters Safety and Health Specialist 703-648-7553. 

4.0 Decontamination 

This section describes protocols and procedures for decontamination of sampling equipment to 

be used during hazardous waste operations as per 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 

1910.120, including defining the boundaries for the “hot” or exclusion zone (EZ), contamination 

reduction zone (CRZ), and a contamination reduction corridor (CRC) (Section 4.1). The purpose 

of decontamination is to eliminate concerns of transferring contaminants, such as chemical 

substances and non-indigenous invasive species, to other samples and other sites., The guidance 

provided is to be used as an addendum to Chapter A3 of the National Field Manual (Field 

Manual, revised 2006) for working in oil-contaminated environments, such as those encountered 

in the Gulf of Mexico as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil-rig explosion. 

The extent to which all or some of the decontamination procedures described below should be 

implemented depends on site conditions during field operations, the types of equipment being 

used, and whether the equipment will be reused at another site. The team leader has the training 

to make the appropriate decisions, which must be documented in field notes. To the degree 

possible, disposable equipment will be used and disposable clothing will be worn to minimize 

the need for decontamination as well as to protect personnel who might come in contact with 

hazardous or contaminating substances. Protocols for decontamination and disposal of PPE are 

to be included in the HASP. Cleaning of multiparameter sondes is treated separately in Section 

5.0 of this document. 
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4.1 Work-Zone Boundaries 

Upon entering the field site, decontamination work zones need to be defined so that the level of 

contamination at the site decreases at the boundaries of the work zones. When boat access to the 

sampling site is required, a CRZ and SZ must be established on the vessel, as described in 

section 4.1.1 below. Figure 3 at the end of this section illustrates the steps involved in setting up 

work zones and decontamination (see also Appendix C). 

• The Hot Zone or Exclusion Zone (EZ) includes the sample collection area, assumed to be 

the most heavily contaminated area. Only properly certified, trained, and equipped personnel 

should enter the EZ. Proper personal protective equipment and training required for entry 

into the EZ will be described in the HASP. 

• The Contamination Reduction Zone (CRZ) is where decontamination of equipment takes 

place and where PPE is removed and cleaned and disposed of properly. 

• The Support or Safe Zone (SZ). Once equipment has been decontaminated or containerized 

for disposal, the equipment can be moved to the outside the controlled area to the SZ where it 

will be packed for future use or disposal. 

• The Contamination Reduction Corridor (CRC) is the pathway between the EZ, CRZ, and 

SZ. Anyone in the CRC should be wearing the level of protection designated for the 

decontamination crew. 

Another corridor may be required for the entry and exit of heavy equipment. Sampling and 

monitoring equipment and sampling supplies are all maintained outside of the CRZ. Personnel 

don their equipment away from the CRZ and enter the exclusion zone through a separate access 

control point. One person (or more) should be dedicated to equipment decontamination. 

4.1.1 Contamination Reduction Zone Setup for Small Equipment 

The Contamination Reduction Zone (CRZ) is the area designated for cleaning and 

decontamination of hand-held equipment including non-disposable PPE, and for disposal of 

single-use clothing and equipment. Decontamination stations are set up within the designated 

CRZ during site mobilization and before sampling. Referring to figure 3, the decision as to 

whether all five stations will be set up depends on the type of reusable equipment to be employed 

for field work, whether two or more sites will be sampled on the same day, and the decision of 

the field team or program plan as to whether equipment requiring an acid and/or organic-solvent 

rinse is best accomplished on site or within the office laboratory facilities under controlled 

conditions. The information provided about this five-station setup reflects standard operating 

procedure for environmental studies for which containment of hazardous waste is a concern. 

USGS field teams will, however, employ single-use, disposable equipment in a manner that 

minimizes the amount of solid waste and maximizes containment of hazardous substances and 

may not need to set up for the acid or methanol rinse described below. 

1. Lay down plastic sheeting within the CRZ sufficiently large to contain all decontamination 

station over spray (typically 4 feet by 10 feet for hand-held sampling equipment requiring 

only two to three 5-gallon buckets per station). Modify the CRZ as appropriate for boats.
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2. Station 1: Dry brush or scrape station, where either (a) disposable contaminated or soiled 

PPE and equipment will be placed into a properly labeled solid waste canister (e.g., Tyvek, 

nitrile gloves, stake, bucket liners, plastic sheeting) or (b) where surface soil is removed from 

cleanable PPE and equipment (rubberized waders and gloves, buckets, any equipment for 

reuse). 

3. Station 2: 5-gallon bucket with approximately 3 gallons of tap water and surfactant detergent 

solution; scrub brush for first wash; and low-pressure rinse dispenser with potable water 

captured in a 5-gallon canister. 

4. Station 3: 5-gallon bucket with approximately 3 gallons of tap water and scrub brush for 

second wash; low-pressure rinse dispenser with de-ionized water captured in a 5-gallon 

canister; 5-percent hydrochloric acid spray or rinse captured in a separate container; second 

low-pressure rinse dispenser with distilled/de-ionized water, captured in an acid-waste 

storage container. 

5. Station 4: 5-gallon bucket with approximately 3 gallons of de-ionized water and scrub brush 

for third wash; low-pressure rinse dispenser with de-ionized water captured in a 5-gallon 

canister; laboratory-grade methanol-rinse dispenser, captured in an organic-solvent storage 

canister; aluminum foil-covered tray for methanol-rinsed equipment (to allow methanol 

evaporation); low-pressure rinse dispenser with distilled/de-ionized captured in the organicsolvent storage container or canister. 

6. Station 5: portable rubbish can with heavy-duty trash bag liner for soiled, disposable 

PPE. 

Sampling operations that require boat-access to a site at which on-land decontamination zones 

cannot be established need to plan for on-board equipment decontamination as described above 

to the extent that this is possible. As an absolute minimum, Steps 1–3 should be completed, 

including rinsing sediments and wiping oily residues off of all sampling equipment. Completion 

of decontamination procedures should be executed at the boat launch or later at office facilities. 

4.1.2 Decontamination Setup for Large Sampling Equipment 

If a boat or other large equipment is required to sample within oil-impacted waters, a 

decontamination plan must be put in place. Boats can be decontaminated either offsite or onsite. 

Offsite and onsite decontamination procedures are described below. 

4.1.2.1 Offsite Decontamination 

USGS Science Centers may decide either to use Bureau watercraft or contract Vessels of 

Opportunity (VOO). At the time of this writing, decontamination operations were underway at 

17 Unified Command (UC) staging stations, which were available for decontamination of USGS 

boats as well as for VOO. The number and location of decontamination stations changes and 

needs to be verified before plans are established. 

• To coordinate boat decontamination, contact the Decontamination Center at Houma IC 

Decon Center: 985-493-3343; mc252decon@gmail.com; or Mobile IC Decon Center 
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251-455-3010. You will be directed to the nearest decontamination center. Watercraft 

decontamination locations, including latitude/longitude data for the decontamination sites 

managed by Houma IC, are shown on at the end of Appendix E. 

• Information for finding VOO is available through the VOO Hotline, (866) 279-7983, 

(877) 847-7470 or by contacting Vince Mitchell, the VOO Program Coordinator for Houma, 

LA, at 427-773-9983. 

• It is recommended that Bureau watercraft be sprayed down with clean water and allowed to 

dry before mobilizing offsite, to prevent spread of contaminants. 

4.1.2.2 Onsite decontamination 

Onsite decontamination of a vessel is to be avoided in favor of using IC decontamination 

stations, if possible. For onsite decontamination, setting up a decontamination pad is 

recommended. The decontamination pad consists of a bermed area of appropriate size to the 

equipment to be decontaminated, lined with 2 layers of 10-mil plastic sheeting. Berms may be 

constructed of 2 x 6 lumber, and the pad should contain a low-spot or sump from which fluids 

can be pumped into the required containers for disposal (properly labeled Department of 

Transportation (DOT)-rated containers) and subsequently transported to the IC Decontamination 

Station or other regulated facility that accepts hazardous waste. 

• Prepare a soapy solution of potable tap water and surfactant detergent, such as Liqui-Nox or 

Dawn,and use it to scrub-brush large-equipment surfaces. 

• A gas-powered steam cleaner is used to steam clean the heavy equipment while on the 

decontamination pad. 

4.2 Method Summary 

Removing or neutralizing contaminants from equipment minimizes the likelihood of sample 

cross contamination, reduces or eliminates transfer of contaminants to clean areas, and prevents 

mixing of incompatible substances. 

• All the equipment to be used for sampling that actually or potentially will contact the sample 

must be cleaned and stored according to standard USGS protocol (NFM Ch. 3) in preparation 

for the site visit. This protocol includes collection and analysis of equipment blanks. 

• Reused sampling equipment, including nondisposable clothing, must be decontaminated or 

otherwise cleaned appropriately after each use according to the procedures provided in this 

protocol. Rubberized waders, elbow-length rubber, and Type V Model 280 PFDs are 

examples of clothing to be cleaned using the methods described in steps 1 through 3 below 

(Section 4.2.1; see also fig. 3). 

• Generally, equipment only undergoes full decontamination at the field site in the event that 

the equipment will be reused at another site on the same day and additional sets of precleaned 

equipment are not available. 
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4.2.1 Five-Step Generalized Equipment-Cleaning Method 

Gross contamination of equipment is removed using a combination of mechanical and chemical 

methods, as summarized in the five steps that follow (these may be modified for site specificity 

and in accordance with the type of equipment used and the sample analyses to be performed). It

is left to the best professional judgment of the field-team leader to decide whether an acid 

rinse and (or) methanol rinse is required and whether it should be performed onsite or in 

the office laboratory. If decontamination of small equipment is to be completed in the 

laboratory, steps 1 through the tap-water rinse in step 3 listed below should be completed onsite, 

while in the CRZ. The washed and rinsed equipment is then stored in an extra-heavy trash bag 

labeled “contaminated equipment,” for transport and subsequent decontamination. 

1. Physically scrape mud or caked oil from equipment and PPE. Scrapings may be left onsite.

2. Wash with soap and water to remove visible particulate matter and residual oils and grease. 

Contaminated, soapy wash water must be containerized for offsite disposal to avoid bias to 

the surfactant-sample or other sample analyses.

3. Wash with tap water and rinse with distilled/de-ionized water to remove the detergent. 

Wastewater containment is the same as for Step 2.

4. Rinse with a low-pH acid (5-percent hydrochloric acid) solution to remove inorganic 

constituents (e.g., metals/trace elements and nutrients); follow with a thorough rinse using DI

water). Containerize wastewater for offsite treatment and disposal.

5. Rinse with an organic solvent (laboratory-grade methanol) to remove trace organic 

compounds. Allow the solvent to evaporate completely before following with a thorough DI 

water rinse. Containerize wastewater for offsite disposal.

Containerized liquid and solid wastes from decontamination efforts must be disposed of in 

accordance with the prevailing State, local, or Federal regulations. Unified Command 

decontamination stations will accept properly containerized wastes.

4.2.2 Cleaning Agents 

In general, decontamination procedures remove contaminants either by thorough or rigorous 

rinsing (flushing) or by forming a chemical complex.

1. Flushing or other mechanical actions 

a. Abrasive action: Abrasive materials, such as metal or nylon brushes, are used to remove 

the surface layer of grossly contaminated equipment. Care must be taken not to scratch or 

otherwise damage vulnerable surfaces of the equipment being cleaned.

b. Water under low or high pressure: Low-pressure water using a slender nozzle and hose 

can be used to spray hard-to-reach places in smaller equipment onsite. High- pressure 

pump is used, generally offsite for boats or other large equipment, at pressure ranges 

from 340 to 680 atmospheres (atm) and flow rates from 20 to 140 liters per minute. 

Sometimes used with a low-sudsing, nonphosphate detergent. 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

21 

c. Simple rinse: spraying or squeezing water through a dispenser bottle to rinse substances 

adhering to the exterior of bottles, sonde and sensor surfaces, and from equipment 

crevices. In this process contaminants are removed through dilution, physical attraction, 

and solubilization. 

d. Damp or dry cloth: used to remove contaminants which may have adhered to equipment 

through airborne contaminants or from surfaces contacted, for example, by oil or 

sediment. 

2. Chemical complex formation to inactivate contaminants by neutralization, chemical reaction, 

disinfection, or sterilization.

a. Chemical agents: Use of chemical cleaning agents such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid 

and a solvent such as methanol, whether in the field or laboratory, is understood and 

familiar to USGS personnel, who should follow NFM equipment cleaning protocols. 

b. Sterilization: equipment disinfection or autoclaving, when necessary, will be performed 

in the laboratory, following procedures given in NFM, Chapter 7.1. 

Additional considerations: 

• ASTM Type I deionized water to be used in a cleaning/decontamination procedure must be 

verified by laboratory analysis to be below the method detection level (specifically, below 

detection for the contaminants of concern). 

• For equipment-cleaning purposes, use of an untreated potable water supply is not an 

acceptable substitute for tap water. Tap water from any municipal or industrial water 

treatment system may be used. 

• Detergent or solvent residue must be completely removed before sampling to avoid possible 

bias to the analytical data. 

• Manufacturer recommended cleaning procedures for multiparameter sondes and sensors that 

have contacted oil are provided in Section 5.3 of this document. 

4.3 Post-Decontamination Procedures 

Questions and general guidance with respect to the containment and disposal of hazardous waste 

materials should be directed to your local safety officer, Bureau Safety officer, or the Safety 

Officer of the National Water Quality Laboratory (Carlos Arozarena).

1. High-pressure pad area: 

a. Collect liquid and waste from the high-pressure pad and heavy-equipment 

decontamination area and store in appropriate drum or container. A sump pump can aid 

in the collection process. Refer to the DOT requirements for appropriate containers based 

on the contaminant of concern. 

b. Collect high-pressure pad and heavy equipment decontamination area solid waste and 

store in appropriate drum or container. Refer to the DOT requirements for appropriate 

containers based on the contaminant of concern. 
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22 

2. Empty soap-and-water liquid wastes from basins and buckets and store in appropriate drum 

or container. Refer to the DOT requirements for appropriate containers based on the 

contaminant of concern. 

3. Empty acid-rinse waste and place in appropriate container or neutralize with a base, such as 

marble chips or baking soda, and place in appropriate liquid-waste drum. pH paper or an 

equivalent pH test is required to ensure that the neutralization threshold of pH 6 or greater 

has been achieved . 

4. Empty solvent-rinse sprayer and solvent waste into the appropriate container, such as an 

empty container in which it originally was contained at the time of purchase. Consult DOT 

requirements for appropriate drum for solvent rinse waste. 

5. Using low-pressure sprayers, rinse basins, and brushes. Place liquid generated from this 

process into the wash-water rinse container. 

6. Empty low-pressure sprayer water onto the ground. 

7. Place all solid waste materials generated from the decontamination area (i.e., gloves and 

plastic sheeting, etc.) into an approved DOT drum. Refer to the DOT requirements for 

appropriate containers based on the contaminant of concern. 

8. Label waste containers and make arrangements for disposal. Consult DOT regulations for the 

appropriate label for each drum generated from the decontamination process. 

4.4 Equipment/Apparatus 

Appendix B provides a list of suppliers and specifications for field equipment, in addition to the 

materials and tools recommended below for decontamination activities. 

Decontamination Reagents and Solutions

• Non-phosphate detergent, such as Liqui-Nox or Dawn

• 5-percent hydrochloric acid solution in rinse bottle (for inorganics)

• Laboratory-grade methanol in Teflon rinse bottle (for organics) 

• Tap water (with and without detergent) in 5-gallon buckets and spray bottle 

• De-ionized water in 5-gallon buckets and spray bottles/garden sprayers 

• Marble chips or baking soda (for acid neutralization)

Decontamination Tools/Supplies

• Long and short handled brushes 

• Bottle brushes 

• Drop cloth/plastic sheeting 

• Kimwipes, oil-absorbent cloths (e.g., WypAll X70), paper towels

• 5-gallon buckets with handles and lids 

• Disposable non-contaminating (Teflon) 5-gallon bucket liners 

• Aluminum foil, heavy duty 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

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Health and Safety Equipment 

• Health and Safety PPE, as described in Section 2.4 and modified in the HASP. 

• Copy of the HASP

• Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all cleaning and decontamination agents to be used 

Waste Disposal 

• Trash bags, heavy duty 

• Trash containers 

• Department of Transportation (DOT)-certified metal/plastic containment canisters or drums 

for transportation and storage of decontamination solutions and liquid waste 

• Labels to identify the nature of the waste
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

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Figure 3. Site setup for sampling and equipment decontamination. 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

25 

5.0 Multiparameter Sondes: Preparation, Deployment, and 

Cleaning Procedures 

Ambient physical and chemical properties of Gulf water will be measured at specified locations 

in near-shore and wetlands environment of the Gulf of Mexico. This section of the Deepwater 

Horizon Post-Impact Sampling Plan has been developed as an addendum to the standard USGS 

protocols for field measurements found in Chapter A6 of the National Field Manual for the 

Collection of Water-Quality Data to address the special preparation and cleaning procedures 

needed for multiparamter sondes that might be immersed in saline, oil-laden waters. Protocols 

and procedures for sonde deployment and measurement of water properties are described in this 

section.

Measurement of in situ water-quality properties will employ multiparameter instruments 

containing data sondes attached to multimeter data output and recording devices. Temperature, 

specific conductance/salinity, pH, and dissolved-oxygen concentration/percent saturation (by 

luminescent optical sensor) are required measurements for the post-landfall USGS Deepwater 

Horizon Oil Spill 2010 investigation. 

The effects of oily water on the response and sensitivity of multiparameter instrument sensors 

may vary somewhat, depending on the instrument in use. In this guidance, the YSI 6-series 

instrument will be used for illustrative purposes. Other equipment manufacturers may have 

slightly different procedures to address deployment of their instruments in oil-laden waters 

(Appendix G includes information provided by In Situ, Inc. and YSI, Inc.). 

5.1 Sonde Preparation 

This guidance focuses on deployment and decontamination methods of multiparameter sondes in 

an oily surface-water environment. Special considerations and procedures are required to address 

how to prepare and deploy multiparameter sondes under such conditions. A list of the materials 

and supplies recommended for sonde cleaning and deployment can be found at the end of this 

section (Section 5.0). 

The instrument type and date, time, and method of calibration (using NFM 6.8 protocols) should 

be recorded in the field logbook; calibrations are recorded on field forms and in the meter 

calibration logbook, including a post-sampling calibration check. 

• In situ field properties should be measured at the same location at which the samples will be 

collected.

• Measurements should be completed before collecting the samples for laboratory analysis. 

YSI recommends the following procedure before deploying the multiparameter sonde in an oilcontaminated environment: 

1. Apply C-Spray nanopolymer protective coating to exterior of YSI instrument, sensors, and 

cable, according to the YSI instruction sheet (Appendix G).5 (YSI reports that testing has 

 

5

 Do not use C-Spray on instruments from other manufacturers without first consulting with that manufacturer.
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

26 

demonstrated that C-Spray has no negative impacts on YSI optical sensors, ROX 

membranes, or YSI pH sensors.) 

2. YSI ROX DO sensor: Spray and disperse C-SprayTM over membrane and sensor face. Allow

to sit 5 minutes. Wipe excess spray off with a Kimwipe. 

3. YSI pH: Spray sensor body including bulb and junction area. Allow to sit for 5 minutes. 

Shake off any excess spray.

4. All other optical sensors: Remove wiper, spray C-Spray onto sensor face and allow to sit for 

5 minutes. Remove excess with Kimwipe and polish sensor face with dry Kimwipe to 

remove streaking. Inspect wipers and replace or reinstall. 

5. Calibrate the sensors after C-Spray application, using standard USGS procedures (NFM 6.8). 

5.2 Methods for Sonde Deployment 

Three methods for sonde deployment are outlined below. The method selected depends primarily

on the presence and thickness of product on the water surface and on surf conditions (Figure 4, 

section 6). 

• Water surface with no visible oil or a light sheen, calm-sea conditions. 

• Water surface with definite oil sheen, distributed oil pods (for example, as “mousse” or 

“pancake” pods), or light sheen with more active sea conditions. 

• Water with heavy, measurable oil layer or active or rough sea conditions. 

The same criteria are used when selecting a sampling method, as described in Section 6. Section 

6 also contains the step-by-step instructions for collecting in situ water data and samples.

5.2.1 Direct-Dip (Sorbent-Sweep) Method 

Use: No oil or light oily sheen in a calm-sea environment. This method parallels the direct-dip 

method for collecting water samples described in Section 6.4.3). Wearing appropriate PPE:

1. Clear the water surface by gently sweeping the surface with a disposable absorbent cloth so 

that the surface oil is not dispersed into the water column. 

2. Discard the soiled absorbent in contaminant-designated trash bag. 

3. Lower the sonde into the cleared water column per the step-by-step procedures given in 

Section 6.4 for conducting a profile and recording field measurements. 

4. Remove the sonde, rinse with DI water, and store safely until it can be cleaned in a bucket of 

soapy water.
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5.2.2 Plastic Bag Method6

 

Use: Definite surface sheen, “oil mousse” or widely distributed pods of oily product on the 

water surface, or more active surf condition (alternatively, use the PVC pipe method 

described in section 6.4.2). This method might parallel the peristaltic pump (or bailer) method 

used for sample collection, but also can be used if samples will be collected using the direct dip 

method (see Section 6.4.3). Refer to the diagrams that illustrate this method in Appendix G.

1. Place sonde in clean disposable plastic bag, covering the entire sonde. 

2. Cut out the bottom of the bag. 

3. Use rubber bands to close the bag above and at the bottom of the sonde. 

4. Place third rubber band around the bag and body of sonde, above the sensors. 

5. If feasible, avoid deploying sonde through oil. Alternatively, gently clear the oil layer from 

the water surface with a disposable absorbent cloth, taking care that the surface oil is not 

dispersed into the water column. Drop the soiled cloth into a trash bag for contaminated 

waste.

6. Deploy the sonde vertically, lowering it to below the oil layer. 

7. Carefully clear any surface oil again (see step 5) before inserting gloved hands and arms into 

the water. Remove the lower rubber band, fold the bag up to and secure it with the rubber 

band at the middle of the sonde. 

8. Follow the step-by-step “Sampler 1 – Sampler 2” procedures described in Section 6.4.3 for 

conducting a measurement profile and recording the field measurements. 

9. Detach the securing rubber band, lower the bag back over the sonde to protect it from contact 

with product, and raise the sonde out of the water. 

10. Remove bag and dispose into a contaminated-waste trash bag. Wipe down elbow-length 

rubber-coated gloves and discard along with the wipe in the contaminated-waste bag or 

remove and store in a dedicated trash bag for subsequent decontamination. 

11. Rinse the sonde with DI water and store safely until it can be cleaned in a bucket of soapy 

water. 

5.2.3 PVC Tube Method 

Use: A heavy, measurable thickness of free product or densely distributed oil “pancakes”,

or active or rough surf condition. This method is parallel to the peristaltic pump or bailer 

method for collecting water samples, as described in Section 6.4.2, and requires installation of a 

stabilizing stake to which the PVC tube is secured; however, in deep marsh mud, the weight of 

the tube may cause progressive sinking of the stake, making this method difficult to carry out or 

requiring modification of the method to better suit site conditions.

1. Install the PVC tube; refer to Section 6.4.2 for detailed instructions. 

2. Place sonde through the PVC tube, avoiding water contact. 

 

6 The plastic-bag method for sonde deployment was adapted from procedures recommended by YSI, Inc.
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

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3. Follow the step-by-step procedures given in Section 6.4 for conducting a profile and 

recording the field measurements. 

4. Remove the sonde from the tube. 

5. Rinse the sonde with DI water and store safely until it can be cleaned in a bucket of soapy 

water.

5.3 Instrument Decontamination 

Crude oil is thick and sticky and may affect the performance intervals of the sensor membranes 

and wipers on multiparameter instruments, in comparison with normal conditions. The YSI 

company has provided the following instructions for cleaning YSI 6-seriesTM multiparameter

instruments that have become contaminated with crude oil (Section 5.4 lists the materials and 

supplies needed (see also Appendix B). 

5.3.1 Cleaning Procedure 

1. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling items contaminated with crude oil.

2. Spray all contaminated areas with Simple Green to remove as much contaminant as possible. 

3. Use soft cloth or paper towels to wipe off excess oil from the sonde. Remove oil-coated 

wiper pads and brushes from sensors in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and 

discard. Work carefully when cleaning around sensors or membranes. 

4. Submerge instrument in warm, soapy water. 

5. Use a soft brush to wipe away remaining oil. 

6. Use a small brush to clean inside the cell containing the temperature and conductivity 

sensors. 

7. Rinse in soapy water.

8. Repeat steps 5 through 7 as many times necessary to remove oily residue. 

9. Rinse again, in a fresh container of warm soapy water. Rinse soap residue off of the sonde 

and sensors using clean tap water followed by DI water. 

10. Dry the sonde gently. 

11. Install new wiper pads and brushes, as instructed by the instrument manufacturer. 

12. Dispose the oily water and oil-saturated wipers/brushes and cloths in proper receptacles and 

in accordance with local regulations for hazardous materials.

13. Check calibration of the sensors. 

5.3.2 Decline in Sensor Sensitivity 

The most common problems related to oil coating of sensors will be addressed by adhering to the 

steps for cleaning the sonde and sensors described above. However, the pH, depth, and 

dissolved-oxygen (luminescent/optical) sensors may require additional attention, as described 

below (contact the sonde manufacturer if additional guidance is needed): 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

29 

• pH: The performance of the pH and pH/ORP sensors rely on the sensitivity of the glass bulb 

and reference junction. The pH sensor may require additional cleaning and benefit from 

elevating the soapy water temperature to 35°C stirring the soapy solution rapidly. 

• Depth: Spray Simple Green into depth-port openings and use pipe cleaners to remove any 

contaminant. 

• ROX DO Membranes: The DO membrane on the luminescent/optical sensor also benefits 

from an elevated soapy-water temperature. Stirring or gentle sweeps with a soft paint 

brush across the membrane should aid in cleaning. 

5.4 Materials and Supplies 

Materials and Supplies for Cleaning and Sonde Preparation7

Cleaning 

• Gloves 

• Eye protection (safety glasses with side shields; or goggles)

• Lint-free cloths or paper towels, such as Kimwipes 

• Replacement sensor brushes and wipers; a hex wrench 

• An effective, nonphosphate detergent liquid, such as Liqui-Nox or Dawn, and a degreaser, 

such as Simple Green 

• Buckets

• Soft-bristle brushes for cleaning, including soft paint brush 

• Laboratory-grade wipes for delicate membranes, such as Kimwipes 

• Pipe cleaners and Q-Tips

• Waste-collection container

• Heating plate 

• Magnetic stirrer and stir bars

Preparation 

• Health and Safety PPE as described in Section 3.3 and modified in the SSHP (Appendix E) 

• Field- (onsite-) calibrated multiparameter water-quality meter and sonde 

• YSI C-Spray nanopolymer coating 

• Disposable plastic bags 

• Rubber bands, extra strength 

• 1.5-foot long by 4-inch inside diameter (ID) PVC tube (through which sonde can fit) 

• 5 to 6-ft long stakes to stabilize the PVC tube.

• Aluminum foil swatch caps for PVC pipe 

• Dawn/Liqui-Nox non-phosphate detergent 

 

7 Appendix E provides a list of suppliers and specifications for these supplies and other field equipment. 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

30 

• Buckets; Soft brushes and pipe cleaners (for cleaning)

• Heavy-duty disposable absorbent towels, such as WypAll X70 wipers for oil removal

• Trash bags 

• Laboratory-grade wipes for delicate membranes, such as Kimwipes 

• Replacement sensor brushes and wipers and hex wrench

6.0 Collection of Sonde Data and Water Samples 

The protocols described in this section were developed to assist field personnel in collecting 

water data and samples in the marine near-shore environment during USGS post-landfall 

sampling efforts in the Gulf of Mexico, and should be used as an addendum to NFM Chapter 

A48. Chain of Custody requirements will be followed strictly in the collection, processing, 

transport, handling, and storage of the samples and data collected. 

6.1 Objectives and Method Overview 

A primary objective of Deepwater Horizon post-landfall sample and data collection focuses on a 

comparison of the physical and chemical properties of a single set of grab samples collected at 

the same sites and sampling locations that were sampled for characterizing pre-landfall 

conditions. It is a primary goal of this sampling effort that the post-landfall water samples 

accurately represent ambient “normal conditions;” i.e., water properties at the given sampling 

location at the time of sample collection. To achieve this goal it is important that the data 

assembled during post-landfall sampling are collected using methods and protocols consistent 

with those used during the pre-landfall sampling, to the degree possible as appropriate for site 

conditions. However, field teams will exercise professional judgment to determine the most 

appropriate method for the given field conditions. Owing to the complexity of planned sampling 

operations, the large variety and types of samples to be collected, and potentially severe 

conditions that might affect health and safety when working in spill-impacted areas, a twoperson field team is mandatory and a three-person field team is strongly recommended; a 

third team member is required if a boat is used for access to the sampling site. Field teams 

that will sample in locations that require boat access may determine that a four-person team 

would be needed. 

Selection of sampling method depends on site conditions and characteristics at the time of 

sampling, including the presence, extent, and thickness of floating product. This protocol defines 

two methods as preferred for collecting water samples under anticipated sampling conditions: 

• Direct-Dip Method: This method is used to collect samples when no oil is visible on the 

water surface or when a slight oil sheen is observed that can be easily removed for the 

duration of collecting field-measurement data and samples for laboratory analysis. 

• Peristaltic-Pump Method: This method should be selected for sampling under conditions 

when free product either is observed in the area where samples will be collected or is close 

 

8 Collection of Water Samples (USGS National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data, revised 

2006). 
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31 

enough so that it could intrude into the sampling location during field measurements and 

sample collection. 

An alternative to the peristaltic-pump method, the disposable-bailer method, is provided in an 

addendum to this section. Field teams might elect to use the bailer method if it better fits the 

logistical and field conditions encountered. 

6.2 Equipment and Supplies 

Cross-contamination problems are to be eliminated or minimized in this project by using

dedicated, disposable sampling equipment to the greatest extent possible. The sampling methods 

described require different sets of equipment. Selection of the sampling device should be based 

on the analyses to be performed and be certified through collection of equipment blanks to 

ensure that its use will not introduce to the sample the analytes for which the sample is being 

collected. First-use disposable equipment and non-disposable (reusable) equipment also will be 

quality-controlled and cleaned or decontaminated (as appropriate to the equipment type) in 

accordance with the protocols and procedures outlined in this protocol. A listing of the 

equipment and supplies needed for collection of Gulf of Mexico water samples can be found in 

Table 1 and in Appendix B. 

Contrary to standard procedure, hydrochloric acid (HCl) will not be added to the volatile 

organic compounds (VOC) sample in the field for this project; VOC samples will be stored 

on ice and shipped to the laboratory (TAL) overnight on the day of collection to ensure that 

the 7-day maximum holding time for unacidified VOC samples is met. Adding acid to 

seawater samples having high carbonate concentrations can result in either an immediate or 

delayed effervescent reaction, potentially compromising the representativeness of the VOC 

analysis. 
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32 

Table 1. Containers and Supplies Specific to Water-Column Sampling 

[mL, milliliter; HNO3, nitric acid; CIN, laboratory’s analytical identification number; TAL, TestAmerica Laboratory; H2SO4, sulfuric acid; oz, 

ounce; HCl, hydrochloric acid; VOA, volatile organic analysis; BTEX, benzene toluene ethylbenzene xylenes; L, liter; TPH GRO, total 

petroleum hydrocarbons – gasoline-range organics; DRO/ORO, diesel-range organics; SVOC TCL, semivolatile organic compounds target 

compound list; PAH, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; NWQL, National Water Quality Laboratory; DOC, dissolved organic carbon] 

A. Containers Specific to Water-Column Sampling

Sample Container

Chemical Preservative

Laboratory Analysis Source

1 x 250 mL wide-mouth poly. 

Contains HNO3, 

TestAmerica, Pensacola FL (TAL)

Total metals9

TAL

 - CIN 50017 (Method 6020)

1 x 250 mL wide-mouth poly, 

brown. Contains H2SO4 

TestAmerica, Pensacola FL 

Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen - CIN 50068 (TKN, Method 351.2) 

Total Phosphorus – CIN 50092 (TP, Method 365.4))

TAL

1 x 32 oz, fired glass, widemouth. Contains HCl TestAmerica, Pensacola FL 

Oil and Grease - CIN 50136 (Method 1664A)

TAL

2 x VOA, 40 mL, 

no preservative

TestAmerica, Pensacola FL 

VOC, BTEX - CIN 50109 (Method 8260B)

TAL

2 x VOA, 40 mL, 

no preservative

TestAmerica, Pensacola FL 

TPH GRO - CIN 50114 (Method 8015B)

TAL

2 x 1L, fired, amber glass, no 

preservative 

TestAmerica, Pensacola FL 

TPH DRO - CIN 50130 (Method 8015B)

TAL

2 x 1L, fired, amber glass, no 

preservative

TestAmerica, Pensacola FL 

SVOC TCL, PAH - CIN 50117 (Method 8270D)

TAL

1 x 1L poly bottle, acid-rinsed 

at NWQL

Sampling bottle for collection of samples for trace metals and 

nutrients into pre-preserved TAL containers

One Stop

2 x 1L Teflon bottle E. Furlong, NWQL, Denver CO

Surfactant 

NWQL, 

precleaned

1x 125 mL, fired amber glass, 

DOC

G. Aiken, USGS, Boulder CO

Dissolved Organic Carbon, field filtered

One Stop

1 x 500 mL, fired amber glass Sampling bottle to collect whole water to be filtered for DOC One Stop

1x 1 L, fired glass. certified Eganhouse, USGS, Reston VA

Isomeric Fingerprint

NWQL, I-Chem 

or equivalent

Add the extra sample containers needed when the work schedule calls for collection of quality-control samples.

 

9 Analyses include: Sb, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Ag, Tl, Zn
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

33 

B. Supplies Specific to Water-Column Sampling

Equipment Description Use

Floatation device; 

backpack, coolers

Inner tube into which coolers can be inserted 

or backpack or field-determined alternative.

Transport bottles to 

shore

Filter Pall AquaPrep. DOC 

Disposable 

absorbent towels 

Kimwipes or WypAll X70 cloths. Oil removal from water 

surface and equipment 

Peristaltic pump 

and pump tubing 

Dedicated, disposable precleaned, precut 8-ft lengths of CFlex tubing. Sampling method and 

DOC sample filtration

Bailers (optional) 1.5- inch diameter, Teflon, pressurizable, disposable. Sampling method

PVC tube 4-inch diameter, from 1.5 ft to 5 ft in length. Sampling method

Tape measure 1/100s of a ft graduated. Water column

Survey markers Stakes, flags, or buoys and anchors. Stake out location

Multiparameter 

sonde 

pH, luminescent DO, SC/salinity, temperature sensors. Field measurements 

Gloves Rubber-coated outer gloves, elbow length (minimum two 

pair per sampler) – non-disposable. 

Nitrile inner gloves, (minimum five pair per sampler per 

site) – disposable. 

Water sampling PPE

Adhesive Tape Teflon, Duct, Electrical. Seal sample caps

pH test strips pH test strips. Ck. pH of treated Oil 

and Grease samples

HCl ampoules 6 N HCl ampoules. (N, Normal) Oil and Grease 

sample preservation

PPE See Section 3, “Safety.” Personal safety 

GENERAL USE

• PID vapor analyzer

• 2-lb sledge hammer

• 4-ft (or longer) wooden (disposable) or metal 

stakes (one per site if disposable)

• Stainless steel O-clamp(s)

• Deionized water in spray bottle

• Ziploc bags 4-mil gauge

• Industrial-strength rubber bands

• ASR-COC and Field forms (Appendix F)

• Wet Ice and Dry Ice

• Trash bags to contain ice.
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34 

6.3 Sampling Location 

Water samples will be collected in near-shore waters of the Gulf Coast and its barrier islands, 

wetlands, and marshes. Sampling and site conditions of the Gulf Coast vary widely; however, the 

general criteria that influence the selection of the specific sampling location at a site for this 

investigation include: 

• The sampling location should be the same as, or close to, a pre-landfall sampling location, 

(Appendix A), unless samples will be collected to meet a different objective. 

• The location is representative of observable physical and chemical conditions at the site. To 

this end, samples will be collected that represent “normal” surf and suspended sediment 

conditions at the time of sampling.

• Samples will be collected in wadeable water deep enough so as to minimize stirring up bed 

sediments, i.e. from about 2 to 3 feet deep. In areas with deep, mucky marsh sediments 

samples might have to be collected from a boat. 

• Samples should be collected at mid-depth at 15 cm (0.5 ft) or more above the seabed to avoid 

entraining sediments. 

• Samples should be collected at 15 cm (0.5 ft) below an oil layer in a manner that avoids 

collection or incorporation of free product in the sample. 

• Sampling locations at barrier islands will be accessed by boat, but samples generally should 

not be collected from the boat unless necessary to maintain sample integrity. 

6.4 Step-By-Step Procedures 

 Step-by-step procedures are given according to the sonde-deployment and sample-collection 

method determined by the field team as most appropriate for the onsite conditions observed 

(fig. 4). Field teams will customize the procedures described below as best meets their need; 

however, each team should record the procedure used in the logbook and, to the extent possible, 

use the same procedure for each of their sampling sites. Field personnel will follow standard 

USGS (NFM) protocols for checking, preserving, handling, and in general maintaining 

sample integrity, unless otherwise stipulated in this sampling protocol. All samples will be 

kept chilled or frozen (according to laboratory instructions, but not to exceed 4oC (40oF)) upon 

collection and during transport. All samples will be packaged and shipped for priority overnight 

delivery, and in compliance with strict Chain-Of-Custody (COC) dictates.

The protocol for determining representative measurements of temperature, pH, 

conductance/salinity, and dissolved oxygen (DO) is the same as is described in the Field Manual

(NFM), Chapter 6, with the caveat that the DO reading in Gulf water should be checked, 

sporadically, against the results of a Winkler titration. Table 2 is adapted from a similar table in 

the NFM that provides the stabilization criteria for recording these field measurements. In 

addition to the field measurements that will be recorded as representative of the water column for 

a given site, readings will be recorded at points in the water-column profile to document the 

occurrence of stratification, as described in the procedures below. 
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35 

Table 2. Stabilization Criteria for Field Measurements

In situ field measurement Stablization criterion1 

Temperature 

(Thermistor thermometer )

± 0.2°C (degrees Celsius)

Specific Electrical Conductance 

> 100 μS/cm (microsiemens per centimeter) ± 3 percent of five or more measurements

Salinity (Conductivity sensor) Greater of: ± 1 percent of reading or 0.1 ppt (parts per thousand)

pH ± 0.2 pH unit 

Dissolved oxygen (DO)

(Luminescent optical sensors )

± 0.2 mg/L (milligrams per liter)

1 The variability of the measurement should be within the criterion value shown for five or more measurements

 

6.4.1 Preparation and Order of Sample Collection 

1. Don Tyvek apparel. 

2. Prepare water bucket for post-use of the multiparameter sonde (Section 5.0), waste 

containers, and Kimwipes or absorbent cloths (absorbents) for oil skimming (if needed).

3. Assemble field-measurement and sampling equipment according to the method selected, 

either by Direct Dip or Peristaltic Pump.

4. Complete labels on all bottles with indelible (not fume-producing) ink (time, date, and 

sample name) and tape labels to bottles with wide clear tape (2-inch width). Appendix D 

Table 1 describes the sample containers, preservatives, holding times, and laboratory 

requirements for each aliquot. 

5. Pack sample bottles and sampling equipment in a floating cooler, back pack, or other 

floatation device. The floating cooler, backpack, or other floatation device should be 

deployed inside a disposable drum liner. 

6. Don PFDs, three layers of inner nitrile gloves (or as determined by field team), outer rubbercoated elbow (or full-arm)-length gloves, and other PPE as appropriate. 

7. Record and characterize the presence of free-product, such as oil sheen, extent of floating 

product, and estimated diameter(s) and distribution of oil “pancakes.”

a. Determine the sonde-deployment method to be used: (1) Direct Dip, (2) Plastic Bag, or 

(3) PVC tube. 

b. Determine the sampling method to be used: (1) Direct Dip or (2) Peristaltic Pump 

(alternatively, Disposable Bailer).
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8. Prepare the sonde before starting measurements according to the instructions given in 

Section 5.0. 

9. Two-person team in proper PPE, including rubber outer and inner gloves, and supplies: 

Wade to the sampling location with a team of two samplers 

• As a rule of thumb, collect samples consistently with respect to wave or current direction; 

i.e., with ebb or flow, and record procedure used. 

• When sampling in marshes or heavily oiled, deep mud, or slick locations the safety of 

personnel must take priority, possibly necessitating sample collection from the boat 

instead of wading. Take the precautions needed to avoid becoming immobilized in deep 

mud. Avoid unnecessary movement to avoid suspending fine sediment. 

10. Collect organic vapor readings with a PID, in the breathing zone and 6-inches above the 

water surface at the sampling location. Record readings on field forms or project logbook. 

11. Record GPS location in the field logbook and on the field forms.

12. Measure and record to the nearest tenth of a foot the wave height and depth of the water 

column using the measuring tape. If possible, depth should be from 2 to 3 feet. 

13. Order of sample collection: 

a. Field measurements: PID, oil thickness, and in situ water-quality properties 

b. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs collected in VOA (volatile organic analysis) vials)

c. Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon compounds – Gasoline Range (TPH-GRO)

d. Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon compounds – Diesel Range (TPH-DRO)

e. Semivolatile (SVOC) and PAH organic compounds 

f. Isomeric fingerprinting

g. Surfactants

h. Trace metals/elements 

i. Nutrients 

j. Dissolved Organic Carbon 

k. Oil and Grease

6.4.2 Peristaltic-Pump Method 

This method is selected because a definite sheen or measurable free-product has been observed. 

• For samples to be analyzed at the TestAmerica Laboratory (TAL)in Pensacola, sample 

bottles for oil and grease, metals/trace elements, and nutrient analyses will be supplied 

that already contain the chemical preservative needed for the intended analysis. 

• A portable peristaltic pump with battery can be transported in a sidepack or backpack to 

the sampling location by Sampler 1, while Sampler 2 backpacks, shoulder-bags, or 

otherwise transports the sample bottles. 

• The step-by-step procedure that follows describes use of a PVC tube, through which the 

multiparameter sonde and peristaltic pump tubing are deployed. 
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• Maintaining the appropriate distance of the PVC tube above seabed may be difficult in 

soft marsh mud; the method may be modified as needed to maintain sample integrity.

 

To collect samples using the peristaltic-pump method: 

1. Install the PVC tube: 

a. Drive a 5 to 6-ft stake 1 to 2 ft or more into the sediment with the sledge hammer.

b. Cover bottom end of PVC tube with a plastic bag, the end of which has been cut open. 

Using industrial-strength rubber band, secure the bag to the PVC tube and close the loose 

end with a rubber band. 

c. Lower the plastic-covered end of the PVC tube through the water surface, but keeping it 

at least 1.5 ft above seabed and ensuring that product does not get inside the PVC pipe. 

Strap the tube to the stake using the Velcro straps. 

d. Remove the protective plastic covering from the end of the PVC pipe. 

2. Field Measurements: 

a. The multiparameter sonde must have been calibrated and prepared per Section 5 of this 

document and in accordance with USGS standard protocols (NFM Chapter 6.8). 

b. Lower the sonde through the PVC tube to approximately mid-depth of the water column, 

but at least 1 ft above seabed. 

c. Measure and record depth of sensors below the water surface using a tape measure 

graduated in 1/10s and 1/100s, to one-tenth of a foot. 

d. Record stabilized measurements for pH, SC/salinity, DO, and temperature (table 2) on 

field forms. This is the record of in situ measurements for this site.

e. Check for stratification within the water column by recording measurements at about 0.5 

ft above and below the “mid-depth” site measurement, if possible. Be sure to stay at least 

0.5 ft above seabed to avoid sediment suspension. 

f. Remove the sonde from the PVC pipe and store it in clean potable water, until the 

appropriate decontamination process can be completed (see Section 5).

3. Prepare to collect samples (do not field-rinse sample containers):

a. Sampler 2: Remove the protective wrap from the intake end of the disposable, precleaned 

pump tubing and lower tubing through the PVC tube to the desired depth of sample 

collection. 

b. Sampler 1: Adjust and secure the location of the tubing intake end. Wipe down and 

remove rubber-coated elbow- or arm-length gloves and discard wipe and store gloves in 

their respective, dedicated waste and soiled equipment containers. 

c. Sampler 2: Wearing nitrile gloves, turn on the pump; adjust to a slow but steady rate of 

flow. Circulate water for a 3-volume tubing field rinse. 

4. Collect VOC and TPH-GRO samples (TAL)

For VOC – collect 2 VOA vials. For TPH-GRO – collect 2 VOA vials.

a. Sampler 1: Uncap the first VOA vial and hold it for Sampler 2. 

b. Sampler 2: Fill VOA vial and cap to over-flowing, leaving a meniscus in both. 
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c. Sampler 1: Pour water from cap into VOA vial while capping the vial, to prevent 

bubbles from forming. Cap VOA vial, and check for bubbles (invert and tap vial). If 

bubbles are observed, uncap vial and repeat steps 4b and c until no bubbles are observed. 

d. Sampler 1 and 2: Repeat steps 4 a – c, until the 4 VOA vials have been collected 

successfully. 

e. Sampler 2: Clean and dry each vial, ensure cap is on securely, wrap or place vials in foam 

or bubble sleeves, place in doubled Ziploc bags, and store on ice in the appropriate cooler 

(vial caps should be sealed using Teflon tape when back on shore). 

5. Collect TPH-DRO, SVOC, PAH, and Isomeric Fingerprint samples. Collect samples, 

adapting the Sampler 1 – Sampler 2 technique, but leaving at least 1 inch of headspace: 

a. 1 x 1-L baked glass amber for TPH-DRO (TAL)

b. 2 x 1-L baked glass for SVOC and PAH (TAL)

c. 1-L certified glass for Isomeric Fingerprint (Eganhouse) 

6. Sampler 2: Dry off each container, check labels, ensure cap is securely tightened, place glass 

containers in foam or bubble sleeves, place each sample container in doubled Ziploc bags, 

and store on ice in the appropriate cooler. 

7. Collect Surfactant samples. 

a. 2 x 1-L Teflon for Surfactant (Furlong – NWQL) 

b. Using the same Sampler 1 – Sampler 2 technique, fill the first Teflon bottle to two-thirds 

of capacity to allow for expansion when frozen. Cap it securely and repeat this procedure 

with the second Teflon bottle. 

c. Sampler 2: Dry each bottle, ensure cap is securely tightened, place into foam sleeve and 

then into doubled Ziploc bags. Store on dry ice or in wet ice until samples can be frozen 

and placed into the appropriate cooler. 

8. Collect Total Metals/Trace Element and Total Nutrient samples. Fill sample containers, 

adapting the Sampler 1 – Sampler 2 technique, but leaving at least one-half inch of 

headspace and taking care to prevent loss of the preservative:

a. 250-mL pre-preserved poly for Total Metals/Trace Elements (TAL) 

b. 250-mL brown poly for Total Nutrients (TAL) 

9. Sampler 2: Dry off each container, check labels, and ensure that cap is securely tightened. 

Invert each bottle at least three times to distribute the preservative. Place each sample 

container in doubled Ziploc bags and store on ice in the appropriate cooler. 

10. Collect the DOC sample (Aiken). 

a. Sampler 1: Don clean gloves. Unwrap the AquaPrep filter and secure it onto the pump 

tubing. 

b. Sampler 2: Uncap and hand the 125-mL baked glass for DOC to Sampler 1. 

c. Sampler 1: Pass about 50 ml water through the filter and then fill the DOC bottle to the 

shoulder. Cap the filtered sample and hand it to Sampler 2. 

d. Sampler 2: Dry off the bottle, check label, ensure cap is securely tightened, place into 

foam sleeve, then into doubled Ziploc bags, and store on ice in the appropriate cooler. 
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39 

e. Sampler 1: Turn off the pump and discard tubing and used filter into a dedicated waste 

receptacle. 

11. Collect the Oil and Grease (O&G) sample by Direct Dip Method (TAL)

a. Sampler 1 and 2: Don long rubber gloves over nitrile gloves. 

b. Sampler 2: uncap and hand a 1-L HCl-preserved Oil and Grease sample container to 

Sampler 1. 

c. Sampler 1: Skim or scoop sample from the water surface into the HCl-preserved 

container carefully, capturing surface oil but taking care not to lose the HCl preservative 

(if possible), and leaving about 1-inch of headspace. Hand container to Sampler 2.

d. Sampler 2: Recap and wipe the container clean to remove oily product. Check that the lid 

is secured tightly and that the container is marked with the type of preservative to ensure 

proper labeling. Invert 3 times to mix. Place into bubble or foam sleeve and then into 

doubled ziplock bags. Store on ice, 

e. Sampler 1, 2, or 3: Once on shore, if you suspect that preservative was lost, check the 

sample pH by decanting a small amount of sample, check pH with a pH strip; if pH is 

greater than 2, add contents of a HCl ampoule (2 mL 6N HCl) and record this information 

in the logbook. Rewrap the O&G container, tape the lid, and place on ice.

12. Sampler 2: Remove stake and PVC tube and return to decontamination area. A wooden stake 

can be discarded as solid hazardous waste; the PVC tube either is similarly discarded or 

contained for decontamination. 

13. Sampler 1: Secure all samples, returning to shore. Decontaminate sample coolers and the 

equipment used to bring the samples to shore. 

14. Samplers 1, 2, and/or 3: Ensure that lids are appropriately taped and containers are properly 

labeled and protected in foam or bubble sleeves. Pack bottles in appropriate shipping coolers, 

in dry ice or wet ice, as instructed by the laboratory, and ship priority for overnight or 

following day delivery to the respective laboratories. 

6.4.3 Direct Dip Method 

The direct dip method consists of collecting water samples directly into the pre-cleaned sampling 

containers at a pre-determined depth below the water surface (Natural Resource Damage 

Assessment and Restoration Program (NRDA), 2010). Procedures for measuring in situ water 

properties and collecting samples are given below. In the sampling scenario, Sampler 1 will 

collect the water samples. Sampler 2 will manage the sampling container before and after the 

sample is collected. 

The following description of the general procedure to be used is a departure from NFM 

methods – please read carefully: 

• For samples to be analyzed at the TestAmerica Laboratory (TAL) in Pensacola, sample 

bottles for oil and grease, metals/trace elements, and nutrient analyses will be supplied that 

already contain the chemical preservative needed for the intended analysis. 
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40 

• Samples for metals/trace element and nutrient analyses will not be collected directly into 

TAL-provided preservative-containing sample bottle (“preserved containers”). Instead, a 

field-team pre-cleaned 1-L poly RA (“raw acidified”) bottle will be used as the sampling 

device. Water is poured from the RA bottle into the appropriate TAL- supplied and 

preservative-containing sample bottle (“preserved” or “prepreserved” containers). This 

eliminates the need for field personnel to acidify the metals and nutrient samples. 

1. Field Measurements: Prepare to use the Direct-Dip Method or Plastic-Bag Method, 

according to professional judgment 

a. The sonde must have been calibrated and prepared per Section 4 of this document and in 

accordance with USGS standard protocols (NFM 6.8.) 

b. Lower the water-quality sonde to the sampling depth (follow Plastic-Bag procedures in 

Section 5.2.2 if this method is to be used before deploying the sonde). 

c. Measure and record depth of sensors below the water surface using a tape measure 

graduated in 1/10s and 1/100s, to one-tenth of a foot. 

d. Record stabilized measurements for pH, SC/salinity, DO, and temperature on field forms. 

This is the record of in situ water properties for this site. 

e. Check for stratification within the water column by recording measurements at about 0.5 

ft above and below the “mid-depth” site measurement, if possible. Be sure to stay at least 

0.5 ft above seabed to avoid sediment suspension. 

2. Prepare to collect water samples (do not field-rinse sample containers)

a. Sampler 1: With rubber outer and inner gloves on, clear the sampling area of any surface 

oil by carefully sweeping the area with Kimwipes or sorbent towels, such as WypAll X70 

and discard absorbents in dedicated trash bag. 

b. Sampler 1: Remove outer gloves and store in reusable storage bag for decontamination. 

3. VOC and TPH-GRO samples (2 VOA vials per analysis):

a. Sampler 2 hands Sampler 1 capped VOA vials, one at a time. 

b. Sampler 1: Submerge first VOA vial to the appropriate depth (between 0.5 ft and 1 ft 

below the water surface), uncap the vial until full, then recap under water. 

c. Sampler 1: remove VOA vial from the water, tip the VOA vial upside down, tap the 

bottom of the vial, and check for bubbles. If there are bubbles, resubmerge the capped 

vial, uncap the vial allowing all air to escape; repeat until no bubbles are observed. 

d. Sampler 1: Repeat steps 3a and b with next three VOA vials. 

e. Sampler 1: Hand each completed VOA vial to Sampler 2. 

f. Sampler 2: Double check for bubble; if bubble is present, repeat the sampling (steps b

and c) process. Dry each vial with a clean absorbent towel; check to make sure the lids 

are tight, the sample properly labeled, place in foam or bubble sleeves, double-bag in 

ziplocks, and store on ice. (Vial caps should be sealed with Teflon tape here or when 

back on shore). 
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4. TPH-DRO, SVOC/PAH samples:

a. Sampler 2 gives Sampler 1 the 1-L glass amber container for TPH-DRO

b. Sampler 1: Submerge the capped container to the appropriate depth, uncap and fill until 

full; recap the container and bring to the surface. Hand to Sampler 2. 

c. Sampler 2: Hand the capped container to Sampler 1. Dry, place in foam or bubble sleeve, 

double bag and store on ice. 

d. Sampler 1: Repeat steps 4a through c to collect the SVOC and PAH samples: 

e. Sampler 2 hands Sampler 1 the 1-L bottle for SVOC/PAH, followed by the second 1-L 

SVOC/PAH bottle, and repeats steps a through c for each SVOC/PAH 1-L container. 

f. Samper 2: Once on shore, uncap the TPH-DRO and SVOC/PAH containers and decant 

sample to within about 1 inch of the top to leave room for expansion when chilled. Recap 

securely, wipe the containers clean and dry, secure the lid with Teflon tape, and check 

that the container is labeled properly. Replace the containers in bubble or foam sleeve 

and double-bag the samples. Store on ice. 

5. Isomeric Fingerprint:

a. Sampler 2 hands Sampler 1 an NWQL 1-L lab-certified GCC bottle for Eganhouse lab. 

b. Sampler 1: Submerge the capped GCC bottle to the appropriate depth; uncap and fill until 

almost full leaving about 1-inch of headspace (decant if necessary to leave sufficient 

headspace to allow for expansion when chilled); recap the container and bring to the 

surface. Hand to Sampler 2. 

c. Sampler 2: Wipe the container clean and dry, check that the lid is tight, make sure the 

container is marked “GCC” to ensure proper labeling, place in foam or bubble sleeve and 

store upright on ice in doubled ziplock bags. 

d. Sampler 1, 2, or 3: Once on shore, retrieve the GCC bottle, check that the bottle is 

capped tightly, secure the cap with electrical tape, replace container in bubble or foam 

sleeve and double-bag the sample. Store the sample upright, on ice, and ship the same 

day if possible but no later than the next day. 

6. Surfactant sample (no container field rinse):

a. Sampler 2 hands Sampler 1 the 1-L Teflon bottles for Furlong lab, one at a time. 

b. Sampler 1: Submerge the capped Teflon bottle to the appropriate depth, uncap, and fill to 

two-thirds of capacity to allow expansion when frozen (decant if necessary to leave 

sufficient headspace). Recap the container and bring to the surface. Hand to Sampler 2. 

c. Samper 2: Decant some sample, if necessary. Recap, wipe the container clean and dry, 

check to make sure the lid is tight and the container is labeled properly, wrap in 

aluminum foil, and store on ice or dry ice in a protective wrap (App. D, Table 1), 

d. Sampler 1 and 2: Repeat steps 6b and c with the second Teflon bottle. 

7. Metals/Trace Elements and Nutrients: 

a. Sampler 2 hands Sampler 1 a NWQL 1-L RA bottle, precleaned and QC’ed at the WSC, 

for use as a sample-collection device.
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42 

b. Sampler 1: Submerge the capped RA bottle and uncap, field rinse 3 times, recap. 

Submerge the capped field-rinsed bottle to the appropriate depth, uncap, and fill to near 

the top. Recap the container and bring to the surface. 

c. Sampler 2: Uncap a TAL 250-mL HNO3-preserved container for metals analysis.

d. Sampler 1: Uncap the RA bottle. Carefully decant sample from the RA bottle into the 

HNO3-preserved 250-mL container being held by Sampler 2, leaving about 1-inch of 

headspace. Recap the RA bottle.

e. Sampler 2: Cap the HNO3-preserved 250-mL container, wipe the container clean and dry, 

check to make sure the lid is tight and the container is labeled properly for HNO3

preservative, and store on ice in a protective wrap. 

f. Sampler 2: Uncap a TAL 250-mL H2SO4-preserved container for nutrients (TKN and TP)

analysis.

g. Sampler 1: Uncap the RA bottle. Carefully decant sample from the RA bottle into the 

H2SO4-preserved container being held by Sampler 2, leaving headspace. Discard any 

remaining sample from the RA bottle.

h. Sampler 2: Cap the H2SO4-preserved container. Wipe the container clean and dry, check 

to make sure the lid is tight and the container is labeled properly for H2SO4 preservative, 

and store on ice in a protective wrap. 

8. DOC sample: 

a. Sampler 2 hands Sampler 1 a NWQL-fired 500-mL amber bottle labeled “DOC”

b. Sampler 1: Submerge the capped NWQL bottled to the appropriate depth, uncap and fill 

until almost full. 

c. Sampler 2: Secure AquaPrep filter to the discharge end of the pump tubing. Hand inlet 

end of tubing to Sampler 1. 

d. Sampler 1: Insert pump tubing into 500-mL DOC sampling container, and turn pump on 

at low pump rate to rinse tubing and filter with about 50 mL of sample water. 

e. Sampler 2: Uncap the preserved DOC bottle. After tubing and filter field rinse, hold the 

discharge end of the filter over the DOC bottle and fill to shoulder. Recap firmly. Wipe 

the container clean and dry, check that the lid is tight, check that the “DOC” label is 

intact, and store on ice in a protective wrap, 

f. Sampler 1: Shut down the pump and discard extra sample to its source. Remove and 

discard pump tubing and RA sampling bottle. 

9. Oil and Grease (no container field rinse): 

a. Sampler 1 and 2: Don long rubber gloves over nitrile gloves. 

b. Sampler 2: uncap and hand a 1-L HCl-preserved Oil and Grease sample container to 

Sampler 1. 

c. Sampler 1: Skim or scoop sample from the water surface into the HCl-preserved 

container carefully, capturing surface oil but taking care not to lose the HCl preservative 

(if possible), and leaving about 1-inch of headspace. Hand container to Sampler 2. 
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43 

d. Sampler 2: Recap and wipe the container clean to remove oily product. Check that the lid 

is secured tightly and that the container is marked with the type of preservative to ensure 

proper labeling. Invert 3 times to mix. Place into bubble or foam sleeve and then into 

doubled ziplock bags. Store on ice. 

e. Sampler 1, 2, or 3: Once on shore, if you suspect that preservative was lost, check the 

sample pH by decanting a small amount of sample, check pH with a pH strip; if pH > 

than 2, add a contents of a HCl ampoule (2 mL 6N HCl) and record this information in 

the logbook. Rewrap the O&G container, tape the lid, and place on ice.

10. Float or backpack/shoulder-pack the samples to shore, taking precautions to prevent Gulf 

water from wetting the samples. (Line cooler or backpack(s) with doubled clear trash bags 

into which samples are placed as collected; end collection by tying the bags closed).

6.5 Collection of Quality-Control Samples 

Quality-control (QC) samples are to be collected by each WSC at one site, one time: the one 

possible exception is collection of blank VOC samples (see instructions for VOCs below). The 

QC sample types being collected include blanks, replicates, and matrix spikes for the sample 

types indicated below (Section 7 provides additional information about quality-control sampling 

for this project). In general, follow the standard USGS ppb/clean-hands procedures and 

precautions for collecting QC samples (NFM 4.3), but note the following caveats: 

• Use a peristaltic-pump method for collecting blanks, including VOC blanks: lengths of 

Teflon® and other tubing are dedicated to the site and must be thoroughly precleaned per 

NFM 3, but must not come in contact with methanol. 

• Use the TAL-supplied sample bottles-with-preservative (prepreserved containers) for 

metals/trace elements, nutrients, and Oil & Grease, if these are available. If not available, 

follow USGS routine. 

• As soon as possible, and before starting sampling at the first site, collect an equipment blank 

(tubing blank) for each analysis and ship to lab immediately, requesting quick turn-around. 

This is a one-time requirement per WSC (unless lab results indicate a problem).

• For this project, it will NOT be necessary to collect field blanks in an enclosed chamber. 

These blanks should be exposed to onsite atmospheric conditions; i.e., they are all ambient 

blanks (e.g., the length of atmospheric exposure should mimic environmental sampling 

conditions). 

• Ensure that any container or other supply or material that is/has been in contact with 

methanol is completely sealed and separated from sampling equipment and supplies in the 

office, during transport, and on-site. Please document how this has been done. 

• VOAs for VOC analyses will be collected in duplicate (instead of in triplicate).

Samples will be bottled in accordance with the laboratory requirements. Table D-1 in Appendix 

D provides the laboratory requirements for these samples. 
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6.5.1 Blank Samples 

Each WSC should process one complete ambient blank for analysis by TestAmerica Laboratory. 

Select the site at which to collect your one complete set of field blanks. Field blanks should be 

collected before collecting environmental samples and while at the sampling location, as follows:

1. Check and apply labels – container for each blank analysis requires a unique sample ID; 

labeled and recorded on the COC using the same procedure as for an environmental sample. 

2. Purge peristaltic pump tubing with 3 tubing volumes of freshly-opened, laboratory-certified, 

Volatile/Pesticide-grade Blank Water (VPBW). 

3. Ambient Blank for VOCs -- Check PID measurements. An ambient blank should be collected 

once per day at field sites where PID measurements exceed a reading of 15 ppmv total VOCs

in the sampling zone. 

• Do not use prepreserved vials for VOCs. 

• Fill two VOA vials and caps to overflowing with VPBW for VOC analysis. 

• Cap securely, invert, tap, and check for gas bubbles. Check sample and hand bubble-free 

sample to partner. 

• Partner checks labels, packages sample, and chills samples in the same manner as 

environmental VOC samples. 

• Ship overnight, on the same day as sample collection. 

4. Fill the set of organic-sample containers except for DOC. Pass completed set to partner to 

check caps/labels, wrap, and place on ice in the appropriate cooler.

5. Remove the filter and tubing using clean, colorless bags to keep them clean for later filtration 

of the environmental sample for DOC analysis. 

6. Purge peristaltic pump tubing with 3 tubing volumes of freshly-opened, laboratory-certified, 

Inorganic-grade Blank Water (IBW). 

7. Fill the set of inorganic-sample bottles with IBW, using the TAL prepreserved bottles (if 

available) in the following order: 

• Nutrients (TKN and total P) 

• Total metals/trace elements

8. Pass inorganic samples to partner to check caps/labels, (add preservative, if needed) wrap, 

and place on ice in the appropriate cooler.

9. DOC – Rinse the tubing by passing one tubing volume of VPBW to waste. Install the 

AquaPrep filter and field rinse by passing about 50 mL of VPBW through the filter to waste.

Fill an unpreserved DOC bottle with VPBW. Do not preserve this sample. Pass to partner to 

check caps/labels, wrap, and place on ice in the cooler for the Aiken laboratory. 

10. Ensure that a TAL-provided trip blank and temperature blank is included in every cooler that 

is shipped to TAL. 
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6.5.2 Replicate (Duplicate) Samples and Matrix Spikes 

Water samples for replicate matrix spikes QC analyses will be collected sequentially, as 

described below. Sequential replicates (duplicate, triplicate, etc. samples) consist of samples 

collected separately but close in time and space. Note that not all sample types will be collected 

for matrix-spike analysis.

1. Assign a unique sample ID to the environmental and the duplicate sample, and the set of two 

bottles for matrix-spike analysis. 

2. Collect the environmental sample first and collect the duplicate sample immediately after; 

next collect the two additional samples – indicated in the list below – for matrix-spike 

analysis. 

3. Follow identical sample-collection procedures for the duplicate and matrix-spike samples as 

for the environmental sample, but ensure that the samples are properly labeled and coded for 

sample type (environmental, duplicate, or matrix spike).: 

• VOC/BTEX (no preservative) 

• TPH (GRO C6-C10) (no preservative)  add matrix-spike samples (MS/MSD)

• SVOC/PAH (no preservative)  add matrix-spike samples (MS/MSD)

• Total metals/trace elements

• Nutrients (TKN and total P) 

• Oil & Grease (pre-preserved bottle)  add matrix-spike samples (MS/MSD)

• DOC (filtered, no preservative) 

6.6 Sample Handling and Storage 

Once all samples have been collected:

1. Tape caps and check labels on the sample vials/bottles (containers). Check that cap is secure.

2. Wipe any petroleum or mud off the outsides of the containers and place the full containers 

into bubble envelopes, double bag, place on ice, protect from ice-melt-water and place in the 

appropriate shipping coolers. 

3. Record collection of sample on multiple ASR forms to manage the chain of custody in 

individual coolers to the appropriate laboratories (refer to Table D1-AppD). ASR forms 

should be sealed in doubled ziplock bags and taped to the inside lid of the respective cooler.

4. CHAIN OF CUSTODY: it is necessary to follow the detailed instructions given in Section 7. 

• Remember to record all pertinent data in the project logbook and on the appropriate 

field form(s) and sign them.

• Be sure to attach custody seals to the cooler prior to shipment.

6.7 Addendum: Disposable-Bailer Sampling Method 

The disposable-bailer method may serve as a suitable alternative to the peristaltic-pump 

methods, depending on site conditions. It requires repeated deployment of the disposable Teflon 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

46 

bailer. In the case where the PVC tube has been deployed, 1.5-inch diameter disposable bailers 

may be used to collect water samples through the PVC instead of using the peristaltic-pump 

method. 

Use bailers with sealable tops (pressurizable type) that allow the bailer to remain closed while 

being submerged to the depth of sample collection. 

After completing field-measurement procedures for conditions with floating product, the bailer is 

deployed, with Sampler 1 collecting the water samples and Sampler 2 managing the sample 

containers/bottles before and after the each sample is collected in its appropriate container. 

Sample containers for organic-compound analyses and bottles that contain preservative are not 

field rinsed. For this method the RA sample-collection bottle is not necessary, as the sample is 

discharged directly from the bailer into the HNO3-preserved container for metals analysis and 

into the H2SO4-preserved container for nutrients analysis. 

1. Sampler 1 and Sampler 2: Remove outer and inner rubber gloves and collect samples 

wearing inner nitrile gloves. (Samplers each wear three pairs of inner nitrile gloves.) 

2. Sampler 2: Remove the disposable bailer from its sealed bag and store the release valve in a 

safe, clean location for easy access. Sampler 2 puts a clean aluminum foil swatch over the 

upper pressure port on the bailer and adds a short “leash” with a loop to attach to the wrist of 

Sampler 1. 

3. Sampler 1: Submerge the bailer to sampling depth with top pressure port covered, using the 

aluminum foil “cap” and hand pressure to ensure that only water only from the chosen 

sampling depth enters the bailer. At the chosen depth, open the pressure port to allow water 

to enter the bailer. 

4. Sampler 1: Raise the bailer out of the water and present the lower water inlet/outlet port to 

Sampler 2, while keeping the upper pressure port sealed. 

5. Sampler 2: 

a. Prepare to collect two VOC and two TPH-GRO samples. Attach or insert VOA sampling 

attachment to bailer outlet port (Sampler 1: keep upper pressure port sealed. 

b. Sampler 2: Uncap first VOA vial and place under outlet port. 

c. Sampler 1: Open pressure port to fill VOA vial and cap to overflowing, leaving each with 

a meniscus. 

d. Sampler 2: Empty water from cap into VOA vial while capping the vial, to prevent 

bubbles from forming. Cap VOA vial, and check for bubbles (invert and tap vial). If 

bubbles are observed, Sampler 2 will uncap vial, collect additional water from bailer in 

cap, and repeat step 5d until no bubbles are observed. 

e. Sampler 1 and 2: Repeat steps 5a – d until the 4 vials for VOC and TPH-GRO analyses 

have been collected successfully. 

f. Sampler 2: Clean and dry each container, ensure cap is on securely, place in foam or 

bubble sleeves, place in doubled Ziploc bags, and store on ice in the appropriate cooler. 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

47 

Seal caps with Teflon tape when on shore and replace vials into protective sleeves, 

ziplock bags, and ice. 

6. Sampler 1: Repeat steps 3 and 4 as needed for continuing to Step 7. 

7. Sampler 2: Uncap, place under outlet port, and fill (leave headspace) and cap the following 

bottles to within 1 inch of the top while Sampler 1 opens the pressure port: 

a. 2 x 1-L baked amber glass for TPH-DRO

b. 2 x 1-L baked glass for SVOC and PAH 

c. 1-L certified glass for Isomeric Fingerprint (Eganhouse) 

8. Sampler 2: Clean and dry each container, ensure cap is on securely, wrap in bubble or foam 

sleeve, place in doubled Ziploc bags, and store on ice in the appropriate cooler. 

9. Sampler 1: Hand Sampler 2 the first of two 1-L Teflon bottles for the Surfactant sample 

(Furlong – NWQL). 

a. Sampler 2: Uncap and place under outlet port while Sampler 1 opens the pressure 

port. 

b. Fill the bottle to two-thirds of capacity to leave room for expansion of the sample 

when frozen. Recap the bottle securely, place in foam or bubble sleeve and place 

on ice.

c. Sampler 1 and 2, repeat steps a and b with second Teflon bottle. 

10. Sampler 1: Hand Sampler 2 the 250-mL HNO3-preserved poly for Total Metals/Trace 

Elements (TAL)

a. Sampler 2: Uncap, place under outlet port, 

b. Sampler 1: Open the pressure port. Fill container carefully, leaving headspace and 

avoiding loss of preservative. Recap and hand to Sampler 2. 

c. Sampler 2: Dry the container, check that container is labeled to indicate HNO3

preservative and check that cap is securely tightened. Invert 3 times to mix, place 

into doubled ziplock bags and store on ice. 

11. Sampler 1: Hand Sampler 2 the 250-mL H2SO4 -preserved poly container for Nutrients 

(TAL). Sampler 1 and 2 follow the same procedures as described in Step 10. 

12. Samplers 1 and 2: Prepare to collect the 125-mL baked glass DOC sample by installing the 

AquaPrep filter onto the bailer outlet. Field-rinse the filter (but not the bottle) by passing 

about 50 mL of sample through the filter. Then, fill the DOC bottle to the shoulder with 

sample filtrate, cap securely, place bottle into bubble or foam sleeve and then into doubled 

ziplock bags, and store on ice. 

13. Remove and discard bailer in dedicated waste receptacle. 

14. Oil and Grease is collected by Direct Dip (no container field rinse): 

a. Sampler 1 and 2: Don long rubber gloves over nitrile gloves. 

b. Sampler 2: uncap and hand a 1-L HCl-preserved Oil and Grease sample container to 

Sampler 1. 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

48 

c. Sampler 1: Skim or scoop sample from the water surface into the HCl-preserved 

container carefully, capturing surface oil but taking care not to lose the HCl preservative 

(if possible), and leaving about 1-inch of headspace. Hand container to Sampler 2. 

d. Sampler 2: Recap and wipe the container clean to remove oily product. Check that the lid 

is secured tightly and that the container is marked with the type of preservative to ensure 

proper labeling. Invert 3 times to mix. Place into bubble or foam sleeve and then into 

doubled ziplock bags. Store on ice, 

e. Sampler 1, 2, or 3: Once on shore, if you suspect that preservative was lost, check the 

sample pH — decant a small amount of sample, check pH with a pH strip; if pH is

greater than 2, add a vial of 6 N HCl and record this information in the logbook. Rewrap 

the O&G container, tape the lid, and place on ice.

14. Remove the wooden (or metal) stake and PVC tube and return to decontamination area. 

Discard the stake and PVC tube into appropriate receptacles for hazardous waste. 

15. Secure all samples, returning to shore. Decontaminate sample coolers and equipment to bring 

the samples to shore. 

16. Pack bottles in appropriate shipping coolers, in dry ice or wet ice, as instructed by the 

laboratory, and ship for priority overnight delivery to the respective laboratories. 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

49 

Figure 4. Water-column Sampling, Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, 2010.
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

50 

7.0 Sediment Samples 

Standard and project-specific procedures are described in this section that will be used for 

collecting samples of sediment or other solids in an oil-impacted marine shoreline environment. 

These procedures are intended for use as an addendum to the standard USGS protocols described 

in NFM Chapter A8. 

Analyses of the sediments to be collected will be used to evaluate chemical and biological 

changes that occurred in a bulk sample, compared to the sediment samples collected at the same 

location before on-shore arrival of crude product from failure of the Deepwater Horizon well. 

The sediment is to be analyzed for metal and trace elements; organic compounds such as PAH, 

TPH, SVOC, and Oil and Grease; benthic invertebrates; microorganisms such as hydrocarbondegrading microorganisms, and will undergo “fingerprinting” analyses to determine the unique 

characteristics of non-ambient organic and inorganic components. Chain of Custody (COC) 

requirements will be followed strictly in the collection, processing, transport, handling, and 

storage of these samples. 

7.1 Method Overview and Considerations 

For the purpose of this study, wet sediment samples will be collected from a 3.28 ft2 (1 meter2) 

area at the land/water interface (swash zone) on beaches and from bottom materials of streams 

that dissect wetland or marsh areas. Swash-zone sediments are to be collected from the surface to 

a depth of from 4 to 6 inches, and either cored or homogenized and in accordance with best 

scientific practices. Submerged wetland or marsh sediments will be collected from the bed 

surface to a depth of about 4 inches and homogenized. Similar collection and homogenization 

procedures will be employed as those used to collect pre-landfall sediments or as directed by 

specific analytical or laboratory requirements. Tar balls also will be collected for analysis of 

weathered characteristics. Samples will be collected at the same locations at which the prelandfall samples were collected, determined by GPS coordinates. 

Various types of sediment deposits that are characteristic of a given sampling location can

greatly influence analytical results. For example, contaminants are more likely to be 

concentrated in sediments typified by fine particle size and high organic content. This type of 

deposit is more typical of marsh or wetland areas, in contrast to typically coarser sediments 

found on beaches and in other erosional zones. Since the particle size and organic content of the 

sediments are related directly to water velocity and flow characteristics of a body of water, a 

description of the sedimentary deposits observed at the sampling site should be described in the 

project logbook with respect to relative particle size; sorting; and native, apparent oil-spill 

related, anthropogenic, or undifferentiated organic-matter content. Differences in sediment types 

result in different interferences and matrix effects on the laboratory analysis; therefore, collection 

of an additional volume of sediment samples that represent end-member sediment types for 

matrix spike analysis is recommended. 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

51 

7.2 Equipment and Supplies 

Sample integrity is dependent on proper selection and use of sampling equipment, laboratory 

containers, preservatives, and decontamination of any material that makes contact with the 

collected sample. All equipment and supplies for sample collection and handling shall meet the 

specifications of the required analysis, and are listed in Appendix B (and at the end of this 

section). The intent of this standard operation procedure is to use certifiable pre-cleaned 

sampling or single-use disposable equipment at each sampling site; for this reason 

equipment rinsate blanks will not be part of the QC protocol for this project. Reagents will 

be required for cleaning of reused equipment. Decontamination solutions (Appendix B) and the 

proper disposal of these and other chemical reagents and solid wastes are specified at the end of 

Section 4.0, which discussed sampling equipment decontamination. 

7.3 Preparation, General Process, and Order of Sample Collection 

A key objective in collecting post-landfall sediment samples will be to examine the analytical 

results for chemical and biological characteristics compared with those of the pre-landfall 

samples. Therefore, samples should be collected from an area at which oil is present, in addition 

to being at or near the pre-landfall location of sampling. 

The extent of oil penetration into the beach sands or marsh sediments also should be 

documented. If the field site is heavily oiled, field personnel should collect a 6 to 12-inch core 

using a transparent polycarbonate tube to capture a depth profile, describe and measure any

pattern of oil infiltration, and photograph the core; alternatively they might dig a trench to expose 

a profile and document observations in the logbook and with photographs. 

7.3.1 Preparation 

Sediment sampling occurs after water samples have been collected and packed. The third team 

member can begin and facilitate sediment-sampling preparations. 

1. Plan sampling with consideration of weather and tidal conditions, if possible. The variability 

of tidal range may affect the viability of sample locations at mid to high tides. In addition, 

sediments in the land/water interface may differ substantially at different stages of tide. If 

possible, sample collection should be conducted at comparable tidal stages as that for the 

same location during the pre-impact effort.

2. Perform a general site survey prior to site entry, in accordance with the HASP. 

3. Prepare dedicated sets of equipment for each site and as required per analysis (see AppendixD table 2 for sediment sampling). 

• Pre-cleaned or pre-certified clean sample containers
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

52 

• Pre-cleaned and quality-assured Teflon bags (these will have been first quality-controlled 

by collecting and analyzing blank-water samples of the appropriate grade for a full suite 

of the same organic and inorganic constituents for which samples will be analyzed to 

ensure that they are not a source of free organic or inorganic analytes of interest) 

• Sterile coring devices, Teflon scoops, spoons, spatulas, purchased as certified sterile and 

clean of target analytes or cleaned and autoclaved in the laboratory and wrapped for clean 

transport prior to use. 

• Scoops/spades/spoons/spatulas either are disposable or will be sheathed for use in Teflon 

bags that are disposed after use. Reusable equipment will be cleaned of surface 

contamination in the Contamination Reduction Zone (CRZ), stored in ziplock bags for 

transport to the office laboratory where they will be cleaned using the chemical agents 

appropriate for the equipment type and degree of contamination, per routine USGS 

decontamination protocols. Rinsate blanks will be collected periodically to verify the 

efficacy of the cleaning procedure.

• Pre-cleaned, Teflon-lined, 2-gallon bucket to composite a bulk sediment sample. 

4. Install stakes or flags to identify and mark boundary of the sampling location. If necessary, 

the proposed sampling location may be adjusted based on site access, property boundaries, 

and surface obstructions. 

a. Record GPS data for the sampling locations (sample markers are temporary).

b. Document specific site and sediment characteristics, including the extent and description 

of any observed contaminant. 

c. Photograph the location and a depth profile at which samples are collected, before and 

after collection: take the pictures facing north, south, east, and west, close-ups, and a 

view looking directly downward. Photos should be date-and-time stamped, and labeled 

with site ID. 

7.3.2 General Process 

Sampling requirements for each type of sample analysis are shown on Figure 5 and in Appendix 

D, Table 2, in addition to being described in greater detail in the sections that follow. For 

sediment sampling, in general: 

• With the exception of the sample for analysis of benthic invertebrates and tar balls, a bulk 

sample will be collected from a 3.28 ft2 (1 meter2

) area and homogenized in a 2-gallon 

Teflon-lined bucket, from which the rest of the sediment will be subsampled. 

• Before collecting sediment into the Teflon-lined bucket: 

• Wearing nitrile gloves, remove product (liquid or mousse) from the beach surface by

blotting it up with an absorbent cloth to expose sand. Change gloves. 

• Remove large rocks, sticks, shells, and tar balls (greater than 2 mm).Change gloves.

• Using the Teflon scoop (recommended), work systematically to collect the top 4 to 6 inches 

of wet sediment so as that the bulk sample represents the 3.28 ft2 (1 meter2

) sampling area 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

53 

until the bucket is about three-quarters full, mixing periodically to homogenize the sample. 

(The tool selected depends on the type and condition of the sediment at the sampling 

location; a Teflon sample bottle that has been modified as a scoop seems especially useful for 

collecting marsh sediments). 

• When closing sample jars, make sure the container threads and lid are free of any sediment 

before sealing the container to avoid possible leaks and loss of sample. 

• After collecting each sample, use a Kimwipe or cloth to clean off the outside of the container, 

tape the lid as instructed below, place container into foam or bubble sleeve and into doubled 

ziplock bags. 

• Store all samples on dry or wet ice, as directed, immediately.

• Follow COC instructions to the letter (refer to Section 8).

7.3.3 Order of Sample Collection and Containerization 

1. Tar balls – 125 or 250 mL certified glass jar – Chill (Rosenbauer) 

2. Benthic invertebrates (Demopoulous) – 3 x 500 mL polypropylene jars – Preserve with 10-

pe

a.

rcent formalin supersaturated with sodium borate – Chill

3. C

b.

ollect bulk sample for: 

Microoganisms

Toxicity

Oil Fingerprint

(Lisle) – 400-mL double Whirl-Pak—Freeze 

Isomeric

 (

 Fi

Ca

n

rr/

ge

B

rp

ied

rin

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t

ach ) – 2 x 1-L wide-mouth glass jar – Chill, do not freeze

c.

Metals/Trace El

(

em

Ros

en

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ts

au

 a

er) – 2 x 500-mL wide-mouth jar, fired – Freeze

d. (Eganhouse) – 8-oz wide-mouth jar – Freeze

e.

•

grained

SVO

 s

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ed

T

im

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ents

 – 8 oz

, in (

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nd Nutrients

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ll

– use TAL sample containers: 

• Oil and Grease/SVOC/percent moisture – 8 oz wide-mouth clear glass – Chill.

NOTE: To protect samples from ice-melt-water while being transported to the office, 

shipper, or laboratory, seal the ice in doubled bags and place each sample into a 

doubled ziplock bag.
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

54 

Figure 5. Sediment Sampling, Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, 2010.
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

55 

7.4 Step-By-Step Procedures 

7.

a.

4.1 Tar

th

Sp

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ecim

-Bal

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each

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am

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.

ollected from anywhere at 

b. Retrieve by gloved hand, covered with a small Teflon bag.

c. Place specimens into a 125 or 250-mL lab-certified glass jar

d. Store and ship frozen

e. R

co

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inates

d a des

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 p

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 th

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ollection location; e.g., swash, low/mid/high tide, GPS 

7.4.2 Benthic Invertebrate Sample Collection 

Sampling for benthic invertebrates requires collection of three samples at each site, collected 

approximately 3.28 ft (1 meter) apart from the 3.28 ft2 (1-m2)area at which a bulk sample will be 

collected afterwards that will be subsampled for other analyses. To obtain the sample for benthic 

invertebrates, a 2.5-inch (about 6.4-cm) (inner diameter), 12-inch (about 30.5-cm) long 

polycarbonate tube (core) is used to collect the top . The core of sediment is then extruded into a 

1.

laboratory container, labeled, and preserved. The specific steps for collected these samples is as 

follows.

2.

Don sterile dispos

field conditions.

Remove the cori

able nitrile gloves, layering up to three pair as needed or determined by 

3.

ng device from the protective packaging (precleaned by sterilization

(autoclave) or received certified clean from a laboratory or manufacturer).

4.

Push the pre-cleaned disposable polycarbonate coring device exactly 2 inches (about 5 cm) 

into the sediment (to the set-mark on the side of the core tube).

5.

Carefully slide a pre-cleaned spatula (without slots) under the coring device to enclose the 

sample. Be careful not to disturb the sediment inside the coring device.

6.

Carefully remove excess sediment and any oil from the outside of the coring device with a 

clean Kimwipe. 

Extrude the sedime

7.

nt sample contained inside the core tube into a 500-mL plastic jar by 

gently shaking or tapping the coring device.

8.

Inspect the inside of the coring device and spatula surface containing the sample and use 

forceps to place any remaining organisms into the container.

Add the 10-percent formalin supersaturated with sodium borate preservative, cap the jar 

securely (clear threads of sediment), and tape and double-bag the jar. (Note: if preservative is 

9.

unavailable, double-bag the sample container and immediately freeze or chill and place in 

freezer upon return to the office.).

Invert the jar several times to evenly disperse the preservative.
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

56 

10. Repeat steps 1 through 9 to collect and preserve two more samples. Select sampling locations 

11.

within the 3.28 ft2 (1 meter2) sediment collection area that are about 3.28 ft (one meter) apart 

from each other and from the first sample

Label each sample jar with the sampling date, name of collector, and sampling location. If 

sample was preserved with sodium borate-saturated formalin solution, write "10% buffered 

12.

formalin" on the label. Record the collection of the sample in the field log book and on the 

chain of custody and appropriate field forms

Replace outer pair of gloves with clean pair and 

. 

set up for the next sample. 

7.4.3 Bulk Sample Collection 

A bulk sample will be collected and homogenized as a composite, and subsampled for the 

remaining chemical and microoganism analyses, as described below. Remember to blot up oil 

that is pooled on the surface of the sampling quadrangle with an absorbent cloth. Extensive use 

will be made of Teflon bags in the sampling procedures, and should be used in a manner to 

ensure that contact with the sample is restricted to the inside, quality-controlled (QC’ed) portion 

of the bag. The step-by-step procedures recommended below should be customized as fits the 

needs of the field team; however, whatever procedure works best should be determined, 

documented in the logbook, and the same routine repeated at sites sampled by that team, to the 

degree possible. 

7.4.3.1 Collecting a Bulk Sample 

1. Deploy the equipment needed to the location in the swash or wetland area from which 

samples will be collected (or to the boat). 

2. Line a clean 2-gallon bucket with precleaned and sterile Teflon bags (doubled), wearing precleaned gloves and inverting the bag to ensure that the outside of the bag lines the bucket and 

the quality-controlled interior will contain the sediments.

3. Using the Teflon scoop (recommended), work systematically to collect the top 4 to 6 inches 

of swash or submerged sediment into the bucket, so that the bulk sample represents the 3.28-

ft2 (1-m2

) sampling area. 

4. Decant excess water from the Teflon scoop (or other sampling tool) carefully before 

emptying sediment into the bucket so as to avoid fine sediments from being decanted with 

the excess water. 

5. After emptying about three scoops of sediment into the bucket, homogenize the sample using 

the scoop or gloved hands sheathed with a Teflon bag. Continue this procedure until the 

bucket is about three-quarters full. 

7.4.3.2 Sample Containerization and Storage 

1. Move inland from the swash zone to a dry, plastic-lined area appropriate for sample 

containerization. If the sampling site was accessed by boat, the sampling team must 

determine how much of this phase of the sampling operation can be carried out on the boat 

(preferred), or if it must be carried out onshore. 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

57 

2. Wipe off the composite container before setting it down on top of clean plastic sheeting. 

Change gloves.

3. Samper 1: Remix the bulk sample thoroughly, so as to be completely homogenized. Mix for 

about 5 minutes.

4. Sampler 2: Select the tool for subsampling and the sample container, as appropriate for the 

sample analysis. Sheath the tool in a clean Teflon bag. Check if QC samples are to be 

collected and ask Sampler 3 to set up additional containers, if needed. Hand the subsampling 

tool to Sampler 1 and uncap and hold the container for Sampler 1 to fill with sediment. 

5. Sampler 1: Fill the sample container, leaving headspace as described below for the analysis 

of interest (refer also to Table 2 in Appendix D). 

6. Sampler 2: Hand the container and cap to Sampler 3. 

7. Samper 3: Remove any sediment, mud, or oily substance from the outside of the container, 

paying attention to the threads on cap and container; securely cap and tape to seal cap to the 

container, wipe container off; affix, fill out, and check label; place container in bubble or 

foam sleeve, double bag in ziplock, and put the sample into the appropriate shipping cooler. 

8. Samplers 1, 2 and 3: Continue steps 3 through 7 until all samples have been collected and 

stored on ice. Each analysis requires specific containers and volumes of sediment as 

described in the steps that follow. Fill all required sample containers with homogenized 

sample volumes as specified:

a. Microoganisms (Lisle lab): Use sterile equipment to fill a 400-mL double Whirl-Pak – 

Freeze sample. 

b. Toxicity in Pore Water (Carr/Biedenbach lab): 2 x 1-L wide-mouth clear glass jars – Fill 

jars to bottom of threads. Wrap lids round top with electrical tape. Chill, do not freeze. 

c. Oil Fingerprint (Rosenbauer lab): 2 x 500-mL amber glass, lab-certified wide-mouth jars, 

filled to about two-thirds of capacity – Freeze samples. 

d. Isomeric Fingerprint (Eganhouse lab): one 8-oz amber glass lab-certified wide mouth jar, 

filled to about two-thirds of capacity – Freeze sample. 

e. Metals/Trace Elements and Nutrients (TP, TN, TS) (Horowitz lab): collect 1 kg for sandsized sample in 2 x 500-mL WhirlPaks; collect 500 g for mud and fine-grained sediments

in 1 or 2 500-mL double WhirlPaks – Chill, do not freeze. 

f. SVOC TCL (TestAmericaLab (TAL)): 8 oz wide-mouth TAL glass jar; tape lid – Chill. 

g. PAH /Alkylated PAH (TAL): 4 oz fired wide-mouth TAL jar; tape lid – Chill. 

h. Oil and Grease (TAL): 8 oz, fired wide-mouth TAL jar; tape lid – Chill. 

7.4.4 Wrap-Up Procedures 

1. Record the collection of sample in the field log book. Multiple ASR field forms are needed to 

manage the chain of custody (COC) in individual coolers to the appropriate laboratory. The 

ASR/COC forms needed for each laboratory can be found in Appendix F. Refer to Table 2 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

58 

in Appendix D for a list of laboratory addresses and contacts, and container and shipping 

requirements. 

2. Return excess soil from the composite (bulk) container to the point of collection. Rinse 

sediment and debris from the bulk container. 

3. Remove and dispose all disposable PPE; used Teflon bags and other sampling gear; the 

ground sheeting, and decontamination liquid and solid materials, in designated and properly 

labeled receptacles. Complete the decontamination process on land or by boat as described in 

Section 4.0. If site access was by boat, complete as much of the decontamination process as 

possible on board. 

7.5 Quality Control 

One set of equipment blanks shall be collected and analyzed for concentration of SVOCs, PAHs, 

Oil and Grease, metals and nutrients to test the suitability of using Teflon bags for collecting, 

homogenizing, and subsampling sediments. A fresh 250-mL volume of VPBW will be used to 

rinse a Teflon bag three times, followed by filling the bag with the volume of VPBW necessary 

to fill sample bottles for the organic-compound analyses listed above. This procedure will be 

repeated using inorganic-grade (certified) blank water (IBW) to fill sample bottles for the metals 

and nutrients analyses. This set of equipment blanks will be collected once and only by one WSC 

sampling team, who will report to all the other WSC teams and to the Office of Water Quality 

the analytical results.

For TestAmerica Laboratory analyses, each Water Science Center should select one site at which 

to collect:

• Duplicate samples (Split replicate) for the Oil/Grease plus SVOC/PAH sample, the alkylated 

PAH sample, and the SVOC TCL sample: 

1. Collect at least twice as much material as is required. 

2. Homogenize the material and containerize as described above into two individual sample 

containers. Assign each container a unique sample identifier, complete the label, and 

record the original and duplicate on the COC/ASR as separate samples. 

• Matrix-spike samples – the Oil/Grease plus SVOC/PAH sample, the alkylated PAH sample, 

and the SVOC TCL sample 

1. Collect a replicate set of samples, identified as matrix-spike samples MS/MSD) in 

separate containers. The spiking will be done by the laboratory. Ideally, samples for 

matrix-spike analysis should be collected when a notable difference in sediment matrix is 

observed, such as sand versus organic-rich mud or fines. 

2. Assign each container a unique sample identifier, complete the label, and record the 

original and duplicate on the COC/ASR as separate samples. 
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7.6 Analyses, Materials, and Supplies for Sediment Sampling 

Table 3. Containers and Supplies Specific to Sediment Sampling 

[oz, ounce; CIN, laboratory’s analytical identification number; SVOC, semivolatile organic compounds; %, percent; HEM, N-hexane extractable 

material; PAH, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; TCL, target compound list; mL, milliliter; BGC, baked glass container; L, liter; g, gram; Poly, 

polypropylene; NFSS, USGS National Field Supplies Service; NWQL, National Water Quality Laboratory] 

Sample Container,

Chemical Preservative

Laboratory, 

Analysis 

Source

1 x 8 oz wide-mouth jar,

Unpreserved

TestAmerica, Pensacola FL (TAL)

CIN 50137 - Oil & Grease, SVOC, % 

moisture (Method HEM )

TAL

1 x 4 oz wide-mouth 

clear glass, Unpreserved

TestAmerica, Pensacola FL 

CIN 50641 - PAH and Alkylated PAH 

(Method 8270C) 

TAL

1 x 8 oz clear glass TestAmerica, Pensacola FL 

CIN 50117 - SVOC TCL (Method – 8270) 

TAL

3 x 500 mL sterile poly 

10% sodium-borate 

buffered formalin

A. Demopoulos, USGS, Gainesville FL

Benthic invertebrates

One Stop, NFSS

2 x 1L BGC 

Unpreserved 

R. Carr/J. Biedenbach, USGS, Corpus 

Christi TX – Pore-water toxicity

One Stop, NFSS

2 x 500g WhirlPak 

Unpreserved 

A. Horowitz, USGS, Norcross GA

Trace metals10

Open Market

 and nutrients (check with NFSS)

2 x 1L BGC, certified 

Unpreserved 

R. Rosenbauer, USGS, Menlo Park CA 

Oil fingerprint

NWQL to provide IChem or equivalent

1 x 500 mL BGC, 

certified

Unpreserved 

R. Rosenbauer, USGS, Menlo Park CA 

Tar ball degradation 

NWQL to provide IChem or equivalent

1 x 250 BGC, certified 

Unpreserved 

R. Eganhouse, USGS, Reston VA 

Isomeric fingerprint

NWQL to provide IChem or equivalent

1 x 400 mL WhirlPak, 

sterile, unpreserved 

J. Lisle, USGS, St. Petersburg, FL 

Microoganisms 

Open Market

 

10 Analysis includes: Sb, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Li, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, P, Se, Ag, Sr, Tl, Sn, U, V, Zn, Al, C 

(inorganic + organic), Organic C, Fe, N, S, Ti
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Sample Container,

Chemical Preservative

Laboratory 

Analysis 

Source

1 x 8 oz wide-mouth jar,

Unpreserved

TestAmerica, Pensacola FL (TAL)

CIN 50137 - Oil & Grease, SVOC, % moisture 

(Method HEM )

TAL

1 x 4 oz wide-mouth clear 

glass, Unpreserved

TestAmerica, Pensacola FL 

CIN 50641 - PAH and Alkylated PAH (Method 

8270C)

TAL

1 x 8 oz clear glass TestAmerica, Pensacola FL 

CIN 50117 - SVOC TCL (Method – 8270) 

TAL

1x 500 mL sterile BGC

10% sodium borate buffered 

formalin

A. Demopoulos, USGS 

Benthic invertebrates

One Stop

2 x 1L BGC

Unpreserved

R. Carr / J. Biedenbach, USGS,

Pore water toxicity

One Stop

2 x 500g WhirlPak

Unpreserved

A. Horowitz, USGS, 

Trace metals and nutrients

Open Market

2 x 1L BGC, certified

Unpreserved

R. Rosenbauer, USGS, Menlo Park CA

Oil fingerprint

NWQL to provide IChem or equivalent

1 x 125 or 250 mL BGC, 

certified 

Unpreserved

R. Rosenbauer, USGS, Menlo Park CA

Tar ball weathering

NWQL to provide IChem or equivalent

1 x 250 BGC, certified

Unpreserved

R. Eganhouse, USGS, Reston VA

Isomeric fingerprint

NWQL to provide IChem or equivalent

1 x 400 mL WhirlPak, sterile, 

unpreserved

J. Lisle, USGS, 

Microoganisms

Open Market
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Equipment and Supplies for Sediment Sampling 

• Maps/plot plan

• Compass, GPS

• Tape measure 

• Survey stakes or flags

• Barricade tape for Exclusion and Contamination Reduction Zones 

• Digital camera

• Polycarbonate tube, 2.5-inch (6.5 cm) inside diameter, 6 to 12-inch (about 15 to 30.5 cm)

long 

• Disposable or Teflon, white, or uncolored transparent plastic sampling spoons, spades, or 

spatulas

• Sterile sampling spoon/spatula 

• Laboratory forceps

• 2-gallon homogenization bucket

• 3-gallon certified clean Teflon bucket liners

• Small Teflon bags (used with bag sampler) (to sheath gloves for hand mixing; alternatively, 

use a portable drill with a specially designed Teflon coated mixing tool

• 4-oz, 8-oz, and one-quart, wide-mouth jars w/Teflon-lined lids 

• 10-percent formalin solution saturated with sodium borate -- benthic invertebrate sample 

preservation 

• Ziploc plastic bags

• Cooler(s)

• Ice, wet ice and dry ice

• Plastic sheeting for homogenization and containerization area 
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8.0 Chain of Custody and Documentation Requirements: Labeling, 

Packaging, and Shipping 

8.1 Method Summary 

Samples collected for the post-impact oil spill require legally defensible data. The following 

protocols for field documentation, sample labeling, packaging, and shipping incorporate the use 

of standard chain-of-custody (COC) procedure as applied to environmental samples. The 

instructions and procedures provided in this section comprise a summary of Standard Operating 

Procedure for Chain of Custody Samples, Office of Environmental Measurement and 

Evaluation, USEPA New England - Region 1 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2002a). 

However, chain-of-custody requirements for a given operation can change; field teams should 

verify COC protocols with their NRDA or other appropriate contact before sampling. 

8.2 Field Procedures 

The field sampler is legally responsible for the care and custody of the samples collected in this 

project until the samples are transferred (for example, to a laboratory) or otherwise properly 

dispatched. 

• As few people as possible should handle the samples. 

• Each sample container will be labeled with a sample number, date and time of collection, 

sampler name, and sampling location. 

• Sample labels are to be completed for each sample using indelible ink (such as non-erasable 

black or blue “rite-in-the-rain” ballpoint pen). If weather conditions prohibit use of ballpoint 

pen and a pencil is used instead, this must be noted in the field log book. Sharpies or other 

similar pens that emit fumes are prohibited from use. 

8.2.1 Field Logbooks and Other Documentation 

The field logbook (logbook) will provide a means of recording field observations and the datacollection activities performed. The logbooks obtained are to be bound, paginated field survey 

books or notebooks, preferably with “rite in the rain” properties. 

Logbook entries should be as detailed as needed in order for persons going to the site at a later 

date to be able to reconstruct a particular situation without reliance on memory. 

• At the beginning of each day, record the date, start time, weather, names of all sampling team 

members present, level of personal protection being used, and the signature of the person 

making the entry. 

• Include a record of the names of visitors to the site and additional field-sampling or 

investigation team personnel, and the purpose of their visit. 
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• Record measurements made and samples collected, along with a detailed description of the 

location of data collection. 

• All entries will be made in ink as described above, and no erasures will be made. If an 

incorrect entry is made, the information will be crossed out with a single strike mark and the 

entry will be initialed and dated. 

• Logbook entries and field record sheets with sample identification (ID) locations, date, time, 

and names or initials of all persons handling the sample in the field will be completed.

Field forms (Appendix F) have been customized for this project that can be used to supplement 

logbook entries, although their use will not substitute for recording the major onsite activities 

and data entries, according to COC protocol. The equipment used to collect samples will be 

noted on these field forms, along with the time of sampling, sample description/purpose, depth at 

which the sample was collected, sample volume, and number of containers and samplepreservation procedures. A sample identification number will be assigned after sample collection 

and recorded in the logbook and on field forms. Field duplicate samples, which will receive 

separate and unique sample identification (ID) numbers, will be noted under the sample 

description. Equipment employed to make field measurements will be identified by make, 

model, and serial or unique ID number along with the date and time of calibration or calibration 

checks. 

Photographs will be taken from multiple perspectives to document the general condition and 

characteristics of the site and of the specific sampling locations of sample collection. It is 

recommended that the photographs be accompanied by photographs of the coordinate 

information displayed on the GPS for the specific location of the site and locations of sample 

collection.

8.2.2 Labeling Sample Containers 

Sample labels shall be completed for each sample collected for analysis, using waterproof ink, as 

described above. When working under the jurisdiction of NRDA labeling conventions and 

sample nomenclature may differ from those routinely used within the USGS; ensure that correct 

nomenclature protocols are in place. Figure 6 provides an example of a sample label. The 

information to be recorded on the sample tag or label includes: 

• Station Number - a number assigned by the project coordinator 

• Date - a six digit number indicating the year, month, day of collection 

• Time - a four digit number indicating the local standard or daylight time datum (EST, EDT, 

CST, CDT) time of collection using the military or 24-hour time convention; e.g. 0954 

• Station Name - sampling station description 

• Sampler personnel - each sampler is identified by their full name
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• Sample Number - a unique sample number established from the Sampling Plan for each set 

of samples collected at one time and place

• Parameter (analyte) and sample preservation - the sample analysis to be conducted and how 

the sample is preserved using physical and/or chemical means. 

• Comments - pertinent observations of site conditions that might affect the quality of the 

analysis, if any.

 Sample ID:______________ Lab:__________________ 

Sample Type:___________ Project No:_____________ 

Media:_________________ 

 Analysis:_____________________________________________ 

Preservative:__________________ 

 Location:______________________________________________ 

Sample Date:_________________ Station:_______________ 

Sample Time:_________________ Depth:________________ 

Collected By:_________________ 

Comments:____________________________________________ 

 

Figure 6. Example of a Sample Label

Due to the evidentiary nature of samples collected during environmental investigations, 

possession of the sample must be traceable from the time the samples are collected until they are 

introduced as evidence in legal proceedings. This chain of custody (COC) will be documented 

using the Analytical Services Request (ASR) form to inform the laboratory of the analyses being

requested for each sample and to document sample possession and custody. One signed copy of 

the ASR form should remain with the sampler and two copies should be transported with the 

sample aliquots to each laboratory. 

It is the intent of this protocol to follow USEPA policy regarding sample custody and COC 

protocols, as described in NEIC Policies and Procedures, EPA-330/9-78DDI-R, Revised June 

1985. This custody procedure is in three parts: sample collection, laboratory analysis, and final 

evidence files. Final evidence files, including originals of laboratory reports and electronic files, 

are maintained under document control in a secure area. A sample or evidence file is under your 

custody when: 
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• It is in your possession, or 

• It is in your view, after being in your possession, or 

• It was in your possession and then locked up to prevent tampering, or 

• It is in a designated and documented secure area.

To maintain a record of sample collection, a COC/ASR record will be filled out for each sample 

destined for laboratory analysis and for the transfer of samples among sample custodians, 

shipping courier, and the laboratory. Copies of standard COC/ASR forms for water and 

sediment samples that go to TestAmerica Laboratory - Pensacola are provided in Appendix F. 

Sample COC/ASR procedures require that the possession and handling of the sample from the 

moment of its collection through analysis be documented by written record. The record must 

clearly reflect the movement of the sample through the COC/ASR to ensure the sample has been 

positively controlled and has not been tampered with in any way. Each time the samples are 

transferred, the signatures of the person relinquishing and receiving the samples, as well as the 

date and time of transfer, will be documented. 

8.2.3 Transfer of Custody and Shipment 

Samples will be properly packaged for shipment (Section 6 and Section 7) to be dispatched to the 

appropriate laboratory for analysis. Samples must be accompanied by a properly completed 

COC/ASR form at all times. The COC/ASR form will be signed and dated with the time of 

transfer by a member of the field team who has verified that those samples indicated on the 

COC/ASR form are indeed being shipped. The sample numbers and locations will be listed on 

the COC/ASR form. A separate signed custody record will be enclosed in each sample box or 

cooler. After packaging has been completed, the shipping containers will be secured with 

strapping tape and custody seals for shipment to the laboratory. The custody seals must be

signed and dated by a member of the field team, and placed over the lid edge for fixed-base 

laboratory samples. The preferred procedure also includes using a custody seal attached to the 

front right and back left of the cooler. 

All samples will be shipped by an appropriate courier (e.g., Federal Express). Samples will be 

transported daily or the next day from the sampling or storage location to the courier location for 

subsequent shipment to the laboratory. A designated member of the field team should track the 

time of shipment and progress to its destination until its arrival is confirmed by the laboratory. 

Upon receipt of the samples at the laboratory, the receiver will complete the transfer by dating 

and signing the COC/ASR form. If shipped by commercial courier, the air bill number and 

shipping data will be transcribed to the COC/ASR form in the appropriate signature/date block. 

A copy of the air bill is to be kept with the field copy of the COC/ASR form to reflect specific 

shipping information. 

The custodian of the evidence file will maintain the contents of evidence files for each 

investigation, including all relevant records, reports, logs, field notebooks, pictures, 
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subcontractor reports, correspondence, laboratory logbooks, and COC forms. 

• Each project evidence file will be stored in a secure, limited-access area and under custody.

A copy of the COC/ASR shall be kept by the sample team. 

• Analytical laboratories will retain all original raw analytical data information (both hard copy 

and electronic) in a secure, limited-access area and under custody of the laboratorydesignated project manager. 

• Sample collection points, depth increments, and sampling devices documented in the field 

logbooks will be verified with the information written on the sample label and COC/ASR 

form.

8.3 Packaging Samples 

Equipment and material requirements to properly handle, ship, and maintain custody of samples 

as described in the preceding sections include the following: 

• Teflon, Duct, and Electrical tape for sealing lids on sample containers and vials 

(as directed)

• Chain-of-Custody Forms

• Properly Labeled Sample Containers 

• Indelible Black Ink marker

• Custody Seals, moisture-proof; can adhere to wet coolers

• Approved, Undamaged Coolers of Various Sizes with Drains Sealed

• Temperature Check Sample

• Ziplock Bags (assorted sizes for samples and ice) 

• Plastic Trash Bags

• Bubble Wrap or Foam Sleeves 

• Ice – Wet and Dry

• Courier Airbills

• Laboratory Contact Information 

• Nylon Reinforced Strapping Tape 

• Any Special Requirement Courier Labels (Hazardous Materials, Caustic, etc.) 

• Lockable Storage Areas (to maintain sample custody, may be locked vehicle, office, etc.) 

• Coolers for shipping samples: clean, leak-proof. To avoid loss of shipping labels from 

“sweating” coolers, it is recommended that sender and recipient address be written in 

indelible marker on the outside of the cooler. 

Lids or caps on sample containers are to be taped with Teflon, electrical, or duct tape, as directed 

by the receiving laboratory to help ensure against leakage. Glass sample containers will be 

wrapped with plastic insulating material (bubble wrap) to prevent contact with other sample 

containers or the inner walls of the cooler. Each sample container, in addition, will be sealed in
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doubled ziplock bags. Similar containers for the same location may be sealed in the same set of 

ziplock bags. 

Sample identification from each container shall be compared to the entries on the COC/ASR 

form to ensure bottle labels and COC entries match. Once this is confirmed, the samples can be 

packed as described. Wet ice is required to be bagged in doubled bags and sealed to ensure no 

leakage during melting. 

Samples will be packaged in thermally insulated, rigid coolers, according to DOT specifications, 

173 Subparts A and B and 172 Subparts B, C, and D. Environmental samples and field qualitycontrol blanks to be submitted to the analytical laboratory will be placed in a sample cooler along 

with ice and coolant blanks. After a cooler is filled, the appropriate COC/ASR form will be 

placed inside a resealable plastic bag and taped to the inside lid of the cooler, and the outer 

surface of the cooler will be cleaned. Any leaking cooler will be held by the courier and sample 

holding times could be missed.

The cooler shall be secured with COC tape and custody seals, followed by using a minimum of 

three complete wraps of nylon-reinforced strapping tape on each end of the cooler and over the 

COC tape and seals. Signed custody seals must be applied to a minimum of the front and back 

of the cooler such that the seal will be broken if the top is opened or removed. An example of a 

custody seal is shown in Figure 7. 

Figure 7. Example of a Custody Seal. 

8.4 Shipping Samples 

Whenever possible, ship samples to the laboratory overnight on the day of collection. Pay strict 

attention to holding-time limitations for a given sample type. For example, the holding time of 

the VOC and TPH samples, collected in VOA vials, is 7 days from collection to analysis. Check 

laboratory hours of operation—keep in mind that the laboratory might not receive samples on 

Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays. The integrity of chilled samples sent late on a Thursday or on a 

Friday could be compromised if not received by the laboratory in time to be unpacked and 

refrigerated.

• Check planned arrival time before selecting the carrier service.
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• No carrier service will accept or deliver leaky boxes or coolers. Securely tape the outside of 

shipping containers to prevent leaking and to maintain container integrity.

• Do not exceed maximum weight and size restrictions set by the carrier service.

• Comply with the carrier service’s requirements for meeting U.S. Department of 

Transportation regulations for transporting hazardous substances. 

− Identify samples that require special shipping procedures.

− Send chilled samples to the laboratory by the fastest means possible. 

− Some samples require special handling and shipping (such as radon and CFC samples). 

Contact the laboratory for specific instructions. Obtain authorization from the laboratory 

before sending any highly contaminated or potentially hazardous samples to the 

laboratory for analysis. 

• Shipping of sediment samples for this project must conform to Federal regulations and 

procedures. Do not ship sediment samples in coolers containing samples of water, tissue, 

or media other than sediments.

NOTE – Avoid overfilling sample containers. Over filling can cause containers to break, 

especially when containing frozen samples and dry ice. 

9.0 Quality Assurance and Quality Control for Field Sampling 

The purpose of this section is to address the topic of Quality Assurance (QA) as it applies, in 

general, to post-impact Deepwater Horizon sampling and to describe the actions and sampling 

protocols to be implemented for collection of Quality-Control (QC) samples. The standard 

operating procedures described in this section follow those given in the USGS National Field 

Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data and may need to be modified according to 

circumstances encountered in the field or because of changes or redefinition of data-quality 

objectives defined for the sampling effort. Any deviations must be thoroughly justified and 

documented in field logbooks. 

9.1 Quality-Assurance Requirements 

The USGS defines quality assurance (QA) as those procedures used to control the nonquantifiable components of a project, including development and use of this Project Sampling 

Plan. Examples of key QA components of this Sampling Plan required to fulfill the objectives of 

this project are listed below: 

• Documented use of standard, scientifically valid and appropriate methods and protocols for 

the collection of in situ environmental field measurements and water and sediment data. Such 

data must be produced in such a manner so as to ensure that site conditions are represented 

accurately at a time and location that fulfill project and data-quality objectives. 
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• Adherence to strict protocols for documenting site conditions and field activities, including 

implementation of those requirements for maintaining a legal record of chain-of-custody for 

all samples that are collected; for example, properly entering data in bound, paginated sitededicated logbooks and on field data sheets. 

• The surfaces of equipment that could contact the sample must be constructed of materials 

that cannot themselves become a source of sample contamination. In other words, the 

equipment used must not be capable of releasing measurable concentrations of the same 

analytes that are targeted for study. In this regard, it is recommended that all sample 

containers are provided with a certification of laboratory-grade cleanliness. 

• Rigorous use of equipment cleaning and decontamination procedures is required that are 

known to be appropriate and effective for work in crude-oil contaminated land and aqueous 

environments. 

− Protocols for removal of the cleaning and decontamination agents used on equipment 

must be strictly followed so that the cleaning process itself does not become a source of 

contamination to the sample. For example: methanol must be allowed to completely 

evaporate from all equipment surfaces, nooks, and crannies; only non-phosphate 

detergents will be used and subsequently these and any acid solutions must be rinsed 

thoroughly from all equipment surfaces, nooks, and crannies. 

− Standard hazardous-waste handling and disposal procedures (described in Section 4), 

involve the proper containment and disposal of contaminated materials, including the 

waste fluids and materials from equipment decontamination. Such procedures are meant 

to ensure that cross contamination of samples does not occur among and between sites 

and that contamination is not transferred offsite to public or private areas. 

• Disposable equipment will be used wherever possible in order to minimize the number of 

steps need for sampling under potentially hazardous conditions and to avoid the need for 

equipment decontamination and consequent quality-control actions required to document 

proper decontamination. 

• Awareness of the natural and anthropogenic effects on the environment in which sampling 

will occur. For example,

− When boats are used, boat motors and bilge pumps must be turned off during the 

sampling operation and retrieval and decontamination of sampling equipment to avoid an 

additional source of contamination. 

− Storage – permanent and transient – of gasoline or other petroleum-based products and 

methanol and methanol-infused rags or clothing must be kept in a secure area that is 

separate and downwind of the sample-collection and sample-preservation and packaging 

area.

• Collection and analysis of quality-control (QC) samples, such as blanks, duplicates, and 

matrix spikes, whose purpose is to assess the quality of environmental data by generating a 
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set of data that will be used to estimate the magnitude of the bias and variability resulting 

from the procedures used for obtaining the samples. 

− For blank samples: Laboratory-certified blank water of the appropriate grade will be 

obtained, stored, transported, and used in accordance with standard USGS procedures: 

inorganic-grade blank water (IBW) for metals/trace-element and nutrient analyses; 

nitrogen gas-purged volatile/pesticide-grade blank water (VPBW) for each of the 

organic-compound analyses. 

− Matrix spikes will be treated by laboratory personnel at the laboratory.

• Mandating the training of all field personnel to ensure that health and safety regulations are 

understood and appropriately implemented. 

9.2 Quality-Control Sampling 

QC samples will be collected and analyzed along with environmental samples to assist in 

identifying the occurrence, source, and magnitude of sample contamination (field and laboratory) 

and as a measure of variability in the analytical composition of samples collected. In order to 

provide useful information, QC samples must be collected, prepared, and analyzed in the same 

manner and using the same materials as the environmental samples. Failure to do so is likely to

result in invalid or indeterminate interpretations of the QC data and can compromise the 

scientific defensibility of the data. 

9.2.1 Frequency and Distribution 

QC samples for routine analyses of water and sediment samples will be collected at a frequency 

of not less than one (1) in 10 samples per Water Science Center during the initial phase of postimpact sampling, or as otherwise described below for the QC Sample Type. QC samples 

collected for special (non-routine) analyses will be collected as directed by the chief scientist for 

the respective analysis.

Additional (extra) QC samples should be collected according to the best professional judgment 

of the field team leader or as needed to account for the bias and variability of unanticipated 

onsite conditions. For example: (1) matrix interferences may be much different in a lagunal mud 

than in a coarse sand matrix, suggesting the advisability to collect an additional set of matrixspike samples; (2) the potential for cross contamination of the samples from the environment 

may be much greater at sites with more visible presence of oil, alerting the sampler to the need to 

collect a precautionary blank sample; (3) a PID scan may signal heightened concern for bias to 

VOC samples, resulting in collection of an ambient-condition blank. 

The specific sites at which various types of QC samples will be collected and the frequency of 

visiting these sites is to be determined at a time closer to when post-landfall sampling will begin 

and will be addressed in the final Deepwater Horizon Response Post-Landfall Sampling and 

Analysis Plan.
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9.2.2 Quality-Control Samples 

Quality-control samples will be collected for water and sediment, as specified in Section 6.0 for 

Water Sampling and Section 7.0 for Sediment Sampling, respectively. In general: 

• Quality control for sediment samples will rely primarily on collection of duplicate samples 

and a sample set for matrix spikes at the rate of one (1) every tenth (10th) sample (i.e., at least 

one per Water Science Center team). Spiking of sediment is to be performed at the 

laboratory. Blank sediment samples (certified-clean soil or sediment) will not be collected for 

this project. In lieu of certified blank sediments, the unimpaired sediments collected during 

the pre-impact phase of this project will serve as background samples against which to 

compare the post-impact sediment samples.

• For sediment or water media, the need for field blanks mostly is obviated by the use of 

dedicated and disposable sets of equipment. One exception is collection of a set of field 

blanks to document the suitability of Teflon bags as liners and equipment covers, as these 

will be in contact with sediment samples.

• Quality control for water sampling includes collection of one or more of the following QC 

sample types:

− Replicate samples, collected one after the other. 

− Matrix spikes; the sample is fortified by the laboratory analyzing the samples.

− Field blanks; for this project an emphasis will be including: 

− Ambient field blanks, to determine the potential for sample contamination from ambient 

field conditions occurring during the time of sample exposure to the atmosphere. 

− Blank samples that are collected or prepared in a protected environment within an office 

or laboratory; for example: equipment blank, bottle or preservative blank, refrigerator 

blank, source-solution blank, temperature blank, trip blank, etc.

9.2.2.1 Field Replicates 

Field replicates are used to assess the variability associated with sample heterogeneity, sample 

methodology, and analytical procedures. Two or more field samples are obtained from one 

location, either concurrently or sequentially (one after the other). Following collection, they are 

treated as separate samples throughout the remaining sample handling and analytical processes.

• Split Replicates consist of a composite or homogenized sample that is split into equal 

volumes using appropriate, quality-assured methods, and placed into the appropriate 

containers. For this project, no water samples will be prepared as split replicates. 

• Sequential Replicates consist of samples collected separately but close in time (one after 

another). Spatial distance among sequential replicates can depend on the media and the 

intended analysis. 
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72 

− For sediment to be analyzed for VOCs, for example, it is advised that distinct and nonhomogenized samples be collected from 1 to 3 feet apart. 

− For water sampling, sequential replicates are to be collected as close in time and space as 

possible. For this project, sequential replicates will be collected for water samples only.

− Each container will be assigned a unique sample identifier, and labeled and recorded on 

the COC/ASR as separate samples. 

9.2.2.2 Matrix Spikes 

Matrix-spike samples are used to evaluate interference from the environmental matrix on the 

performance of the analytical method. A replicate set of sample containers should be collected 

for sediment and/or water and identified as spike samples for each analysis for which a matrix 

spike is to be requested. The spiking will be done in the laboratory. Each container will be 

assigned a unique sample identifier, and labeled and recorded on the COC/ASR as separate 

samples. TestAmerica Laboratory will automatically perform matrix-spike analysis for any 

sample for which sufficient sample is received (an extra two containers, appropriately labeled). 

For this project, six (6) matrix-spike samples will be collected for every ten (10) sites that are 

sampled; these include SVOC, alkylated PAH, and oil and grease in sediment and SVOC, TPHGRO, and oil and grease/PAH in water. 

9.2.2.3 Field Blanks 

A field blank is a category of QC sample that is prepared in the field to assess cross 

contamination caused (a) by inadequate decontamination procedures or contamination of a 

sample from a source not associated with the sample matrix, such as sampling equipment or 

sample-handling and transport procedures, or (b) ambient atmospheric conditions at the time of 

sampling (ambient blank). Since samples for this project will be collected primarily using 

precleaned dedicated, disposable equipment few, if any, equipment-specific field blanks will 

need to be collected. Blank samples, therefore, will focus on collection of ambient field blanks to 

determine the potential for sample contamination from ambient field conditions occurring during 

the time of sample exposure to the atmosphere. 

• Field blanks should be collected at a rate of one (1) in every 20 samples for a given 

analyte, or at a greater frequency, depending on ambient field conditions or 

decontamination-related requirements. 

• Ambient field blanks will be collected for VOCs, depending on the presence of organic 

vapors exceeding 15 ppmv (determined by PID scan). 

• Field blanks are to be collected before collecting environmental samples while at the 

sampling location. 

• A rinsate blank will be collected for equipment that is reused after it has been 

decontaminated. Any equipment to be reused must be decontaminated and rinsed on site as 

instructed in Section 3.0 of this protocol. 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

73 

• Field blanks and equipment blanks (Section 9.2.2.4 below) will be assigned a unique ID, 

labeled, and recorded on the ASR/COC form as are environmental samples. Blank samples

are treated in a manner identical to the environmental samples collected that day. 

9.2.2.4 Equipment Blanks and other Office or Laboratory-Produced Blanks 

Equipment blanks are collected in a controlled environment protected from ambient (such as airborne) contaminants in the office or laboratory. Equipment blanks (in some cases these are the 

same as rinsate blanks) are obtained by collecting blank water of the appropriate type from or 

through sampling equipment after having gone through an established cleaning procedure and 

before its first use in the field. The purpose of the equipment blank is to ensure that the 

equipment itself and the presampling cleaning procedure are not potential sources of 

contamination to the samples the equipment will contact. The protocols and procedures related 

to collection of equipment blanks for this project are the same as those used routinely for USGS 

water-quality projects and as documented in Chapter 4, Section 4.3 of the USGS National Field 

Manual.

• Equipment blanks will be required to test the suitability of new, disposable (single-use), and 

reusable equipment. A one-time equipment blank per type of equipment will be collected by 

each WSC before sampling begins. This applies specifically to the peristaltic pump tubing, 

bailer11, DOC filtration unit, direct-dip sample-collection container for metals and nutrients, 

Teflon-bag bucket liner, and Teflon scoop. (This protocol does not apply to laboratorysupplied sample containers that are certified clean for the chemical constituents of interest.) 

• A source-solution blank is to be collected for VOC analysis, to document if the composition 

of the blank water, as received and stored before transport to the field, was free of 

measurable concentrations of the VOCs to be analyzed (an ambient blank, collected in the 

field, could serve the combined purpose of a source-solution and ambient-field condition 

blank, with transport of the blank water being among the possible pathways of 

contamination). 

• Temperature blanks will be included in coolers and checked by the receiving laboratory to 

ensure that sample-preservation requirements with respect to temperature have been met.

• Trip blanks (for VOC and SVOC analyses) will be supplied by TestAmerica and analyzed to 

determine if the integrity of these samples could have been comprised by the sampletransport process. 

 

11 Collection of an equipment blank for the bailer is not necessary unless the bailer method for sampled collection is 

used. 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

74 

10.0 References 

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the wet oxidation method: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 26, p. 

2435–2439. 

Aiken, G.R., McKnight, D.M., Thorn, K.A., and Thurman, E.M., 1992, Isolation of 

hydrophilic acids from water using macroporous resins: Organic Geochemistry, v. 

18, p. 567–573. 

Alonso-Gutierrez, J., and others, 2008, Alcanivorax strain detected among the cultured 

bacterial community from sediments affected by the Prestige oil spill: Marine 

Ecology Progress Series 362, p. 25–36. 

Carr, R.S., 1998, Sediment porewater testing, in section 8080 of Standard methods for the 

examination of water and wastewater (20th ed.):Washington, D.C., American 

Public Health Association, p. 8–37 to 8–41. 

Carr, R.S., and Biedenbach, J.M., 1999, Use of power analysis to develop detectable 

significance criteria for sea urchin porewater toxicity tests: Aquatic Ecosystem 

Health and Management, v. 2, p. 413–418. 

Carr, R.S., Montagna, P.A., Biedenbach, J.M., Kalke, R., Kennicutt, M.C., Hooten, R., 

and Cripe, G., 2000, Impact of storm water outfalls on sediment quality in Corpus 

Christi Bay, Texas: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, v. 19, p. 561–574. 

Demopoulous, A.W.J., Cormier, N., Ewel, K., and Fry, B., 2008, Use of multiple 

chemical tracers to define habitat use of Indo-Pacific mangrove crab, Scylla 

serrata (Decapoda: Portunidae): Estuaries and Coasts, v. 31, p. 371–381. 

Demopoulos, A.W.J., Fry, B., and Smith, C.R., 2007, Food-web structure in exotic and 

native mangroves—A Hawaii-Puerto Rico comparison: Oecologia, v. 153, p. 

675–686. 

Demopoulos, A.W.J., Smith, C.R., and Tyler, P.A., 2003, Ecology of the deep Indian 

Ocean floor, in Tyler, P.A., ed., Ecosystems of the world volume 28—Ecosystems 

of the deep ocean: Amsterdam, Elsevier, 569 p. 

Eganhouse, R.P., 1982, Organic matter in municipal wastes and storm runoff—

Characterization and budget to the coastal waters of southern California: Ph.D. 

thesis, University of California. 

Eganhouse, R.P., and Kaplan, I.R., 1982, Extractable organic matter in municipal 

wastewaters—1. Petroleum hydrocarbons - Temporal variations and mass 

emission rates: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 16, 180–186. 
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Eganhouse, R.P., and Kaplan, I.R., 1982, Extractable organic matter in municipal 

wastewaters—2. Hydrocarbons - molecular characterization: Environmental 

Science and Technology, v. 16, p. 541–551. 

Eganhouse, R.P., and Pontolillo, James, 2008, Assessment of 1-chloro-4-[2,2-dichloro-1-

(4-chlorophenyl)ethenyl]benzene (DDE) transformation rates on the Palos Verdes 

Shelf, CA: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007–1362, 114 p. 

Eganhouse, R.P., Dorsey, T.F., Phinney, C.P., and Westcott, A.W., 1996, Processes 

affecting the fate of monoaromatic hydrocarbons in an aquifer contaminated by 

crude oil: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 30, p. 3304–3312. 

Eganhouse, R.P., Simoneit, B.R.T., and Kaplan, I.R., 1981, Extractable organic matter in 

urban stormwater runoff.—2. Molecular characterization: Environmental Science 

and Technology, v. 15, p. 315–326. 

Ferrer, I., Schroder, H., and Furlong, E., 2003, Atmospheric pressure ionization mass 

spectrometry – IX, LC-MS analysis of cationic surfactants—Methods and 

applications, in Knepper, T., Barcello, D., and De Voogt, P., Analysis and fate of 

surfactants in the aquatic environment: Elsevier, p. 353–383. 

Fishman, M.J., and Friedman, L.C., eds., 1989, Methods for determination of inorganic 

substances in water and fluvial sediments: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of 

Water-Resources Investigations, book 5, chap. A1, 545 p. 

Furlong, E., Ferrer, I., Gates, P., Cahill, J., and Thurman, M., 2003, Identification of 

labile polar organic contaminants by atmospheric-pressure tandem mass 

spectrometry, in Ferrer, I., and Thurman, M., eds., Liquid chromatography/mass 

spectrometry, MS/MS and time of flight MS: ACS Symposium Series 850, p. 

175–187. 

Frysinger, G.S., Gaines, R.B., Xu, L., and Reddy, C.M., 2003, Resolving the unresolved 

complex mixture in petroleum-contaminated sediments: Environmental Science 

and Technology, v. 37, p. 1653–1662. 

Gaines, R.B., Frysinger, G.S., Hendrick-Smith, M.S., and Stuart, J.D., 1999, Oil spill 

source identification by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography:

Environmental Science and Technology, v. 33, p. 2106–2112. 

Gertler, C., Gerdts, G., Timmis, K.N., and Golyshin, P.N., 2009, Microbial consortia in 

mesocosm bioremediation trial using oil sorbents, slow-release fertilizer and 

bioaugmentation: FEMS Microbiology Ecology, v. 69, p. 288–300. 

Horowitz, A.J., Elrick, K.A., and Smith, J.J., 2001, Estimating suspended sediment and 

trace element fluxes in large river basins—Methodological considerations as 
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applied to the NASQAN programme: Hydrological Processes, v. 15, p. 1107–

1132. 

Kvenvolden, K.A., Hostettler, F.D., Rosenbauer, R.J., Lorenson, T.D., Castle, W.T., and 

Sugarman, S., 2002, Hydrocarbons in recent sediment of the Monterey Bay 

National Marine Sanctuary: Marine Geology, v. 181, p. 101–113. 

MacNaughton, S., Stephen, J.R., Venosa, A.D., Davis, G.A., Chang, Y-J., and White, 

D.C., 1999, Microbial population changes during bioremediation of an 

experimental oil spill: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, v. 65, p. 3566–

3574. 

Moulton, S.R., II, Kennen, J.G., Goldstein, R.M., and Hambrook, J.A., 2002, Revised 

protocols for sampling algal, invertebrate, and fish communities as part of the 

National Water-Quality Assessment Program: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File 

Report 02–150, 75 p. (Also available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2002/ofr-02-

150/index.html.) 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2007, Heat index calculator: National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, accessed August 19, 2010, at 

http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/html/heatindex.shtml. 

Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Program, 2010, Protocols for 

collecting NRDA samples: U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource 

Damage Assessment and Restoration Program, National Resource Damage 

Assessment Guidance, May 11, 2010. 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 2010, Deepwater 

Horizon/Mississippi Canyon 252 oil spill, OSHA Fact Sheet.

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awareness for oil spill cleanup workers, OSHA Oil Spill Cleanup Initiative, V.4, 

May 2010. 

Reddy, C.M., Eglinton, T.I., Hounshell, Aubrey, White, H.K., Xu, Li, Gaines, R.B., and 

Frysinger, G.S., 2002, The West Falmouth oil spill after thirty years—The 

persistence of petroleum hydrocarbons in marsh sediments: Environmental 

Science and Technology, v. 36, p. 4754–4760. 

Roling, W., and others, 2004, Bacterial community dynamics and hydrocarbon 

degradation during a field-scale evaluation of bioremediation on a mudflat beach 

contaminated with buried oil: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, v. 70, p. 

2603–2613. 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

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3M Corporation, 2010, Personal protective equipment for oil spill response: 3M 

Corporation Occupational Health and Environmental Safety Division, Technical 

Data Bulletin # 195, May 2010. 

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national functional guidelines for inorganic data review: EPA 540-R-94-013, 

February 1994. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New England-Region 1, 1998, Draft calibration 

of field instruments: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, June 3, 1998. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1999, US EPA contract laboratory program 

national functional guidelines for organic data review: EPA 540-R-99-008, 

February 1999. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California - Region 9, 1999a, Field sampling 

guidance document for sediment sampling: U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency Richmond Laboratory, September 1999. 

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guidance document for trace metal clean sampling of natural waters: U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency Richmond Laboratory, September 1999. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New England - Region 1, 2002a, Standard 

operating procedure for chain of custody of samples: U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Measurement and Evaluation, March 

25, 2002. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New England - Region 1, 2002b, Standard 

operating procedure for the collection of chemical and biological ambient water

samples: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental 

Measurement and Evaluation, July 24, 2002. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New England - Region 1, 2002c, Standard 

operating procedure for sample login, tracking and disposal: U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Measurement and Evaluation, July 

26, 2002. 

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operating procedure for document control: U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, Office of Environmental Measurement and Evaluation, February 18, 

2004. 

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monitoring quality assurance plan, Mississippi/Alabama/Florida: U.S. 
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Environmental Protection Agency, Science and Ecosystems Support Division, 

May 1, 2010. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2010b, Quality assurance sampling plan for 

British Petroleum oil spill: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, May, accessed 

August 19, 2010, at http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/bp-oil-spill-sampling-plan.pdf. 

U.S. Geological Survey, variously dated, National field manual for the collection of 

water-quality data: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources 

Investigations, book 9, chaps. A1–A9, available online at 

http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A. 

[Chapters in the report are: 

Wilde, F.D., 2005, Preparations for water sampling: U.S. Geological Survey 

Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chap. A1 

[http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A1/].

Lane, S.L., Flanagan, Sarah, and Wilde, F.D., 2003, Selection of equipment for 

water sampling: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources 

Investigations, book 9, chap. A2 [http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A2/].

Wilde, F.D., ed., 2004, Cleaning of equipment for water sampling: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chap. 

A3 [http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A3/].

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Wilde, F.D., Radtke, D.B., Gibs, Jacob, and Iwatsubo, R.T., eds., 2004 with 

updates through 2009, Processing of water samples: U.S. Geological Survey 

Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chap. A5 

[http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A5].

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Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chap. 

A6 [http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A6/].

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Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chap. A7 

[http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A7/].

Radtke, D.B., Revised 2005, Bottom-material samples: U.S. Geological Survey 

Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chap. A8 

[http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A8/].
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

79 

Lane, S.L., and Fay, R.G., 1997, Safety in field activities: U.S. Geological Survey 

Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chap. A9 

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Wagner, R.J., Mattraw, H.C., Ritz, G.F., Smith, B.A., 2000, guidelines and standard 

procedures for continuous water-quality monitors—site selection, field operation, 

calibration, record computation, and reporting: U.S. Geological Survey WaterResources Investigations Report 2000–4252, 53 p. (Also available at 

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and Technology, v. 37, p. 4702–4708. 
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11.0 Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Chemical Symbols 

Ag: Silver

Al: Aluminum 

App: Appendix 

As: Arsenic

ASR: Analytical Services Request

ASTM: ASTM International. (An organization for standardization of technical scientific 

and industrial methods) 

atm: Atmospheric unit 

B: Boron 

Ba: Barium

Be: Beryllium

BGC: Baked glass container

BP: British Petroleum Global Company

C: Carbon 

Cd: Cadmium 

CDT: Central Daylight Time

CFR: Code of Federal Regulations

Co: Cobalt 

COC: Chain of custody 

CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation 

Cr: Chromium 

CRD: Contamination Reduction Corridor 

CRZ: Contamination Reduction Zone 

CST: Central Standard Time

Cu: Copper 

Decon: Decontamination

DI water: Distilled/Deionized Water

DO: Dissolved oxygen 

DOC: Dissolve Organic Carbon 

DOI: Department of the Interior 

DOT: Department of Transportation 

DRO: Diesel-range organics

DWH: Deepwater Horizon
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

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EDT: Eastern Daylight Time

USEPA: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

EST: Eastern Standard Time

EZ: Exclusion zone or Hot zone 

Fe: Iron

FWS: Fish and Wildlife Service

Gal: Gallon

GCC: Glass combusted container 

GOM: Gulf of Mexico

GPS: Global Positioning System 

GRO: Gasoline-range organics

HASP: Health and Safety Plan

HazWOper: Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response 

HCl: Hydrochloric acid

Hg: Mercury

HI: Heat Index

HNO3: Nitric acid

H2SO4: Sulfuric acid

IBW: Inorganic-grade blank water 

IC: Incident Command 

JHA: Job Hazards Analysis 

LEL: Lower Explosive Limit 

Li: Lithium

MeOH: Methanol 

Mn: Manganese

Mo: Molybdenum 

MOCC: Motorboat Operator Certification Course 

MS/MSD: Matrix-spike samples

N: Nitrogen

N: Normal (normality of a chemical reagent)

NFM: National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (USGS)

Ni: Nickel
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

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NIST: National Institute of Standards and Technology 

NOAA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NRDA: Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Program

NWQL: National Water Quality Laboratory (USGS)

O&G: Oil and Grease

OC: Organic carbon

OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OWQ: Office of Water Quality (USGS)

Oz: Ounce 

P: Phosphorus 

PAH: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Pb: Lead

PEL: Personnel Evacuation Limit 

PFD: Personal Floatation Device

PID: photoionization detector 

POC: Point(s) of Contact 

PPE: Personal Protective Equipment 

ppm: parts per million

ppmv: parts per million by volume 

PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride 

QA: Quality assurance

QC: Quality control 

QW: Quality of water

RA: Raw, acid-rinsed (sample container) 

ROX: Reliable Oxygen Sensor (YSI Company) 

S: Sulfur 

Sb: Antimony

SC: Specific Electrical Conductance

Se: Selenium

SI: International System of Units (Système international d'unités) 

SMIS: Safety Management Information System

Sn: Tin

Sr: Strontium 

SVOC: Semivolatile organic compounds 

SZ: Support Zone 
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TAL: TestAmerica Laboratory 

Ti: Titanium

TKN: Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen

Tl: Thallium

TP: Total Phosphorus 

TPH: Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons 

U: Uranium 

UEL: Upper Explosive Limit 

UC: Unified Command 

USCG: U.S. Coast Guard 

USGS: U.S. Geological Survey 

V: Vanadium 

VOC: Volatile Organic Compounds 

VOA: Vial for VOC

VOO: Vessels of Opportunity 

VPBW: VOC- and Pesticide-grade Blank Water (laboratory certified)

WSC: Water Science Center (USGS)

Zn: Zinc
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Appendix A. Pre-Impact Sampling Sites 

 

 

Attachment 1. Table of Gulf of Mexico USGS Pre-Oil Spill Sampling Sites (6.18.2010) 

Attachment 2. Location Map of USGS Sampling Sites (7.14.2010) 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

Attachment 1. Gulf of Mexico USGS Pre-Oil Spill Sampling Sites (6.18.2010) 

Map no. ID Name Lat-dd Long-dd Sample date County or code

FLORIDA

FL-1 302144086581200 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Gulf IS NS nr Navarre, FL 30.362389 -86.970167 5/11/10 Santa Rosa

FL-2 302258086263400 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Henderson Bch SP nr Destin, FL 30.382944 -86.442778 5/11/10 Okaloosa

FL-3 301926086091800 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Grayton Bch SP nr Seaside, FL 30.324056 -86.155056 5/12/10 Walton

FL-4 300729085440900 DWH GOM Oil Spill-St. Andrews SP nr Panama City,FL 30.124722 -85.736028 5/12/10 Bay

FL-5 294645085243000 DWH GOM Oil Spill-St. Joe P SP nr Port St. Joe, FL 29.779167 -85.408528 5/13/10 Gulf

FL-6 294152084460300 DWH GOM Oil Spill-St George IS SP nr E Point, FL 29.697861 -84.767750 5/13/10 Franklin

FL-7 300427084105000 DWH GOM Oil Spill-St. Marks NWR nr St. Marks, FL 30.074194 -84.180444 5/18/10 Wakulla

FL-8 290740083031200 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Piney Pt Bch at Cedar Key, FL 29.127750 -83.053361 5/18/10 Levy

FL-9 285425082412600 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Fort IS Gulf Bch nr Chassah., FL 28.907194 -82.690778 5/19/10 Citrus

FL-10 273728082441800 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Fort DeSoto Pk nr St Pete, FL 27.624444 -82.738333 5/17/10 Pinellas

FL-11 263132082114000 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Captiva IS Bch nr Captiva, FL 26.525639 -82.194222 5/20/10 Lee

FL-12 255610081440500 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Tiger Tail Bch at Marco IS, FL 25.936139 -81.734583 5/21/10 Collier

FL-13 251329081101100 DWH GOM Oil Spill-NW Cape Sable Bch nr Flamingo,FL 25.224806 -81.169972 5/22/10 Monroe

FL-14 243737082522500 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Dry Tortugas National Park, FL 24.627139 -82.873639 5/20/10 Monroe

FL-15 254003080092000 DWH GOM Oil Spill-B Baggs Cape nr Key Biscayne, FL 25.667417 -80.155528 6/1/10 Miami-Dade

FL-16 260454080063400 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Lloyd Bch at Ft Lauderdale, FL 26.081694 -80.109444 5/26/10 Broward

FL-17 264921080021700 DWH GOM Oil Spill-MacArthur Bch at W Palm Bch, FL 26.822583 -80.038056 5/27/10 Palm Beach

FL-18 244345081000600 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Coco Plum Bch nr Marathon, FL 24.729250 -81.169972 5/24/10 Monroe

FL-19 265722080045400 DWH GOM Oil Spill-BLM Tract1 nr Jupiter Inlet, FL 26.956111 -80.081667 6/16/10 Palm Beach

FL-20 265722080045500 DWH GOM Oil Spill-BLM Tract2 nr Jupiter Inlet, FL 26.956111 -80.081944 6/16/10 Palm Beach

FL-21 243902081332700 DWH GOM Oil Spill-BLM Tract1 nr Park Key, FL 24.650556 -81.557500 6/9/10 Monroe

FL-22 243703081323700 DWH GOM Oil Spill-BLM Tract2 nr Sugarloaf Key, FL 24.617500 -81.543611 6/9/10 Monroe

FL-23 243700081322300 DWH GOM Oil Spill-BLM Tract3 nr Sugarloaf Key, FL 24.616667 -81.539722 6/9/10 Monroe

FL-24 273605082454900 DWH GOM Oil Spill-BLM Tract at Egmont Key, FL 27.601389 -82.763611 6/14/10 Hillsborough

FL-25 300227085255800 DWH GOM Oil Spill-BLM Lathrop Bayou nr Panama City, FL 30.040833 -85.432778 6/10/10 Bay

FL-26 244325081351500 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Marvin Key at GWH NWR, FL 24.709806 -81.644639 7/7/10 Monroe
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

ALABAMA

AL-1 301338088193500 DWH GOM Oil Spill West Dauphin Island 30.227425 -88.326394 5/8/10 Mobile

AL-2 301455088110300 DWH GOM Oil Spill Dauphin Is. AL-2 30.24881454 -88.1841677 5/9/10 Mobile

AL-3 301448088044000 DWH GOM Oil Spill Dauphin Is. AL-3 30.24687027 -88.0777765 5/9/10 Mobile

AL-4 301329088003000 DWH GOM Oil Spill Fort Morgan AL-4 30.22492629 -88.0083304 5/8/10 Baldwin

AL-5 301349087541600 DWH GOM Oil Spill Fort Morgan AL-5 30.23048145 -87.9044377 5/8/10 Baldwin

AL-6 301428087434900 DWH GOM Oil Spill Gulf Shores AL-6 30.24131404 -87.7302646 5/8/10 Baldwin

AL-7 301608087345400 DWH GOM Oil Spill Orange Beach AL-7 30.26909103 -87.5816491 5/8/10 Baldwin

AL-8 301353087561600 DHW GOM Oil Spill BLM-1 30.23159265 -87.9377724 5/24/10 Baldwin

AL-9 301343087520200 DWH GOM Oil Spill BLM-2 30.2288147 -87.867214 5/24/10 Baldwin

AL-10 301341087495200 DWH GOM Oil Spill Fort Morgan BLM-3 30.22825903 -87.8311016 5/24/10 Baldwin

LOUISIANA

LA-22 294432090083100 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Jean Lafitte National Park, LA 29.7422222 -90.1419444 5/14/10 Jefferson

LA-23 294406091511300 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Cypremort Point, LA 29.735 -91.8536111 5/13/10 St. Mary

LA-24 292046090254500 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Lake Felicity, LA 29.3461111 -90.4291667 5/18/10 St. Mary

LA-25 293808092460200 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Rockefeller Refuge Beach, LA 29.63555556 -92.7672222 5/13/10 Cameron

LA-26 291507090551800 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Sister Lake, LA 29.25194444 -90.9216667 5/17/10 Terrebonne

LA-28 293424091321600 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Point Chevreuil, LA 29.57333333 -91.5377778 5/13/10 St. Mary

LA-29 294324089432500 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Crooked Bayou, LA 29.72333333 -89.7236111 5/18/10 Plaquemines

LA-30 294108089234500 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Mississippi R. Gulf Outlet, LA 29.68555556 -89.3958333 5/7/10 St. Bernard

LA-31 291537089570100 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Grand Isle Bch at State Park, LA 29.26027778 -89.9502778 5/10/10 Jefferson

LA-32 291914089105500 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Mississippi R. at Main Pass, LA 29.32055556 -89.1819444 5/7/10 Plaquemines

LA-33 293518089364300 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Breton Sound, LA 29.58833333 -89.6119444 5/7/10 Plaquemines

LA-34 300907089144500 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Miss. Sound at Grand Pass, LA 30.15194444 -89.2458333 5/7/10 St. Bernard

LA-35 285951089085600 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Mississippi R. at South Pass, LA 28.9975 -89.1488889 5/7/10 Plaquemines

LA-36 285615089235600 DWH GOM Oil Spill-Mississippi R. at SW Pass, LA 28.9375 -89.3988889 5/7/10 Plaquemines

MISSISSIPPI

MS-37 301309089044700 DWH GOM OIL SPILL-South Cat Island Beach, MS 30.21916667 -89.0797222 5/7/10

MS-38 301227088582000 DWH GOM OIL SPILL-West Ship Island Beach, MS 30.2075 -88.9722222 5/7/10

MS-39 301358088533300 DWH GOM OIL SPILL-East Ship Island Beach, MS 30.23277778 -88.8925 5/7/10

MS-40 301425088440600 DWH GOM OIL SPILL-West Horn Island Beach, MS 30.24027778 -88.735 5/8/10

MS-41 301321088353300 DWH GOM OIL SPILL-East Horn Island Beach, MS 30.2225 -88.5925 5/8/10
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

MS-42 301208088253600 DWH GOM OIL SPILL-Petit Bois Island Beach, MS 30.2022222 -88.4266667 5/8/10

MS-43 301858089141000 DWH GOM OIL SPILL-Pass Christian Beach, MS 30.3161111 -89.2361111 5/8/10

MS-44 302336088535800 DWH GOM OIL SPILL-BIloxi Beach, MS 30.39333333 -88.8994444 5/8/10

MS-45 302034088325200 DWH GOM OIL SPILL-Pascagoula Beach, MS 30.34277778 -88.5477778 5/8/10

TEXAS

TX-46 294456093394801 East Sabine, LA Oil Spill Sample Site 29.74888889 -93.6633333 5/10/10

TX-47 294057093572301 Texas Point, TX Oil Spill Sample Site 29.6825 -93.9563889 5/10/10

TX-48 295542093521701 Sabine Lake, TX Oil Spill Sample Site 29.92833333 -93.8713889 5/10/10

TX-49 293324094220601 High Island, TX Oil Spill Sample Site 29.55666667 -94.3683333 5/10/10

TX-50 293429094332101 East Bay nr Anahuac, TX Oil Spill Sample Site 29.5747222 -94.5558333 5/10/10

TX-51 291815094461001 Galveston Island, TX Oil Spill Sample Site 29.30416667 -94.7694444 5/10/10

TX-52 294408094501101 Trinity Bay nr Beach City,TX Oil Spill Sample Site 29.73555556 -94.8363889 5/11/10

TX-53 292318094430901 Bolivar Peninsula Oil Spill Sample Site 29.38833333 -94.7191667 5/11/10

TX-54 292937094544001 Galveston Bay nr Eagle Pt,TX Oil Spill Sample Site 29.4936111 -94.9111111 5/11/10

TX-55 291251094571401 West Bay, Galveston Is SPk, Oil Spill Sample Site 29.21416667 -94.9538889 5/11/10

TX-56 290512095063101 San Luis Pass, TX Oil Spill Sample Site 29.08666667 -95.1086111 5/11/10
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

88

Attachment 2. Location Map of USGS Sampling Sites (7.14.2010) 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

89

Appendix B. Field Supplies 

This list continues to develop – Users should check the OWQ_Deep_Oil wiki at my.usgs.gov12 

GOM Equipment and Supplies for USGS Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Post Landfall 

General Field 

Equipment/Supplies 

Catalog 

Number Description Source Source Website 

PPE 

PID

Rental or 

purchase:

http://www.trsenvironmental.com/SubCategory/Photoionization_Detectors.asp

x?source=google&wm_crID=2933477&wm_lpID=17068927&w

m_ctID=355&wm_kwID=10967404&wm_mtID=1&wm_content=

0&wm_g_crID=4749194529&wm_g_kw=photo+ionization+dete

ctors&wm_g_pcmt=&wm_g_cnt=0&gclid=CPn0n4K1jqICFYd5QodT3chZg&wm_kw=photo+ionization+detectors

Calibration Gasses awaiting guidance from Safety officer

Field Logbook 550

Environmental bound 

Book, Poly Cover write in the rain

http://www.riteintherain.com/

ItemForm.aspx?item=550&Category=

6fd10376-a439-4797-95f0-349a58e602ea

Field Form Website OWQ_Deep_Oil wiki (my.usgs.gov)

Safety Glasses/Goggles GSA/open market

Elbow/shoulder length rubber-coated

gloves

2056 Ansell Low-Cost 

Shoulder-Length 

Rubber Gloves lab safety

http://www.labsafety.com/search/rubber+

shoulder/24543486/2056/?GoButton=

Go&isredirect=true

Disposable nitrile gloves one-stop

Tyvek coveralls lab safety

http://www.labsafety.com/search/tyvek+

pants/24532559/

Tyvek boot covers

7064P BOOT COVERS 

TYVEK UNVSL W

lab safety http://www.labsafety.com/search/tyvek+boot+

covers/24532545/7064P/?isredirect=true

Duct, electrical, and Teflon tape open market

PFD (Cleanable)

Revere Model 280 

Work Vest, Type V, 

nylon buckle closure, 

modified as described 

in Section 3.3 

open market (for 

example, West 

Marine/Port 

Supply 

Model#10967776

http://www.portsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/

TopCategoriesDisplay?langId=-

1&storeId=50005&catalogId=10001

 

12 If access is denied, e-mail or call fwilde@usgs.gov (703-648-6866) or sski@usgs.gov (703-648-6902)
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

90

PFD (Standard USGS issue) Type 3

General Field 

Equipment/Supplies 

Catalog 

Number Description Source Source Website 

Waders/ hip boots (Rubberized) open market

Sterile Latex Surgical Gloves 19-014-641 Fisher Scientific

Cleaning Supplies

Non-phosphate detergent (Liqui-Nox, 

Dawn, Simple Green) Open market

Spray bottles

Carboys

Buckets, three 5-gallon

Long handled brushes

Short handled brushes

Bottle brushes

Plastic sheeting

Kimwipes, WypAll X70 cloths

Roll of police-barrier tape

Buckets with lids and hanldles

Teflon bucket liners

pressurized sprayers

solvent sprayers

aluminum foil open market

trash bags

trash containers

DOT certified metal/plastic containers 

(liquid waste) 

Kimwipes

Replacement brushes and wipers

Detergent/degreaser

Dawn, Liqui-Nox, 

Simple Green

Soft brushes

Cotton swabs

Waste containers
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

91

General Field 

Equipment/Supplies 

Catalog 

Number Description Source Source Website 

Sample 

Collection/Processing/Preservation

Multiparameter QW instrument 

(Turbidity, DO, pH, Temperature, SC) 

YSI C-spray coating

Plastic bags, ziplock and trash Open market

Rubber bands

Aluminum foil

Field Forms

ASR/COC Forms

GPS

Compass

Tape measure (0.01 ft graduations)

Survey stakes, flags

Digital camera

Logbook

Ballpoing pen or indelible marker 

(extra fine tip)

Sledge hammer

Wood or metal stake

Bucket, 2-gallon, for compositing

Teflon bucket liners 

Teflon bags (small to wear over 

gloves)

Polycarbonate tubing 2.5 in. (~6.4 cm) 

inside diameter, marked at 0.5-in. 

intervals US Plastic Corp

Sterile gloves

Peristaltic pump

C-flex tubing, clean, (~8ft)

Sample bottles/containers (App. D)

Preservation chamber

Preservation chamber bag

Hydrochloric acid

Sulfuric acid, Nitric acid
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

92

Spade or shovel

General Field 

Equipment/Supplies 

Catalog 

Number Description Source Source Website 

Teflon sampling scoop

Clean spatula (not slotted) or chop 

knife

Teflon bucket liner

10-percent formalin, saturated with 

sodium borate 

Sample-collection bottles

500-mL fired amber

1-L RA poly One-stop

 

Shipping

Labels (sample container, shipping)

FedEx Airbills

Coolers

Ice (label field form “ice”)

Liners for cooler, plastic bags for ice

Foam/bubble sleeves S-5990 Bubble Bag 6' X 8" Uline

Dry-Ice stickers

Nylon reinforced tape

Dry Ice (label field form “dry ice”)

COC tape Q150FLD
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

93 

Appendix C. Activity Flow Charts 

• Preparation for Post-Landfall Sampling, Gulf of Mexico (Figure 2 in text)

• Site setup for Sampling and Equipment Decontamination (Figure 3 in text) 

• Water-Column Sampling, Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill 2010 (Figure 4 in 

text)

• Sediment Sampling, Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill 2010 (Figure 5 in text) 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

94 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

95 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

96 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

97 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

98 

Appendix D. Water and Sediment: Requirements for Sample 

Containers, Collection/Preservation, Shipping, and Laboratory 

Locations 

 

Table D1. Water Samples: Containers, Collection/Preservation, Shipping, and Laboratory 

Locations 

Table D2. Sediment Samples: Containers, Collection/Preservation, Shipping , and Laboratory 

Locations 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

Table D1. Water Samples: Containers, Collection/Preservation, Shipping, and Laboratory Locations 

LABORATORY

CONTAINER 

VOLUME AND TYPE 

-- ANALYSIS

COLLECTION and 

PRESERVATION 

Wipe all containers 

clean and dry, check 

label, before packing.

SHIPPING -- Priority Overnight 

PROTECT SAMPLES FROM 

CONTACT WITH ICE 

MELTWATER: Double-bag and 

seal each sample using heavy-duty 

ziplock bags and double-bag the ice 

(total of 4-bag layer between ice and 

containers). ENSURE THAT 

COOLERS ARE LEAK-PROOF.

SHIPPING 

ADDRESS TELEPHONE

Dr. Ed Furlong, 

NWQL, Denver 

2 x 1-L Teflon Bottles 

(from NWQL) --

Surfactant

Leave sufficient 

headspace for freezing 

sample. Wipe bottles free 

of oil and water. Wrap in 

clean aluminum foil. 

KEEP BOTTLE 

UPRIGHT. 

Keep sample bottles UPRIGHT. 

FREEZE or ship same day on ice. 

Include return address label and 

account number. Include ReturnFedEx airbill with COC paperwork.

Dr. E. Furlong, 

National Water 

Quality Laboratory, 

USGS, Bldg 95, 

Entrance E3, Denver 

Federal Center, 

Denver Co, 80225-

0046

303 236 3941 

fax 303 239 3499

Dr. George Aiken, 

Boulder, CO (DOC)

125 ml DOC. Analysis: 

Dissolved Organic 

Carbon

Collect raw sample in 

500ml baked amber glass. 

Rinse AquaPrep filter 

with 50 mls of DI water

and 50 mls sample, then 

fill 125-ml DOC bottle; 

leave headspace. Chill 

and maintain at or less 

than 4C without freezing. 

Ship overnight.

CHILL to 4C. Place sample bottle 

in foam or bubble sleeve and seal in 

zip-locks. DO NOT FREEZE. Ship 

chilled at 4C. Include Return-FedEx 

airbill with COC paperwork.

USGS, Attn: Kenna 

Butler Suite E127, 

3215 Marine St, 

Boulder, CO 80303 303 541 3009

Dr. Robert Eganhouse, 

Reston, VA (Isomeric 

Fingerprinting)

1-L I-Chem or 

equivalent fired amber 

glass with lab 

certification (equivalent 

to GCC). Analysis: 

Isomeric Fingerprint

Leave headspace. Close 

cap tightly and secure 

with electrical tape. Place 

sample bottle in 

protective sleeve. KEEP 

BOTTLE UPRIGHT. 

Chill and maintain at or 

less than 4C without 

freezing. 

CHILL to 4C. Place sample bottle in 

foam or bubble sleeve and Place 

sample bottle in foam or bubble sleeve 

and seal in zip-locks. KEEP 

BOTTLE UPRIGHT. Do not 

freeze. Include Return FedEx airbill 

with COC paperwork 

Robert P. Eganhouse, 

USGS, 12201 Sunrise 

Valley Drive, MS 

432, Reston, VA 

20192 703 648 5879

 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

 

Table D1. Water Samples: Containers, Collection/Preservation, Shipping, and Laboratory Locations.—Continued.

LABORATORY

CONTAINER 

VOLUME AND TYPE 

-- ANALYSIS

COLLECTION and 

PRESERVATION 

Wipe all containers 

clean and dry, check 

label, before packing.

SHIPPING -- Priority Overnight 

PROTECT SAMPLES FROM 

CONTACT WITH ICE 

MELTWATER: Double-bag and 

seal each sample using heavy-duty 

ziplock bags and double-bag the ice 

(total of 4-bag layer between ice and 

containers). ENSURE THAT 

COOLERS ARE LEAK-PROOF.

SHIPPING 

ADDRESS TELEPHONE

TAL (Test America 

Laboratories), 

Pensacola, FL ALL 

CONTAINERS 

(EXCEPT "RA") ARE 

SUPPLIED BY TAL, 

PLUS ONE VOC TRIP 

BLANK AND ONE 

TEMPERATURE 

BLANK

2 x 40 ml VOA vials w/ 

septum. 

Analysis: TCL VOCs 

(Method 8260B)

See Protocol Section 6 for 

collection methods. 

Ensure absence of 

bubbles in sample. 

Unpreserved. Chill to 4C 

without freezing. 

CHILL to 4C. Place sample bottle in 

foam or bubble sleeve and in sealed 

zip-locks. Ship priority overnight,

protected from meltwater and in a 

leakproof cooler.

Marty Edwards, 

3355 Mclemore 

Drive 

Pensacola, FL 32514 850 471 6227

2 x 40 ml VOA vials w/ 

septum. 

Analysis: TPH GRO 

(C6-C10) (Method 

8015B)

See Protocol Section 6 for 

collection methods. 

Ensure absence of 

bubbles in sample. 

Unpreserved. Chill to 

4C. 

CHILL to 4C. Place sample bottle in 

foam or bubble sleeve and in sealed 

zip-locks. Ship with VOCs, priority 

overnight, protected from meltwater 

and in a leakproof cooler.

1 x 1L fired amber glass. 

Analysis: TPH Diesel 

and Oil-range organics 

(DRO/ORO) w/ 

chromatograms (Method 

8015B).

Unpreserved. Fill, 

leaving headspace. Chill 

to 4C without freezing. 

CHILL to 4C. Bubble wrap, place in 

zip-locks and seal. Ship priority 

overnight, protected from meltwater 

and in a leakproof cooler.

 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

 

Table D1. Water Samples: Containers, Collection/Preservation, Shipping, and Laboratory Locations.—Continued.

LABORATORY

CONTAINER 

VOLUME AND TYPE 

-- ANALYSIS

COLLECTION and 

PRESERVATION 

Wipe all containers 

clean and dry, check 

label, before packing.

SHIPPING -- Priority Overnight 

PROTECT SAMPLES FROM 

CONTACT WITH ICE 

MELTWATER: Double-bag and 

seal each sample using heavy-duty 

ziplock bags and double-bag the ice 

(total of 4-bag layer between ice and 

containers). ENSURE THAT 

COOLERS ARE LEAK-PROOF.

SHIPPING 

ADDRESS TELEPHONE

TAL (Test America 

Laboratories), 

Pensacola, FL ALL 

CONTAINERS 

(EXCEPT "RA") ARE 

SUPPLIED BY TAL, 

PLUS ONE VOC TRIP 

BLANK AND ONE 

TEMPERATURE 

BLANK

2 x 1L fired amber glass. 

Analysis: Semivolatile 

Organic Compounds 

(SVOC TCL) (Method 

8270D)

Unpreserved. Fill, 

leaving headspace. Chill 

to 4C without freezing. 

CHILL to 4C. Bubble wrap, place in 

sealed zip-locks. Ship priority 

overnight, protected from meltwater 

and in a leakproof cooler.

Marty Edwards, 

3355 Mclemore 

Drive 

Pensacola, FL 32514 850 471 6227

1 x 1L (32 oz) clear wide 

mouth glass. 

Analysis: Oil and 

Grease HEM (Method 

1664A)

Preserved with HCl. Fill, 

leaving headspace. Check 

pH and add addition HCl 

to pH < 2, if needed. 

Chill to 4C without 

freezing.

CHILL to 4C. Bubble wrap, place in 

zip-locks and seal. Ship priority 

overnight, protected from meltwater 

and in a leakproof cooler.

250 ml poly, prepreserved with HNO3 

for Metals/Trace 

Elements analysis. 

1 x 1L RA ("raw, 

acidified") poly bottle 

from NWQL for sample 

collection. 

Use precleaned, blanked 

1-L RA bottle to collect 

dip sample and fill acidpreserved 250-ml poly 

bottle. Leave headspace. 

Check pH and add HNO3 

to pH < 2, if needed. Chill 

to 4C without freezing.

CHILL to 4C. Place in sealed plastic 

bag. Ship priority overnight, protected 

from meltwater and in a leakproof 

cooler.

 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

 

Table D1. Water Samples: Containers, Collection/Preservation, Shipping, and Laboratory Locations.—Continued.

LABORATORY

CONTAINER 

VOLUME AND TYPE 

-- ANALYSIS

COLLECTION and 

PRESERVATION 

Wipe all containers 

clean and dry, check 

label, before packing.

SHIPPING -- Priority Overnight 

PROTECT SAMPLES FROM 

CONTACT WITH ICE 

MELTWATER: Double-bag and 

seal each sample using heavy-duty 

ziplock bags and double-bag the ice 

(total of 4-bag layer between ice and 

containers). ENSURE THAT 

COOLERS ARE LEAK-PROOF.

SHIPPING 

ADDRESS TELEPHONE

TAL (Test America 

Laboratories), 

Pensacola, FL ALL 

CONTAINERS 

(EXCEPT "RA") ARE 

SUPPLIED BY TAL, 

PLUS ONE VOC TRIP 

BLANK AND ONE 

TEMPERATURE 

BLANK

250 ml poly, preserved 

with H2SO4 for 

Nutrients (TKN and TP)

Use precleaned, blanked 

1-L RA bottle to collect 

dip sample and fill acidpreserved 250-ml brown 

poly bottle. Leave 

headspace. Check pH and 

add additional H2SO4 to 

pH < 2, if needed. Chill to 

4C without freezing.

CHILL to 4C. Place in sealed plastic 

bag. Ship priority overnight, protected 

from meltwater and in a leakproof 

cooler. Marty Edwards, 

3355 Mclemore 

Drive 

Pensacola, FL 32514 850 471 6227

 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

 

Table D2. Sediment Samples: Containers, Collection/Preservation, Shipping, and Laboratory Locations.

LABORATORY

CONTAINER 

VOLUME AND TYPE 

-- ANALYSIS

COLLECTION and 

PRESERVATION 

Wipe all containers 

clean and dry, remove 

sediment from container 

and cap threads, check 

label, before packing.

SHIPPING -- Priority Overnight 

PROTECT SAMPLES FROM 

CONTACT WITH ICE 

MELTWATER: Double-bag and 

seal each sample using heavy-duty 

ziplock bags and double-bag the ice 

(total of 4-bag layer between ice and 

containers). ENSURE THAT 

COOLERS ARE LEAK-PROOF.

SHIPPING 

ADDRESS TELEPHONE

Dr. Amanda 

Demopoulos, 

Gainesville, FL (Benthic 

Invertebrates)

Sediment core in 500 ml 

plastic jar

Collect sediment core 

(6.5-cm diameter) from 

surface to 5 cm depth and 

preserve onsite with 10% 

formalin supersaturated 

with sodium borate. 

Extrude core into 500-ml 

jar. Seal lid with duct or 

electrical tape; label jar 

"10% buffered formalin." 

Chill to 4C without 

freezing.

CHILL to 4C. Wrap sample jar in 

absorbent paper, put into double 

ziplocks and seal. Ship within 1 day of 

collection.

Dr. A. Demopoulos, 

USGS, Southeast 

Ecological Science 

Center, 7920 NW 

71st St., Gainesville, 

FL 32653 352 264 3490

Dr Robert Rosenbauer, 

Menlo Park, CA

2 x 500-mL I-Chem or 

equivalent certified fired 

glass widemouth fired 

bottle (BGC) --

Analysis: Oil Fingerprint

Freeze samples; no 

holding time as long as 

frozen. Fill no more than 

80% to allow room for 

expansion when frozen. 

Use a kimwipe to dry jars 

and remove any particles 

from threads and lid and 

cap tightly. Secure cap 

with electrical tape. KEEP 

JARS UPRIGHT. Double 

Bag. Freeze if possible

FREEZE. Ship frozen on dry ice if 

possible. Place sample jars in foam or 

bubble sleeves and seal in zip-locks. 

KEEP JARS UPRIGHT. If storing on 

wet ice freeze sample before shipping.

Dr. R. Rosenbauer, 

USGS, MS 999, 345 

Middlefield Rd, 

Menlo Park, CA 

94025 650 329 4198

 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

Table D2. Sediment Samples: Containers, Collection/Preservation, Shipping, and Laboratory Locations.—Continued.

LABORATORY

CONTAINER 

VOLUME AND TYPE 

-- ANALYSIS

COLLECTION and 

PRESERVATION 

Wipe all containers 

clean and dry, remove 

sediment from container 

and cap threads, check 

label, before packing.

SHIPPING -- Priority Overnight 

PROTECT SAMPLES FROM 

CONTACT WITH ICE 

MELTWATER: Double-bag and 

seal each sample using heavy-duty 

ziplock bags and double-bag the ice 

(total of 4-bag layer between ice and 

containers). ENSURE THAT 

COOLERS ARE LEAK-PROOF.

SHIPPING 

ADDRESS TELEPHONE

Dr Robert Rosenbauer, 

Menlo Park, CA

1 x 125 (or 250) mL IChem or equivalent 

certified fired glass 

widemouth fired bottle 

(BGC) -- Analysis: Tar 

balls -- weathering 

characteristics

Collect tar balls wearing 

Teflon gloves, sized from 

thumbnails to palm-sized 

into 500 wide-mouth jar. 

Chill to 4C.

CHILL to 4C. Place sample jar in 

foam or bubble sleeves and seal in 

ziplocks. KEEP JARS UPRIGHT.

Dr. R. Rosenbauer, 

USGS, MS 999, 345 

Middlefield Rd, 

Menlo Park, CA 

94025 650 329 4198

Dr. Art Horowitz, 

Norcross, GA

1 x 500-mL or 2 x 500-

mL WhirlPak (see 

Collection) -- Analysis: 

Metals and trace 

elements; nutrients

Fill WhirlPak(s) from the 

bulk sample composite. 

Collect 1-kg in two 500g 

WhirlPaks if sediment is 

sand-sized. If dominant 

grain-size consists of 

fines or mud, fill one 

500g WhirlPak. Keep in 

dark and chilled. DO 

NOT FREEZE.

CHILL, DO NOT FREEZE. Keep in 

dark and chilled at 4C. Double-bag. 

Ship overnight asap no later than 

Wednesday. For samples collected on 

Thursday, keep samples chilled and in 

the dark until they can be shipped on 

Monday.

Dr. A. Horowitz, 

Georgia Water 

Science Center, 

Peachtree Business 

Center, Suite 130, 

3093 Amwiler Rd, 

Atlanta, GA 30360 770 903 9153

Dr. John Lisle, St. 

Petersburg, FL

400 ml in double 

WhirlPak -- Analysis: 

Microorganisms

Use sterile equipment. Fill 

WhilPak from the bulk 

sample composite. 

FREEZE sample to -20C.

FREEZE. Ship double-bagged sample 

overnight on dry ice, maintain sample 

at -20C until delivered to lab. Isolate 

samples from meltwater.

Dr. J. Lisle, USGS, 

Center for Coastal 

Watershed Studies, 

600 4th Street-South, 

St. Petersburg, FL 

33701

727 803 8747 x3140 

Office, x3094 Lab,
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

 

Table D2. Sediment Samples: Containers, Collection/Preservation, Shipping, and Laboratory Locations.—Continued.

LABORATORY

CONTAINER 

VOLUME AND TYPE 

-- ANALYSIS

COLLECTION and 

PRESERVATION 

Wipe all containers 

clean and dry, remove 

sediment from container 

and cap threads, check 

label, before packing.

SHIPPING -- Priority Overnight 

PROTECT SAMPLES FROM 

CONTACT WITH ICE 

MELTWATER: Double-bag and 

seal each sample using heavy-duty 

ziplock bags and double-bag the ice 

(total of 4-bag layer between ice and 

containers). ENSURE THAT 

COOLERS ARE LEAK-PROOF.

SHIPPING 

ADDRESS TELEPHONE

Dr. Robert Eganhouse, 

Reston, VA

1 X 250 mL (8 oz) IChem or equivalent 

certified fired glass 

wide-mouthed fired 

jar(BGC) -- 

Analysis: Isomeric 

Fingerprint

Fill jar 1/2 to 2/3 full Fill 

from the bulk sample 

composite. Use a kimwipe 

to remove any particles 

from threads and lip, 

tightly seal cap, secure 

cap with electrical tape. 

FREEZE. KEEP JARS 

UPRIGHT, Freeze 

samples or chill on 

regular ice and protect 

from meltwater

FREEZE or ship chilled at 4C if 

shipping within 1 day of collection. 

Place sample jar in foam sleeve, 

double bag with heavy zip-lock bag 

and seal. Protect from meltwater.

Robert P. Eganhouse, 

USGS, 12201 Sunrise 

Valley Drive, MS 

432, Reston, VA 

20192 703-648-5879

USGS Marine 

Ecotoxicology Research 

Station TAMU-Corpus 

Christi Center for 

Coastal Studies

2 x 1-L clear or amber 

wide-mouth glass bottle 

(BGC) -- 

Analysis: Pore-water 

toxicity

Fill bottles to jar threads 

from the bulk composite. 

Use a kimwipe to remove 

any particles from threads 

and lip, tightly seal cap, 

secure cap with electrical 

tape, place sample jar in 

foam sleeve, double bag 

with heavy zip-lock bag. 

KEEP JARS UPRIGHT. 

DO NOT FREEZE. Keep 

samples at 4C.

CHILL at 4C. DO NOT FREEZE. 

Pack jars with bubble wrap, place into 

double-bagged ziplocks, and seal.

Dr. Robert Carr or 

Dr. James 

Biedenbach

USGS/BRD

Marine 

Ecotoxicology 

Research Center

6300 Ocean Dr. 

NRC Suite 3200, 

Unit 5867

Corpus Christi, TX 

78412

361 825-3217 or 361-

825-3216 Fax (361) 

825-3270
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

 

Table D2. Sediment Samples: Containers, Collection/Preservation, Shipping, and Laboratory Locations.—Continued.

LABORATORY

CONTAINER 

VOLUME AND TYPE 

-- ANALYSIS

COLLECTION and 

PRESERVATION 

Wipe all containers 

clean and dry, remove 

sediment from container 

and cap threads, check 

label, before packing.

SHIPPING -- Priority Overnight 

PROTECT SAMPLES FROM 

CONTACT WITH ICE 

MELTWATER: Double-bag and 

seal each sample using heavy-duty 

ziplock bags and double-bag the ice 

(total of 4-bag layer between ice and 

containers). ENSURE THAT 

COOLERS ARE LEAK-PROOF.

SHIPPING 

ADDRESS TELEPHONE

Test America, Pensacola, 

FL

1 x 8 oz wide mouth jar -

- Analysis: Oil & Grease 

HEM (Method 1664A, 

CIN 50137)

Fill from bulk sample 

composite. Use a kimwipe 

to remove any particles 

from threads and lip, 

tightly seal cap. Double 

bag, chill to 4C.

CHILL at 4C. Wrap jar in bubble 

wrap, place into double-bagged 

ziplocks, and seal. Ship overnight.

Marty Edwards, 

3355 Mclemore 

Drive 

Pensacola, FL 32514 850-471-6227

1 x 4 oz wide mouth jar -

- Analysis: 

Alkylated PAH and PAH 

(Method 8270C 

SIM;CIN 50641)

Fill from bulk sample 

composite. Use a kimwipe 

to remove any particles 

from threads and lip, 

tightly seal cap. Double 

bag, chill to 4C.

CHILL at 4C. Wrap jar in bubble 

wrap, place into double-bagged 

ziplocks, and seal. Ship overnight.

1 x 8 oz clear wide 

mouth jar -- Analysis: 

SVOC TCL (Method 

8270D; CIN 50117)

Fill from bulk sample 

composite. Use a kimwipe 

to remove any particles 

from threads and lip, 

tightly seal cap. Double 

bag, chill to 4C.

CHILL at 4C. Wrap jar in bubble 

wrap, place into double-bagged 

ziplocks, and seal. Ship overnight.

 

 
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Appendix E. Health and Safety 

 

 

Appendix E-1. Health and Safety Plan Package

Appendix E-2. Job Hazard Analysis 

Appendix E-3. USGS Safety Bulletin (7/21/2010): Personal Flotation Device Selection and Use 

Appendix E-4. Contacts for Deepwater Horizon Incident Response (current as of 8/6/2010) 

Appendix E-5. Instructions for British Petroleum (BP) Site-Specific Training 

Appendix E-6. Example of Incident-Command Decontamination Locations for July 13, 2010 
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Appendix E-1: Health and Safety Plan Package 

USGS personnel working under the direction of the Incident Command or other Federal Agency 

are to follow that organization’s HASP. 

USGS HASP requirements for response to the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon oil spill are 

fulfilled by assembling a USGS DWH GOM HASP package, which should be kept on hand 

when deploying to the field site. This package includes the following documents (the following 

HASP elements also can be accessed through a www.my.usgs.gov wiki13):

1. Agency HASPs. A HASP provided by the Incident Command (IC) or Agency under whose 

jurisdiction the work will be conducted is required. In this case, the HASP provided by the 

Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will suffice, unless directed otherwise. 

i. U.S. Coast Guard (http://www.uscg.mil/forms/ics/ICS_208_CG.pdf), 

ii. Fish and Wildlife Service 

(http://internal.usgs.gov/ops/safetynet/FWS%20WIldlife%20Branch%20HASP

%20(MC%20252%20Oil%20Spill).pdf)

2. The Daily Operational and Safety Situational Report (the “shift” or operations plan).

The Shift Plan – which usually covers a 48-hour time period – is obtained from the 

designated IC safety or Industrial Hygiene staff on or for the day(s) of field deployment. 

Arrangements can be made to receive the Shift Plan via e-mail for the time period of 

planned field deployment to avoid delay of field work by contacting the USGS Bureau 

Industrial Hygienist (Anthony Zepeda, 703-648-7551), or by contacting: 

i. Houma LA Incident Command - 1697 Highway 311, Houma LA 70395, 

Main 985-493-7600; Operations 985-493-3343; mc252decon@gmail.com

ii. Mobile AL Incident Command - One South Water Street Mobile AL 36602, 251-

442-1938. 

3. Evacuation Plan. The Evacuation Plan generally is separate from the Shift Plan. 

Evacuation plans are specific to and provided either by the Huoma, LA or Mobile, AL 

Incident Command Sectors, as appropriate. The field team should request the latest 

Evacuation Plan when requesting the Shift Plan and include it in their HASP package. 

Eamples are linked to the HASP Package of the my.usgs.gov wiki (see footnote #12). 

4. Job Hazard Analysis (JHA). A draft JHA for Houma GOM-DWH is included in this 

appendix (E-2) and is linked on the HASP Package section of the wiki (footnote #12). 

5. Section 3.0 of this Sampling Protocol. A copy of this section is linked on the HASP Package 

section of the my.usgs.wiki (see footnote #12). 

 

13 This wiki is readily accessible by USGS personnel; non-USGS personnel should contact the Office of Water 

Quality (703-648-6862 or 703-648-6866 or 703-648-6902 for access privileges): 

https://my.usgs.gov/josso/signon/login.do?josso_back_to=https://my.usgs.gov/OWQ_Deep_OilWiki/josso_security

_check
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109

Consideration should be given to supplementing the HASP with additional topical information to 

cover health, safety, and hazards conditions that may be unique to USGS sampling sites. For this 

purpose, the USGS Template HASP for Oil Impacted Areas can be used and amended: 

http://internal.usgs.gov/ops/safetynet/HASP%20for%20Oil%20Spill%20Impacted%20Areas.doc

Supplemental information can be found at http://1stop.usgs.gov/safety/topic/jha/index.html .
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Appendix E-2: Job Hazard Analysis

Job Hazard Analysis

• Check or highlight the numbered box(s) for all significant safety concerns this project should address. 

Significant safety concerns are commonly those that require training, purchase of safety equipment, or 

specialized preparation to address potentially hazardous conditions. 

• Identify any unlisted safety concerns at bottom of the page.

• Provide details on the back of this page.

Project Title (Short)____________________________________________________________

Field Team / Supervisor_________________________________________________________ 

Site ID and Date_______________________________________________________________

√ Safety Concerns 

1. Wading, bridge, boat, or cableway measurements or sampling

2. Working on ice covered rivers or lakes

3. Measuring or sampling during floods

4. Well drilling; borehole logging

5. Electrical hazards in the work area

6. Construction

7. Working in remote areas, communication, office call in procedures

8. Ergonomics, carpal tunnel syndrome

9. Field Vehicles appropriate for task?- Safety screens, equipment restraints. 

10. All terrain vehicles, snowmobiles

11. Helicopter or fixed wing aircraft usage

12. Site access

13. Hypothermia or heat stroke

14. Hantavirus, Lyme Disease, Histoplasmosis, Pfiesteria, Others?

15. Contaminated water with sanitary, biological, or chemical concerns

16. Immunizations

17. Laboratory or mobile laboratory. Chemical hygiene plan.

18. Hazardous waste disposal

19. Hazardous waste site operations

20. Confined space

21. Radioactivity
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22. Respiratory protection

23. Scuba Diving

24. Electrofishing

25. Use and disposal of chemical reagents

26.

27.

28.

(Job Hazard Analysis continued on next page.)
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Box

no. 

For each numbered box checked on the previous page, briefly:

A. Describe the safety concern as it relates to this project. 

B. Describe how this safety concern will be addressed. Include training, safety equipment and 

other actions that will be required. 

C. Estimate costs.

1. Wading in Gulf of Mexico surf zone to 3 feet of water. 2 to 3-person team 

working at sampling location, each with USGS-approved PFD, waders, and PPE, 

as described in the USGS Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon (GOM DWH) 

Sampling Protocol. 

7. Remote sites may not have 911 access; precautions are taken to have on hand cell 

phones or radios and emergency contact numbers. 

9. Field vehicles, including motorcraft, comply with DOI/USGS regulations and 

standards, include proper http://1stop.usgs.gov/safety/topic/jha/index.htmlsafety 

equipment, chemical spill kits, and MSDS sheets.

12. Access to hot zones is verified daily with the Coast Guard Incident Command. 

13. Summer conditions and PPE requirements could aggravate potential for 

hypothermia or heat stroke; HASP is on hand that details personnel behavior and 

work constraints when working under these conditions, including rest periods, 

liquid intake, and emergency procedures. 

15. Potential exposure to crude oil products. HASP and GOM DWH Sampling 

Protocol dictate the PPE and safe sample-handling procedures. Minimum of 24 

hours of HazWOper training is current and completed. 

17. Mobile laboratory contains and conforms to the WSC chemical hygiene plan.

18. Oil-soiled disposable equipment and garments and cleaning solutions will be 

disposed in accordance with the OSHE and USGS protocols, as described in the 

USGS GOM DWH Sampling Protocol and in accordance with State and local 

regulations. 

19. Training has been completed for setting up and working in Hot (Exclusion) 

zones, Contamination Reduction Zones, Safety Zones, and a Contaminant 

Corridor and is detailed in the USGS GOM DWH Sampling Protocol. Sampling 

and decontamination activities will be carried out using these procedures. 

22. Potential exists for volatile hydrocarbon exposure to the respiratory system. The 

field team will follow the exposure-detection protocol, monitoring exposure 

levels using a PID while on site as directed in the USGS GOM DWH Sampling 

Protocol, evacuating the site at a PID measurement of 20 ppmv and 5 ppm for 

Benzene, and executing the evacuation procedures provided by Incident 

Command and informing the Industrial Hygienist (IH) on duty of the evacuation. 

Field personnel will not return to the site until it is cleared by the IH and will not 

be working under conditions that require use of a respirator.
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25. Potential contact with chemical sample preservatives: Formalin, sulfuric acid, 

nitric acid, and hydrochloric acid. The specific JHAs for these substances are 

included in this HASP and field personnel have been briefed regarding the 

hazards and proper use and handling of these chemical substances. 

Discussed job hazard analysis (JHA) with Water Science Center’s 

Collateral Duty Safety Officer 

 

 

 Yes____ No____ 

 and/or copy of JHA given to

 Collateral Duty Safety Officer Yes____ No____ 

Science Center Director/Supervisor ___________________ Date ___________ 

Regional Program Officer _______________________________ Date ___________ 

(Job Hazard Analysis continued on next page.) 
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Appendix E-2, Continued 

JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS PLAN FOR (PROJECT TITLE): 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMPLOYEES: 

Each employee shall comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, 

regulations, and orders issued pursuant to this project, which are applicable to his or her own 

actions and conduct. Management is responsible to ensure that all safety policies are 

implemented and monitored at the field level. Supervisors must ensure that employees are 

informed of safety policies; that the policies are integrated into field operations; and that they are 

carried out in a proper and consistent manner. However, once you have received training and 

have been assigned an activity, most of the responsibility for personal safety and that of others is 

yours. Your first responsibility is to think for yourself. Both supervisors and employees will be 

held accountable if safety policies are not followed. 

PREPARING FOR THE FIELD

In preparing yourself, consider the following elements. Many of the tasks assigned to USGS 

employees require strenuous exercise, sometimes under adverse weather conditions. 

Adequate planning for field assignments includes: Discussing the assignment thoroughly with 

your supervisor to ensure that you understand what is expected, why it needs to be done, and 

how it should be accomplished. Know where the nearest emergency medical facilities are 

located; make plans on how to contact these facilities if you are alone and severely injured 

(cellular phone). Reviewing maps, property descriptions, and notes made by yourself and others 

on previous visits to ensure that you are aware of site conditions and potential hazards that may 

exist. Contacting landowners and public officials to inform them of your plans and receive 

permission for access. Appropriate personal gear may include: Adequate clothing for weather 

conditions. Proper footgear that you will need for fieldwork, including hiking boots, steel-toed 

safety shoes, hip boots, hardhats, and waders. A PFD is required when working on boats and or 

while wading into the surf zone and wetland or marsh areas (see PFD Safety Bulletin dated 

7/21/2010). 

A list of required tools, instruments, and supplies should be made when planning your trip and 

these items should be checked to ensure they are in good operating condition before you start 

your trip (these are listed in Appendix B of the USGS GOM-DWH Sampling Protocol 

(https://my.usgs.gov/OWQ_Deep_OilWiki/). An office Call-in policy will be in effect for all 

field activities. Field personnel engaged in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill must 

obtain the daily or 48-hour Operational Plan (Shift Plan) before deploying to the field 

site, either from the USGS Bureau or Eastern Region Industrial Hygienist 
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115

(A. Zepeda, 703-648-7551; B. Demith, 703-648-4636) or from the Houma Sector Unified 

Command FWS Safety Officer (Jack Morrow, 404-408-7226, john_morrow@fws.gov). 

We cannot eliminate all the hazards associated with our jobs. We can, however, reduce these 

hazards to reasonable risks. The intent of Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) is to identify the hazards 

associated with our jobs and then develop realistic actions that can be used to reduce these 

hazards to reasonable workplace risks. 

Additional JHA information for task-specific work is available on the WRD Safety Homepage 

http://1stop.usgs.gov/safety/topic/jha/index.html. 

SAMPLING IN THE GULF OF MEXICO

Detailed instructions are provided in the USGS Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Deepwater 

Horizon Oil Release, Gulf of Mexico, 2010: Addendum to Standard USGS Methods for the 

Collection of Water, Sediment, Benthic Invertebrates, and Microorganisms (Sampling Protocol) 

and in the updated information posted in the OWQ_Deep_Oil Wiki, previously referenced. Field 

personnel must become familiar with the contents of the Sampling Protocol and abide by all the 

health and safety requires described, including the mandatory HazWOper and other training, 

PPE, and air-monitoring requirements, and are to check the wiki for bulletins and updates that 

affect personnel health, safety, and ability to perform their duties. 

SAMPLING AND MEASUREMENTS BY WADING

Personal Flotation Devices (PFD's) are required in all operations near, in, or over water except in 

those cases where an approved site-specific Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) defines the conditions 

for an exemption (refer to the U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (USGS) 

SAFETY BULLETIN: Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Selection/Use, issued 7/21/2010). In areas 

of potential contamination appropriate PPE must be worn, as described in the Sampling Protocol 

referenced above. Prevent water from contacting your skin. 

FLOODS

Rain can fall at a rate of several inches per hour and rapidly create dangerous conditions in the 

area where you are working. Weather forecasts, evacuation plans, and the daily briefing 

provided by the local Incident Command are necessary in planning activities to ensure your 

safety. Maintain an updated copy of your floodplan. Maintain regular office and IC contact 

during emergency conditions. Have the proper rescue equipment on hand and use it according to 

your plan. Make sure you have emergency communication capability in case of an accident. 

Raingear must meet color requirements of the state and reflective requirements of ANSI Class III 

garments. 

REMOTE AREAS, COMMUNICATIONS 

Mobile telephones provide a minimum precaution. Satellite communication services might be 

available for remote areas where cellular service is not available. Make an itinerary for every 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

116

field trip and leave a copy at the office and with the IC in addition to family or colleagues. 

Schedule times to check in at work and with family or colleagues when field trips require 

overnight stays. Follow the established schedule. Notify all concerned parties if your schedule 

changes. Obtain or reserve communication equipment, such as a cellular phone or two-way 

radio. It’s a good idea for all field crews to be aware of any potential medical conditions or 

treatments for existing medical conditions of the field-team members. Examples of these 

conditions would include severe allergic reactions, Diabetes, coronary problems, heat stress, etc. 

ERGONOMICS 

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) result when there is a mismatch between the 

physical capacity of workers and the demands of the job. Many of these are caused or 

aggravated by work related stressors such as such as lifting, reaching, pulling, pushing, and 

bending. Get assistance in moving heavy or large items to reduce back injuries. 

FIELD VEHICLES 

It is required that the installation of barriers behind the front seats of all vehicles that are used to 

carry heavy equipment is enforced. Defensive driver training will be given to all employees who 

are expected to operate motor vehicles on the job. All weights, compressed gas cylinders, and all 

other heavy or large items shall be appropriately secured in the vehicle. Gasoline, methanol, and 

other hazardous materials should be transported in leak proof containers (safety can) and secured 

to prevent movement and transported to prevent release of fumes. For all vehicles used in field 

situations, an appropriate fire extinguisher shall be securely mounted and easily accessible. 

Vehicle maintenance and condition are the responsibility of the users. 

Field Vehicles Must Have The Following Safety Equipment: 

Fire extinguisher, First Aid kit, PFD’s, PID, ANSI Traffic vests, Hardhat, Safety Glasses, Gloves 

(leather, cloth, chemical resistant), Traffic control lights, cones, emergency signs. 

SITE ACCESS 

Working in and around the surf zone and wetlands or marshes will subject you to conditions that 

can cause slips, falls, contact with contaminated water and sediments, impede mobility, and that 

could result in serious injury to you and your coworkers. You can't avoid all potential dangers, 

but you can minimize the risk of accidents by considering the following guidelines. 

• Avoid steep slopes and navigate slippery conditions with care, using the buddy system. 

• Do not enter the surf zone under rough surf conditions. 

• When navigating through deep marsh muds, keep moving to avoid sinking into the muck and 

becoming immobilized. 

• Adhere to PFD, PPE, and all other safety requirements. 

• Be alert to significant wildlife threats, such as the potential to encounter alligators, snakes, or 

other domestic and wild animals and be prepared to take appropriate preventive and 

defensive action (National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data, Chapter 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

117

9). Biting insects, such as mosquitoes, chiggers, ticks, and various flies, are generally of less 

immediate hazard than stinging insects, but they may be carriers of disease. 

DEALING WITH HOSTILE PERSONS 

Be aware of radical or strong political groups operating in the area. Familiarize yourself with 

any controversial issues or illegal activities in the area you will be working. Be able to briefly 

explain the necessity for the data collection you are charged with. Formulate a plan for dealing 

with hostile people that includes avoidance or calm, deliberate departure from their presence. 

HYPERTHERMIA 

Hyperthermia is a condition of increased body temperature caused by exposure to 

excessive heat. Contributing factors are physical exertion, clothing, humidity, lack of air 

movement, and temperature, but the most important factor is body hydration. The normal body 

requirement for fluids in temperate regions is 2 1/2 quarts per day; GOM conditions will require 

more fluid. Early warning symptoms of Hyperthermia are chilling, a throbbing pressure in the 

head, unsteadiness, dizziness, nausea, dry skin (either hot and red or cool and pale), rapid pulse, 

and muscle pains and spasms. 

VIRAL AND BACTERIAL ISSUES 

USGS policy on respiratory protection and provides generic guidelines to assist centers in 

development of a safety program for employees who work in an environment with potential 

exposure to respiratory hazards. Respirators may not be used without appropriate medical 

surveillance and clearance. 

USGS personnel should assume that any water they sample, measure or gage may be 

contaminated with pathogenic organisms. It should be a regular practice after sampling to 

thoroughly disinfect with a biocidal agent (for example, germicidal soap or alcohol based 

cleaners) any exposed skin that has come in contact with the water.

CONTAMINATED WATER AND SOIL - SAMPLING WASTEWATER DISPOSAL

Wear appropriate gloves and eye protection. Prevent water from contacting your skin. 

Appropriate immunizations are made available on a voluntary basis. Carry appropriate 

disinfecting solutions for cleaning of hands, equipment and materials. Calibration standards, 

decontamination and other cleaning solutions, and chemical preservatives must be handled and 

disposed of with respect to local environmental policies. Process samples with care. Always use 

appropriate gloves and safety glasses when handling samples and preservatives. Biohazards must 

be appropriately labeled, stored and disposed according to local regulations. 

LABS AND MOBILE LABS 

Each USGS vehicle performing water quality work is considered a mobile lab. Mobile labs must 

meet the requirements of chemical transportation regulations of the DOT. Each vehicle will be 

supplied with a copy of the district chemical hygiene plan, Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS) 

for any chemical carried and supplied with appropriate personal protective equipment. Any 
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118

USGS personnel using chemicals shall be appropriately trained through lab safety, hazard 

communications training. Normally it is not necessary for USGS vehicles to be placarded. 

Mobile labs, including water-quality vehicles will meet the same standards of facility labs. 

Each vehicle will be supplied with chemical hygiene plans, MSDS’s, PPE, emergency eye 

wash, JHA’s appropriate to job tasks. 

FORMALIN AND FORMALDEHYDE, DRY ICE, H2SO4, HCl, HNO3 

Formalin is a teratogen, which can cause adverse birth and reproductive effects. It is also a 

mutagen, which can cause DNA damage. If exposure exceeds 0.75 ppm for 8 hours (TWA) and 

greater than 2.0 ppm for and 15 minute period; all provisions listed in 29 CFR 1910.1048 shall 

apply. Wear appropriate gloves or clothing to prevent exposure. Wear safety goggles. Keep 

formalin from contact with alkalis, acids, and phenols. Formalin or formalin-preserved samples 

will not be transported in the passenger compartments of vehicles. Wash thoroughly after 

handling formalin. http://1stop.usgs.gov/safety/topic/jha/formalin.html

DRY ICE 

Dry ice will be used to preserve specific samples for the GOM-DWH project and must be 

handled in accordance with the dry-ice JHA: http://1stop.usgs.gov/safety/topic/jha/DryIce.pdf

ACID SAMPLE PRESERVATIVES 

Some samples will be preserved with nitric (HNO3), hydrochloric (HCl), or sulfuric (H2SO4) 

acid, which must be handled as stipulated in the following JHAs: 

HNO3 and HCL: http://1stop.usgs.gov/safety/topic/jha/acid_hcl_hno3.html

H2SO4: http://1stop.usgs.gov/safety/topic/jha/acid_h2s04_amps.html

DECONTAMINATION AGENTS 

Chemical substances used for equipment cleaning and decontamination may include methanol 

(MeOH) and nitric or hydrochloric acids. The ASR referenced above for nitric and hydrochloric 

acid applies to the use of these chemicals as cleaning agents.

MeOH: http://1stop.usgs.gov/safety/topic/jha/methanol.htm

SAMPLING IN WEATHER EXTREMES 

Fieldwork often is necessary under adverse atmospheric and other environmental conditions. 

Prepare for extreme conditions that might be experienced in your area of the country. Before 

leaving for the field, check the weather forecast using one or more of these options: the local 

television station, the national weather channel, the local land/marine weather band channel that 

constantly repeats current and future weather conditions, or computer networks. Extremes of air 

temperature occur in all parts of the country. The ideal comfort range for humans is between 

16 to 32oC (60 to 90oF). Hypothermia and Hyperthermia normally occur in temperatures outside 

this range. 
Sampling Protocol for Post-Landfall Oil Release, Version 1.1 August 30, 2010

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Do nothing that will endanger the public. Use vehicle light bar (flashing lights), consult traffic 

control plan, and wear PFD or reflective vest. Do not park on bridge unless known to be safe. 

Don’t attempt a wading measurement if there is any doubt that you will be able to safely cross 

the stream. 

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) AS REQUIRED AND APPLICABLE 

FIELD WORK 

PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD)

HARD HAT

SAFETY GLASSES

GLOVES (WORK AND CHEMICAL RESISTANT)

HIP OR CHEST WADERS WITH OR WITHOUT STEELTOES & SHANKS

STEEL TOED BOOTS

CELL PHONE

 REFLECTIVE CLOTHING

BRIDGE AND TRAFFIC SAFETY PLAN AND EQUIPMENT

 TRIP PLAN

BOATING

PFD

USCG REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

TRIP/FLOAT PLAN

WATER QUALITY

PFD

ANTIBACTERIAL CLEANERS

SAFETY GLASSES

GLOVES (CHEMICAL)

GROUND FAULT INTERUPTORS (GFI) FOR USE WITH AC PUMPS

IMMUNIZATIONS

CONSTRUCTION

PFD

 HARD HAT

SAFETY GLASSES

GLOVES

HEARING PROTECTION

CLIMBING HARNESS

GROUND FAULT INTERUPTORS (GFI) FOR USE WITH POWER TOOLS

 
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Appendix E-3. USGS Safety Bulletin (7/21/2010): Personal Flotation Device Selection and Use

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (USGS) 

SAFETY BULLETIN: 

Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Selection/Use

DATE ISSUED: 

07/21/10

PAGE:

1 of 3

AREA AFFECTED:

Gulf of Mexico (GOM) 

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response/Cleanup Areas

OPERATIONAL PERIOD:

Remains in effect for the duration of USGS GOM 

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Activities or until 

superseded by supplemental guidance 

issued after 7/21/2010.

This Safety Bulletin provides clarifying information regarding Personal Floatation Device (PFD) use by U. S. 

Geological Survey personnel working within the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill affected 

areas. This message is provided to answer specific questions raised by USGS employees regarding Agency 

requirements for PFD’s. It does not address aviation related PFD use requirements.

Agency personnel must comply with USGS PFD policy requirements [e.g. 445-2-H, Chapter 31, 31.4 (A) (6)] and 

adhere to any supplemental Agency requirements established in response to GOM Deepwater Oil Spill watercraft 

related activities. USGS employees responding to any affected GOM area involving watercraft will provide their 

own PFD according to USGS Policy and supplemental information contained herein. If you are responding to any 

GOM affected area and do not have a PFD, contact your immediate supervisor and make arrangements to acquire 

one PRIOR to assignment or mobilization. If USGS employees are assigned to a Vessel of Opportunity (VOO), you 

are required to wear your own PFD, meeting Agency PFD requirements unless the VOO Operator mandates 

otherwise. (An example of this would be during extreme weather conditions or working on open decks of larger 

vessels where the VOO Operator provides a higher level of PFD safety.)

Question 1: Are personnel required to wear a PFD while on-board USGS, Partner, Agency, BP VOO, or any 

other GOM spill assigned watercraft? 

Yes. Although there are some exceptions provided in USCG, DOI and USGS policies, all personnel working 

aboard GOM Oil Spill assigned watercraft are required to wear a PFD. Such exceptions are typically based on 

vessel size/class and/or location of personnel on vessel (e.g., on the deck, in enclosed cabin areas, and at the 

discretion of the watercraft operator at other locations on the vessel. In regards to these exceptions, personnel 

must follow USGS Watercraft/PFD Policy requirements. USGS employees assigned to VOO Vessels are directed 

to provide and wear USGS approved PFD’s while on-board. In the event of extenuating circumstances, (such as 

severe weather or working on open decks of larger vessels), VOO Operators may provide crew with higher levels 

of safety such as a Type I PFD. In that case, USGS employees are directed to adhere to the VOO Operator 

mandates.

Question 2: Are there any other specific times or activities when I need to wear a PFD? 

Yes. Numerous water based activities may be conducted during our work on the GOM Oil Spill and USGS 

employees must mitigate the hazard of drowning by wearing a PFD while working AROUND THE WATER (e.g., 

conducting work along shorelines), ABOVE THE WATER (e.g., on watercraft, structures or bridges), and 

NEAR THE WATER (e.g., wading). You and your Spill Supervisor must evaluate the hazards of any proposed 

work to ensure that adequate hazard mitigation measures have been implemented. Assistance in evaluating 

hazards can be gained by contacting your respective spill safety officer, local collateral duty safety coordinator or 

Bureau Watercraft Safety Program Manager.

CAUTION: NO PFD SHALL BE WORN UNDER ANY TYPE OF OUTER CLOTHING. Wearing any PFD 

under a Tyvek suit or under other layers of clothing may compromise the floatation of the PFD as well as 

increase the element of heat stress. 

Question 3: Is there a requirement for vessels to have a throwable device on-board a USGS Watercraft? 

YES. Any vessel 16 feet and greater (except canoes and kayaks) working the GOM Oil Spill, must carry one 

throwable Type IV device, (e.g., throw rings, cushions) (* throw-rope bags alone are not a Type IV) ready for 

immediate deployment. USGS Watercraft Operators and VOO Operators must indicate the throwable device 

location during a safety briefing before initial vessel departure.

Question 4: Must a PFD be U. S. Coast Guard Approved? 
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Yes. Approved PFD’s have an USCG approval number typically provided on the inside shell fabric or material. 

ALL PFD’s used on watercraft for the GOM Oil Spill must have the USCG approval.

Question 5: What does “in good, serviceable condition” really mean? 

According to USGS Policy, PFD’s must be regularly inspected by the wearer to ensure the unit is in good, 

serviceable condition. All DOI-USGS PFD’s shall be International Orange (or ANSI Hi-Vis Lime-Green) in 

color). All adjustment straps, buckles and/or zippers should be in good working order. All outer shell and inner 

shell fabric should be intact without compromise. Approved, retro reflective tape should be intact and securely 

attached. PFD’s that are UV Damaged and faded in color should be immediately replaced. PFD’s with frayed 

or broken straps, broken zippers or buckles should be immediately replaced. PFD’s with cracked, faded or torn 

retro reflective tape should be immediately replaced. Any torn fabric (inner or outer shell) indicates a need for 

immediate replacement. All of the above inconsistent findings reference a PFD that is NOT in good, serviceable 

condition.

Question 6: Are there different types of PFD’s? 

Yes. There are five (5) types of PFD’s which provide one of three forms of floatation. The five types include (1) 

Type I Off-Shore Life Jacket; (2) Type II Near-shore Buoyant Vest; (3) Type III Floatation Aid; (4) Type IV 

Throwable Device; and (6) Type V Special Use Device. BP requires VOO operators to furnish Type III PFD’s to 

VOO passengers that do not have a PFD. In all cases, each USGS employee will provide their own individual 

PFD before embarking upon a VOO vessel. VOO Operators have the final authority to mandate wearing a VOO 

supplied PFD.

Question 7: Are there different sizes of PFD’s and is it important to match the size to the wearer? 

Yes. Many PFD types come in ranges of sizes from small to XXXL. Depending upon the manufacturer, (e.g., 

Stearns, Revere, Mustang Survival, etc.) the PFD may have side adjustments for dual sizing. Personnel who 

wear undersized PFD’s tend not to wear the unit correctly (unzipped and/or unlatched) which could lead to 

displacement from the wearer when water entry is made. A PFD that is too large for the wearer may come off 

upon water entry. USGS employees required to wear Tyvek style suits should ensure that their PFD fits properly 

over this outerwear. 

Question 8: Where and how do I get a PFD when I’ve been assigned GOM Oil Spill related tasks involving 

watercraft operation or water hazards? 

If you are mobilized to a known area where there is NO OIL or NO OIL RESIDUE reported, you can use the 

standard USGS approved PFD that you have been supplied with. *note sizing requirements referenced in 

Question 7. 

If you are mobilized to an area where OIL and/or OIL RESIDUE has been reported or is suspected, USGS 

employees should consider the following guidelines:

1. Oil and/or Oil residue, once attached to the fabric material of any standard PFD, likely cannot be removed 

from the fabric by conventional cleaning methods, thus rendering the PFD contaminated. Once the fabric is 

contaminated, the PFD will be deemed in “unserviceable condition” and must be disposed of properly. OIL 

and/or OIL residue contaminated PFD’s shall not reused, if contamination takes place. 

 

2. USGS employees shall consider the following options for USGS Approved PFD’s in areas of GOM OIL 

and/OIL Residue response:

a. West Marine/Port Supply is a common USGS vendor that offers a Type V PFD designed for the Oil 

Worker Profession. The floatation foam panels are dipped in a rubberized coating allowing it to be 

cleaned easily. This is a Revere Model 280 RT Work Vest with nylon straps and nylon buckles. Oil 

and/or Oil residue can easily be cleaned with mild soap and water or alcohol swabs.

 

b. West Marine/Port Supply Product number is Model # 10967776. Special USGS pricing for this Work 

Vest (single or multiple vest purchase) is $30.00 each.

c. The Revere Model 280 RT is manufactured with SOLAS Retro-Reflective Tape that DOES NOT meet 

the DOI Standards for necessary square inches of tape and MUST be modified in order to meet our 

Standards.
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i. Pre-Cut patches of SOLAS (adhesive backed) Reflective Tape will be available from the Bureau 

Watercraft Safety Program Manager along with a detailed drawing of where the wearer shall attach 

the tape in order for the PFD to meet compliance standards.

ii. It shall be the responsibility of the USGS employee to immediately notify the USGS Spill Supervisor 

upon modification of this PFD and the USGS Spill Supervisor will maintain records indicating the 

employee’s name and date of modification and Spill Supervisor’s name.

iii. Revere Work Vest Model 280 RT PFD’s that are not modified accordingly SHALL NOT be used at 

any time for any water related USGS activities inside the GOM Oil Spill Area or during any 

watercraft activities outside the GOM Oil Spill area.

iv. Revere Work Vest PFD’s, once modified, may be used in other watercraft activities outside the GOM 

Oil Spill areas. 

INFLATABLE PFD’s:

NOTE: According to USGS Policy, with any inflatable PFD, the wearer MUST conduct minimal semi-annual 

oral inflation tests, allowing the unit to stand, inflated, for a 24 hour period. Traditional, automatic inflatable 

PFD’s (wafer style) must be annually inflated by submerging in water, leak testing, drying and re-arming. Newer 

MUSTANG HAMMER (hydrostatic) INFLATOR MECHANISMS are allowed to go 4 years before automatic 

inflation is required (new USGS Policy). IN ALL CASES, the periodic testing of inflatable PFD’s are to be 

recorded in a “maintenance log” maintained by the wearer and a copy sent to the local CDSPC of the Cost 

Center. During any Center Safety Audit/Inspection, these maintenance records are to be made readily available 

to the person(s) conducting the audit/inspection. Failure to comply with this USGS maintenance requirement 

may result in the wearer forfeiting the continued use of the inflatable PFD.

USGS Policy further states that employees opting to wear any inflatable PFD must undergo documented training 

exercises before wearing this PFD as a primary device.

 Prepared by: Gary L. Hill, USGS Watercraft Safety Program Manager, (727) 803-8747 ext 3004
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Appendix E-4: Contacts for Deepwater Horizon Incident Response (current as of 8.06.2010) 

Unified and/or Incident Command

• Houma LA Incident Command - 1697 Highway 311, Houma LA 70395, 

Main 985-493-7600; Operations 985-493-3343; mc252decon@gmail.com

• Mobile AL Incident Command - One South Water Street Mobile AL 36602, 251-442-1938. 

• Houma Sector, Wildlife Branch Safety Officer -- BP persistent cell phone (985-665-

7093) 

• BP-provided persistent phone for Houma Safety Officer (Glen Stapleton) 985-709 5957 

• St Petersburg FL Incident Command – Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 8th 

Avenue SE, St. Petersburg FL 33701, 904-755-8008

• Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Safety Officer, Mobile, AL - Gary Wilson, 

Gary_Wilson@fws.gov, 503-803-0888; or Brian_Hardison@fws.gov 404-376-3035 

• Fish and Wildlife Service Safety Officer, Houma, LA - Jack Morrow 985-665-7093 

(Unified Command) or 404-408-7226, John_Morrow@fws.gov

• DOI Occupational Safety and Health Manager - Barry Noll, barry_noll@ios.doi.gov, 

Cell: 202-288-6843 

Safety Contacts 

USGS personnel should contact the Safety point of contacts to obtain current guidance on safety 

and health issues such as known hazardous conditions. Your local and Regional USGS Safety 

and Health staff should be able to provide assistance if primary points of contact are not 

available. Jack Marrow, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Safety Officer, Houma Sector, at 985-

665-7093. 

• Gary Wilson, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Safety Officer, Mobile Sector, at 503-803-

0888. 

• Tim Radtke, DOI Industrial Hygienist, 303-638-2623 

• Regional Safety Office, if the above are not available

PFD and other Watercraft Safety Issues

Gary L. Hill, Bureau Watercraft Safety Program Manager, USGS Center for Coastal and 

Wetland Studies, St. Petersburg FL: 727-803-8747 (land)/ 727-365-0070 (cell); 

garylhill@usgs.gov. 

Online safety and health resources/information

• Joint Incident Command: 

http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doctype/2931/53023

• DOI: http://www.doi.gov/deepwaterhorizon/, and 

https://www.smis.doi.gov/smisaux/OilSpillInfo.htm
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• USGS: http://www.usgs.gov/deepwater_horizon/, and 

http://internalgov/ops/safetynet/oilspillworkers.html

Waste Disposal and Other Environmental Issues 

Waste disposal and other environmental issues should be referred to the following DOI IC staff:

• Doug Mutter, PMB/OEPC - Douglas_Mutter@ios.doi.gov

• Stephen Spencer, PMB/OEPC - Stephen_Spencer@ios.doi.gov Cell: 505-249-2462 

Watercraft Decontamination 

USGS personnel should notify the IC regarding decontamination services for WSC vessels. 

Mobile IC Decon Center: 

• 985-493-3343, or 

• mc252decon@gmail.com, or 

• Mobile Decon Center 251-455-3010 (for locations of Mobile IC Regon Decon Centers, see 

www.bpdecon.com). 

Use of Vessels of Opportunity (VOO) 

• VOO coordination hotline: 866-279-7983 or 877-847-7470 

• Vince Mitchell, VOO Program Coordinator for Houma, LA, 427-773-9983. 

Air Monitoring

• Bob Garbe (DOI Occupational Health Program Manager): Robert_Garbe@ios.doi.gov, 303-

810-9934 (cell) 

• Tim Radtke (DI Industrial Hygienist: Tim_Radtke@ios.doi.gov, 303-638-2623 (cell) 

• Houma, LA Incident Command Center (Main Office): 985-493-7600 

• Anthony Zepeda USGS Bureau Industrial Hygienist: – azepeda@usgs.gov, 703-648-7551. 

E-mail or fax (703-648-7592) copies of field form with PID readings. 

• Beth Demith, USGS Eastern Region Industrial Hygienist: bdemith@usgs.gov, 703-648-4636 

Air–monitoring results can be found under the following URLs: 

• USEPA http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/air.html

• Current Air Quality along the Gulf Coast http://gulfcoast.airnowtech.org/ 

Accident Reporting 

All USGS accidents shall be reported within the DOI Safety Management Information System 

(SMIS) accessible at https://www.smis.doi.gov/ and clicking on "Accident Reporting" tab. Note 

that under the "Special (Disaster Response Related) Accident Report" selection, the department 

has added the following category "During the Response to the Gulf Oil Spill". Please mark this 

category when reporting accidents involving individuals who become ill or are injured during 
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natural disaster relief efforts. On the injury selection page there is an entry button that allows the 

reporting supervisor to categorize an injury due to the Department’s response. This specialized 

entry page has specific questions on PPE and training. Questions related to SMIS may be 

directed to the DOI Occupational Safety and Health Manager, 202-288-5549/202-904-0008 or 

USGS HQ Safety and Health Specialist 703-648-7553. 
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Appendix. E-5: Instructions for British Petroleum (BP) Site-Specific Training 
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Appendix E-6: Example of Incident-Command Decontamination Locations for July 13, 2010. 
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Appendix F. Field Forms 

 Appendix F-1: Field-Notes Form for Oil-Release Incident Response

Appendix F-2: Analytical Services Request and Chain-of-Custody Forms 
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Appendix. F-1: Field-Notes Form for Oil-Release Incident Response 
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Appendix. F-2: Analytical Services Request Forms for the Deepwater Horizon Incident Response 
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Appendix G. Manufacturer Guidance for Use of Multiparameter 

Sondes in Oil-Contaminated Waters 

Attachment 1. YSI, Inc.: Cleaning, Care, and Deployment of Multiparameter 

Sondes and Sensors" (Published with permission.)

Recommended Procedures for Use of YSI Water Quality Monitoring 

Instruments during Oil Spills 

Overview: This is a guidance document that is intended for users of YSI 6‐Series sondes and 

handheld instruments in environments impacted by an oil spill. The specific form and impacts of oil 

in water on YSI’s equipment can vary. These guidelines are our best practices for decontaminating 

and deploying equipment; however, they do not guarantee that sensors or equipment will not be 

impacted by the oil. 

YSI encourages customers to continue to collect data during an oil spill. We ask 

all users who are working in oil impacted areas to provide us with feedback on sensor 

performance and oil conditions,

‐

 so that we can improve this document. Please send any 

information to environmental@ysi.com. 

For the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, we will guarantee expedited (3‐5 working days) 

repairs on equipment affected by the oil at our Ohio and Baton Rouge (USA) repair facilities. 

Instrument Decontamination 

If you have YSI instruments that are contaminated with crude oil, follow this 

decontamination procedure. 

You will need: 

1. Gloves 

2. Eye protection (safety glasses with side shields; or goggles) 

3. Cloths or lint free paper towels 

4. Replacement brushes and wipers and hex wrench 

5. Dawn dishwashing liquid and Simple Green (degreasing formula) 

6. Buckets 
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7. Soft brushes for cleaning 

8. Pipe cleaners and Q Tips 

9. Waste collection cont

‐

ainer 

Procedure: 

1. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling items contaminated with crude oil. 

2. Spray all contaminated areas with Simple Green to remove as much contaminant as 

possible. 

3. Use soft cloth or paper

‐

 towels to wipe off excess oil from instruments and sensors. 

o Be careful

‐

 when wiping around sensor optics or membranes. 

o Dispose of oil saturated cloths according to local regulations (see note below). 

4. Remove oil coated wipers and brushes from sensors. 

5. Submerge instrument in warm, soapy water. 

6. Use soft brush to wipe away remaining oil. 

7. Use small brush to clean inside the conductivity cell of the temperature conductivity 

probe. 

8. Rinse in soapy water. 

‐

9. Repeat steps 4‐7, several times if necessary. 

o Dispose of oily water according to local regulations for hazardous materials (see 

note below). 

10. Do a final rinse in a fresh container of warm soapy water followed by a rinse in clean 

water. 

11. Dry and install new wipers and brushes. 

Oil Effects on Specific Water Quality Sensors 

The most common problems with sensors will be related to sensors having been in 

contact with oil. Special attention should be paid to the following sensors in the decontamination 

and calibration steps. 

1. pH: The performance of the pH and pH/ORP sensors due to the sensitivity of the glass 

bulb and reference junction. The pH sensor may require additional cleaning steps and may 

benefit from elevating the soapy water temperature to (35 C) and adding rapid stirring while 

soaking. 

2. Depth: Spray Simple Green into depth port openings and use pipe cleaners to remove 

any contaminant. 

3. ROX DO Membranes: The optical probe DO membrane would also benefit from a 

warmer soapy water temperature. Stirring or gentle sweeps with a soft paint brush across 

the membrane should aid in cleaning. 

4. Wipers: Replace all wiper pads on a contaminated unit. Cleaning of EDS or V2 4 bristle 

type brushes may not be possible. If the bristles remain sticky after cleaning the brush must 

be replaced. 

‐
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Instrument Deployment 

If you need to prepare YSI instruments to deploy into water contaminated with crude oil, 

YSI suggests the following procedure. Crude oil is can be thick and sticky, and we cannot 

guarantee the same performance intervals of our sensor membranes and wipers as under 

normal conditions. 

You will need: 

1. YSIC Spray nanopolymer coating 

2. Disposa

‐

ble plastic bags (Grocery store type) 

3. Rubber bands 

4. Light weight line or cord 

5. Dawn dishwashing liquid 

6. Buckets 

7. Soft brushes for cleaning 

8. Replacement brushes and wipers and hex wrenc 

Procedure: 

1. Apply C‐Spray prot ective coating to exterior of instrument, sensors, and cable, according to 

the C‐Spray instruction sheet. 

• Recent testing has demonstrated that ‐CSpray has no negative impacts on YSI 

optical sensors, ROX membranes or YSI pH probes. 

• ROX: Spray on and disperse over membrane and probe face. Allow to sit 

5 minutes and wipe off excess with a Kimwipe 

• YSI pH: Spray probe body including bulb and junction area. Allow to sit 5 

minutes, and shake off excess. 

• All other optical sensors: Remove wiper, spray onto probe face and allow 

to sit for 5 minutes. Remove excess with Kimwipe and polish probe face 

with dry Kimwipe to remove and streaking. Reinstall wipers. 

1. Calibrate the sonde after application like you normally would. 

2. For sampling applications, try one of the three following methods in order to deploy a sonde 

below a surface oil slick without impacting the sensors (see illustrations): 

Deployment Methods: 

1. Dispersants 

• If the oil film is light you can spray a dispersant onto the water surface before 

you lower the sonde. Mix “Dawn Dishwashing Soap” 50/50 with tap water in a 

squirt bottle. 
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2. Plastic Bag—This method works best with heavier 

instruments such as YSI 6600, 6920, 6820 sondes 

i. Place sonde in disposable plastic bag. 

ii. Cut off bottom of bag. 

iii. Gather bottom of bag around bottom of 

sonde/sensor and use a rubber band to close the 

bag. 

iv. Place second rubber band around the bag and 

body of sonde, below the bag handles. 

v. Attach a thin, sturdy line to bag handles. 

vi. Deploy sonde vertically and lower it through and 

below oil layer 

vii. Pull up on the line attached to the bag to pull up 

the bag and reveal the sensors to the water. You 

may need to “bounce” the line in order to push it 

through the opening. 

viii. When finished sampling, use an oar or other object 

to break apart the oil on the water surface before 

pulling instrument out of the water

ix. Rinse instrument in bucket of soapy water. Brush 

clean. 

x. Remove bag and dispose properly 

xi. If necessary, replace wipers and brushes on 

instrument 

xii. Repeat process with bag for next deployment 
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3. PC Tube

i. Tape one layer of plastic or foil to the 

bottom a PVC tube long enough to 

penetrate into water below the surface oil. 

ii. Place sonde or handheld sensor inside PVC 

tube. 

iii. Deploy sonde and tube vertically and lower 

it through and below oil layer. 

iv. Drop or push down on sonde or sensor 

while holding tube steady. The sonde will 

break through the foil, exposing the 

sensors to the water.

v. When finished sampling, pull instrument 

up through the tube. 

vi. Rinse instrument and tube in bucket of 

soapy water. Brush clean. 

vii. If necessary, replace wipers and brushes on 

instrument. 
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Disposing of Oil‐Contaminated Water or Materials 

If you generate waste liquids and/or waste materials while cleaning, consult your local waste 

disposal contractors and waste water treatment authorities, or local regulatory agencies, for 

requirements associated with proper handling and disposal of these materials. 

YSI Oil Decontamination & Deployment Procedures 5‐18‐2010 
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Attachment 2. IN SITU, Inc.: Cleaning and Care of Multiparameter 

Sondes and Sensors

General Cleaning

Rinse the instrument body well, especially if it has been in contact with contaminated media. Level of 

cleaning for sensors/sonde/cable should be determined based on the level of contaminant exposure 

that has occurred.

For minor exposure follow general care instructions found in the following documents. Rinsing with 

warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush should remove moderate amounts of oily contaminants. 

Use commercial dish detergent for standard cleaning. Simple Green can also be used if more 

significant exposure occurs. If pH, DO and RDO sensors are removed, OxiClean can be used for 

sonde body and cable.

Air-dry or wipe with a lint-free tissue. Ultrasonic cleaning is not recommended. Follow all 

manufacturer recommended calibration procedures after cleaning has been performed. 

O-ring Replacement

O-rings should be replaced if the sensors have been exposed to oily contaminants and sensors have 

to be removed from the ports for cleaning. In all other situations, the o-rings should only be replaced 

for annual maintenance on the instrument (replace battery compartment o-rings as well).

If the o-rings become damaged to the extent that they no longer provide an effective seal, they should 

be replaced. If there is any doubt whether the o-rings should be replaced, it is best to err on the side of 

safety and replace them.

Before replacing o-rings, clean all mating surfaces, including the o-ring grooves.

O-rings and lubricant are included in the MP TROLL 9000 Maintenance kit available from In-Situ Inc. 

or your distributor.

Conductivity Sensor 

Check the sensor for decline in sensitivity of the electrodes. If necessary, flush the sensor with water, 

or swish in a mild detergent solution and rinse with tap water. A swab or soft-bristle brush may be 

gently used to clean the electrodes. Remember that the electrodes are made of graphite, which is soft 

and easily damaged.

pH, pH/ORP

If the platinum ORP sensor appears dull or oil-coated, it may be cleaned with a cotton swab dipped in 

alcohol. Rub gently until the platinum appears shiny. Rinse in clean water.

If a film develops on the glass electrode, or if the sensing glass or junction becomes dehydrated, the 

response may be sluggish or erratic, or the sensor may fail to calibrate. In these cases, rinse the 

sensor in 90% isopropyl alcohol and soak in a storage solution (Catalog No. 0065370) for at least an 

hour or overnight if needed. If this does not restore the response, try soaking in 0.1 M HCl solution for 

5-10 minutes, followed by a thorough rinse in clean water. Replace junction and reference filling 

solution after cleaning.

Typical cleaning: First, rinse the sensor tip under a running cold water faucet or use a gentle jet of 

clean water from a rinse bottle. If this is not sufficient select the specific method (or combination of 
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methods) from the list below. After any of these methods have been applied, prepare the sensor for 

subsequent use by rinsing the sensor tip with water followed by an overnight soak in pH 4 buffer. 

Replacing junction and reference filling solution should be done if contaminant exposure occurs.

Oily or greasy residue: Use warm water with mild soap. Follow with a generous water rinse. 

Isopropyl alcohol can be used for short soaking periods of up to an hour. Strong solvents (chlorinated 

solvents, ethers, or any ketones including acetone) must be avoided.

Protein-like material, or slimy films: First clean the sensor in mild soap and warm water. Then soak 

in a 0.1M HCl solution for 10 minutes and rinse with DI water.

RDO

Cleaning the Sensor

1. Leave the cap on the sensor!

2. Rinse the sensor with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush.

3. Replace sensing cap as needed.

Note: If any damage to the black layer of the sensor has occurred due to contamination, the sensing 

cap should be replaced to ensure accurate readings.

Do not use organic solvents—they will damage the foil. Do not remove the cap from the sensor prior to brushing. 

After cleaning the sensor, perform a 2-point user calibration.

If extensive mineral build-up is present, soak the cap end in vinegar for 15 minutes, then soak in 

deionized water for 15 minutes.

Cleaning the Optical Window (Perform only if changing the cap)

Remove the cap and gently wipe the window with the supplied lens wipe.

Caution: Do not wet the lens area with water or any solution.

Clark Cell DO 

Inspect the sensor and membrane if readings begin to drift.

• Check for discoloration of the electrodes due to silver chloride (AgCl) deposition.

• Inspect the membrane for integrity of the surface, for the presence of algal growth or other 

contaminants, for crystallization that may indicate a leak in the membrane, and to ensure no air 

bubbles are trapped under the membrane.

Remove the membrane module and clean the electrodes as follows: 

Cathode. Use a polishing strip to buff the platinum cathode until it is shiny. This removes any deposits, 

increasing the chemically active surface of the electrode for a stronger D.O. signal. Anode. If the 

sensor appears to be excessively discolored from its original matte grey color, clean the anode with 

ammonia and a soft brush. Extreme discoloration may be removed by soaking for a half-hour in 

ammonia before cleaning with a brush.

The surface of the anode should appear uniform, but not necessarily mirror-like.

Regular cleaning will prevent pitting of the anode surface, caused by accumulated silver chloride 

deposition. Severe pitting cannot be removed; the sole remedy is to replace the sensor.

After cleaning, rinse thoroughly and shake to dry. Then fill and attach a new membrane module as 

follows.
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Replacing the Membrane Module

The D.O. sensor performs best in clean water. In environments with high organic content, the 

membrane performance can be affected ed. Rips, tears and other damage will also affect membrane 

performance. For best results, replace the membrane when the slope and offset calculated during 

calibration change dramatically.

The current applied is so small that the electrolyte solution can be expected to last longer than the 

membrane in most applications

To replace a membrane module:

1. Make sure the area around port 2 is free of dirt and moisture, then remove the sensor. Remove and 

discard the used membrane module.

2. Inspect and clean the sensor as needed (see above).

3. Fill a new membrane cap with electrolyte and attach it to the sensor.

Refer to “Fill the Membrane Module” in the instrument manual.

4. Install and condition the sensor. Refer to “Condition a Newly Installed Sensor” in the instrument 

manual.

Remember to condition the sensor for at least 2 hours, preferably 10 hours, before recalibrating with a new 

membrane. Even with all visible air bubbles removed, a certain amount of gas will be trapped under the 

membrane. The conditioning period will remove this excess oxygen.

Turbidity

The optical windows of the sensor are made of scratch-resistant sapphire. The optical components are 

not user-serviceable. Serious mechanical and temperature shock are about the only things that can 

damage the LED. Follow general cleaning instructions for cleaning oily contaminants from the sonde. 

If you feel the instrument has suffered such damage, contact In-Situ Technical Support.