Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: 688895c2-d1d9-44f3-9c79-3cf0daa88510
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: 
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 4
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0037/ML003739541.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-4.5
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
practical method of selecting sampling sites is by locating them randomly by direction from grid points or other fixed points on an area. Soils should be neither muddy nor dry at the time of sampling: soils with moisture content near field capacity sample best. A fine spray from a sprayer has been employed with success to provide optimum moisture for dry soil: if a spray is used, time (about 30 nks) swd elapse between its appiation a&d sampling to slow for euilibratiom of moisture. D. wmAple Pmreprslo Wfore a weighed portion of the soil is ground in preparaton fox analysis, it is desirable to oven-dr% (I 10 C) for 24 hours and sieve it. A 0.6-cm.mesh ('4-in. mesh) screen removes larger stones and some organic debris such as roots, straws, etc.; the weight basis is. of course, the total soil. The plutonium contribution of stone, larpr than 0.6 cm (34 in.) is generally negligible: however, if desired, the larger stoma can be acid-washed and the wathings added to the fraction that passes throvu the O.6-cm (%4n.) screen. If the quantity of organic material is aot negligble (i.e., if it consists of more than a few strands of roots and/or a few leaves), it should be analyzed separately; the result should- be weighted for the amount of organic matter relative to the total sample and added to the result for plutonium in the soil. The volume or "nature" of soil adhering to roots and other debris may be such as to bias results: such debris may be be washed with a gentle spray from a wash bottle to remove the soil, and the washings may be added to the smaller-thanO.6-cm (N in.) fraction. This fraction, plus additions, should be oven-dried again and weighed. E. Reporting of Deta Results should be expressed in nanocurizs per gram of dry soil (total soil). the field bulk density should be recorded, as well as the area and depth sampled. to provide information necessary to also calculate and express contaminant activity per unit area. fIt. Disecuion Both the HASL and Nevad Test