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 Questions Answered - Experience Shared - All at no cost! - Do you have any questions... |
Do you have questions about polyethylene diffusion samplers and their application? Do you want to share your experience or perhaps even misadventures in the sampling arena? Do you want to keep up to date on developments in passive sampler technologies? The passive sampler discussion group is the place for you to satisfy all these needs.
Instead of directing you question to one individual, send it to the discussion list. You will gain instant access to the very people who have the experience to help you. And you are more likely to receive a quick response. For those of you who are already members of the discussion group, use the “reply all” feature of your email client to respond to inquiries. That way all can benefit from your advice and comments.
To join the list, send an email to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.WPI.ORG with a blank subject line and the following information in the message area: subscribe PASSIVE_SAMPLERS. You may resign at any time by following the directions you will receive after joining the list.
To view the list archives, go to http://listserv.wpi.org/.
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 Don Vroblesky in the spotlight! |
| Dr. Don Vroblesky received a special appreciation award from the ITRC at the Fall Meeting in Albuquerque. Don has been an integral member of the diffusion sampler team since its inception, and as a developer of the diffusion bag technology he has affected every aspect of our program. His measured and logical approach is respected throughout the professional community, and he has proven a driving force in the development of innovative passive technologies. Thanks, Don, for your active and outstanding support over the years. Congratulations on your well-deserved award.
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| The PDB Blues - lyrics |
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 The PDB Blues - World Premier |
| Our official song - 'The PDB Blues' - debuted at the Annapolis team meeting in August. Written by George Nicholas, it is performed by our own PDB Blues Brothers, George and Don Vroblesky. [Click on the link to play; right click to download, 4.17 MB]
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 Recent Publications |
| Two of our members have published papers in the Summer 2004 issue of Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation. Louise Parker coauthored ‘Study of Five Discrete Interval Type Ground Water Sampling Devices,’ and Don Vroblesky coauthored ‘Ground Water Chlorinated Ethenes in Tree Trunks: Case Studies, Influence to Recharge, and Potential Degradation Mechanism. Well Done!
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 Borehole flowmeters |
| Below are some good discussions of borehole flowmeters suggested by Don Vroblesky. For a summary document about a cooperative program on borehole flowmeter testing click the link above. General overview and a list of references: http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/bgas/flowmeter/ One of many applications of heat-pulse flowmeters: http://ny.water.usgs.gov/pubs/wri/wri004276/wrir00-4276.pdf EM flowmeters: http://www.epa.gov/ada/download/project/borehole.pdf Borehole flowmeters for horizontal flow (they mostly gave different answers): http://in.water.usgs.gov/newreports/borehole_flowmeter.pdf The last three articles are available in the library section.
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 August Team Meeting - 11-13 August 2004 |
| Our meeting in Annapolis attracted over 20 participants and was a great success. We received an update on the field demonstration underway at the former McClellan AFB, and heard of recent developments with nylon screen samplers, passive samplers for energetic compounds, dialysis samplers, and the Snap sampler. We also developed a workplan and schedule for writing overviews on 10 passive sampling technologies. Selected presentations are available in the library section. Click for the agenda.
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 Tech-Reg document available - State concurrence underway |
| The states of Arizona and Tennessee have recently agreed to the highest level of concurrence with the latest diffusion sampler guidance. The new document – Using Polyethylene Diffusion Bag Samplers to Monitor Volatile Organic Compounds in Groundwater – is available in the Key Documents section. Bound copies are available at no cost - email itrc@wpi.biz.
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| Figures for Orland GWI report |
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| Tables for Orland GWI report |
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 Orland Groundwater Investigation Report - PDBs recommended |
| The groundwater investigation of a PCE plume in California resulted in a recommendation to use PDB samplers for future monitoring. The investigation report cited the ability of PDB sampling to “…minimize the influence of sampling techniques on sample results, reduce associated sampling costs, and reduce the amount of investigation-derived waste.” The report and accompanying tables and figures, provided by URS Sacramento, detail the investigation. The file containing the figures is 3.7 MB.
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 New Case Study Database Launched - submit a case study of your own |
| The Diffusion Sampler Database (DSdB) is an exciting new addition to the Diffusion Sampler Information Center (DSIC) website. The database contains case studies from field deployments and demonstrations of passive sampler collection technologies. Many of the case studies involve polyethylene diffusion bags (PDBs), but other technologies, including dialysis samplers and passive vapor diffusion samplers, are also represented. The database is interactive and provides broad search capabilities. Inquiries can be made based upon specific contaminants, sampling methodology, geographic location, date, or even textual references. There is also a map interface to provide quick search capability. An important feature of the database is the means to submit case studies and documents remotely via the Internet. Just go to the DSIC website and click on the button to enter the Case Study Database. From there you can conduct your searches or submit your own case study. We need your help to build this resource. Please consider submitting a case study of your own. Comments and questions may be directed to the individuals listed on the reverse.
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| Recent journal article - Passive Diffusion Bag Samplers: A Cost-Effective Sampling Method for VOCs |
| An article on PDBs was published in the March/April issue of Southwest Hydrology under the authorship of group members Dee O'Neil and Hugh Rieck. Click on the heading to download.
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| PDB Demonstration Report Available - Comprehensive Results Report for the Passive Diffusion Bag Sampler Demonstration (August 2003) |
| Parsons Engineering Science recently issued a final report of PDB sampling at 14 Department of Defense installations. A total of 1,199 samples were collected from 332 wells. Analytical results and costs from PDB and conventional samples were compared. Click on the title to view or download the report (2.2 MB pdf file).
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 Minimum Volumes for Analysis |
| A Diffusion Sampler subteam has estimated the minimum sample volumes required for common environmental analytical methods. Click here or look in the Library section.
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 Survey of State Regulators - Preliminary Results |
| The ITRC Diffusion Sampler Workgroup conducted an Internet-based survey of State and Local regulators for inclusion in its Technical and Regulatory Guidance document. A preliminary analysis is available here.
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 PDB Cost Model - a new tool for implementing PDB sampling |
| A spreadsheet model has been developed by the ITRC Diffusion Sampler Workgroup to allow cost implications to be evaluated in the assessment of PDB deployment on a site-specific basis. The cost comparison technique used is a standard “present value” calculation to represent the total, present day cost of future sample collection expenses. The spreadsheet model sometimes uses default values based on data collected during previous field demonstrations of PDBs, but the user is encouraged to use site-specific cost data so that the cost comparison is more accurate. The model, instructions on its use, and an example calculation can be downloaded from the library section.
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 Comparative Study of Groundwater Sampling Devices - US Army Corps of Engineers (August 2002) |
| This 'Study of Five Discrete Interval-Type Groundwater Sampling Devices' found that the PDB sampler was the easiest device to use. Also tested were the Kabis, HydraSleeve, Discrete Interval, and Pneumo-Bailer samplers.
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 Vapor Diffusion Sampler Report Available Online - [click title] |
| Reference: Church, P.E., Vroblesky, D.A., Lyford, F.P., and Willey, R.E., 2002, Guidance on the Use of Passive-Vapor-Diffusion Samplers to Detect Volatile Organic Compounds in Ground-Water-Discharge Areas, and Example Applications in New England: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 02-4186, 79 p.
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 Order a Diffusion Sampler Resource CD |
| The Diffusion Sampler Resource CD has been updated to include the February 2004 guidance document. It also contains nearly 80 articles and presentations on various diffusion samplers, as well as the ITRC training video and the AFCEE/Parsons field sampling video. Much of the material is available on this website, but the CD has the advantage of being searchable. Plus, it's free! To receive a copy of the CD, e-mail your request for the 'Diffusion Sampler CD' and your mailing address to itrc@wpi.biz. |
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| NEWMOA Advisory Opinion on PDBs |
| The Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA) has issued an Advisory Opinion on the use of PDBs for VOC sample collection from groundwater wells. (Click headline to display.)
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 PDBs implemented at DOE facility - Kansas City Plant reduced sampling costs by 54% |
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| Recent technical article on PDB sampling |
| “Comparison of Temporal Trends in VOCs as Measured with PDB Samplers and Low-Flow Sampling Methods” by Philip T. Harte was published in the Spring 2002 issue of Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation. Harte compared PDB and low-flow purge sample results for PCE over time and found use of the PDB samplers to be appropriate. GWMR is published by the National Ground Water Association.
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