Ecological Evaluation Technical Guidance - State of New Jersey

B. Collect a minimum of one soil sample topographically downgradient ofthe point or area of discharge; andC. Collect a minimum of one soil sample at a depression, if present.5.3.3 How to Collect SamplesThe following sections review the methodologies to be employed in collectingenvironmental samples to be used in the preparation of EEs. Also see Section5.5(a)iii and (a)iv for additional parameters required to be reported.5.3.3.1 Soils and SedimentsWhen COPECs are potentially present because of a surface discharge,samples should be collected from the zero to six inch interval, except forvolatile organic compounds (VOC), which should be collected from the six totwelve inch interval. When COPECs are potentially present because of asubsurface discharge or groundwater migration pathway or the accretion ofcleaner sediments over contaminated sediments may have occurred, samplesshould be collected from the point of discharge in soils or sediment and fromboth the zero to six inch and six to twelve inch interval in sediments,respectively. If historical evidence indicates the potential for contamination tobe present at intervals greater than six inches, sampling at depth also shouldbe considered to evaluate potential future risks from the sediments,particularly if future dredging or scouring is likely to occur. All soil andsediment must be collected as discrete rather than composite samples toascertain a more representative contaminant profile (N.J.A.C. 7:26E-3.4(a)2).If contaminants are found above the ESC, then delineation must be performedin accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:26E-4.8(c)1.5.3.3.2 Surface WaterSurface water samples should be collected in the following manner:(1) When COPECs are potentially present because of a seep or surfacedischarge, samples should consist of a seep/discharge sample and agrab surface water sample adjacent to the point of discharge;(2) When COPECs are potentially present because of sedimentcontamination or groundwater migration pathway, samples should becollected from the zero to six inch interval directly above thesediments; and(3) For general water contamination with no obvious discharge source,samples should be collected from the mid-column of water. Forcertain metals, the ESC are based on either total or dissolvedconcentration. For EE purposes, both dissolved and totalconcentrations provide useful information regardless of what the ESCis based on. Therefore, both filtered and non-filtered samples shouldbe collected for metals analysis.Ecological Evaluation Technical Guidance Document 25Version 1.2 8/29/12