DEP SOP LB-015, Appendix 1- page 1 of 4
(The official copy is contained within DEP SOP LB-015, which may be found
online at ftp://ftp.dep.state.fl.us/pub/labs/lds/sops/6458.pdf)
DEP Laboratory Sampling Containers, Preservation, and Holding Times
Table 1: Frequently Requested Inorganic Analyses in Aqueous Matrices
Tests listed within one row can share the same container. All test codes ending with “–R” are for EPA
SW846 methods (RCRA, Waste). All other tests are for the Clean Water Act methods.
Test Description
Bottle Type
Preservative
Metals
W-ICP, W-ICPMS, W-HG-H, W-ICP-R,
W-ICPMS-R
500 mL to 1L clear
plastic bottle. Use 1L if
more than 2 tests are
requested.
Nitric acid1
Field Filtered Metals (without mercury):
W-ICP-F, W-ICPMS-F
125 mL to 250 mL clear
plastic bottle. Use 250
mL if more than 1 test is
requested.
Nitric acid1
Field Filtered Metals with Mercury:
W-HG-H-F, W-ICP-F, W-ICPMS-F
500 mL clear plastic bottle
Nitric acid1
Nutrients and Major Anions
Acid Preserved Nutrients: W-NH3, W-TKN,
W-NO2NO3, W-TP, W-TOC
Acid Preserved, Field Filtered Nutrients:
W-NH3-F, W-NO2NO3-F, W-TKN-F, W-TP-F,
W-DOC
Unpreserved Nutrients and Major Anions:
W-ALK, TURBIDITY, W-COLOR, W-NO3-IC,
W- SO4-IC, W-CL-IC, W-TDS, W-COND,
W-F, W-TSS, W-PO4, W-NO2 etc.
Unpreserved, Field Filtered Nutrients and
Major Anions: W-ALK-F, W-SO4-IC-F, W-CLIC-F, W-PO4-F, W-F-F, W-SI-ICP-F,
W-NO2-F etc.
1
Clear plastic bottle2
Sulfuric acid3 and ice
500 mL for 4 or more tests
Clear plastic bottle2
Sulfuric acid3 and ice
500 mL for 4 or more tests
Clear plastic bottle2
125 mL and up to 1 L
Clear plastic bottle2
125 mL and up to 1 L
Ice
Ice
Preserve to pH < 2.0. Add 1 mL of concentrated nitric acid for up to 500 mL of sample volume.
Bottle size may vary depending on the number and types of tests requested.
3
Preserve to pH < 2.0. Add 1 mL of concentrate sulfuric acid for up to 500 mL of sample
volume. Adjust the amount of acid for smaller sample volume. Excess acid may cause
interference with some nutrients analyses.
2
Effective Date: 11/24/2014
Revision Date: 11/04/2014
LB-015-3.4
Appendix 1- page 2 of 4
Table 2: Frequently Requested Organic Analyses in Aqueous Matrices
Tests listed within one row can share the same container. All test codes ending with “–R” are for
EPA SW846 methods (RCRA, Waste). All other tests are for the Clean Water Act methods.
Test Description
Bottle Type
Preservative
Pesticides / Herbicides
W-PESTNP-R, W-PST-CL-R, W-PCB-R,
W-PSCL-TQ, W-PSNP-TQ
1L amber glass bottle
Ice
W-PC-AA-SF, W-NP-AA-SF
1L amber glass bottle
Ice
W-AHB-AA-R, W-AHERB-AA, W-UHB-AA,
W-UHERB-AA and W-SUC-AA-RR
1L amber glass bottle
Ice
W-PDQUAT
250 mL brown plastic
W-AHB-AA-R or W-AHERB-AA
1L amber glass bottle
1 mL sulfuric acid1 and
ice
Ice
W-CARB2
1L amber glass bottle
Monochloroacetic acid
W-FUM
40 mL amber glass vial
Ice
W-GLYPH
40 mL amber glass vial
Ice
Base Neutral, Acid Extractables and Petroleum Products
W-BNA, W-PAH or W-BNA-R
1L amber glass bottle
Ice
W-FL-PRO
1L amber glass bottle
Sulfuric acid1 and Ice
W-1-4-DIOX (1,4-Dioxane)3
1L amber glass bottle
Sodium Bisulfate
W-VOC-MS, W-8260B-HP, W-FUMGNT,
W-624-AA, or W-VOC-R
40 mL glass vial: fill vial to
top (no air in vial)
Ice4
W-VOC-MS-A, W-FUMGNT-A, W-8015c, or
W-VOC-A-R
40 mL glass vial: fill vial to
top (no air in vial)
Hydrochloric acid5 and
ice
Purgeables
1
Preserve to pH < 2.0. Add 1 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid per 250 mL and 2 ml
concentrated sulfuric acid per 1 liter of sample volume.
2
Sample containers are pre-preserved with monochloroacetic acid solution by DEP Lab staff
3
Refer to Appendix 4 for details on W-1,4 Dioxane collection and preservation.
4
Add up to 3 mg of sodium thiosulfate per 40 mL of sample volume when residual chlorine is
present.
5Sample containers are pre-preserved with hydrochloric acid by DEP Lab staff.
Effective Date: 11/24/2014
Revision Date: 11/04/2014
LB-015-3.4
Appendix 1- page 3 of 4
Table 3: Inorganic and Organic Soil/Sediment/Waste Samples
Tests listed within one row can share the same container. All test codes ending with “–R” are for EPA
SW846 methods (RCRA, Waste). All other tests are for the Clean Water Act methods.
Test Description
Bottle Type
Preservative
For ALL soil/sediment/waste tests except for
VOC analyses and overflow lab analyses (i.e.,
S-VOC-MS, S-8260B-AA, TCLP-VOC, SPLPVOC, WAS-VOC-MS and tests starting with
“OV”).
Glass jar (fill half full). Jar size
may vary depending on how
many tests are scheduled. For Ice
metals or TOC only, a plastic
jar may be used.
S-VOC-MS, S-8260B-AA (Soil/Sediment
tests).
One set contains one 25g
EnCore sampler and a 250
mL glass jar with septa. Fill jar Ice1
completely, and eliminate as
much air space as possible.
TCLP-VOC, SPLP-VOC, WAS-VOC-MS
250 mL glass jars with septa
lid. Fill jars completely and
eliminate as much air space
as possible.
OV-: Collect samples for tests beginning with
“OV-“ in a separate jar. These samples will
be analyzed by an outside laboratory.
Glass jar (fill half full). The
glass jar varies in size
Ice
depending on how many tests
are scheduled.
1Store
Ice
EnCore samples on ice and freeze within 48 hours of collection. Wipe the outer edge of the
jar before closing to ensure a tight seal. Refer to SW 846, EPA Method 5035 for additional details
on sampling procedures.
Effective Date: 11/24/2014
Revision Date: 11/04/2014
LB-015-3.4
Appendix 1- page 4 of 4
Table 4: Frequently Requested Biology Analyses
Test Description
Chlorophyll, BOD, Microbiology
CHLSUITE- or CHL-CORRBOD-INHB (=CBOD) or BOD-UNIN
Fecal and Total (non-chlorinated water)
Fecal, Total, Enterococci (chlorinated water)
Fecal, Total, Enterococci (Overflow)
E. coli and Enterococci
Taxonomy
Bottle Type
Preservative
1L brown plastic bottle
Ice
1L clear plastic bottle
Ice
120 mL plastic cup with
orange screw-cap
120 mL plastic cup with
white screw cap and
thiosulfate pill for
dechlorination
120 mL plastic cup with
white screw cap and
thiosulfate pill for
dechlorination
250 mL plastic bottle
Ice
Ice
Ice
Ice
MI-FW-QLDC [freshwater macroinvertebrate
taxa, 20 dipnet composite (AKA a Stream
Condition Index (SCI) sample)]
2 L plastic jar
10% formalin
ALGAL-ID or BLOOM-ID
Any, often 50 mL
plastic tube
Ice
1 L brown plastic bottle
Lugol’s or ice then
preserve with
Lugol’s within 24
hours
PKD-QN-C and DTY-QN-C
Table 5: Holding Times for Frequently Requested Analyses in Water
Analysis
BOD, CBOD, Chlorophyll
Turbidity, Color, Nitrate, Ortho-Phosphate, Nitrite
TDS, TSS, Sulfide
Alkalinity, Cyanide
NH3, TKN, TP, NO2NO3, TOC
SO4, Chloride, Fluoride, Conductivity, Silica
Mercury
Metals (except mercury and Cr VI)
Organics (Pesticides, BNA, Herbicides, TRPH)
Volatiles (preserved on ice)
Volatiles (preserved on ice and with acid)
Effective Date: 11/24/2014
Revision Date: 11/04/2014
LB-015-3.4
Holding Time
48 hours
48 hours
7 days
14 days
28 days
28 days
28 days
6 months
7 days
7 days
14 days