ISO 10381-1-2002 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 10381-1:2002 — Soil quality — Sampling — Part 1: Guidance on the design of sampling programmes. This part provides general principles for planning and designing soil sampling programmes used to characterise and control soil quality and to identify sources and effects of soil contamination, including sampling strategy, sample collection methods, sample handling, storage and transport, and statistical considerations for locating sampling points.

Abstract

ISO 10381-1:2002 sets out the general principles to be applied in the design of sampling programmes for the purpose of characterising and controlling soil quality and for identifying sources and effects of contamination of soil and related material. Emphasis is given to procedures for locating sampling points (with statistical implications), determining sample quantity and compositing, methods of sampling, and methods for containing, storing and transporting samples to avoid deterioration or contamination.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn / Withdrawn from sale (withdrawal effective October 2018 in several national adoptions).
• Publication date: December 2002 (Edition 1).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 13.080.05 (Soil quality).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2002-12).
• Number of pages: 33 pages (ISO pagination).

Scope

Provides guidance on designing sampling programmes for soils and related materials where the objective is to characterise soil quality or investigate contamination. Topics include defining objectives, preliminary information gathering, overall sampling strategy, selecting and locating sampling points (including statistical sampling considerations), sample collection techniques, safety, sample preservation, transport and storage, and documentation/reporting of sampling activities. The guidance is general and intended to support subsequent analytical and site-assessment work.

Key topics and requirements

• Defining clear objectives for the sampling programme and selecting a sampling strategy to meet those objectives.
• Guidance on preliminary information needed (site history, geology/hydrogeology, previous contamination data) to inform sampling design.
• Methods for locating sampling points, including statistical implications and spatial representativeness.
• Recommendations on sample size, when to composite samples, and how many increments are required for a representative sample.
• Prescribed approaches for sample collection (tools, depth selection, in situ measurements) and measures to avoid cross-contamination.
• Requirements for sample containment, preservation, chain of custody, storage and transport to prevent deterioration or contamination.
• Safety considerations during sampling and the need for a documented sampling report describing methods, conditions and deviations.

Typical use and users

Used by environmental and geotechnical laboratories, contaminated-land consultants, environmental regulators, soil scientists, site remediation teams, and organisations conducting baseline surveys or monitoring of soil quality. The guidance helps programme managers and field-sampling personnel design sampling plans that produce legally and scientifically defensible samples for analysis and decision-making.

Related standards

ISO 10381-1:2002 has been withdrawn and its subject matter has been superseded and expanded in the ISO 18400 series, including ISO 18400-101:2017, ISO 18400-107:2017 and ISO 18400-104:2018, which provide updated guidance and methods for soil sampling and handling. National adoptions and replacements (e.g., BS ISO 18400-101/104/107 and other national versions) reflect those newer parts.

Keywords

soil quality; sampling; sampling programme design; sample collection; composite sampling; sample preservation; chain of custody; contamination; in situ measurement; sampling strategy.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 10381-1:2002 is the first part of the ISO 10381 series that provided guidance on the design of soil sampling programmes aimed at characterising soil quality and investigating contamination.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers planning a sampling programme, defining objectives, preliminary site information, sampling strategy and design, locating sampling points (including statistical considerations), methods of sampling, sample handling, storage and transport, safety and reporting of sampling activities.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Environmental consultants, remediation contractors, laboratories, regulators and soil scientists involved in site investigations, monitoring and quality control of soils.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 10381-1:2002 has been withdrawn (withdrawal noted in October 2018 in several records) and its subject matter has been superseded by the ISO 18400 series (notably ISO 18400-101:2017, ISO 18400-107:2017 and ISO 18400-104:2018). Users should consult the ISO 18400 parts for current guidance.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — originally part of the ISO 10381 family of soil sampling guidance; the content has now been restructured and expanded in the ISO 18400 series of standards dealing with sampling of soil for various purposes.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Soil quality, sampling, sampling programme, contamination, sampling strategy, sample handling, composite sampling, chain of custody.