Soil Sampling and Methods of Analysis - Part 8 (end) pdf

Brierley Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Edmonton, Alberta, Canada A1 INTRODUCTION A site description is a record of observations for a specific locale, where soil and landscape attribu

Appendix A Site Description

G.T Patterson

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada

J.A Brierley

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

A1 INTRODUCTION

A site description is a record of observations for a specific locale, where soil and landscape attributes are to be evaluated A site can be of any size ranging from under a square meter to several square kilometers or more in extent

The amount of data recorded at a site as well as the required precision is dependent upon the purpose of the project The purpose also determines the selection of an appropriate site For example, demonstration plots must be easily accessible and preferably visible from the road (Maguire and Jensen 1997) Although there are exceptions, sites are generally chosen to be representative of a typical soil–climate–landscape situation

Information about the site serves as the link between the actual location, associated landscape and soil characteristics, and corresponding relevance of the samples A site description provides the context for the various soil properties to be analyzed and may help in the final evaluation and interpretation of analytical results (North Dakota State University [NDSU] Extension Service 1998; Schoeneberger et al 2002) A good site description also defines how information gained at one location can be extrapolated to other areas

Site information can be classified into three categories: basic sampling data, such as (a) who did the sampling, where, when, and why; (b) information about the landscape; and (c) a summary of the soil horizon data (Soil Survey Staff 1951; Taylor and Pohlen 1962; Walmsley et al 1980; Day 1983; Knapik et al 1988; USDA 2002) As mentioned previ-ously, the specific site attributes collected depend upon the nature of the project, and thus

there can be no definitive list However, as a minimum, the first two categories should be always included If the results of a study are to be scaled-up to broader areas or interpreted within a regional context, then soil horizon data are necessary in order to apply soil classification systems (Soil Survey Staff 1975; Webster and Butler 1976; Soil Classification Working Group 1998)

Various methods are available for measuring site attributes Consider location, for example Latitude–longitude measurements of location based upon National Topographic Survey maps may be appropriate at the national level, while legal descriptions might be more appropriate at the farm level Where more precise location coordinates are required, geographic positioning systems (GPS) are readily available devices for accurately locating

a site (latitude, longitude, and elevation) to within submeter confidence The list of GPS Web sites at the end of this chapter is a sample of what is available; it is not an endorsement of one product over another

All site data are not necessarily measured in the field Soil survey reports, surficial, and bedrock geology maps, hydrology reports can provide valuable background information on the landscape and associated soils

A2 SITE ATTRIBUTES Tables A1 through A3 provide a list of site attributes applicable to soil-related studies Table A1 is a list of basic information related to sample site and sampling method Landscape and soil profile attributes are listed in Table A2 and Table A3, respectively

TABLE A1 A List of Basic Sampling Data

Project ID

Regional setting

1 Purpose, e.g.,

a Fertility status

b Environmental assessments (well-site, pipeline)

c Long-term monitoring

2 Location, e.g.,

a Latitude–longitude

b Legal description

c Latitude–longitude in decimal degrees (GPS)

3 Sampling plan, e.g.,

a Random

b Grid

c Purposeful

d Single=composite

4 Sampling date

5 Name of sampler

6 Sampling method, e.g.,

a Probe or auger

b Core

7 Horizon or depth sampled

8 Vegetative cover (native, crop)

TABLE A2 A List of Landscape Attributes

1 Ecological setting

2 Climate

3 Land use

4 Landform

5 Parent material

a Particle size

b Mode of deposition including petrology

6 Topography

a Aspect

b Elevation

c Steepness of slope

d Slope length

e Shape=curvature

f Site position

g Slope pattern

7 Soil moisture regime (e.g., drainage, seepage, perviousness)

8 Stoniness class

9 Rockiness class

10 Flooding events

REFERENCES

Day, J.H Ed 1983 The Canada Soil Information

System (CanSIS) Manual for describing soils in

the field Expert Committee on Soil Survey

LRRC #82-52 Ottawa, Canada, 97 pp

GPS Web sites (last verified January 2007)

http:==www.trimble.com=gps

http:==www.garmin.com.=about GPS=

http:==www.omnistar.com

Knapik, L.J., Russell, W.B., Riddell, K.M., and Stevens, N 1988 Forest Ecosystem Classifica-tion and Land System Mapping Pilot Project Duck Mountain, Manitoba Canadian Forest

TABLE A3 A List of Soil Profile Attributes

1 Thickness of layers=horizons

2 Organic layers

a Thickness

b Organic material composition

c von Post scale of decomposition

3 Depth to free carbonates

4 Depth to saline conditions

5 Depth to water table

6 Depth to bedrock

7 Rooting zone

a Thickness

b Particle size

8 Root-restricting layer

a Thickness

b Kind

c % Area affected

Services and MB Forest Br., Ottawa, Canada

129 pp

Maguire, T and Jensen, T 1997 Guide to Field

Experimentation in Agriculture: Site Location

Last verified January, 2007 http:==www1.agric

gov.ab.ca=$department=deptdocs.nsf=all=sag3025

North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension

Service 1998 Soil sampling as a basis for

fertilizer application Last verified January 2007

http:==www.ext.nodak.edu=extpubs=plantsci=

soilfert=sf-990-3.htm

Schoeneberger, P.J., Wysocki, D.A., Benham,

E.C., and Broderson, W.D Eds., 2002 Field

Book for Describing and Sampling Soils, Version

2.0 Natural Resources Conservation Service,

National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, NE

Soil Classification Working Group 1998 The

Canadian System of Soil Classification

Agricul-ture and Agri-Food Canada Publication, 1646

(Revised), Ottawa, Canada 187 pp

Soil Survey Staff 1951 Soil Survey Manual

SCS U.S Department of Agriculture Handbook

18, Washington, DC, 503 pp

Soil Survey Staff 1975 Soil Taxonomy SCS U.S Department of Agriculture Handbook 436, Washington, DC, 754 pp

Taylor, N.H and Pohlen, I.J 1962 Soil Survey Method A New Zealand Handbook for the Field Study of Soils Soils Bureau Bulletin 25 Taita Exp Sta., Hutt Valley, New Zealand 241 pp

USDA 2002 Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils National Soil Survey Centre, Resources Conservation Service Washington,

DC, 228 pp

Walmsley, M., Utzig, G., Vold, T., Moon, D., and van Barneveld, J 1980 Describing Ecosystems in the Field RAB Technical Paper 2 Land Manage-ment Report No 7 Ministry of EnvironManage-ment and Ministry of Forests, Victoria, BC, Canada

224 pp

Webster, R and Butler, B.E 1976 Soil Classifi-cation and survey studies and Ginninderra.Aust

J Soil Res 14: 1–24

Appendix B General Safe Laboratory

Operation Procedures

P St-Georges

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

B1 GENERAL SAFETY PROCEDURES

Inform yourself:

Consult the material safety data sheets (MSDS) to learn the hazards of each chem-ical (MSDS can be obtained from chemchem-ical suppliers)

It is highly recommended (and may be mandatory) that all supervisors, employees, students, and volunteers get Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) certification This system informs workers of commonly used warning labels and symbols for chemicals and other agents used in the workplace

Follow all policies, regulations, and safety procedures (municipal, provincial= state, and federal) detailed for your workplace

Verify that the appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) is available and used as prescribed

Special attention is required if there are any level 4 hazards listed on the chemical’s National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) label regarding health (blue), fire (red),

or reactivity (yellow) Level 4 hazards indicate extreme hazard potential Special training or safety requirements must be attained before handling these chemicals Label chemical bottles and containers when received and opened, as per WHMIS guidelines Most chemicals have a shelf life Some of these chemicals may become unsafe and=or unstable after the expired date

Ensure that there is an adequate supply of the reagents before starting any procedure

1197

Do not carry glass bottles only by the finger-ring on the neck of the bottle This ring is meant

to help grip bottle when pouring its contents Transport the bottle using both hands or use an appropriate rubber=plastic bottle holder

Store chemicals in an appropriate location as directed in MSDS Pay special attention to noncompatible chemicals, shelf life, and ventilation Make sure chemicals are properly labeled and an accurate chemical inventory is kept

B2 BASES

GENERALCHARACTERISTICS ANDPRECAUTIONS

Bases are caustic and some have low surface tensions, making them difficult to wash off Eye contact: Causes severe eye burns May cause irreversible eye injury

Skin contact: Causes skin burns May cause deep, penetrating ulcers of the skin

Ingestion: Causes gastrointestinal tract burns May cause perforation of the digestive tract Bases and acids should be stored separately due to incompatibilities (i.e., potentially violent reaction)

Strong bases include the following: LiOH (lithium hydroxide), NaOH (sodium hydroxide), KOH (potassium hydroxide), RbOH (rubidium hydroxide), and CsOH (cesium hydroxide)

UNIQUEHAZARDS

Ammonium Hydroxide

Volatile: Produces ammonia fumes which are pungent and toxic This chemical must be used in a fume hood

Sodium Hydroxide, Lithium Hydroxide, and Potassium Hydroxide

Substances are hygroscopic (i.e., absorb water from the atmosphere)

Must be stored in plastic bottles since these bases can fuse glass

These bases are exothermic when dissolved=diluted with water LiOH may boil if

10 M stock solution is made; NaOH and KOH will heat up significantly There is a small risk of skin burns

Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach)

Toxic if ingested in sufficient quantities

Avoid skin contact as this can cause irritation

Avoid inhaling excessive quantities of vapor

Strong oxidizer: This chemical has several incompatibilities (i.e., acids, ammonia-based compounds, hydrogen peroxide, and flammables)

B3 ACIDS

GENERALCHARACTERISTICS ANDPRECAUTIONS

Most acids are volatile and produce acidic fumes

Corrosive to most metals; this reaction can form explosive hydrogen gas

Eye contact: Causes severe eye burns May cause irreversible eye injury

Skin contact: Causes skin burns May cause deep, penetrating ulcers of the skin

Ingestion: Causes gastrointestinal tract burns May cause perforation of the digestive tract Does not induce vomiting

Inhalation: May be fatal if inhaled Effects may be delayed May cause irritation of the respiratory tract with burning pain in the nose and throat, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and pulmonary edema

Chronic effects: Repeated inhalation may cause chronic bronchitis

Reacts exothermically with water, sometimes violently Always add acid to water when making up solutions

Store acids and bases separately

Strong acids include: HCl (hydrochloric acid), HNO3(nitric acid), H2SO4(sulfuric acid), HBr (hydrobromic acid), HI (hydroiodic acid), and HClO4(perchloric acid)

UNIQUEHAZARDS

Acetic Acid

Highly volatile: Strong pungent, vinegar-like odor

Flammable in its concentrated form (i.e., glacial)

Hydrochloric Acid

Volatile: Releases toxic chlorine gas Vapors are visible in high humidity

Nitric Acid

Strong oxidizer: Reacts violently with some chemicals

Volatile: Vapors are visible, especially in high humidity

Sulfuric Acid

Hygroscopic: Absorbs moisture from the air Keep tightly sealed

Strong inorganic acid Mists containing sulfuric acid may cause cancer

Sulfuric acid reacts vigorously, violently, or explosively with many organic and inorganic chemicals, and with water

Formic Acid

Flash Point is 69C Both liquid and vapor are combustible

Strong reducing agent: Fire and explosion risk if in contact with oxidizing agents Keep refrigerated (Store below 4C.)

Lachrymator (i.e., a substance that produces the flow of tears)

Hydrofluoric Acid

Poison, Extremely hazardous liquid and vapor Special safety training recom-mended

Neutralizing HF gel (2.5% calcium gluconate gel) must be kept on your person both

at and away from the workplace A person’s reaction to exposure may be delayed

by 8 h or longer, depending on the concentration of the acid Fluoride ions readily penetrate skin, causing deep tissue and bone damage and can be fatal Any exposure requires hospital care, even after neutralizing gel application

Hydrofluoric acid must be stored in plastic bottles, since HF can dissolve glass

B4 FLAMMABLES AND COMBUSTIBLES

GENERALCHARACTERISTICS ANDPRECAUTIONS

These substances can result in a fire or explosion if in contact with a heat or ignition source Most flammables are volatile and considered to be toxic Many flammable solvents affect the central nervous system

To avoid potential contact with ignition sources, it is important to determine whether fumes are lighter or heavier than air (e.g., chloroform is heavier than air, while natural gases are lighter than air)

Some flammables can become unstable through time due to peroxide formation, resulting in auto ignition (e.g., diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran)

Store in a vented cabinet or room

Store away from ignition, heat, or oxidizer sources (including sunlight and room heaters)

If flammables need to be stored cold, they must be stored in a fridge which has been specifically designed by the manufacture to be suitable for the storage of flammables The fridge must be labeled as such

Reduce routine handling of large volumes of flammable or combustible materials by dispensing into smaller WHMIS-labeled containers Ensure that metal containers are grounded to prevent static discharge

Dispense and use flammable or combustible materials in properly working fume hoods or well-ventilated areas Certification of fume hoods is often mandatory to ensure that adequate airflow is available for safe working conditions

Do not use the laboratory as a storage place Return all containers to the volatile materials storage facility

Store flammables separately from other chemicals: It is especially important to store flammables separately from oxidizers

B5 COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS

GENERALCHARACTERISTICS ANDPRECAUTIONS

Some gases support combustion (e.g., oxygen)

Some gases are flammable (e.g., acetylene, hydrogen, propane)

Some gases are asphyxiants (e.g., carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide)

All gases (except air and oxygen) can displace breathable air if they are exhausted into nonvented, closed areas

Incorrect use of pressure regulators can cause fires or explosions

High temperatures can cause a buildup of pressure in cylinders

SAFETYPRECAUTIONS

Label all cylinders clearly Do not use a cylinder if its contents cannot be unequivocally identified

Keep all unused cylinders well sealed

Use appropriate PPE while handling cylinders

Ventilate storage areas.

Secure cylinders individually by using chains or straps

Do not store cylinders near open flame or heat source

Ground all flammable gas cylinders

O2(oxygen) tanks: Ensure all surfaces on the tank and regulator are absolutely free of grease

or any other lubricant

TRANSPORTATION OFGASCYLINDERS

The appropriate cap must be in place

Person(s) transporting the cylinder should wear gloves and safety shoes or boots (steel-toed

or equivalent)

Prior to transport: Ensure that suitable tie-down chains or straps are available immediately upon arrival at the destination place

Use freight elevators (where available) to transport cylinders

Person(s) transporting compressed gases in vehicles often requires specific (and mandatory) training and licensing

CONNECTION OF PRESSUREREGULATORS

Once the cap has been removed from the cylinder, inspect the threads for damage and dirt

Do not use any cylinder or regulator if the threads have been damaged Use a cloth to clean any dirt or grease from the threads

Use only the pressure regulator which has been designed for the particular cylinder and type

of gas Regulators and gas cylinders are designed so that the fittings (compressed gas association, CGA fittings) are unique and must match If the fittings are correct, they will matchup and assemble easily Do not use force when putting fittings together

Prior to opening the regulator, turn off the low-pressure side of the regulator Do this by turning the valve counter clockwise Failure to turn off the low-pressure side may force the high-pressure gas into the low-pressure side, resulting in explosion

When opening the high-pressure side, a person should face away from the valve gauges Open the valves slowly An explosion could result if the regulator malfunctions, letting high-pressure gas enter the low-high-pressure side of the valve

Check for leaks in fittings by applying a leak detection solution (e.g., warm soapy water)

Do not direct the compressed gas towards your body or any other person’s body

If using multiple compressed gases, consider labeling (e.g., color coding) the gas lines