Sampling at specified depth(s) within a liquid may be needed to confirm or rule out variations within a target population. This practice describes the design and operation of commercially available grab and discrete depth samplers for persons responsible for designing or implementing sampling programs, or both.

These sampling devices are used for sampling liquids in tanks, ponds, impoundments, and other open bodies of water. Some may be used from the edge or bank of the sampling site, whereas some can only be used from a platform, boat, or bridge over the sampling site. Some of the devices described are suitable for sampling slurries and sludges as well as aqueous and other liquids with few or no suspended solids.

Practice D 5743 provides guidance for sampling drums, tanks, or similar containers.

This practice does not address general guidelines for planning waste sampling activities (Guide D 4687), development of data quality objectives (Practice D 5792), the design of monitoring systems and determination of the number of samples to collect (Practice D 6311), in situ measurement of parameters of interest, data assessment and statistical interpretation of resultant data (Guide D 6233), sample preservation, sampling and field quality assurance (Guide D 5612), or the selection of sampling locations or obtaining a representative sample (Guide D 6044).

1.1 This practice describes sampling devices and procedures for collecting samples of liquids or sludges, or both, whose upper surface can be accessed by the suitable device. These devices may be used to sample tanks that have an appropriately sized and located sampling port.

1.2 This practice describes and discusses the advantages and limitations of the following commonly used equipment, some of which can be used for both grab and discrete depth sampling: dipper, liquid grab sampler, swing jar sampler, Bacon Bomb, Kemmerer sampler, Discrete Level sampler, liquid profiler, lidded sludge/water sampler, peristaltic pump, and the Syringe sampler.

1.3 This practice provides instructions on the use of these samplers.

1.4 This practice does not address sampling devices for collecting ground water.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.