Study: Multimedia Sampling During the Application of Biosolids on a Land Test Site
The goal of this research study was to evaluate air and soil sampling methods and analytical techniques for commercial land application of biosolids. Biosolids were surface applied at agronomic rates to an agricultural field. During the period of August 2004 to January 2005, 35 groups of analytes were measured using 13 sampling techniques. Several analytes were measured in more than one matrix. For example, fecal coliforms were measured in biosolids, air, and soil. In total, 49 analyte-matrix combinations were measured. The multimedia approach and numerous analyte-matrix combinations are unique for a field study on the land application of biosolids. For 27 combinations, data met quality criteria, and interpretation used conventional methods. Quality assurance (QA) criteria were not met, or QA data were not reported for 12 combinations. The interpretation of these data sets was affected by QA limitations, and conclusions from these data are more uncertain. No detections were observed for 10 microbial analytes. It is not clear if organisms were present but not detected or were absent.