Soil quality - Sampling - Part 101: Framework for the preparation and application of a sampling plan
1Key Takeaways
This document outlines the procedural elements to be taken when developing and applying a sampling plan. The sampling plan describes what laboratory samples will be collected, how they will be collected, and from where they will be collected, in order to achieve the objectives of the investigation program. The principl…
2Expert Interpretation
This article provides an in-depth interpretation of the ISO 18400-101:2017 international standard, systematically explaining the framework and implementation key points for developing a soil sampling plan. It covers core topics such as sampling design principles, quality control requirements, and health and safety practices. It is applicable to sampling in a variety of settings, including agricultural soils, contaminated sites, and landfills, and provides guidance and practical advice for developing standardized sampling plans.
Analysis of the core framework of the standard
ISO 18400-101, as the foundation of the soil sampling series of standards, establishes 7 key elements for the formulation of a sampling plan:
| Element number | Core content | Implementation requirements |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2.1 | Quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) | Must comply with ISO 18400-106 requirements |
| 4.2.3 | Survey plan objectives | Clearly define 5 typical objectives (regulatory comparison, pollution definition, etc.) |
| 4.2.8 | Sampling Method Selection | The basis for using probability sampling/judgment sampling should be explained |
Key Technical Points of Sampling Plan
1. Division of Investigation Phases
The standard requires the use of a three-stage investigation method:
- Preliminary Investigation (Phase 1): Desktop Research and Site Investigation
- Exploratory Investigation (Phase 2): Preliminary Sampling Analysis
- Detailed Investigation (Phase 3): Systematic Sampling Verification
2. Sampling Design Specifications
Special attention should be paid to:
- Differences in the applicable scenarios between composite samples and independent samples
- Statistical determination method for increment size and sample quantity
- Selection of spatial sampling pattern (grid/random/targeted)
Implementation and application cases
Contaminated site investigation example
A heavy metal pollution survey was conducted on an old industrial site using a hydraulic piston sampler:
- 32 sampling points were arranged according to a 50×50m grid
- 5-point composite sampling was adopted for the surface soil (0-30cm)
- 1kg of original sample was collected at each point
- 10% of the samples were screened for rapid on-site testing and sent to the laboratory
Standard evolution analysis
Compared with the abolished ISO 10381-1:2002, this version has the following major improvements:
- Modular structure is adopted, and it is coordinated with other standards in the ISO 18400 series
- Health and safety requirements are strengthened (referenced to ISO 18400-103)
- Added special instructions for biological sampling (related to ISO 18400-206)
Implementation recommendations
- Required document inspection: Use the 21-item checklist in Appendix A of the standard
- On-site change management: Distinguish between autonomous adjustments that do not affect objectives and changes requiring written approval
- Application of digital tools: It is recommended to use a GIS system to record the spatial distribution of sampling points