Soil sampling system and method that allow headspace screening at spaced intervals without disturbing soil sample

Abstract

A soil sampling system is provided that allows headspace screening of soil samples at spaced intervals along a soil sample liner without disturbing the soil samples to be collected and shipped to a laboratory for further testing. The soil sample liner includes a plurality of cylindrical liner sections positioned end-to-end in a linear array, with each liner section having a sidewall and open ends. A shrink-wrap material covers the liner sections and holds the liner sections together as an assembled unit. Some of the liner sections have access openings formed in a sidewall thereof for providing access to the soil samples contained therein. The liner sections having access openings are interspersed between other liner sections that do not have access openings. The access openings are used by piercing the shrink-wrap material covering the access opening, and inserting a probe tip through the access opening into a headspace to measure contamination.