APPLICABLE LOCATIONS

ADELAIDE
Unit 2 1 Burma Road
Pooraka Adelaide SA 5095
P: +61 8 8162 5130
ALSEnviro.Adelaide@alsglobal.com
BRISBANE
2 Byth St Stafford QLD 4053
(Corner of Byth & Shand Streets)
P: +61 7 3243 7222
ALSEnviro.Brisbane@alsglobal.com
CHINCHILLA
20b Malduf Street
Chinchilla QLD 4413
P: +61 7 4665 5770
ALSEnviro.Chinchilla@alsglobal.com
DARWIN
4/16 Charlton Court, Woolner NT 0820
P: +61 8 8942 2608
ALSEnviro.Darwin@alsglobal.com
GLADSTONE
48 Callemondah Drive
Clinton Gladstone QLD 4680
P: +61 7 4971 5600
ALSEnviro.Gladstone@alsglobal.com
MACKAY
78 Harbour Road
Mackay QLD 4740
P: +61 7 4944 0177
ALSEnviro.Mackay@alsglobal.com
MELBOURNE
2 - 4 Westall Road
Springvale VIC 3171
P: +61 3 8549 9600
ALSEnviro.Melbourne@alsglobal.com
MUDGEE
29 Sydney Road
Mudgee NSW 2850
P: +61 2 6372 6735
ALSEnviro.Mudgee@alsglobal.com

NEWCASTLE
Unit 5, 585 Maitland Road
Mayfield West NSW 2304
P: +61 2 4014 2500
ALSEnviro.Newcastle@alsglobal.com
NOWRA
4/13 Geary Place
North Nowra NSW 2541
P: +61 2 4423 2063
ALSEnviro.Nowra@alsglobal.com
PERTH
10 Hod Way, Malaga WA 6090
P: +61 8 9209 7655
ALSEnviro.Perth@alsglobal.com
ROMA
Lot 4, 73 Beaumont Drive
Roma QLD 4455
P: +61 7 4622 8978
ALSEnviro.Roma@alsglobal.com
SYDNEY
277-289 Woodpark Road
Smithfield NSW 2164
P: +61 2 8784 8555
ALSEnviro.Sydney@alsglobal.com
TOWNSVILLE
14-15 Desma Court
Bohle QLD 4818
P: +61 7 4796 0600
ALSEnviro.Townsville@alsglobal.com
WOLLONGONG
99 Kenny Street
Wollongong NSW 2500
P: +61 2 4225 3125
ALSEnviro.Wollongong@alsglobal.com

ALS Water sector operations use an alternate tailored pocket guide.

For the latest information, locations and services visit www.alsglobal.com

AlCl3 PRE-TREAT

WATER

WATER

WATER

SOLIDS

SOLIDS

SOLIDS

SOLIDS

AIR/DUST

SULFIDE

SULFITE

AOX/TOX

PARTICLE SIZE
or ASBESTOS

SOIL
PARAMETERS

SEDIMENT
PARAMETERS

ACID SULFATE
SOILS

DUSTS

AIR/SOIL GAS

VOCs

(via Canister)

SAMPLE CONTAINER

SAMPLE CONTAINER

SAMPLE CONTAINER

SAMPLE CONTAINER

SAMPLE CONTAINER

SAMPLE CONTAINER

SAMPLE CONTAINER

SAMPLE CONTAINER

SAMPLE CONTAINER

125ml or 250ml

250mL Plastic Bottle

500mL Amber Glass Bottle

60mL or 500mL heavy duty

zip lock plastic bag

150ml soil container with

Teflon lined lids

250mL Glass Jar,

Teflon Lined Lid

250mL Plastic Bag

4L Glass Winchester

Passivated Canisters
(1.4, 3 & 6L)

PRESERVATION

PRESERVATION

PRESERVATION

PRESERVATION

PRESERVATION

PRESERVATION

PRESERVATION

PRESERVATION

PRESERVATION

Zinc Acetate + Sodium

Hydroxide (NaOH)
Chill to 6

EDTA + Zinc Acetate

Chill to 6

Nitric Acid (plus Sodium

Thiosulfate for Chlorinated
water) Chill to 6

Nil

Nil, Chill to 6C

Nil, Chill to 6C

Nil, Freeze or submit within

24 hours of sampling

Copper Sulfate
(CuSO4)

Nil

ANALYTES

ANALYTES

ANALYTES

ANALYTES

ANALYTES

ANALYTES

ANALYTES

ANALYTES

ANALYTES

Sulfide

Sulfite,
This bottle is also suitable for
Thiosulfate analysis

AOX (one bottle)

EOX (two bottles)

Particle Size Distribution

or Asbestos

All parameters excluding ASS,

Sizings & Asbestos
Please provide separate jars
for Dioxins, PBDEs, PFOS/
PFOA/PFCs, Explosives, ZHE
Extracts or Herbicides

Common NAGD organic &

inorganic suites excluding
sizing, Ecotox & Elutriates

SPOCAS
Chromium Suite
CRS
TOS
NAPP/NAG

Total Solids
Soluble, Insoluble &
Combustible Matter
Ash Content
Calculated Rainfall
Various Metals in dust

VOCs by TO14, TO15

BTEXN, TRH, Methane, Gases,
Permanent Gases
Reduced Sulfur Compounds

NOTES

NOTES

NOTES

NOTES

NOTES

NOTES

NOTES

NOTES

NOTES

Fill to Zero Headspace

minimising exposure to air.
For Dissolved Sulfide, add
sample to an Aluminium
Chloride dosed container,
stand 5 to 15 minutes then
decant supernatant into the
sulfide bottle.

Fill bottle to Zero Headspace

minimising exposure to air.

Fill to Zero Headspace

minimising exposure to air.

Sizing/PSD: 500ml bag

Asbestos (Transport in sealed
rigid container)
Potential ACM or soils Pres/
Abs: 60ml bag
Friable Asbestos Quantitation:
500ml bag or 10L buckets.

150mL jar is sufficient for all

routine soil analysis + one
ASLP or TCLP leach.
Two jars are recommended
for multiple leachates
including ZHE.

Contact ALS for Elutriate &

Pore water testing sample
requirements.

Unless requested otherwise,

Acid Sulfate soils will
be automatically dried &
prepared upon receipt
to facilitate extended
holding times.

Please provide field data

via COC (start/finish dates
& funnel diameter if not
150mm).

3L & 6L canisters for

ambient air.
1.4L canisters for soil gas.
Canisters must be returned to
ALS within 2 weeks of supply.

HOLDING TIME

HOLDING TIME

HOLDING TIME

HOLDING TIME

HOLDING TIME

HOLDING TIME

HOLDING TIME

HOLDING TIME

HOLDING TIME

7 days

2 days

6 months

Indefinite

Inorganics generally: 7-28

days. Mercury & Hex
Chromium: 28 days.
VOC/SVOC: 7-14 days
Other Metals: 6 months

Generally 14 days except

Mercury (28 days) & Metals
(6 months)

Unfrozen 24 hours
Frozen Indefinite

30 days

TO14/15: 30 days
Reduced Sulfur Compounds:
14 days

YELLOW

FLUORO ORANGE

RED

BLACK ON WHITE

ORANGE

ORANGE

GREEN

AQUA

BLACK ON WHITE

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
GENERAL > This pocket guide is to be used for Australian Environmental operations
excluding ALS Water operations in Melbourne, Canberra and Regional Victoria. ALS has
a comprehensive range of drinking, recycled and desalination water analytical services
available on request, which are not covered in this pocket guide. Please contact ALS for
assistance. Eskies and ice bricks plus labelled pre-dosed colour-coded sample containers
are provided for all analyses conducted by ALS. ALS Client Services are available to assist
and provide guidance as required.
CONTAINER VOLUME AND QUALITY CONTROL REQUIREMENTS > Some containers exist in
several sizes to accommodate varying suites of analyses while focusing on minimizing
weight (OH&S and sampling benefits). Please refer to the notes section under each sample
container. > Current NEPM Laboratory QC requirements are to perform 1 in 10 duplicates
and 1 in 20 matrix spikes. ALS performs QC based upon the dominant batch within the
QC lot. Batches of 10 or more waters should have sufficient bottles provided for duplicate
matrix and spike analyses.

SAMPLE COLLECTION
POCKET GUIDE

SAMPLING AND PRESERVATION > Care must be taken not to rinse out or spill preservatives
during sampling for OH&S reasons and to avoid cross contaminating other bottles (e.g.
Nitric acid used for metals can contaminate nitrate analysis). Field filtration is mandatory
or recommended for many tests and other tests must have exposure to air minimised to
avoid analyte losses. > Samples should generally be chilled to <4C or <6C (guideline
dependent) and transported to the laboratory within 24 hours. ALS recommends placing
samples in ice immediately upon sampling for best practice chilling, with either repacking
into another esky or draining of free water and replacement of ice just prior to dispatch.
> Chilling overnight in a fridge may also benefit. The post-chilling addition of ice bricks is
also recommended where samples are air freighted or dispatched long distance and where
couriers will not freight ice. > Samples taken from chlorinated water sources require
the addition of sodium thiosulfate for microbiological, volatile organics and semi volatile
organics. > Please advise ALS accordingly to facilitate supply of appropriate containers.
HEALTH AND SAFETY > Although the quantities of preservative dosed into containers is
minimal, it is important to observe safe chemical handling practices while using bottles.
Use of appropriate Personal Protection Equipment such as gloves and safety glasses is
recommended. > Bottle labels indicate preservative type, risk and safety information
and first aid instructions. Material Safety Data Sheets are available on the ALS Website
or can be provided upon request along with Safety information and First Aid instructions.
> Due to airfreight protocols, containers preserved with nitric or hydrochloric acid or
Sodium Hydroxide should not be shipped by air unless under DG protocols.
HOLDING TIMES > ALS recommended holding times are indicated. Failure to comply with
these Holding Times may impact data validity. Samples and COCs should be submitted
(preferrably by email from remote locations to assist login) with at least half the analytical
holding time remaining unless prior arrangements are made otherwise. Short holding
times are shaded in yellow to assist.

MAY 2015
RIGHT SOLUTIONS | RIGHT PARTNER

AIRFREIGHT OPTION

WATER

WATER

WATER

WATER

WATER

VOC

SEMI VOL
ORGANICS

SPECIALIST
ORGANICS

SPECIALIST
ORGANICS
LCMS

PFCs/
PFOS/PFOA &
Paraquat/Diquot

(100ml)

SAMPLE CONTAINER
Pair of 40mL Amber Glass
Vials with Teflon Lined Septa

SAMPLE CONTAINER
100mL Amber Glass Bottle
with Teflon Lined Cap

PRESERVATION
Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)
Chill to 6

PRESERVATION
Nil
Chill to 6

ANALYTES
TPH/TRH (C6-C10)
plus BTEX, BTEXN, VOCs
(MAHs, VHC & THMs)
or Alcohols
or 1,4-Dioxane, Acrylonitrile
& Pyridine
or Methane plus gases

(500ml)

WATER

METALS

SULFIDE PRE-TREAT

AIRFREIGHT OPTION

WATER

HEXAVALENT
CHROMIUM

WATER

FERROUS
IRON

WATER

WATER

ULTRA-TRACE
ORC METALS

SPECIATED
ARSENIC &
SELENIUM

WATER

WATER

WATER

WATER

CYANIDES

GENERAL
WATER
QUALITY

SELECT
NUTRIENTS

TOC / DOC

SAMPLE CONTAINER
500mL Amber Glass Bottle
or pair of bottles with Teflon
Lined Cap
PRESERVATION
Nil
Chill to 6

SAMPLE CONTAINER
100mL Amber Glass Bottle
with Teflon lined cap

SAMPLE CONTAINER
60 mL

SAMPLE CONTAINER
60mL Plastic Bottle or
1L-5L for Radionuclides

SAMPLE CONTAINER
60mL Plastic Bottle

SAMPLE CONTAINER
60mL Plastic Bottle

SAMPLE CONTAINER
60 mL Plastic Bottle

SAMPLE CONTAINER
60mL Plastic Bottle

SAMPLE CONTAINER
60mL Opaque Plastic Bottle
Cyanate requires a separate
60ml bottle

PRESERVATION
Nil
Chill to 6

PRESERVATION
Nil
Chill to 6

PRESERVATION
Nitric Acid (HNO3) or
Nil for Airfreight
Chill to 6

PRESERVATION
Sodium Hydroxide
(trace NaOH)
Chill to 6

PRESERVATION
Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)
Chill to 6

PRESERVATION
Nil for Airfreight
Chill to 6

PRESERVATION
Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)
Chill to 6

PRESERVATION
Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)
(See notes below)
Chill to 6

ANALYTES
TPH/TRH/TRH-EPH(C10-C40)
plus standard level PAH/
Phenols/OC/OP/PCB/SVOC
or Speciated TPH/TRH/
TRH-EPH(C10-C40) or CWG TRH
or UT OC/PCB/PAH in Nonchlorinated Water.

ANALYTES
UT Phenols or UT OPs (plus
OC/PCB) or Super UT OC/
PCB or UT Explosives or
Nitrocellulose or UT Herbicides
or Full Algal Toxins or TBT or
Dioxins or UT Multires EP234LL
in Non-chlorinated Water. Pair
for Dioxins and EP215-LL.

ANALYTES
Standard Level LCMS incl Multi
Pesticides (EP234)+herbicides+
fosamine+acrylamide+Amitrole
+EDTA+Glyphosate or AmitrolLL orExplosives+Perchlorate+or
Algal Toxins (Cylindro/Deoxy)
or PPCPs from non-chlorinated
water

ANALYTES
PFOS/PFOA/6:2 FTS extended
PFC suite
This bottle is also suitable for
Paraquat & Diquat

ANALYTES
Metals Dissolved
or Total
Radionuclides (1,000mL
required for Gross Alpha/
Beta, Other Radionuclides
various (up to 5,000mL)

ANALYTES
Hexavalent Chromium
Cr6+

ANALYTES
Ferrous Iron

ANALYTES
All ultra-trace metals in
fresh or saline water

ANALYTES
Speciated As & Se

ANALYTES
Free, WAD & Total Cyanide.
Amenable Cyanide.
Cyanate.
For Thiocyanate see the
purple bottle

NOTES
Fill to Zero Headspace
minimising exposure to air.
Hydrochloric Acid and Sodium
Bisulfate (airfreight option)
are acceptable preservatives
for VOCs.

NOTES
2 additional bottles are
required for Lab QC (dups
& matrix spikes). See notes
overleaf.

NOTES
2 additional bottles are
required for Lab QC (MS/Dup)
except for Explosives-LL,
Phenoxys-LL & Nitrocellulose.
See notes overleaf.
(UT PAHs can be from S-UT
OC/PCB bottle)

NOTES
Additional sample is not
required for QC except for
Amitrole-LL (2 extra bottles).
See notes overleaf.

NOTES
Avoid contact with teflon
(e.g. tubing or bailers) for
PFOS/PFOA analysis.

NOTES
Field filtration is mandatory
for dissolved metals (confirm
by COC & ticking bottle label).
Red & green striped
bottle for airfreighting or
Radionuclides will be lab
acidified.

NOTES
Field filtration is mandatory
for dissolved Cr6+ (confirm by
COC & ticking label).
Fill to Zero Headspace
minimising exposure to air.

NOTES
Field filtration is mandatory
(confirm by COC & ticking
label).
Fill to Zero Headspace
minimising exposure to air.

NOTES
Field filtration is mandatory
for dissolved metals (confirm
by COC & ticking label).
Acidification with ultra pure
HNO3 will occur upon receipt.

NOTES
Field Filtration is mandatory.
Fill to Zero Headspace
minimising exposure to air.

NOTES
If Sulfide is suspected, a
(Blue & White) Sulfide PreTreatment bottle (containing
Lead Acetate) should be used
to remove sulfide prior to
decanting into the cyanide
bottle for dispatch to ALS.

HOLDING TIME
7 to 14 days

HOLDING TIME
7 days + 40 days for extracts

HOLDING TIME
7 days + 40 days for extracts
except Dioxins (1 year)

HOLDING TIME
7 days + 40 days for extracts

HOLDING TIME
180 days
Paraquat & Diquat (7 days)
+ 40 days for extracts

HOLDING TIME
6 months except
Hg, Cations: 28 Days
Radionuclides various

HOLDING TIME
28 days

HOLDING TIME
7 days

HOLDING TIME
6 months except
Hg: 28 days

HOLDING TIME
28 days

HOLDING TIME
14 days

ORANGE

ORANGE

GREEN

PURPLE

GREY

RED

BLUE

MAROON

RED/GREEN

MAROON
ON WHITE

BLUE

SAMPLE CONTAINER
250mL (Suite 1) or 500mL
Plastic bottle (Suite 2) or 60ml
(Perchlorate) or smaller as advised
PRESERVATION
Nil
Chill to 6

WATER

WATER

WATER

WATER

ALGAE OR
MICROBIOLOGY
OIL & GREASE SURFACTANTS CHLOROPHYLL

SAMPLE CONTAINER
60mL Plastic Bottle
250mL bottle for Thiocyanate

SAMPLE CONTAINER
40mL Amber Glass Vial,
Teflon Lined Septa

SAMPLE CONTAINER
250mL Wide Mouth Glass Jar
for routine LOR

SAMPLE CONTAINER
500mL Amber Glass Bottle

PRESERVATION
Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)
Chill to 6

PRESERVATION
Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)
Chill to 6

PRESERVATION
Sodium Bisulfate
Chill to 6

PRESERVATION
Nil, Chill to 6C

SAMPLE CONTAINER
250ml plastic bottle (Algae)
2x 500ml plastic bottle or
filter paper for Chlorophyll
PRESERVATION
Algae Lugols Iodine solution
or submit chilled within 12hrs
Chlorophyll Unfiltered,
Chill to 6C, Store in dark.
Filtered, Store filter paper in
dark at -20C (Do not store in
frost free freezer)
ANALYTES
Total Algae
Cyanobacteria
or Chlorophyl a, b & C

SAMPLE CONTAINER
250mL Sterile Plastic Bottle
PRESERVATION
Sodium Thiosulfate
(Na2S2O3) as default bottle
Chill to 6

ANALYTES
Suite 1: Major Cations/Anions,
Nitrate, Nitrite, Reactive P, pH,
EC, Silica, hardness
Suite 2: Suite 1 plus Std
level TDS/TSS, BOD, Turbidity,
Colour

ANALYTES
ANALYTES
60mL for NOx, TKN/TP, TN,
TOC (or NPOC) or
Ammonia and COD
DOC (or NPDOC)
Separate 60mL bottle for total
phenolics
250mL for Thiocyanate

ANALYTES
Oil & Grease

ANALYTES
Anionic Surfactants (MBAS)
and Non-Ionic Surfactants
(NIS) or Alkyl-Phenyl
Ethoxylates (APE)

NOTES
Field pH is recommended.
(2) Perchlorate

requires 0.2um
filtration & 50% headspace.

NOTES

NOTES
Field filtration is mandatory
for DOC and NPDOC (confirm
by COC & ticking label).

NOTES
1 additional bottle
required for QC lab dups.
See notes overleaf.

NOTES
Formaldehyde may be added
upon receipt to extend
holding times.

NOTES
Matrix Fresh or Marine
water.

NOTES
Samples should be delivered
to the lab within 12 hours
of sampling.

HOLDING TIME

HOLDING TIME
28 days

HOLDING TIME
28 days

HOLDING TIME
28 days

HOLDING TIME
2 days

HOLDING TIME
6 months preserved with
Lugols at 1% v/v ratio or 48
hours unpreserved.
Chlorophyll Holding time 2
days unfiltered or 28 days
filtered.

HOLDING TIME
24 hours

(1)

pH: 6 Hours
PO4, NO2, NO3, BOD, Colour,
Turbidity, Formaldehyde:
2 days
Others: generally 7-28 days

GREEN

PURPLE

PURPLE

PURPLE

BROWN

DARK GREEN

ANALYTES
250mL = E Coli, Coliforms &
HPC or Streptococci or
HUB or Legionellae plus HPC
or Enterococci, Pseudomonas

GREY