Soil Contamination Testing Guide: How to Test Your Soil Effectively
Soil contamination is one of the leading causes of environmental pollution. It is often caused by human activities, such as depositing hazardous materials, petroleum leaks from vehicles and machinery, pesticide use, and heating oil tank leaks. The contaminants thus released in the soil include petroleum products, pesticides, heavy metals (such as lead and mercury), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Testing your soil for contamination is crucial to ensure it is safe for planting and living. Contaminated soil can contain harmful pollutants affecting plants, water sources, and health.
Understand Why Soil Testing is Important
Knowing the contamination level of your soil is essential for various reasons:
- Protect Your Health: Harmful contaminants like lead, arsenic, or pesticides can pose significant health risks.
- Ensure Plant Safety: Contaminated soil may inhibit plant growth or introduce toxins into your food crops.
- Environmental Safety: Understanding your soil’s condition helps prevent the spread of pollutants to surrounding areas.
Often, the only way to ascertain whether the soil under observation is contaminated is to conduct soil contamination testing. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to test your soil.
This guide provides an easy-to-follow process for effective soil contamination testing.
How To Test Your Soil: The Process
Step 1: Conduct site history
The first step to test your soil is knowing the history of the property and the neighboring area. Talk to the property’s previous owner(s) and visit the city archives to learn whether the site was previously an infill area, industrial area, load reduction zone, or landfill. Also, determine whether it had a history of contamination and what soil remediation techniques were used.
Identify Potential Contaminants
Common soil contaminants include:
- Heavy Metals: Lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic.
- Pesticides and Herbicides: Chemicals from agricultural or lawn use.
- Petroleum Products: Oil and gasoline residues from industrial spills or automotive leaks.
- Organic Solvents: These are used in industrial processes.
Step 2: Collect soil samples
You will need to collect soil samples from several areas of the site for soil testing. You can either get a soil pH test kit or assemble your home soil test kit consisting of the following:
- shovel
- trowel
- plastic buckets
- re-sealable bags or tubes
- boots
- work gloves
- paper and pencil
Walk around the site and mark the spots where you want to collect samples. Remove the turf or vegetation at each place and dig a hole 16 inches deep into the soil using a shovel. Take some soil and put it in a bucket. Remove stones and debris if there are any. Note the presence of debris, garbage, odor, and stains. Refill the hole with the remaining soil and replace the turf.
Mix the soil samples to create a composite. Transfer the composite to a resealable plastic bag. Label the bag with the site’s name and address, sample number, sampling date, and the name of the sampling person.
Choose a Reliable Testing Method
Several soil testing methods are available. Your choice will depend on the type of contamination you suspect:
- DIY Soil Testing Kits: These are suitable for basic testing and can provide information on pH, nutrients, and some contaminants.
- Laboratory Testing: Send soil samples to a certified lab for a comprehensive analysis. They can test for various contaminants, including heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and synthetic chemicals.
- Specialized Contaminant Testing: If you suspect a specific pollutant (e.g., lead from old paint), look for testing services tailored to those needs.
Step 3: Soil Sample Analysis
Analysis of the soil sample is done in a laboratory. Find a reputable soil test lab. You can search the internet by typing ‘soil testing near me.’
Ask them if they are accredited by the right federal or state government agency and what tests they conduct for heavy metals, PCBs and PAHs. You have probably done some personal research on how to test the pH of the soil. Let them know that you are not a complete novice.
Find out the price and turnaround time. Ask for instructions on delivering the samples to the laboratory and what information they need. Download the soil sample information form from the lab’s website and complete the required information. Ensure you have taken the samples according to the instructions given in the form. Deliver a soil test kit and the completed form to the laboratory according to the instructions provided by the lab.
The result of your soil contamination test will confirm whether your site is contaminated or not. It will also inform you of the contamination’s extent, the contaminants’ names, and their values. While you may not know how to interpret the values, the lab will advise you on what actions you need to take.
Review and Interpret the Results
Once you receive your results, review them carefully:
- Understand the Risk Levels: Labs usually provide benchmark levels for various contaminants to help you understand the risks.
- Consider Expert Consultation: If your soil is highly contaminated, you may need to consult an environmental professional or a soil remediation expert.
Step 4: Take Action Based on Results
- Remediation Options: If contaminants are found, consider options like soil replacement, phytoremediation (using plants to absorb toxins), or chemical treatments.
- Prevent Further Contamination: Take measures to prevent pollutants from re-entering your soil, such as using protective barriers or avoiding hazardous chemicals in the area.
Test Your Soil with Comprehensive Soil Testing Services: Ensure Your Soil is Safe and Healthy
At All American Environmental, we hope you have learned valuable information regarding soil contamination by reading our How to Test Your Soil Guide. If you want a reputable soil testing NJ company, don’t hesitate to contact All American Environmental in NJ. We are a full-service environmental company that can test, investigate, assess, and remediate your soil.
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