This document discusses methods for sampling solids and soils. There are two main methods for reducing bulk solids: coning and quartering, and rolling and quartering. For soil sampling, a plan should be developed and composite samples taken from uniform field areas under 40 acres. Samples should be taken after harvest at consistent times and depths. Proper tools like probes and bags should be used safely. Soil testing facilitates fertilizer decisions and nutrient management. Coal and particulate samples help determine properties like calorific value, moisture, and ash content.

2.  Sampling of solids
 Two methods of sample reduction
 Sampling of soil
 Importance of soil testing
 Coal sampling
 Particulates sampling
 Hazards in sampling

3.  It is most difficult sampling because solids
are heterogeneous system. The particles
are made homogenous by grinding and
crushing.

4. 1. Coning and quartering :-
2. Rolling and quartering / Tabling and
quartering

5. Before sampling :-
1) Develop a soil sampling plan of your field.
2) Obtain the materials you need to
complete your sampling plan.

6. ➢ A composite soil sample should
represent a uniform field area.
➢ Exclude small areas within field that are
obviously different.
➢ The field area represented by a single
composite sample should represent no
more than 40 irrigated acres.

7.  Collect soil samples from fields used for
crop production after harvest and
before planting the subsequent crop.
 Sampling fields near the same time each
year is recommended for more
consistent results.
 Beware of situations that may cause soil
values to change between sampling
and planting e.g.:- heavy rainfall and
preirrigation.

8. ❖ Stainless steel soil sampling probes and
Vehicle - mounted hydraulic probes
❖ Other tools include sample buckets, shovel or spade ,
sample bags, tube auger and screw tube auger.
❖ DO NOT USE galvanized or brass equipment of any kind .
Stainless steel probe
Tube auger
Spade

9.  Sampling depth for most soil is typically the tillage
depth in six – inch interval.
 Deep rooted crops such as wheat and barley
need deeper samples if nitrogen fertilizer
recommendations are desired.
 Subsoil samples from the 6 to 24- inch depth are
needed to estimate available nitrogen and in
some case sulphur.
 Both surface and subsurface soil samples are
needed to test for available nutrients in the root
zone.

10.  Divide the field into different homogeneous units based on
the visual observation.
 Drive the auger to a plough depth and draw the soil sample.
 Collect at least 10-15 samples from each sampling unit .
 If auger is not available , make a “V” shaped cut to depth of
15cm in a sampling spot using spade.

11.  If there is variations in slope , colour and texture of soil, then separate
samples are required from different locations and they should be
analysed separately.
 The samples are collected from the field
at different locations moving in a
zig- zag manner.
 Reduce the bulk to half or one Kg by quartering or
compartmentalization method.
 Collect the sample in a clean cloth or polythene bag and label the
bag with information like name of the farmer , location of the farm,
previous crop grown , present crop , crop to be grown on next
season , etc.

12.  Determine soil fertility level and make
good nutrient management decisions.
 Facilitate fertilizer composition and
dosage selection for land employed in
both agriculture and horticulture.

13.  Coal samples are generally analysed for
calorific values , moisture content , ash
content , etc.
Digital bomb calorimeter

14. This can be done by two methods :-
a) Dry ashing :- In this method, low temperature
oxidation is done by passing radiofrequency waves
through the sample.
b) Wet digestion:-The sample is dried &
treated with hot boiling oxidising agent .
Ex : HNO3
Such digestion is generally carried out
in a Kjeldahl flask.

15.  Gravity technique
 Filtration technique
 Inertial Technique
 Precipitation Technique

16. Used to collect settle able particulates .e.g. Fly-ash, soot ,
smoke , etc .
Devices used include dust fall sampling instrument such as
dust fall bucket , dust fall jar ,etc.
Dust fall bucket Dust fall jar

17.  Used for collecting suspended particulates that do not
settle out early.
 Device used include high volume sampler , paper tape
sampler , etc.
Paper tape sampler

19.  In the dry impingers, the obstacles have an adhesive
surface on which the particles are impacted.
 In the wet impingers, the obstacles is immersed in a fluid
in which the particulates are collected by impingement.

20.  Thermal precipitation :- when exposed
to temperature gradient, suspended
particles tend to move to lower
temperature region.
 Electrostatic precipitation :- Electrical
charge is used to force radioactive or
other particulates in the range 0.001μ –
10μ to migrate out of air stream.

21. ➢ The sampler should wear an adequate protective clothing
and should have detailed knowledge of the material which is
being sampled.
➢ When dangers from toxicity exists then necessary antidote
treatment procedure should be available.
➢ In case of solids, operator should wear face mask for
protection until is established that the powdered material is
not hazardous.
➢ Correct sampling of material is therefore of importance in two
main respects:-
1) To obtain representative portion of sample for analysis.
2) To prevent occurrence of accidents.

22. Thank You