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You should AVERAGE answering each question in less than 100 seconds for this exam

Note: All of the following questions contain only one best answer. Circle the letter that best corresponds with the question.

TEST

Sampling

 1.

Preservative is added to the sample container before the sample so that

 

 

 

 

a.

you will not forget to add the preservative later

b.

all sample portions are preserved as soon as collected

c.

there is less danger of coming into contact with the preservative or the sample

d.

it won't be necessary to carry caustic or acid around the plant or in the field

 2.

Filterable residue samples are subject to the following preservation, sample container, and hold time requirements

 

 

 

 

a.

preserve with H2SO4 to pH<2 in plastic, maximum hold time 7 days

b.

cool to 4º C in glass, maximum hold time 7 days

c.

cool to 4º C  or plastic, maximum hold time 7 days

d.

cool to 4º C  in glass or plastic, maximum hold time 7 days

3. 

Methods of sample preservation are intended to

 

 

 

 

a.

retard biological action

b.

reduce volatility of constituents

c.

retard hydrolysis of chemical compounds and complexes

d.

all of the above

4. 

Failure to adhere to sampling procedures will result in

 

 

 

 

a.

indefensible analytical data

b.

plant upset

c.

invalid samples

d.

both a and c 

5. 

The primary objective of a sampling plan is to collect

 

 

 

 

a.

representative samples which exhibit average properties of the entire waste stream, while maintaining sample integrity so there is no significant change in sample chemistry prior to analysis

b.

sample portions suitable for handling by sampling and laboratory personnel while providing sufficient sample volume to perform all analyses

c.

sample portions which allow measurements of the chemical properties of the waste that are both accurate and precise

d.

all of the above

6. 

Sampling points in the wastewater plant should be located

 

 

 

 

a.

at the locations specified in the regulatory permit

b.

in the center of the channel at 0.4 to 0.6 of the overall depth

c.

at a point where the flow is turbulent, well-mixed, and settling of solids minimal

d.

all of the above

e.

both a and c

7. 

The objectives of a wastewater treatment plant sampling plan are

 

 

 

 

a.

regulatory compliance and process control

b.

research and development

c.

industrial monitoring

d.

all of the above

8. 

A sample is in your custody if

 

 

 

 

a.

it is within your sight or in your physical possession

b.

you have secured the sample in a tamper-proof area or area restricted to authorized personnel

c.

you have released the sample to an over-night courier

d.

both a and b

9. 

Analytical data must be defensible in court, in the event of litigation. To ensure your results are defensible it is necessary to

 

 

 

 

a.

restrict sample access to the minimum number of people possible

b.

be able to trace sample possession and handling from the time of collection through analysis and final disposal

c.

keep samples in locked tamper-proof storage containers at all times

d.

place a new custody seal on the sample container each time it is opened

10. 

The ability to trace sample possession and handling from the time of collection through analysis and final disposal is known as

 

 

 

 

a.

tracking

b.

sample identification

c.

chain of custody

d.

sample logging

11. 

The advantages of automatic sampling include

 

 

 

 

a.

human error may be eliminated or reduced

b.

sampling events are never missed because of bad weather

c.

sample aliquots can be collected at almost any preprogrammed rate

d.

both a and c 

e.

all of the above

12. 

When analyzing a grab BOD sample, cold storage is not necessary if analysis is started within

 

 

 

 

a.

Six hours of sample collection

b.

24 hours of sample collection

c.

Two hours of sample collection

d.

One hour of sample collection

13.

What is the most important information on the sample label?

 

 

 

 

a.

Date, origin, initials and time

b.

Time, date, origin and analysis

c.

Origin, time date and volume

d.

Initials, analysis, date and volume

14. 

How are some of the ways you can insure a homogeneous sample when sampling a wastewater stream?

 

 

 

 

a.

Take a sample where there is a good mixing in the wastewater stream.

b.

Vigorously remix sample during compositing. 

c.

properly preserve the samples. 

d.

a and b 

15. 

A composite sample that has been preserved for BOD analysis can be held for a total of

 

 

 

 

a.

48 hours

b.

24 hours

c.

6 hours

d.

28 days

16. 

Why are flow proportional composite samples collected?

 

 

 

 

a.

The flow and characteristics of the waste are continually changing

b.

The flow is continuously changing

c.

The waste characteristics are continuously changing

d.

The average characteristics can be ignored.

17. 

Composite samples can be used for determining

 

 

 

 

a.

pH

b.

oil and grease 

c.

fecal coliform 

d.

BOD 

18. 

Methods of perservation are relatively limited and one significant reason for sample preservation is to

 

 

 

 

a.

retard chemical reaction

b.

retard biological action 

c.

retard the precipitation of suspended materials 

d.

increase the solubility of precipitated materials 

19. 

Preservation methods are limited to pH control, chemical addition, refrigeration, filtration, freezing and __________.

 

 

 

 

a.

storage in amber bottles

b.

autoclaving 

c.

digestion 

d.

incubation 

20. 

Because it is not subject to quick changes, the property that need not be measured in the field is ______.

 

 

 

 

a.

pH

b.

dissolved gases 

c.

alkalinity 

d.

temperature 

21. 

Phosphorus samples are subject to which of the following sampling requirements.

 

 

 

 

a.

Preserve with H2SO4 to pH<2 in glass or plastic, max hold time 28 days

b.

Preserve with H2SO4 to pH<2 in glass or plastic, max hold time 14 days

c.

Preserve with H2SO4 to pH>12 in glass or plastic, max hold time 28 days 

d.

Preserve with H2SO4 to pH>2 in glass or plastic, max hold time 28 days 

22. 

Ammonia nitrogen and nitrate-nitrite samples are subject to which of the following sampling requirements.

 

 

 

 

a.

Preserve with H2SO4 to pH<2 in glass or plastic, max hold time 28 days

b.

Preserve with H2SO4 to pH<2 in glass or plastic, max hold time 14 days

c.

Preserve with H2SO4 to pH>12 in glass or plastic, max hold time 28 days 

d.

Preserve with NaOH to pH>2 in glass or plastic, max hold time 28 days 

 23.

EPA recommends which of the sample collection criteria for oil and grease analyses?

 

 

 

 

a.

Collect 1 Liter composite samples in polyethylene bottles

b.

Collect 1 Liter grab samples in galss bottles 

c.

Where composite samples are required, collect 1 Liter grab samples in glass bottles. 

d.

b and c are both correct 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a.

 

b.

 

c.

 

d.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a.

 

b.

 

c.

 

d.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a.

 

b.

 

c.

 

d.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a.

 

b.

 

c.

 

d.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a.

 

b.

 

c.

 

d.