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McCampbell Analytical, Inc.

Container / Preservative Hold Time Chart

Since 1991, MAI has offered a comprehensive range of services covering routine analyses, as well as specialty testing, for Water, Soil, Air, Sediment and Solids. We pride ourselves in providing accurate, defensible data in addition to outstanding customer service. Feel free to send us an email or call us at (877)252-9262.

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McCampbell Analytical, Inc. - HOLD TIME TABLE - Water Samples
Hydrocarbons Method (s) Holding Time Minimum Volume Containers Preservation**
TPH (g/ss/pt/ms/av)-MTBE-BTEX E8015 / 8021 / 8260 7d if unprev, 14d 40mL 2  V 0-6°C, HCL, ZHS
TPH (d/jf/k/mo) / Large Volume Ext. E8015 7d 40mL / 1L 2 aV / 1 L aG 0-6°C
TRPH / O&G-HEM E418 / 1664 28d if presv/4h if NP  40ml / 1L  2 V / 1 L aG 0-6°C, HCL
Volatile Organics Method (s) Holding Time Minimum Volume Containers Preservation**
EDB, DBCP E8260 / 524.3 14d 40mL 2 aV 0-6°C, AA + MA, ZHS
123TCP SRL524 14d 40mL 2 aV 0-6°C, AA + HCL, ZHS
VOCs (DW) E524.2 14d 40mL 2 aV 0-6°C, AA + HCL, ZHS
E524.3 14d 40mL 2 aV 0-6°C, AA + MA, ZHS
VOCs except AAC E8260 / 624.1 14d 40mL 2 V 0-6°C, AA + HCL, ZHS
Acrolein, Acrylonitrile, 2-CEVE E8260 / 624.1 3d 40mL 2 V 0-6°C, ZHS
Semi-Volatile Organics Method (s) Holding Time Minimum Volume Containers Preservation**
SVOCs (DW) E525.2 / 525.3 14d 1L 1 L G 0-6°C, Na2SO3
SVOCs E8270 / 625 7d 1L 1 L G 0-6°C
PNAs/PAHs E8270 / 8310 / 610 7d 500mL 1 L G 0-6°C, HCL
Dioxins & Dibenzofurans E1613 / 1668 / 8290 365d 3-1aL 2  - 1 L aG 0-6°C, if  pH>9 adjust 7-9
Pesticides Method (s) Holding Time Minimum Volume Containers Preservation**
Carbamates E531.1  28d 40mL 2 aV pH~3.8, <6°C, MAI P
E8318 7d 40mL 2 aV pH<4-5, 6°C, CH3COOH
Chlorinated Herbicides E515.3 14 40mL 2 aV 0-6°C, Na2S2O3
E8151 7d 1L 1 L aG 0-6°C
Chlorinated Pesticides / PCBS 505 14 40mL 2 aV 0-6°C, Na2S2O3
E608.3 7 1000mL 1 L aG, NM 0-6°C
E8081 / 8082 7d 40mL 2 aV 0-6°C
Diquat & Paraquat E549.2 7d 500mL 1 L aHDPE 0-6°C,Na2S2O3 +H2SO4
Endothall E548.1 7d 500mL 1 L aG 0-6°C, Na2S2O3
Glyphosate E547 14d 40mL 2 aV 0-6°C, Na2S2O3
Organo-Nitrogen/Phosphorus Pesticides E8141 / 507 7d 500mL 1 L aG 0-6°C, Na2S2O3
Pyrethrins & Pyrethroids E8270 GCMS 3d 500mL 2 L aG 0-6°C
Other Organics Method (s) Holding Time Minimum Volume Containers Preservation**
Acrylamide E8316 7d 40mL 2 aV 0-6°C,ZHS
Alcohols / Ethylene Glycol MAI - Alcohols --- 40mL 2 V 0-6°C, HCL, ZHS
Aldehydes /  Carbonyls / Formaldehyde E8315 3d 40mL 1 L aG 0-6°C
Haloacetic Acids (HAAs) E552.2 14d 40mL 2 V 0-6°C, NH4CL
Methane, Ethane, Ethene RSK 175 14d 40mL 2 aV 0-6°C, H2SO4
Nitroaromatics / Explosives E8330 7d 40-1000ml / 1 L 1 L aG 0-6°C
Nitrosamines E521 14d 1L 2  - 1 L aG 0-6°C,  Na2SO3
Metals Method (s) Holding Time Minimum Volume Containers Preservation**
ICP/MS Metals incl. Hg & Hardness E200.8 / 6020 / SM2340B 180d, Hg 28d 200mL 250mL HDPE HNO3, pH<2
Methyl Mercury E1630 6mo if presv 100mL 500mL G, Pre-Cl add HCl < 2d, dbl.-bagged
Mercury, trace level E1631E 90d if presv/2d if NP 100mL 500mL G, Pre-Cl add HCl < 2d, dbl.-bagged
Hexachrome E218.6 28d if presv 20mL 125mL HDPE 0-6°C, NH42SO4+NH4OH
Organic Lead 8270-MAI 14d 200mL 2 aV 0-6°C
Organic Tin MAI 7d 200mL 1L AG 0-6°C, ZHS
Anions Method (s) Holding Time Minimum Volume Containers Preservation**
Anions (nitrite, nitrate, phosphate) E300.1 2d 20mL 125mL HDPE 0-6°C, phosphate filter <12h
Anions (Bromide, chloride, fluoride, sulfate) E300.1 28d 20mL 125mL HDPE 0-6°C
Anions DBP (bromate, / chlorate , chlorite) E300.1SPE  28d / 14d 50mL 250mL aG purge if ClO2g, 0-6°C, EDA
Perchlorate E314.0 28d 50mL 125mL HDPE 0-6°C
Wet Chemistry Method (s) Holding Time Minimum Volume Containers Preservation**
Acidity / Alkalinity SM2310B / SM2320B 14d 20mL 250mL HDPE 0-6°C
Ammonia as N E350.1 28d 100mL 250mL aG 0-6°C, H2SO4
BOD/cBOD SM5210 B 2d 500mL 1 L HDPE 0-6°C, ZHS
Carbon Dioxide / Inorganic Carbon E415.3 28d 40mL 2V 0-6°C, HCL
Chlorine, residual / forms SM4500Cl DE field / ASAP 200mL 1 aG 0-6°C
COD E410.4 28d 20mL 2 aV 0-6°C, H2SO4
Color SM2120B 2d 50mL 250mL HDPE 0-6°C
Conductivity E120.1 / SM2510 28d 20mL 250mL HDPE 0-6°C
Cyanide, Amenable or Total E335.4 / 9012 / SM4500CN 14d 100mL 250mL HDPE 0-6°C, NaOH
Dissolved Oxygen E360.1 field / ASAP 250mL 250mL HDPE ZHS
Ferrous iron SM3500 Fe B4c field / 2d 40mL 2 aV HCl, ZHS
MBAS (Anionic Surfactants) SM5540C / E425.1 NS / 2d 100mL 1 L HDPE 0-6°C
Nitrogen, Ammonia E350.1 28d 100mL 250mL aG 0-6°C, H2SO4
Nitrogen, TKN or Organic E351.2 / SM4500N 28d 100mL 500mL HDPE 0-6°C, H2SO4
Nitrogen, Total E415.3 28d 40mL 2V 0-6°C, HCL
Odor E140.1 / SM2150 1d / NS 200mL 500mL G 0-4 °C, ZHS
ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential) SM2580 NS / ASAP 50mL 1 L aG 0-6°C, ZHS
pH SM4500H+B, E9045 ASAP 20mL 125mL HDPE 0-6°C
Phenolics, Total E420.4 28d 50mL 500mL aG 0-6°C, H2SO4
Phosphorous, Ortho / Dissolved E365.3 28d 50mL 500mL aG  0-6°C, add H2SO4 < 2d
Phosphorous, Total / Organic / Hydrolyzable E365.1 / 365.5 28d 50mL 500mL aG 0-6°C, H2SO4
RCI SW846 Chpt. 7 NS 100mL 500mL HDPE 0-6°C, ZHS
Settleable Solids E160.5 2d 1 L 1 Liter HDPE 0-6°C
Sulfide SM4500S2D 7d 100mL 250mL HDPE 0-6°C, NaOH+ZnAc
TDS SM2540C 7d 100mL 500mL HDPE 0-6°C
TKN E351.2 28d 100mL 250mL aG H2SO4
TOC E415.3 28d 40mL 2V pH<2, 6°C, HCL
TSS SM2540D 7d 500mL 1 Liter HDPE 0-6°C
Turbidity SM2130B 2d 20mL 125mL HDPE 0-6°C
UV254 SM5910B 2d 40mL 2V 0-°C, ZHS
Abbreviations: V=40ml VOA vial; L= Liter; P=plastic; G=glass; a=amber; ZHS=zero head space; HS=head space; NS=not specified; AA=ascorbic acid; MA=maleic acid
** All treated water samples that are to be tested for organics, bacteria & cyanide MUST be dechlorinated at time of collection prior to addition of preservative. Regulations do not address dechlorination for O&G, wet chemistry (except cyanide), anions & metals. Aquatic Toxicity effluent samples are not to be dechlorinated.
McCampbell Analytical, Inc. - HOLD TIME TABLE - Sediment  / Soil Samples
Hydrocarbons Method (s) Holding Time Minimum Volume Containers Preservation
TPH (g/ss/pt/ms/av)-MTBE-BTEX E8015/ 8021 14d / 28d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C, ZHS
TPH (d/jf/k/mo) E8015 14d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C, ZHS
Oil & Grease E9071 28d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Volatile Organics Method (s) Holding Time Minimum Volume Containers Preservation
HVOCs-Aromatics E8260 14d* 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
VOCs, 5g EnCore, incl. ACRO, ACRY & 2-CEVE E8260/ 5035 2drs 2/sample 2 EnCores 0-6°C
VOCs, incl. ACRO, ACRY & 2-CEVE E8260 14d* 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C, ZHS
Semi-Volatile Organics Method (s) Holding Time Minimum Volume Containers Preservation
SVOCs E8270 14d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
PNAs/PAHs E8270SIM / 8310 14d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Dioxins & Dibenzofurans E8290 / 1613 365d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ dark, 0-6°C
Pesticides Method (s) Holding Time Minimum Volume Containers Preservation
Carbamates E8318 14d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Chlorinated Herbicides E8151 14d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Chlorinated Pesticides E8081 14d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Diquat & Paraquat E549.2m 7d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Glyphosate E547m 14d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Organo-Nitrogen/Phosphorus Pesticides E8270 14d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Pyrethrins & Pyrethroids GCMS-NCI 3d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Other Organics Method (s) Holding Time Minimum Volume Containers Preservation
Acrylamide E8316 7d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C, ZHS
Alcohols / Ethylene Glycol MAI - Alcohols --- 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C, ZHS
Aldehydes /  Carbonyls / Formaldehyde E8315 --- 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Nitroaromatics / Explosives E8330 14d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Metals Method (s) Holding Time Minimum Volume Containers Preservation
ICP-MS Metals incl. Hg E6020 180d, Hg 28d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ ---
ICP-OES Metals E6010 180d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ ---
Hexavalent chromium (low level) E7199 30d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Methylmercury E1630 90d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ Freeze
Organic Lead 8270 / HML 939-M NS 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C, ZHS
Organic Tin MAI-Organic Tin 14d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Anions Method (s) Holding Time Minimum Volume Containers Preservation
Common (nitrite, nitrate, phosphate) E300 / 300.1 2d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Bromate, Chlorite, Chlorate E300 / 300.1 28d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Common (bromide, chloride, fluoride, sulfate) E300 / 300.1 28d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Perchlorate E314.0m 28d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Wet Chemistry Method (s) Holding Time Minimum Volume Containers Preservation
Alkalinity SM2320Bm 14d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Ammonia as N E350.1m NS 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Carbon Dioxide / Inorganic Carbon SM5310B 28d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
COD SM5220Dm NS 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Conductivity SM2510Bm NS 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Cyanide, Amenable or Total E9012 / E9016 / SM4500CN 14d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C, dark
Ferrous iron SM3500 Fe B4c NS 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
MBAS (Anionic Surfactants) SM5540C NS / EPA 2d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Nitrogen, Ammonia E350.1m NS 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Nitrogen, TKN / Organic / Total E351.2m / SM4500N / E415.3m NS 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential) SM2580 NS 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C, ZHS rec.
pH SW9045C NS 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Phenolics, Total E420.4m NS 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Phosphorous, Total / Organic / Ortho E365.1 / 365.3 NS 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
RCI SW846 Chpt. 7 NS 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Sulfide E376.2 / 9034 14d 4oz GJ 8oz GJ ZHS, 6°C, moisten w/ZnAc
TKN E351.2m NS 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
TOC SW9060A NS 4oz GJ 8oz GJ 0-6°C
Bacteriological Testing Method (s) Holding Time Minimum Volume Containers Preservation
Aerobic Bacteria SM9215C 8h 4oz sterile P 8oz sterile P 0-6°C, HS
Enterococci (Enumeration) SM9230 B 8h 4oz sterile P 8oz sterile P 0-6°C, HS
Fecal Coliform / Total Coliform & E Coli SM9221E2C / SM9223B 8h 4oz sterile P 8oz sterile P 0-6°C, HS
Fecal Streptococci SM9230 B 8h 4oz sterile P 8oz sterile P 0-6°C, HS
Heterotrophs (Enumeration) SM9215 B/E 8h 4oz sterile P 8oz sterile P 0-6°C, HS
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Enumeration) Pseudolert 8h 4oz sterile P 8oz sterile P 0-6°C, HS
Salmonella / Staphylococcus aureus E1682 / SM9213B.8 8h 4oz sterile P 8oz sterile P 0-6°C, HS
Total Yeast & Mold Count SM9610B NS 4oz sterile P 8oz sterile P 0-6°C, HS
McCampbell Analytical, Inc. - HOLD TIME TABLE - Air Samples
Air Testing Method (s) Holding Time Minimum Volume Containers Preservation
Leed Indoor Air Testing TO-15 / ASTM D1946-90m 28d 6L (indoor) / 1L summa, Tedlar ---
Light Gases ASTM D1946-90m 28d 40ml summa, Tedlar ---
TPH(g) E TO-15 / 8015 28d 1L  1L summa / tedlar ---
TPH(d), VOCs E TO-17 28d varys summa / ST ---
VOCs E TO-15 /8260 28d 6L (indoor) / 1L  1L summa / tedlar ---
Abbreviations: V=40ml VOA vial; L= Liter; P=plastic; GJ=glass jar; a=amber; ZHS=zero head space; HS=head space; NS=not specified; AA=ascorbic acid; MA=maleic acid
* 2 minimum or 4 nominal  5g Encores or 40ml Voas should be collected for Encore style sampling. Encores & empty VOAs have a 2d HT. Preserved VOAs (1 aq. Acid, 1 solvent) have 14d HT. Do not acidify for AAC analysis.