The Snap Sampler. . .

• The Snap Sampler is a patented (US Pat. 7,178,415) groundwater sampling device that employs a unique double-end-opening bottle.  Bottles are available in 40ml VOA vial size in glass; or 125ml and 350ml sizes in plastic. 
• To operate, Snap Samplers are loaded with bottles, "Snap" caps are set into an open position, then the Samplers are deployed downhole with an attachment/trigger line. 
• The Snap Sampler bottles seal under the water surface by simply pulling the trigger, pushing the electric trigger button, or pressuring up the pneumatic trigger system.  The trigger releases PFA Teflon "Snap Caps" that seal the double-ended bottles downhole.
• The end caps are designed to seal the water sample within the bottles with no headspace vapor.  Once the closed vial is retrieved from the well, you prepare the bottle with standard septa screw caps and a label.
• The 40 ml VOA vial can be used directly in standard laboratory autosampler equipment.  The sample is never exposed to the open air from the well to the gas chromatograph.
• The 125ml or 350ml POLY bottle also seals in situ.  The plastic bottle can be used for larger volume sample needs, metals or other analytes where a plastic bottle is preferred.  For non-volatiles, this bottle can be opened at the well head to combine in a larger bottle, transfer to a glass bottle (e.g. for SVOCs), or just to remove the internal spring before acidifying a metal sample. 

Snap Samplers with 40ml and 125ml bottles fit in 2-inch or larger monitoring wells.  Snap Samplers with 350ml bottles fit in 4-inch or larger monitoring wells. 

Here's how the sampler works:

Download our Standard Operating Procedure:

Snap SOP (PDF 327K)

Plus field guide appendices:

Appendix A--Deployment (PDF 428K)

Appendix B--Bottle Prep (PDF 485K)

The Snap SOP is modeled after USEPA's 2002 ground water sampling guidance for RCRA and Superfund project managers.

1.  All critical actions take place submerged in the well.  Avoid heat, wind, rain, surface contamination, or off-gassing losses.

2.  Variations in site conditions from season-to-season or changes in personnel from event-to-event do not affect the sample collection process.

3.  No-Pump, No-Pour groundwater sampling is faster and generates No purge water waste.

4.  There is no heavy equipment to carry and no drums to move or dispose.

Simplicity, Utility.

1.  Easier and faster than well purge methods.

2.  Passive sampling without analyte limitations.  Test MTBE, MEK, SVOCs, and metals.

3.  Passive, no-purge sampling is gaining acceptance and is recognized as a major money saver!
4.  Limited tools needed.

Better Samples.

1.  Fewer sources of variability.

2.  Improved sampling consistency.

3.  Quicker determination of monitored natural attenuation or remedial effectiveness.

Cost Savings.

1.  Reduce time to collect each sample to as little as 10 minutes.

2.  Eliminate most major equipment needs--no pump, no pump controller, no generator, no flow-through cell, and no purge waste containers.

3.  Deploy next quarter's samplers during the same mobilization.

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