PNNL

Abstract

Selecting a cost-efficient sampling design for determining the right type, number and location of environmental samples is a critically important component of any environmental study. This paper presents an innovative design called Collaborative Sampling (CS) that can be more cost-effective in some situations than simple random sampling. The CS design uses two measurement methods: a field-based relatively inexpensive measurement method, and the standard laboratory “expensive” method. The idea behind CS is to replace the need for obtaining so many expensive measurements with collecting a larger number of the less expensive measurements. The CS design is currently being added to the suite of designs in the Visual Sample Plan (VSP) software, which can be downloaded free at http://dqo.pnl.gov/vsp. This paper discusses the CS methodology, assumptions and VSP implementation of the CS design.