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ARS Home » Plains Area » Mandan, North Dakota » Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #261553
Title: Sampling Protocols. Chapter 1. Guidelines for site description and soil sampling, processing, analysis, and archiving

Author
item Liebig, Mark
item Varvel, Gary
item Honeycutt, Charles

Submitted to: GRACEnet Sampling Protocols
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2010
Publication Date: 11/1/2010
Citation: Liebig, M.A., Varvel, G.E., Honeycutt, C.W. 2010. Sampling Protocols. Chapter 1. Guidelines for site description and soil sampling, processing, analysis, and archiving. IN: GRACEnet Sampling Protocols. R.F. Follett, editor. p. 1-1 to 1-5. Available at http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/GRACEnet.

Interpretive Summary: Not required for the GRACEnet Sampling Protocols entry.

Technical Abstract: This document summarizes recommended guidelines for soil sampling, processing, analysis, and archiving. Field procedures associated with soil sampling represent a critical first step in obtaining useful estimates of soil properties. Though sampling-related decisions may vary by location due to differences in investigator preferences and/or agroecosystem attributes, collection of soil samples requires significant planning, meticulous execution, and thorough documentation. Particular care is warranted during the initial sampling, as changes in soil properties (e.g., soil organic C) will be derived from baseline data. Once collected, soil samples should be handled and processed in a manner to minimize changes in properties of interest. Analyses of soil properties should follow standard methods and verified for accuracy through the use of appropriate reference materials, external standards, and blanks. Collected samples should be archived to allow for the determination of temporal changes in soil attributes. [GRACEnet Publication]