Blanks are artificial samples (made up of ultra-pure MilliQ water) used to trace sources of contamination which may be introduced to samples:
- During handling and transportation;
- During sampling in the field (from contaminated equipment); and
- During laboratory preparation and analysis.
Based on the potential contamination sources listed above, there are various blanks used to identify the contamination sources during the data-collection processes, if any.
Rinsate Blank: Otherwise known as an equipment blank, the rinsate blank is the analyte free water collected after it has been poured over or through contaminated field sampling equipment prior to the collection of environmental samples. This is to assess whether the decontamination process has been adequately undertaken and there is no residual contaminants from previous sampling.
Trip Blank: The trip blank is a clean sample of matrix that has been created in the laboratory to the sampling site and transported back to the laboratory without exposures related to sampling. The trip blank is typically analysed for volatile organic compounds which may have been introduced to samples during handling and transportation.
Field Blank: The field blank is analyte free water poured into a sampling container in the field and is carried with the field samples. This is to assess whether contamination may have occurred in the field during sampling.
Method Blank: The method blank is a sample that is representative of the matrix and is prepared and analysed through the same procedures as the field samples. This is used to assess contamination resulting from laboratory preparation and analytical procedures.
Blank Spike: The blank spike is similar to the method blank, a sample that is representative of the matrix is prepared with spiked concentrations of the analytes of interest and then prepared and analysed through the same procedures as the field samples. This is used to assess if the laboratory preparation and analytical procedures are being undertaken correctly.
Calibration Blank: The calibration blank is a clean sample of matrix that can be either used with prepared standards to calibrate instruments or used to verify the absence of contamination of instruments.
iEnvi's 100 Contaminated Land Experts in 2022!
iEnvironmental Australia's growth in the market means that we're looking at expanding our network of sub-consultants (independent contractors), with a...
Major NSW Infrastructure Project, Environmental Sampling and Waste Classification
iEnvironmental Australia (iEnvi) was engaged by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to provide waste classification and beneficial reuse assessment near the...
Former Oyster Farm Investigation for Residential Development
iEnvi was engaged by the client to complete a Targeted Soil Assessment relating the footprint of a shed previously located...
UPSS Abandonment Insitu Via Foam Filling, Sunshine Coast QLD
iEnvi was engaged by a local restaurant owner to manage the decommissioning and abandonment of three underground storage tanks (USTs)...
Construction Environmental Management Plan for a Sports Complex, South East QLD
iEnvi were engaged by an engineering firm on behalf of a regional council to undertake a Construction Environmental Management Plan...
Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion Preliminary Study, Mornington Peninsula VIC
Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is a term that refers to the change (either acceleration or inhibition) in corrosion caused by...
Waste Classification and ENM Assessment, Southern Highlands NSW
iEnvi was engaged by a local council in the Southern Highlands to conduct an insitu Waste Classification (WC) and...
Erosion Sediment Control Plan (ESCP), Mornington Peninsula, VIC
Envi was engaged by a construction company to review and update the erosion sediment control plan (ESCP) as part of...
Urgent Preliminary Site Investigations for M&A, Multiple Sites QLD, NSW, SA
iEnvi was engaged by a law firm on behalf of a confidential client as part of merger and acquisition...
Groundwater and Hydrogeological Investigation of 5 Landfills, QLD
iEnvi was engaged by a Council north of Brisbane, QLD, to review environmental authority (EA) compliance, groundwater trends and risks...
Targeted Soil Investigation and Insitu Waste Classification, Brisbane, QLD
iEnvi was engaged by a large construction company to conduct Targeted Soil Investigations and Insitu Waste Classifications (TSI/WC) in advance...
Targeted Soil Investigation, North of Brisbane, QLD
iEnvi was engaged to conduct a Targeted Soil Investigation (TSI) to delineate historical lead from a former rifle range, for...
Soil Stockpile Reuse Investigation, Sydney NSW
iEnvi was engaged by an inner western Sydney Council to undertake a soil stockpile reuse investigation at a vacant property....
Preliminary Site Investigations for Potential Acquisition, VIC and WA
iEnvi was engaged by an international manufacturing company to undertake preliminary site investigations at two coatings manufacturing facilities in Victoria...
Environmental Management Plan for a Brewery and Wastewater Treatment Plant, Goulburn NSW
iEnvi was engaged by a brewing company to complete an Operational Environmental Management Plan (OEMP) for a new brewery...
UPSS and Detailed Site Investigation for a Rural Service Station in Far North Queensland
iEnvi was engaged by a company to complete an Underground Petroleum Storage System (UPSS) and Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) for...
Law firm engagement for Preliminary and Detailed Site Investigation of Former Service Station, Inner Sydney NSW
iEnvi was engaged by a law firm to complete a preliminary site investigation (PSI) and underground petroleum storage system (UPSS)...
Preliminary Site Investigation of a mechanic workshop for finance approval, Wynnum QLD
iEnvi was engaged by a private company wishing to purchase a mechanic workshop in Wynnum, Queensland and a preliminary site...
Innovative and cost-effective soil investigation, Sydney NSW
In early 2019, iEnvi completed multiple preliminary site and soil investigations at recreational use parks in inner Sydney suburbs prior...
Cost Efficient Remediation for Hydrocarbon Contamination, Newcastle and Wollongong, NSW
iEnvi was engaged by a client’s legal department as part of a merger and acquisition due diligence to undertake preliminary...
Soil Investigation and Potential Soil Reuse, Brisbane QLD
iEnvi was engaged by a childcare centre development company to undertake soil sampling at a residential site prior to the...
Housing Development Application, Sydney NSW
iEnvi was engaged by a client to undertake a preliminary site investigation and soil sampling (PSI) at a property in...
Nepali Place of Worship Development Application, North Western Sydney, NSW
iEnvi was engaged by a client to undertake a preliminary site investigation and soil sampling (PSI) at a property in...
Acid Sulfate Soil Investigation and Management Plan, Mornington Peninsula VIC
An industrial development in Hastings was planned in an area of acid sulfate soil occurrence which required vigilance and attentive...