Is it time to change the way you sample? Read all about Hydrasleeves

There is a clear change in the industry when it comes to groundwater sampling. More and more people are moving away from conventional low flow sampling pumps and bailers and choosing to use Hydrasleeves.

What is a Hydrasleeve?

A Hydrasleeve is a no-purge (passive) sampling device that consists of three basic components: a reusable weight; a sample sleeve (usually made of polyethylene); and a self-sealing valve.

How does a Hydrasleeve work?

The Hydrasleeve is deployed attaching a suspension cord to the top and a weight to the bottom of the sleeve.  After lowering the sleeve to the desired sample depth, the water column is allowed to equilibrate. Its slim cross section minimizes the disturbance to the water column during placement, reducing the time needed for the well to return to equilibrium. To start sample collection the HydraSleeve is pulled upward through the sample zone. As it moves upward, the valve at the top opens and the sleeve is pulled over a “core” of water. As the fluid is captured, the sleeve expands to contain the sample. Once the sample sleeve is full, the self-sealing valve closes, preventing loss of the sample. At the surface, the HydraSleeve is punctured with the pointed discharge straw and the sample transferred to suitable containers for transport to the laboratory.

The Hydrasleeve collects groundwater samples directly from the screened interval of a well without having to purge the well prior to collecting the sample. It causes no drawdown in the well and creates minimal disturbance due to the low volume of water it displaces.

What are the applications of Hydrasleeves?

It can be used to collect representative samples of groundwater for all analytes (volatile organic compounds [VOCs], semi-volatile organic compounds [SVOCs], common metals, trace metals, major cations and anions, dissolved gases, total dissolved solids, radionuclides, pesticides, PCBs, explosive compounds, and all other analytical parameters).

It is available to collect samples from wells from 1” (25mm) inside diameter and larger.

It can be used to sample low yielding wells.

It can collect samples from wells of any depth and can be used for single event sampling or long-term groundwater monitoring programs.

Multiple HydraSleeves can be deployed in series along a single suspension line and can be used to conduct in-well vertical profiling in wells where contaminant concentrations are stratified.

What are the advantages of using Hydrasleeves?

• It saves you time as it takes about 15 minutes per sample and there is no equipment setup or decontamination between wells.
• It saves you money as there is no need to hire or buy expensive equipment and cuts your time in the field by half.
• Collecting a sample with a HydraSleeve is a simple, one-person operation that requires no training.
• It samples for all compounds and has a lower risk of turbidity bias than other sampling techniques.

HDPE sleeves are available for PFAS sampling.

 

HydroTerra supply a range of Hydrasleeves and accessories.  Please visit our website for the full range  Hydrasleeves & Passive Diffusion Bags – HydroTerra