Multiport sock samplers: A low-cost technology for effective multilevel ground water sampling

The importance of obtaining depth-specific ground water samples is now well recognized among practitioners and scientists alike. Many methods and tech nologies are available for level discrete or depth-specific ground water sa mpling in consolidated aquifers. All methods have their associated advantag es and drawbacks, however. One common disadvantage is that they are expensi ve. A large number of point discrete ground water samples were required for a UK research project aimed at quantifying natural attenuation processes i n ground water contaminated by a former coal carbonization plant. Based on experience from a previous project to develop novel level accurate sampling methodologies for use in existing boreholes, the Ground Water Protection a nd Restoration Research Unit (GWPRRU) produced and rested a low-cost design multiport sock sampler for ground water monitoring. The sock sampler desig n allowed the: recovery of multiple depth-specific ground water samples fro m depths of 150 feet (45 m) from individual boreholes in the sandstone aqui fer at the field site. Because of their use of inexpensive materials, simpl e design, installation and use that does not require gravel packs, packers, or grouting, sock samplers were found to be the most cost effective, conve nient, and reliable method of obtaining multiple depth-specific ground wate r samples at the project field site.