On-site Sampling Research Articles

Triplex Inertia-Magneto-Elastic (TIME) sorting of microparticles in non-Newtonian fluids

Detection of harmful biological substances in food at the Point of Use (PoU) is very important to the prevention of foodborne diseases. Sample and reagent preparation at the PoU, as a necessary step before detection, is urgently needed. Portable and field-deployable sample preparation microfluidic devices for manipulating particles and biological substances in Newtonian fluids like water have been developed. However, understanding the mechanism of particle focusing and multiplex sorting of particles with various properties in prominent non-Newtonian fluids such as milk, blood, and DNA solutions have lagged behind. Accordingly, we developed a microfluidic device to investigate the effect of inertial, magnetic and elastic forces on the focusing of magnetic (9 and 15 µm) and non-magnetic (15 µm) particles in synthetic viscoelastic fluids with various viscosities. We also demonstrated the application of our studies in Triplex Inertia-Magneto-Elastic (TIME) sorting of these particles with purity and efficiency of more than 92%. The device included a square microchannel with a side permanent magnet, expanding symmetrically downstream to a wider channel to drop the particles velocity for on-chip imaging. We investigated the effect of multiple parameters on the focusing of each particle experimentally and analytically, in order to obtain understanding of particle dynamics and the best recipe in which triplex particle separation could be achieved with high efficiency. The studied parameters included the microchannel dimension, flow rate, fluid viscoelasticity, and magnetic field strength and exposure time. This study provides the foundation for development of devices for separation of bio-substances in viscoelastic fluids, immunologically attached to microparticles. Our device has the potential to be used for on-site sample preparation along with a variety of biosensors to render biodetection possible at the PoU.

Public acceptance of and heterogeneity in behavioral beach trip responses to offshore wind farm development in Catalonia (Spain)

A combined travel cost – contingent behaviour survey of residents and tourists in Catalonia is conducted on-site to examine the effects on beach recreational demand of developing an offshore wind farm (OWF) project. The survey considers four potential OWF scenarios with different degrees of visual impact. We allow for heterogeneity in trip preferences among individuals and control for on-site sampling through the use of a random parameters negative binomial (RPNB) model and a Multivariate Poisson log-normal (MPLN) model, respectively. The welfare measures derived from the RPNB model relate to the current beach users only, whereas those from the MPLN model refer to the general population of residents and tourists in Catalonia. The results show the importance of the specific place of location of the OWF project and how the installation of wind turbines would significantly decrease the demand for trips, depending on their degree of visual impacts, leading to a substantial welfare loss. However, the results also show that the project mainly would cause a displacement of trips to other beaches within Catalonia rather than outside Catalonia and that the welfare per trip measures generated by the RPNB and MPLN models substantially differ. Policy implications of these findings are discussed.

Typical industrial sector-based volatile organic compounds source profiles and ozone formation potentials in Zhengzhou, China

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from local industries can cause PM2.5 and ozone pollution. The VOCs source profiles of 14 industries were set up on the basis of on-site sampling in this work. The sectors were divided into four following groups according to their largest fraction of emission component: oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs), aromatic, alkane, and halohydrocarbon emissions. The main species for OVOCs, alkane, and halohydrocarbon emissions were ethanol and ethyl acetate, C5–C12 substances, and 1,2-dichloroethane and trichloromethane, respectively. In terms of aromatic emissions, complex and various species were emitted. A comparison of the automobile and furniture manufacturing sectors with other regions indicated that some similarities exist in aromatic emissions. However, Zhengzhou City had a remarkably lower toluene emission than do other areas, and some special species were also detected in the locality. The ozone formation potential (OFP) profiles were also set up through the VOCs source profiles and maximum incremental reactivity (MIR) theory, which illustrated that the automobile manufacturing sector had the largest influence on ozone formation owing to increased furniture manufacturing (3.41), followed by aromatic emissions (2.94). Aromatics and OVOCs from similar sources had a significant effect on the OFP values. In general, the main influential species in Zhengzhou are ethanol, 2-hexanone, 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenze, m/p-xylene, o-xylene, and toluene for VOCs and ozone pollution.

Research on the Relationship between the Individual Characteristics of Electric Bike Riders and Illegal Speeding Behavior: A Questionnaire-Based Study

To examine the relationship between electric bike riders’ individual characteristics and their riding speed, this paper obtained 350 valid survey responses from e-bike riders using an on-site sampling survey method. Using the non-aggregate theory, we take the individual attributes of the rider’s age, driving age, personality, and corrective vision as potential influencing factors. The metric model of the influencing factors of the rider’s personal characteristics on riding speed is established, and we analyze the sensitivity of many influencing factors by using the theory of elasticity. The results show that the absolute value of the elasticity value corresponding to the rider’s gender, age, corrected visual acuity, and other factors is less than 1, which indicates that the above factors have no flexibility regarding the rider’s riding speed selection behavior. However, in four selection intervals, the elasticity values of the rider’s education level are 1.577, 2.484, 1.810, and 1.667; those of their driving age are −1.537, −2.061, −1.547, and −1.606, and those of their riding proficiency are 3.302, 12.038, 10.370, and 11.177, which indicate that the three factors of rider’s education level, driving age, and riding proficiency have a significant impact on the riding speed choice behavior. The finding of the study is helpful for the relevant government departments to formulate more accurate classified intervention measures, and effectively prevent the occurrence of illegal speeding behavior.

Optimisation model construction of enterprise's green production and energy saving based on internet technology

In order to overcome the problems of energy consumption and high cost in the traditional green production node optimisation model, a new energy-saving optimisation model based on internet technology is proposed. Using real-time monitoring centre, energy management network architecture, on-site data information sampling, energy management software, etc. to build enterprise production energy data monitoring and collection system. Based on the remote monitoring and related data collection, and with the constraints of saving resources and ecological protection as well as non-negative conditions, the enterprise green production energy-saving optimisation model is constructed, the proportion coefficient is introduced, the model is solved, and the enterprise green energy-saving optimisation is completed. The experimental results show that the model can effectively reduce the energy consumption and cost of production, and has high reliability.

Optimisation model construction of enterprise's green production and energy saving based on internet technology

In order to overcome the problems of energy consumption and high cost in the traditional green production node optimisation model, a new energy-saving optimisation model based on internet technology is proposed. Using real-time monitoring centre, energy management network architecture, on-site data information sampling, energy management software, etc. to build enterprise production energy data monitoring and collection system. Based on the remote monitoring and related data collection, and with the constraints of saving resources and ecological protection as well as non-negative conditions, the enterprise green production energy-saving optimisation model is constructed, the proportion coefficient is introduced, the model is solved, and the enterprise green energy-saving optimisation is completed. The experimental results show that the model can effectively reduce the energy consumption and cost of production, and has high reliability.

Penta-fluorophenol: a Smiles rearrangement-inspired cysteine-selective fluorescent probe for imaging of human glioblastoma.

Two of the most critical factors for the survival of glioblastoma (GBM) patients are precision diagnosis and the tracking of treatment progress. At the moment, various sophisticated and specific diagnostic procedures are being used, but there are relatively few simple diagnosis methods. This work introduces a sensing probe based on a turn-on type fluorescence response that can measure the cysteine (Cys) level, which is recognized as a new biomarker of GBM, in human-derived cells and within on-site human clinical biopsy samples. The Cys-initiated chemical reactions of the probe cause a significant fluorescence response with high selectivity, high sensitivity, a fast response time, and a two-photon excitable excitation pathway, which allows the imaging of GBM in both mouse models and human tissue samples. The probe can distinguish the GBM cells and disease sites in clinical samples from individual patients. Besides, the probe has no short or long-term toxicity and immune response. The present findings hold promise for application of the probe to a relatively simple and straightforward following of GBM at clinical sites.

Ignition source localization in gaseous mixtures explosions expertise

Gas-explosion events in the private or industrial field are usually followed by a technical analysis of the factors that led to their generation. In this respect, INCD INSEMEX Petroşani is accredited for conducting the technical expertise and for the elaboration of the Expertise Report. Starting with on-site findings and sampling, research continues at INCD INSEMEX laboratories, grouped on areas of interest in case management (electrical, ventilation, chemical, pyrotechnics, etc.). Determining the causes of the event implicitly involves establishing the probable source of initiation of the explosive mixture, after discovering the fuel gas source and analyzing how the mixture was formed. Due to the geometric complexity of the space in which the explosion occurred, incident, reflected or compound shock waves generated by explosion can create a footprint of the event that questions the location of the source of initiation. Depending on the possible sources found in the field, the INSEMEX Laboratory of Computational Simulations performs analyzes based on finite elements and finite volumes methods. The elements taken into account in the computational simulations concern both the geometry of the space, the nature of the combustible gas leakage, the dispersion of the gas, and the resulting thermal and mechanical effects.

Correlation of isoconcentration profiles resolution of water parameters with on-site sampling methodology

Correlation of isoconcentration profiles resolution of water parameters with on-site sampling methodology

Toward Understanding of the Peanut Maturity Classification Process

HighlightsThe manual mesocarp color-based classification process for runner peanuts was investigated to inform the development of an automatic method for peanut maturity classification.The results show that the maturity classification process is not solely dependent on mesocarp color. Other factors, such as the shape of the sample distribution, are considered during the manual process.Color detection and distribution shape should be considered in the future development of automatic peanut maturity classification system.Abstract. Optimizing the harvest date is essential for maximizing peanut yields and ensuring top-quality peanuts. Currently, the most popular and acceptable method for peanut maturity classification is a manual method called the peanut profile board, which is based on the color of the peanut’s mesocarp layer. An automated system could greatly improve the efficiency of the current manual method. However, little research has been done on the manual method, so there is not enough insight to guide the development of an automatic system. In this study, the aim was to analyze the process of using the peanut profile board and gather relevant information for developing an automatic method for peanut maturity classification. Specifically, a GoPro camera was used to record on-site sample classification by trained human classifiers. Classification times were analyzed through the recorded videos, and the classification results were compared with a solely color-based classification method to see if trained classifiers consider factors other than color. With an average classification time of 11.98 s per peanut, the Black 1 color category required more classification time than the other color categories, which indicates that Black 1 is most important for maturity classification. The results from the solely color-based classification method had an average color matching rate of 69.3% with the results of the trained classifiers, which indicates that peanut maturity evaluation is not based only on color. The maturity prediction, defined as the ratio of the number of peanuts in the combined brown and black categories to the total sample size, differed by an average of only 13.4% between the two classification methods. This indicates that mesocarp color is the major factor for peanut maturity classification. Overall, the results of this study prove the feasibility of automated color detection and classification for peanut maturity evaluation. Future development of such a system will benefit from the insights found in this study. Keywords: Color classification, Peanut classification time, Peanut maturity classification procedure.

Environmental behavior of construction and demolition waste as recycled aggregates for backfilling in mines: Leaching toxicity and surface subsidence studies

Environmental behavior of construction and demolition waste in cemented backfilling mining technology (CW-CBMT) is studied, with the aim of expanding the scope of construction and demolition waste (CDW) utilization, as well as developing strategies to release coal resources. Toxicity leaching, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mechanical properties testing about on-site sampling are carried out, and surface subsidence is surveyed. The results reveal that the maximum leaching concentration (0.00113 mg/L) of arsenic from cemented backfilling body with construction and demolition waste (CBCW) is small, the leaching solution is alkaline, and the leaching of heavy metals is influenced by aggregate particle size and by acidity and alkalinity. The results also show that the average compressive strength of CBCW is 2.4 MPa. The distribution of aggregates and elemental content influence the spatial distribution of compressive strength. The variation of internal distribution of elemental content of the CBCW can be interpreted by multifractal parameters. The maximum surface subsidence value is 245 mm, with the fastest sinking speed occurring in the mining stage and a return of surface subsidence stability after halting of mining. A comprehensive analysis of the test results shows that, from an environmental viewpoint, the application of CW-CBMT is successful.

KAJIAN TERHADAP KUALITI UDARA DI BEBERAPA KAWASAN LUAR BANDAR TERPILIH DI NEGERI JOHOR

The rapid development that spills over into rural areas has resulted in rural areas in the State of Johor is no exception showed deterioration of air quality as a result of development. The study area was in Kampung Paya Pulai, Segamat; Parit Raja, Batu Pahat; Kampung Sri Bahagia, Mersing and Kampung Pok and Johor Bahru. Air quality sampling for this study is for gas pollutant SO2, NO2, CO, O3 and PM10 which requires sampling for one hour. Gases such as SO2, NO2 and CO2 content gas concentration values are seen in air through air quality sampling tool YESAIR Model #6000. While sampling the Ozone O3 through the tool Detector. These two tools are portable and direct reading of values obtained after the observations made on-site sampling study area. While PM10, the air samples are collected using the tool per sample air G2142 Model E-Sampler. Recorded Data will be transferred to the computer using Terminal Utility Software (TUS) to analyzed. Air observation was carried out three times a day, in the morning, noon and night. Air quality sampling performed on two different days which are business days in Johor (Monday-Friday) and not working (Saturday & Sunday). While for pollutants PM10 is determined within the last 24 hours. Determination of air quality based on the Standards referenced/air quality environment in Malaysia, issued by the Department of Environment (DOE). The results showed pollution occurs in all rural areas in the State of Johor. Gas SO2 and NO.2 show the highest reading was in Parit Raja with each recitation of SO2 am 0.011 0.024 noon and night, 0.008 ppm, while NO.2 at reading in the morning, noon and 0.009 0.011-night 0.005 ppm. The main gas contributing to air pollution is PM10, CO, and O3 in all areas of the study. API on average less than 50 reading still categorized as ' healthy '. Only one station that recorded the value of the ' medium ' in Kampung Paya Pulai, Segamat contributed by the concentration of PM10. It is hoped that this study will serve as a guide to community and stakeholders in the development of rural areas and the need to maintain the air quality in rural areas.

Determinants of consumers’ intentions to share knowledge and intentions to purchase on s-commerce sites: incorporating attitudes toward persuasion attempts into a social exchange model

This research explores s-commerce users’ intentions to purchase and to share knowledge by incorporating ‘attitudes toward persuasion attempts,’ ‘ease of use,’ and ‘perceived usefulness’ into a social exchange theory model. A survey using an on-site purposive sampling technique was used to recruit the respondents, and an interception technique was used to approach the consumers. A total of 471 Korean consumers participated in this research. Based on 471 Korean social-commerce users, our results reveal that social exchange belief factors and a site’s usability affect user satisfaction, which subsequently affects users’ intentions to purchase and to share knowledge. In addition, attitudes toward persuasion attempts moderate the effect of satisfaction on users’ purchase intentions.

Managing Pollution Impacted Potable Ground Water in Rural Area of Eastern Pune Metropolitan Region: Disinfection by Common Plants

Potable ground water quality is at risk due to contamination by pollution, sewage, industrial effluents along the nearby areas of Mula-Mutha river banks in eastern metropolitan region of Puneand needed treatment especially disinfection for making it domestically usable. The phytoremediation is one of the important useful method when considered for treatment of water in rural area. The study involved monitoring the quality of ground water in the selected areas along the banks of the river using physicochemical and biologicql parametersin continuation with our earlier studies. For the disinfection treatmentthe commonly found plantsin the area viz. Neem, Tulsi, and Amlawere selected and for the water samples, onsite river water samples and bore well water samples were used. The plants leaves were extracted by water and alcohol and the extracts in dose response manner were used to treat the water. The treated water was monitored for presence of Total coliform and E.coli, the indicators of contamination, using petri film method. The resultsshowedrandom presence of total coliform and E.coli in bore well water samples indicating contaminationand the need fordisinfection.The disinfection study showed that alcoholic leaves extracts were more potent in disinfecting the water samples than aqueous extracts. The complete disinfection by alcoholic extracts was shown at concentration of 21.12mg, 42.8mg and 24.07mgfor Tulsi, Neem and Amla respectively.

Quality of life: The perspective of urban park recreation in three Asian cities

Health and wellness is an important research topic in the area of parks, recreation, and tourism. Previous research has suggested that green spaces such as urban parks are associated with people's health and wellness, including their quality of life (QOL). Despite a recent proliferation of research on QOL and well-being in parks, recreation, and tourism, little has been conducted in a cross-cultural context. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between the 26-item WHOQOL-BREF scale and demographics and behavioral variables among urban park users from three cities: Jakarta, Indonesia, Seoul, South Korea, and Taipei, Taiwan. In 2016, an on-site systematic selection sampling approach was employed and 608 useful surveys were obtained from park users. Two hierarchical exploratory factor analyses and a reliability analysis were employed to find interpretable dimensions of QOL in the context of urban parks and recreation. The results revealed a three-factor solution. The first factor, life satisfaction, had six items; the second, physical condition, had three items; and the third, self-satisfaction, contained three items. These factors were verified and tested with a sequence of demographics and behavioral variables. The results demonstrated that QOL was significantly related to the demographics and behavioral variables. The findings have implications for management and policymaking in urban parks and recreation. Managers may tailor their services to enhance QOL according to the diverse backgrounds of urban inhabitants and park users. Discussion and suggestions for future research are also provided. Management implicationsThe dimensions and factor patterns describing the role of parks for the quality of life cannot be transferred from urban parks in North America to Asian cities such as Jakarta, Seoul or Taipei. The comparison reveals significant cultural differences even between these three cities.Park managers need to consider a heterogeneous profile of urban park users. The findings suggest that frequency of visit and length of stay have positive effects on the self-reported quality of life.

All\u2019s well? Comparing on- and off-site pollen samples and exploring the potential of pollen from man-made contexts

Pollen analysis has long been used as a tool to make an assessment of regional vegetation. On-site pollen samples are taken for the same purpose at some excavations, because they are often the only available contexts with good preservation conditions. This paper shows that the analysis of on- and off-site pollen samples from the same region (West Frisia, the Netherlands) and time period (Dutch Bronze Age; ca. 2000–800 bc) can give very conflicting results on the type and amount of regional vegetation, in this case forest cover. Reasons for this discrepancy are discussed in relation to the use of on-site contexts by people in the past, as well as their location within a settlement. Furthermore, the potential of these contexts for the assessment of locally performed subsistence-related activities is outlined. New research directions are required to test this potential, so that wells and other man-made pollen traps can become a valuable future tool for reconstructing the past.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Endobronchial Ultrasound Transbronchial Needle Aspiration in Lymphoma. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Rationale: Endobronchial ultrasound with transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive method used to diagnose suspected mediastinal lymph nodes or masses. However, the accuracy of the diagnosis in patients with suspected lymphoma is unclear.Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA in patients with suspected lymphoma.Methods: A literature search including EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar was performed by two reviewers. Included articles were evaluated using the QUADAS-2 tool and meta-analysis with a binary method model to compare the sensitivity, specificity, and summary receiver operating characteristic curve in patients with suspected lymphoma.Results: Fourteen studies (425 participants) were pooled in the analysis. EBUS-TBNA reported an overall sensitivity of 66.2% (confidence interval [CI], 55-75.8%; I2 = 76.2%) and specificity of 99.3% (CI, 98.2-99.7%; I2 = 40%). For a new diagnosis of lymphoma, 13 studies including 243 participants reported sensitivity of 67.1% (CI, 54.2-77.9%; I2 = 66.8%) and specificity of 99.6% (CI, 99.1-99.8%; I2 = 0%). For recurrence of lymphoma, 11 studies including 166 participants reported sensitivity of 77.8% (CI, 68.1-85.2%; I2 = 20.2%) and specificity of 99.5% (CI, 98.9-99.8%; I2 = 0%). In the recurrence group, we found the use of rapid onsite examination, sample size, and flow cytometry increased the sensitivity of EBUS-TBNA, albeit a potential source of heterogeneity.Conclusions: EBUS-TBNA has fair sensitivity for identifying a new diagnosis of lymphoma and fair to good sensitivity for identifying recurrence.Trial Registry: PROSPERO CRD42018102773 https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=102773.

Effects of Secondary Dust Lifting on Ambient Particulate Matter in Open-yard Stockpile

Dust emission from open-yard stockpile is an important source of atmospheric particulate pollution. However, there were few literatures on on-site sampling analysis to study the effects of secondary dust lifting on atmospheric particulate matter concentration in open-yard stockpile. Field testing was the most effective means of verifying the accuracy of wind tunnel tests and numerical simulation methods. In order to study the contribution of secondary dusts to the ambient particulate matter pollution in the open-yard stockpile, field tests are carried out on three typical stockpiling sites of Haihua thermoelectric coal-fired power plant surface coal pile, Open-air soda ash heap in Haihua soda ash plant and Yingyang flavour and fragrance company boiler coal stack. The test results show that the contribution rates of thermal power plant coal pile to particulate matter 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5) and particulate matter 10 micrometres or less in diameter (PM10) are 34.3 % and 26.1 %, the contribution rates of soda plant slag pile to PM2.5 and PM10 are 22.3 % and 36.2 % respectively, and is greatly influenced by the local wind direction and wind speed. The research results provide a solid field test data basis for identifying the contribution of secondary dust to the surrounding atmospheric environment and the law of dust diffusion, which is of great significance for winning the blue sky war.

Application of factor and cluster analyses to determine source–receptor relationships of industrial volatile organic odor species in a dual-optical sensing system

Abstract. Most odor nuisance investigations rely on either human olfactory examination or on-site sampling and analytical techniques, but these methods are often subject to spatial and temporal limitations and thus impractical for locating odor emission sources. This study developed an alternative approach with a dual-optical sensing system, a meteorological station, and the combination of factor and cluster analyses to identify and characterize emission sources of multiple air contaminants. Factor and cluster analyses were employed to establish the emission profile of multiple odorous substances from each emission source. Both receptor and source monitoring data were collected to characterize the emission sources of various odorous substances. Open-path Fourier transform infrared (OP-FTIR) as a receptor path detected concurrent trends of several organic solvents with concentrations higher than the reference odor threshold values, indicating that these compounds were potential causes of odor nuisance. Qualitative source apportionment by factor and cluster analyses suggested that these odorous substances were used as organic solvents in surface coating or painting processes. Closed-cell Fourier transform infrared (CC-FTIR) at two nearby surface-coating companies indicated that only one company's stack exhibited the same odorous substance profile found by the OP-FTIR receptor path. The major odor emission source was thus identified in this study. This study demonstrated the feasibility of using the alternative investigative framework to successfully identify emission sources from an industrial odor nuisance site. The major emission sources were identified, and future enforcement plans can be conducted to enhance odor investigation efficiency and improve overall air quality.

Plastic and sustainability onsite

In the war on plastic, Geoff Faro argues for geoscientists to take a more strategic approach to on-site sampling Faro, G., Plastic and sustainability onsite. Geoscientist 29 (9), 9, 2019 https://doi.org/10.1144/geosci2019-049; Download the pdf here Unless you have been living under a rock (excuse the geology pun) for the past 5 years, the war on plastic is forefront in the media with people finding alternatives to single-use plastics and other disposable items. In our household (lead dutifully by Mrs Faro), we now proudly use bamboo toothbrushes, bamboo scourers, bamboo pot brushes, solid shampoo (looks like a bar of soap), metal reusable straws and reusable coffee cups. We choose food not wrapped in plastic and our daughter is the pride of the nursery sporting her finest re-useable nappies. All in all, we’re left with a warm (and yes, probably self-righteous) fuzzy feeling that we do all, or at least a lot that we can. Ethics on site Although many of us promote our green ethics, undertake brownfield remediation and brand ourselves as ‘Environmental’ companies, the application of an eco-friendly approach at work, especially when undertaking environmental investigations is tricky. Recently, Geosphere Environmental undertook a small, client-scoped investigation using the Institution of Civil Engineers specification with site-specific amendments. The number of sample containers used was considerable. Overall, for four trial pits and two windowless sample holes, we used 90 plastic tubs, 104 glass jars (all with plastic lids), 20 bulk bags, 39 small bags for head space testing, a dozen plastic liners and a plastic bailer. So, on site, as I smugly drink my coffee from my bamboo compostable mug, I can’t help but think all good work that the Faro family and many others are undertaking at home to reduce single-use plastic, pales into insignificance when a few people on site for one day can fill up a medium-sized van—and likely only a fraction of these samples will ever be tested. Reduce, reuse, recycle During a recent laboratory visit, we asked what happens to the samples and containers. It all goes to landfill as hazardous waste. If this is the problem, what is the solution? We can’t eliminate sampling. Reusable containers? They don’t exist as far as I’m aware and emptying and cleaning the containers isn’t going to happen. Recycling the containers? Maybe possible, but this is labour intensive, so incurs extra cost. With all the laboratories vying for business at competitive rates, recycling is unlikely to happen unless forced. This leaves reducing. Can we reduce the number of samples we take instead of the ‘shotgun’ approach often taken? Reduction could be achieved with a good desk-study or by having someone on site that is able to make an informed decision as to what will be tested, rather than a recent graduate instructed to blindly sample at half-metre depth intervals. One less tub is the same as one less shampoo bottle and will assist with (but not solve) our reliance on plastic. In the end, every little helps. Of course, this approach isn’t infallible—the environmental impact of returning to site if more samples were needed is significantly larger than a couple of pots— but we must at least try to reduce our industrial impacts wherever possible (so how about we stop sending out Geoscientist in a plastic wrapper?) Anyway, rant over, I’m off to entice the drillers away from their single-use coffee cups. Geoff Faro is a Principal Engineering Geologist at Geosphere Environmental; e-mail: geoff@geosphere-environmental.co.uk