Sample Collection Procedures for FasTEST

FasTEST provides rapid and accurate analysis of aquatic herbicide concentrations in water. FasTEST assay services are available for monitoring the following SePRO aquatic products: Sonar®, Renovate® 3, Renovate® OTF, Renovate® MAX G, Galleon® SC, Sculpin® G, Captain®, K-Tea®, SeClear®, Komeen®, Nautique®, Clearcast®, Habitat®, Oasis®, ProcellaCOR®, and Stingray®. It is extremely important to maintain a contamination-free environment during water sample collection. Do not collect water samples from a boat that was used to apply the SePRO aquatic product you are monitoring. All equipment and clothes used during sampling should be completely free of the aquatic herbicide.

Follow these collection steps in sequence.

1. Complete the Chain of Custody (COC) form online at here for the sample(s) including the analysis requested. The ECOC submission number will be needed for each sample.
    
2. Write out a label for EACH sample bottle that will be used at each sample collection site beforehand. On the label, it should include the sample identification and the ECOC number from above. Affix the labels to the appropriate bottle after collecting samples. NOTE: Only use a black or blue ballpoint pen or permanent marker. Other ink types can be washed away by condensation.
    
3. At the sample collection site, remove the bottle cap from the designated bottle, triple rinse the bottle with water from this site, and submerge the bottle upside down until elbow deep. Should your program require sampling at depth, utilize the proper device to collect water from the target depth or depths.
    
4. Turn the bottle upright and begin filling. When the bottle is full, yet still underwater at the targeted collection depth, screw the cap back on the bottle. Place the sample bottle(s) in a cooler with ice packs and close the lid to prevent exposure to sunlight.
   • For ProcellaCOR FasTEST, use a clear glass vial to collect samples. Using appropriate personal protective equipment (gloves, safety glasses, etc.), the contents of the clear vial should be transferred to the preserved amber glass vial until filled to preserve the sample. Place the amber vial in a bubble wrap sleeve to protect the glass vial. Place in a cooler with ice packs.
   NOTE: The preserved bottle contains acid, which can cause burns.
    
5. Place fresh ice packs or ice in leak-proof bags into a cooler and immediately ship via Overnight Express (morning delivery, please). Packages that are leaking do not get delivered to the SRTC.
    
6. FedEx is the preferred freight method. Do not ship via U.S. Mail. 
   NOTE: Do not ship on a Friday.
    
7. Ship samples to:
   
   SePRO Research & Technology Campus 
   16013 Watson Seed Farm Road 
   Whitakers, NC 27891
   
   E-mail: srtclab@sepro.com
   
   Questions?
   If you have questions about sample collection, please contact your SePRO Technical Specialist. If you need to order FasTEST sample bottles, please go to our website sepro.com/lab.

 

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FasTEST F.A.Q.

Q. Why ship Chain of Custody (COC) in a plastic bag?

A. When the Chain of Custody is not protected from moisture, it may become wet and thus very difficult to read... if we can’t read or salvage the COC, the sample cannot be analyzed until we establish where the sample originated. This may result in a later turnaround than our 48-hour policy for water analysis.

Q. Why ship overnight?

A. Shipping overnight ensures that your water sample is not left in an environment (such as the back of a delivery truck or warehouse) in-which external factors may affect sample integrity.

Q. Why ship samples on ice?

A. We know that water samples maintain their integrity if kept on ice or in a cold environment; we do not know the same about samples that arrive warm or hot, and this leaves the potential for skewed results.

Q. Why send water samples in an opaque Nalgene® bottle?

A. Many of the herbicides we test for are broken down by photolysis (absorption of light), so translucent bottles may promote additional breakdown before analysis is complete.

Q. Why send ProcellaCOR water samples in a glass amber vial with a PTFE lid?

A. ProcellaCOR has a tendency to adhere to plastic, interfering with the analysis.