Incremental Sampling is a two-day course that provides an overview of incremental sampling (IS) concepts to account for soil heterogeneity and reduce total sampling error to obtain soil samples that are representative of the average concentration of contaminants at the site. The course uses the seven-step DQO process to explore the elements of planning and implementing IS designs. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Describe sampling theory concepts for particulate media and explain how soil heterogeneity and sampling methodology can affect data variability.
• Build the introductory skills needed to plan, design, collect, and analyze incremental soil samples.
• Integrate systematic approaches for tool selection, field sampling, processing, and subsampling to produce representative soil samples that support defensible decision-making.
• Review and perform the statistical methods commonly used for analyzing replicate incremental sampling data to assess variability and support decision making based on the average concentration, when appropriate.
• Practice designing an incremental sampling approach following the 7-step DQO process.

The training course uses a combination of lectures and interactive scenarios for participants to practice and discuss sampling design using the DQO process. The course also uses case studies and lessons learned for a variety of applications and contaminant scenarios.