Guide to the Selection and Use of Environmental Sampling Bottles: A Comprehensive Analysis of Materials, Types, and Application Scenarios

 

Environmental sampling bottles are core tools in environmental monitoring, scientific research analysis, and industrial testing, used for accurately collecting samples such as water, air, and soil. The correct selection and use of sampling bottles directly affect the reliability of detection results. The following explanations are presented from three aspects: material types, application scenarios, and usage specifications.

 

I. Materials and Types: Scientifically Match Sample Characteristics

1. Glass Sampling Bottles

Glass has strong chemical stability and is suitable for water quality analysis and air sample collection. For example, special glass bottles are required for greenhouse gas sampling to avoid reactions between the gas and the container. Brown glass bottles can block light and are suitable for storing light - sensitive samples (such as soil samples containing volatile organic compounds).

2. Plastic Sampling Bottles

   - Polypropylene (PP) Bottles: They can withstand high - pressure sterilization and are suitable for water quality sampling sensitive to pH.

   - High - Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Bottles: They have strong light - blocking properties and are commonly used for storing sulfur - containing or easily decomposed liquids.

   - Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Bottles: They are resistant to acid and alkali corrosion and are used for the detection of heavy metals or special chemicals.

3. Special Absorption Bottles

   - Bubble Absorption Bottles: They quickly dissolve gas molecules through the gas - liquid interface and are suitable for collecting molecular pollutants.

   - Impinger Absorption Bottles: They are used for the efficient enrichment of aerosol - state substances (such as industrial dust).

   - Multi - hole Glass Plate Absorption Bottles: They enhance absorption efficiency by dispersing bubbles and are suitable for fog - state aerosols and gas - mixed samples.

 

II. Application Scenarios and Capacity Selection

1. Water Quality Monitoring

   - Routine Indicators: Transparent glass bottles or PP bottles with a capacity of 250ml - 1000ml are used to meet the detection of parameters such as COD and BOD.

   - Trace Pollutants: 100ml light - blocking bottles (such as brown glass or HDPE materials) are used to prevent photolysis.

2. Gas Sampling

   - Greenhouse Gases: Glass bottles with sealing valves are used, usually with a capacity of 1L - 10L.

   - Odorous Gases: Special sampling bottles with a capacity of 3L - 5L that are resistant to chemical corrosion should be selected.

3. Soil and Sediments

   - Heavy Metal Detection: Wide - mouth brown glass bottles with a capacity of 500ml - 1000ml are used, paired with tetrafluoroethylene gaskets.

   - VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds): Straight - mouth bottles with a capacity of 40ml - 250ml are used to ensure no gas escape.

 

III. Usage Specifications and Precautions

1. Pretreatment Requirements

   - Before sampling, the bottles need to be thoroughly cleaned, and residues should be removed through steps such as high - temperature sterilization, ultrasonic decontamination, or acid soaking.

   - For particulate matter detection, NAS1638 - 1 grade clean bottles should be used to avoid interference from impurities in the bottles.

2. Sealing and Labeling

   - The bottle mouths should be equipped with silicone or PTFE gaskets to ensure long - term sealing.

   - The labels should indicate the sampling time, location, and detection items, and paper labels need to be waterproofed.

3. Storage and Transportation

   - Biological samples need to be refrigerated at 4°C, and some organic matter samples need to be frozen at - 20°C.

   - Gas sampling bottles should be placed vertically to avoid leakage caused by vibration.

 

IV. Standards and Compliance

Domestic environmental monitoring needs to follow standards such as the "Guidelines for Water Quality Sampling Techniques" and the "Method for Sampling Greenhouse Gases in Glass Bottles". For example, the air sampling flow rate needs to match the design of the absorption bottle (for example, impinger bottles are suitable for a large flow rate of 30L/min), and water quality bottles need to meet the cleanliness requirements of GB/T 12999 - 2014.