CDPH Lead Inspector/Assessor California State Practice Exam

Which tool is appropriate for collecting soil samples?

1. Hand shovel

2. Coring tool or spoon

3. Metal bucket

4. Plastic scoop

The correct answer is: Coring tool or spoon

The use of a coring tool or spoon for collecting soil samples is appropriate because these tools are specifically designed to obtain a representative sample of the soil profile. Coring tools allow for the extraction of a cylindrical portion of soil, which helps in minimizing disturbance to the surrounding area and provides accurate data for analysis. A hand shovel, while it can be used for digging and collecting soil, may not yield a uniform sample that reflects the subsurface layers effectively, potentially leading to less reliable results. A metal bucket is primarily used for transporting collected samples rather than for collection itself, and while it can aid in storing soils, it does not facilitate gathering specific samples from the ground. A plastic scoop could be suitable for collecting soil, but it lacks the precision and depth-sampling capability that coring tools provide. Thus, the coring tool or spoon stands out as the best choice for ensuring that samples represent the soil accurately for assessment purposes.