If three areas of contaminated soil are discovered and cleaned up, what is the minimum number of samples that must be collected?

When addressing contaminated soil in a scenario where three areas are identified for clean-up, it is essential to ensure that a comprehensive assessment is conducted to evaluate the extent of contamination after remediation. Collecting a minimum of three samples aligns with the principle of being thorough in the evaluation process, allowing for a representative analysis of each area.

The rationale behind collecting three samples corresponds to the need for adequately capturing the variability and distribution of contamination within each area. By taking multiple samples, it increases the reliability of the data and helps confirm that the cleanup efforts effectively removed or reduced the contaminants to acceptable levels. This practice is crucial in environmental remediation to make informed decisions about the safety and suitability of the soil post-cleanup.

In summary, collecting three samples serves as a standard protocol to ensure that the assessment of contaminated soil is robust, reliable, and adheres to environmental safety standards.