Disclosed is a sampling device, a sampling system and a method of collecting samples of particulates. Also disclosed a sampling device, a sampling system and a method of generating data associated with the collection of the samples of particulates. Also disclosed is a system and method for analysing the sample data to identify the particulates in the collected samples and their one or more characteristics which may be correlated with the surrounding environment.

A robotic soil sampling assembly for rapidly obtaining a soil sample from each of multiple sites includes a rolling chassis, to which a sampling apparatus and a computer are attached. The sampling apparatus comprises an auger, a plurality of containers, a robotic manager, and a robotic handler. The robotic manager selectively positions a respective container in axial alignment with the auger, whereupon it is selectively gripped by the robotic handler and selectively positioned along an axis that is defined by the auger. A drill motor and a drill actuator selectively rotate and drill the auger, respectively, into ground upon which the rolling chassis is positioned. The computer is programmed to selectively actuate a pair of chassis motors to sequentially position the rolling chassis at sampling sites and to selectively actuate the sampling apparatus for obtaining a soil sample, which is deposited into an associated container.

Embodiments are described of a sensing network including one or more sensor nodes, wherein each of the one or more sensor nodes includes a gas sensor that can measure the presence, concentration, or both, of one or more airborne pollutants in a nodal coverage area surrounding the sensor node. A sensor base that can measure the presence, concentration, or both, of one or more airborne pollutants is positioned in the nodal coverage area of each of the one or more sensor nodes, wherein the sensor base includes a gas sensor with higher accuracy, higher sensitivity, or both, than the gas sensors of the one or more sensor nodes. One or more servers communicatively coupled to the sensor base and the one or more sensors nodes. The sensor base and the sensor nodes can communicate their measurements to the server and the measurements of the sensor base are used by the server as a reference to correct the measurements of the one or more sensor nodes.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting seepage of hydrocarbons in subterranean zones. In one aspect, a method includes detecting hydrocarbon seepage at multiple different sampling depths from a surface in a surveyed geographic region, comparing each of the hydrocarbon seepage at the multiple different sampling depths, wherein hydrocarbon seepage at a reference depth is known, and determining hydrocarbon seepage through the surveyed geographic region based on a result of the comparison.

A mobile monitoring device for monitoring controlled contamination areas may include a motorized mobile structure, a sampling unit, and a central management and control unit. The motorized mobile structure is configured to move within an area to be monitored. The sampling unit is positioned on said mobile structure, and configured to perform sampling operations of air and/or surfaces of said area and obtain sampling data. The central management and control unit is operatively connected to the mobile structure and to said sampling unit. The mobile structure may be controlled by the central unit to reach predefined points of the area to be monitored. The sampling unit may be selectively activated and/or deactivated by said central unit in correspondence with said predefined starting points of said sampling operations.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting seepage of hydrocarbons in subterranean zones. In one aspect, a method includes detecting hydrocarbon seepage at multiple different sampling depths from a surface in a surveyed geographic region, comparing each of the hydrocarbon seepage at the multiple different sampling depths, wherein hydrocarbon seepage at a reference depth is known, and determining hydrocarbon seepage through the surveyed geographic region based on a result of the comparison.

An airborne particle collection system includes a monitoring device and a collection media. The monitoring device includes a housing having an air-intake slot, and a motor. The collection media includes an adhesive-coated tape contained within a removable cartridge inserted into the housing. The removable cartridge includes a particle intake zone, proximate to the air-intake slot, and through which the adhesive-coated tape is exposed to capture airborne particles passing through the air-intake slot, and an inspection zone at which the airborne particles captured at the intake zone are transported for optical imaging. The motor moves the airborne particles captured by the adhesive-coated tape from the particle intake zone to the inspection zone.

A system and method are provided for warning of an exposure of a second individual to an allergen by transfer from a first individual. Movements of the individuals are tracked so that allergen types and levels to which the individuals have been exposed can be obtained. Using knowledge of user sensitivity information to different allergens, it is determined if the first individual has been exposed to allergen types and levels which pose a risk to the second individual by GPS transfer from the first individual to the second individual. Thus, action can be taken when there is a determined risk of allergen transfer between individuals.

An apparatus and a method for identifying one or more sources of an airborne pollutant in a geographical area and for mitigating release of the airborne pollutant, comprising: receiving emission data and vehicle location data associated with a plurality of corresponding vehicles in the geographical area; receiving ambient air quality data for respective locations in the geographical area; apply a vehicle emission plume air dispersion model to process the received emission data, the received vehicle location data, and the received ambient air quality data; identify one or more principal sources of the airborne pollutant based on the processed emission data, vehicle location data, and ambient air quality data; and transmit an instruction related to one or more vehicles associated with the one or more identified principal sources of the airborne pollutant.

In one embodiment, a cartridge includes at least one compartment and a reagent in the at least one compartment. The reagent is a chemical composition for testing at least one of soil and vegetation for a chemical contained in the soil or vegetation. The reagent can be used in a soil and/or vegetation analysis test. The cartridge can contain an authentication chip to ensure that the reagent is the correct reagent for the analysis test.