Liquid sampling apparatus and methods enable hands free collection of samples from surface waters via drone or other remote delivery systems. The liquid sampling apparatus includes a frame configured to support a plurality of groundwater sampling bailers in circumferential spaced apart relationship around a central axis of the frame, each bailer comprising an elongate tubular housing configured to collect and store a liquid sample from a body of liquid. A weight is movably secured to the frame and is configured to move between a retracted position and a downwardly extended position. When in the downwardly extended position, the weight is configured to maintain the liquid sampling apparatus and the plurality of groundwater sampling bailers in a generally vertical orientation during liquid sample collection.

A system for measuring with the aid of light absorption spectrometry the concentration of one or more analytes in porewater in soil, the system comprising: one or more monitoring unit(s), each monitoring unit comprising a porewater sampler (1), an optical flow cell (2) with a tube connecting the liquid inlet port of said optical flow cell to said porewater sampler; and vacuum arrangement to enable extraction of porewater; at least one light source (5) for generating a light beam to be transmitted through said optical flow cell (2); and at least one detector (8) for obtaining spectral information from the beam exiting said optical flow cell. A method of measurement is also provided.

A device for measuring ground penetration resistance that can perform this type of measurements with a hydrostatically compensated tip. Measurements of penetration resistance use a hydraulic compensated cone, which addresses the issue of very soft sediments at high water depths. The cone includes a floating tip, a body, a housing and a sleeve. Low viscosity oil fills the internal cavity between the tip and the core. A differential pressure transducer located at the top of the cone body determines the difference between the insertion related pressure and the background water pressure. This system compensates for this pressure difference using the pore fluid during insertion instead of the water column, which results in greater accuracy.

A device for measuring ground penetration resistance that can perform this type of measurements with a hydrostatically compensated tip. Measurements of penetration resistance use a hydraulic compensated cone, which addresses the issue of very soft sediments at high water depths. The cone includes a floating tip, a body, a housing and a sleeve. Low viscosity oil fills the internal cavity between the tip and the core. A differential pressure transducer located at the top of the cone body determines the difference between the insertion related pressure and the background water pressure. This system compensates for this pressure difference using the pore fluid during insertion instead of the water column, which results in greater accuracy.

An automated, fieldable ion-selective sensor system for frequent detection of nutrients in soils or water is set forth. In one aspect, an integrated small form-factor housing includes a battery, processor, a fluid manipulation unit and reservoirs, and a chemical species detection cell. A flow-through sampling head can be connected to the detection cell and a waste reservoir by flexible tubing sealingly connected at opposite ends of the tube. In one aspect, improved performance of the ion-selective sensor includes adding an ion-to-electron transfer interlayer between an ion-selective membrane and its working electrode. In one aspect, the sensor is solid-state and uses printed polymeric composite of POT-MoS.sub.2. The use of a porous tube for a sampling head and fluid connection at opposite ends allows not only fluid to be removed from the head to the detection cell for measurement but also flow in an opposite direction and out to a waste reservoir to clean and reset for a next sample measurement.

An in-situ monitoring tool is provided that is compromised of a non-reactive medium, a reactive medium, or a combination thereof, contained in a water-permeable mesh. The tool is placed in an aquifer for a predetermined amount of time to allow the medium(s) to act as a substrate that collects minerals from the aquifer for analysis.

Provided are low flow groundwater fluid sampling systems and related methods of collecting fluid samples, including a low flow pump, flow cell, waste container and a communication device in communication with those components. In this manner, the low flow pump may be controlled to ensure a desired constant flow-rate is achieved, and a remote operator may monitor the status of fluid being pumped to the flow cell with the communication device, such as with a portable electronic device, including a smart phone. The system may alert the operator that fluid is ready to be collected for sampling, including at an off-site laboratory. Particularly useful applications are for monitoring groundwater quality and contamination.

An underground sampling tool (HTMS) for underground water analysis of both quality and flow rate, providing the information required to perform an underground drilling and obtain uncontaminated water for crop irrigation, said tool comprising: a housing for the electronic and electrical controls, a housing for the hydraulic means controlled by the electric and electronic portion of the tool, a test body consisting of a variety of hydraulic circuits for operating the various operating valves of the tool, wherein said test body further comprises: a rear shoe on an axial axis of the tool, wherein said rear shoe is driven by two telescoping pistons simultaneously that arise from the inside of the tool when driven by a signal of a surface equipment operably enabled for this purpose, and a front shoe, driven by several pistons which are housed below the front shoe, not shown in the figures, and driven by one or more electro-pneumatic devices acting jointly and generating a progressive forward or backward movement of the front shoe. Process for the collection and analysis of samples in a wellbore using said tool.

An underground sampling tool (HTMS) for underground water analysis of both quality and flow rate, providing the information required to perform an underground drilling and obtain uncontaminated water for crop irrigation, said tool comprising: a housing for the electronic and electrical controls, a housing for the hydraulic means controlled by the electric and electronic portion of the tool, a test body consisting of a variety of hydraulic circuits for operating the various operating valves of the tool, wherein said test body further comprises: a rear shoe on an axial axis of the tool, wherein said rear shoe is driven by two telescoping pistons simultaneously that arise from the inside of the tool when driven by a signal of a surface equipment operably enabled for this purpose, and a front shoe, driven by several pistons which are housed below the front shoe, not shown in the figures, and driven by one or more electro-pneumatic devices acting jointly and generating a progressive forward or backward movement of the front shoe. Process for the collection and analysis of samples in a wellbore using said tool.

Provided are low flow groundwater fluid sampling systems and related methods of collecting fluid samples, including a low flow pump, flow cell, waste container and a communication device in communication with those components. In this manner, the low flow pump may be controlled to ensure a desired constant flow-rate is achieved, and a remote operator may monitor the status of fluid being pumped to the flow cell with the communication device, such as with a portable electronic device, including a smart phone. The system may alert the operator that fluid is ready to be collected for sampling, including at an off-site laboratory. Particularly useful applications are for monitoring groundwater quality and contamination.