Insitusampling

Insitusampling, often written as in situ sampling, is a sampling approach in which specimens or data are collected directly at the location of interest, without removing them to a secondary lab environment before analysis. The goal is to preserve the original conditions and contextual information, such as surrounding matrix, temperature, moisture, and biological associations, to limit artifacts that can arise during transport or storage.

Applications include environmental monitoring (water and soil quality, air particulates), geological and soil science, archaeology, and ecological field studies. In situ sampling can be performed with sensors and direct collection tools that operate at the site, or with portable devices that process samples immediately.

Methods include deployment of in situ sensors (pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, temperature), micro-samplers, core samplers, sediment cores, soil probes, passive samplers, and in-field filtration or extraction techniques. Data collection methods include continuous sensors and spot samples; some methods seek to minimize disturbance to the sample and its surroundings.

Advantages and limitations: advantages include preservation of native chemical and physical conditions, reduced risk of sample alteration, and faster data availability. Limitations include technical complexity, instrument calibration in field conditions, restricted sample volumes, potential for environmental variability, and risk of contamination.

Related concepts include in situ analysis, ex situ sampling, and field sampling.