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T-4-114 - SAMPLING PROCEDURES FOR FERTILIZERS
September 1997
INTRODUCTION
PART A - Mechanics of Sampling
PART B - Size of Sample
PART C - Sample Container
PART D - Exposure to Sample
August 9, 1994
The Fertilizers Regulations specify basic conditions that must be fulfilled
to ensure that a sample of fertilizer fairly represents the lot of fertilizer
from which it is taken. These conditions are:
- sample be of sufficient size for analysis;
- in case of lots or shipments of 10 bags or less, a sample shall consist of
approximately equal portions drawn from each bag in the lot;
- in the case of lots or shipments of 11 bags or more, a sample shall consist
of approximately equal portions drawn from each of any 10 bags in the lot or
shipment; and
- in the case of bulk shipments, a sample shall consist of approximately
equal portions drawn from 10 different sections of the bulk.
The following procedures and information concerning fertilizer sampling and
reporting are approved by the Director for the purposes of sections 22 and 23
of the Regulations under the Fertilizers Act.
Mechanics of Sampling
1. Dry Products - Bagged or Packaged
Bags 11 kg and over - use a single tube open trier with a diameter of at
least 2.0 cm and in the length range 65-90 cm; i.e. "Ontario trier".
The trier is to be used in the horizontal plane , inserted to its full
effective length diagonally through the container and rotated and withdrawn so
that it will remove fertilizer from each part through which the trier
travelled. The trier is to be inserted with the opening down and withdrawn with
the opening up. Sample the number of bags specified in Regulation 22(2)(a) and
(b).
Bags under 11 kg - Since it is impractical to try to sample bags under 11
kg, with a trier, take one bag as a sample of the lot. However, the official
status of this sample must be limited to the one bag. If it is found deficient,
the lot should then be sampled by the method as laid out for " bags 11 kg
and over ".
Figure 1(a)
![Fig. 1a. Single Tube Trier. Must be equal to or greater than 25" long.](/web/20061210165613im_/http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/fereng/tmemo/images/figure1ae.gif)
SINGLE TUBE TRIER
2. Dry Products - In Bulk
-
Static Lot Sampling
Use the "Missouri D Tube" trier (length 135 cm, 53.15").
The trier is to be used in the vertical plane , inserted in the open position
to its full effective length where possible, closed and withdrawn. Secure at
least 10 cores from the bin or pile according to the following sampling
patterns. The 65-90 cm trier shall not be used for bulk lots.
Figure 1(b)
![Fig. 1b. Bag Sampling Technique.](/web/20061210165613im_/http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/fereng/tmemo/images/figure1be.gif)
Figure 2
![Fig. 2. Missouri "D" Tube. Length 52", O.D. 1.25", One Slot 45" lg.](/web/20061210165613im_/http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/fereng/tmemo/images/figure2e.gif)
Figure 3
![Fig. 3. Sample pattern for Ridge Pile.](/web/20061210165613im_/http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/fereng/tmemo/images/fig.3spe.gif)
![Fig. 3. Sample Pattern for one-sided.](/web/20061210165613im_/http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/fereng/tmemo/images/figure3sa-o-e.gif)
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Figure 4(b)
When the full flow rate of transfer would be too fast to get a good sample,
it may be necessary to have the operator reduce the rate of flow of the lot
being sampled. If flow rate cannot be satisfactorily reduced, sample static lot
using "Missouri D Tube" trier. Sampling from the stream is preferable
to sampling from a static lot
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3. Liquid Products Non-Pressurized
- Products containing no Free Ammonia
Containers of over one liter (Approximately 1 kg) agitate the container and
remove a representative sample of 500 mL by pouring, syphoning or ladling. One
unopened container may constitute the sample.
Note: products containing free ammonia are easily identified by their
characteristic odour.
- Suspensions and Slurries
Agitate material in storage for more than 15 minutes before taking sample.
The preferred points for sampling in order of preference are: (a) directly from
the mixing vat; (b) top opening of storage or transport; and (c) from delivery
line or recirculating line immediately after a large quantity of material has
been pumped out.
When securing sample directly from mixing vat or from top opening of storage
or transport use 500 mL sampling bottle with 6-9 mm fluid intake tube and air
escape hole 12 mm in diameter with attached weight greater than 700 grams.
Lower sampling bottle from top opening to bottom of tank and raise slowly while
filling.
Samples secured from tap or recirculating line after agitating and
recirculating simultaneously for more than 15 minutes may be taken in a
standard 500 mL plastic bottle.
Size of Sample
- Dry: For mixed fertilizers where a composite sample has been taken, a
sample may range in size from 2 to 4kg. The whole sample is to be sent to the
laboratory. For unmixed fertilizers, e.g. bonemeal, superphosphate, reduce the
sample to 1 kg for submission in standard sample bag.
- Liquids: For liquid products the sample should be at least 500 mL.
Sample Container
- Fertilizer without Pesticides
- Dry: Use the standard laminated sample bag or the large polyethylene sample
bag.
Note: A one bag sample submitted in the unopened manufacturer's
packaging, is acceptable for products 11 kg or less in weight (eg. homeowner
use products).
- Liquids: Use glass sealers except for solutions containing free ammonia
(including suspensions) where one litre plastic bottles are to be used. The
sample containers must be sealed to preserve the physical and chemical
condition and amount of the sample.
-
Fertilizers with Pesticides
- Liquid and Dry
Use only glass containers for fertilizer pesticide mixtures to minimize any
loss through volatilization.
Due to Postal requirements, all fertilizer pesticide samples must be
enclosed in a metal sealed container (such as paint cans) with appropriate
packaging when using glass bottles.
Note
- Glass containers must have teflon tops, or when not available, a clean
aluminum foil, between the top and bottle, may substitute for the former.
- For liquid fert-pest., use Kitty litter (or other absorbents) for packaging
and a plastic bag to line the paint can.
- For granulars, packaging such as shredded newspaper can be substituted for
the Kitty litter.
- Make sure to label each sample with a sticker indicating at least the
Inspection sample number, fertilizer and pesticide guarantees, so that the Lab
can match the sample with appropriate sampling forms.
- Under the requirements of the Dangerous Goods Act the words "Test
Samples" must appear on the packaging of these samples.
Note: This should apply to all samples sent for analysis in order to assure
that any constituent material not known by the inspector and subject to the
Dangerous Goods Act (e.g. ammonium nitrate) is properly identified for shipping
purposes.
Exposure of Sample
The actual time that the sample is exposed to the air should be as short as
possible in order that the effect of moisture exchange may be kept at a
minimum.
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