A couple of examples are required. The simplest is to never sample where you believe the concentrations are the highest. If you are terrified (Lanxess are) that an area just barely to the east of the north end of the Stroh Drain is a "sink" of DDT compounds and dioxins then for the love of money NEVER take soil samples there. And they have not using any and all excuses and obfuscations possible.
Secondly when taking subsurface soil samples for DNAPLS (dense non aqueous phase liquids) be sure to take them at the most inappropriate spots possible. Normally DNAPLs sink through coarse grained soils and sands and end up sitting on clay and silt aquitards. Decades ago the Region of Waterloo's consultants (CH2MHILL) accused Conestoga Rovers of intentionally taking these samples in the middle of the aquifers rather than at the bottom next to the clay/silt aquitards.
Another favourite is pretending that PCBs, DDT compounds and dioxins can not penetrate deeply into the earth. This is based upon their alleged low solubility and affinity to bond with soils. What is conveniently "forgotten" is that most solvents will mobilize these somewhat hydrophobic (afraid of water) compounds and allow them to sink numerous feet and even metres into the subsurface. A fine example is back in 2019 when Lanxess/GHD refused to sample deeper than 15 cm (5.9 inches) into the soils on the Stroh farm right beside their border with Lanxess Canada.
Professionals know all the tricks to get the results that they and their clients want. It takes money and political assistance however to get away with this crap over decades. Uniroyal to Lanxess have had both.
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