You shouldn't have to dry them. Did they say that specifically?

Yes, the instructions say that it is helpful to let them air dry before shipping.

Hmmm... that's a little odd. Typically, the first thing a lab will do when they get the sample is dry it in an oven and weigh it. That way they can be sure that every last bit of the water is out and they can then report their results in parts per million based on the dry weight of the soil. (If they just reported it on a moist "as received" weight, the ppm values would be skewed down and how far would be based on how much water was in the sample). Maybe they just want people to air dry them for convenience sake so they don't get mud samples.

Many labs ask for it to be sun-dried (NOT oven-dried). It also reduces the shipping weight.

I once received an insurance form three months after it was postmarked. It had a sticker on it: "Found in a container thought empty".

Our tax dollars at work.

Sue

Getting it reasonably dry before shipping also probably reduces the chances that it will develop mold, fungus, or anaerobic bacteria or leak en route.

The shipping weight thing makes the most sense to me. Maybe they're just being nice. I've never opened a sample from someone, regardless of how wet, and had to reject it due to microbial action. Sometimes they are sloppy and anaerobic but that doesn't hurt anything. It's just a little messy.

belgianpup wrote:

>>Our tax dollars at work.

I agree with your sentiment, but alas, the Postal Service is funded entirely by postage. Most of that comes from junk mail, more's the pity. If junk mail went away like most people wanted it to, stamps would be waaaay more expensive and you'd pay a lot more for them to occasionally lose your stuff!

I spoke to the place where I do my testing and they are going to send out more of the sample supplies. But, of course that means more sampling, mailing, and waiting. grrr...