Soil sampling and analysis can provide useful information about the chemical and physical conditions of soil in a specific location. This information can be used to optimize plant growth, assist in solving soil-related problems, or determine the extend of contamination for a remediation plan. Soil areas can be contaminated naturally or from manmade sources Water sources that flow over or through contaminated soil can affect the health of species further away that drink, or bathe or are nourished, by the water as it flows downstream.

Soil sampling is performed to determine soil contamination, identifying the horizontal and vertical extent of contamination and investigating the relationship between soil and ground water contamination.