Jump to main content.


Virginian Province 1990-1993 Quality Assurance Report

Strobel, C.J., R.M. Valente.

1995. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Atlantic Ecology Division, Narragansett, RI. Sept. 1995 EPA/620/R-95/007.

PDF file

View the report (91 pp, 407 Kb, about PDF)

Abstract

This report documents the results of Quality Assurance activities conducted in conjunction with sampling performed by EPA's Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program's Estuaries study (EMAP-Estuaries) in the Virginian Province from 1990 through 1993. As part of the planning stage for each years activities, a QA Plan was developed. All sampling and analytical activities were required to be conducted in accordance with the prescribed methods, and following the standards stated in the QA Plan. This report discusses the results of Quality Assurance activities by indicator, data qualifier flags, data quality, and, where appropriate, discusses lessons learned and proposes changes or solutions to improve data quality.

Data collected in the Virginian Province from 1990 to 1993 were generally of high quality. A total of 446 Base Sampling Sites were scheduled for sampling over this period. Twenty one stations were eliminated due to inadequate water depth or logistical concerns. With the exception of total suspended solids (samples for this indicator were not collected in 1990), the success rate for all indicators exceeded 80% (percent of stations with data passing QC), with most exceeding 85%.

Some significant problems were encountered in the chemical analysis of sediment samples resulting in the deletion of some data from the database. The specific problems, and a discussion of the data deleted or qualified are included in this report.

EMAP Home | About EMAP | Components | Data | Documents | Bibliography | News | Site Map


Local Navigation


Jump to main content.