Water quality analytical protocol

Forbes, M. and Afghan, B.K. 1987, Analytical Protocol for Monitoring Ambient Water Quality at the Niagra-On-The-Lake and Fort Erie Stations. Canada Centre for Inland Waters Burlington, Ontario, Canada. 

A good example of a prescriptive approach to quality assessment is the protocol outlined in Figure 15.2, published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for laboratories involved in monitoring studies of water and wastewater. Independent samples A and B are collected simultaneously at the sample site. Sample A is split into two equal-volume samples, and labeled Ai and A2. Sample B is also split into two equal-volume samples, one of which, Bsf, is spiked with a known amount of analyte. A field blank. Dp, also is spiked with the same amount of analyte. All five samples (Ai, A2, B, Bsf, and Dp) are preserved if necessary and transported to the laboratory for analysis. 

The ability to provide accurate and reliable data is central to the role of analytical chemists, not only in areas like the development and manufacture of drugs, food control or drinking water analysis, but also in the field of environmental chemistry, where there is an increasing need for certified laboratories (ISO 9000 standards). The quality of analytical data is a key factor in successfully identifying and monitoring contamination of environmental compartments. In this context, a large collection of methods applied to the routine analysis of prime environmental pollutants has been developed and validated, and adapted in nationally or internationally harmonised protocols (DIN, EPA). Information on method performance generally provides data on specificity, accuracy, precision (repeatability and reproducibility), limit of detection, sensitivity, applicability and practicability, as appropriate. 

Every analytical method has its own container and preservation requirements for each matrix. Containers for water samples that are precleaned and preserved with chemicals according to the EPA protocols are available from various manufacturers. We may also obtain them from the laboratory, which will provide analytical services for the project. The container cleanliness and the purity of preservation chemicals must be of the highest quality in order not to introduce any extraneous contamination into the samples. 

---