QA – Field to Lab
Patrick Sherman
RMB Environmental Laboratories, Inc.
Sample Storage and Delivery to Lab
Challenge #1:
Maintaining proper paperwork and documentation
Challenge #2:
Keeping samples colder than 6 degrees Celsius
Challenge #3:
Meeting holding times
See Federal Register Table II (40 CFR, Ch. 1)
Required Containers, Preservation Techniques, and Holding Times
Challenge #4
Keeping shipping costs down
Choosing a carrier, Speedee, USPS, UPS, Fed Ex, Courier
Data Submission
Lab Data
EQuIS Template
Field Data
Lab Data
Field Data
Sent from lab
EQuIS Template
Station ID/Sample Description
S002-124
56-0915-00-101
56-0383-00-212 DEAD
S002-133 LOST R AT CR-119
Lower Badger Creek
LOST R S002-133
Start End
Depth Depth
(m)
(m)
0
1
2
Project Task Code
PRJ07296
PRJ00330
Challenge #1
AIS
International Water Institute
4/6/14
S002-079 Thief River
15:30
PJS
x
AIS
Challenge #2: Sample
Temperature
Sample Storage and Delivery to Lab
Challenge #1:
Maintaining proper Paperwork / Chain of Custody
See example of chain of custody forms
Challenge #2:
Keeping samples colder than 6 degrees Celsius
Preserved samples meet DOT Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations
Challenge #3:
Meeting Preservation and Holding times
See Federal Register Table II (40 CFR, Ch. 1)
Required Containers, Preservation Techniques, and Holding Times
Challenge #4
Keeping Shipping Costs Down
Choosing a carrier, Speedee, USPS, UPS, Fed Ex, Courier
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionCfr.action?collectionCode=CFR
Major Watershed Load Monitoring Standard Operating Procedures (wq-cm1-02)
100 mL
sterile
E. coli
250 mL:
Hardness
650 mL: TSS, TSVS, Turbidity
Cl, Sulfate, OP
500 mL:
TP, TKN,
NH3,
NO2+NO3
(Preserve with acid)
Except where noted in the
CFR table II and parameter method,
complete required preservation
within 15 minutes
of collection.
Short Holding Time Parameters
example of common surface water parameters
Immediate
Within 15 minutes
Chlorine, Total Residual
pH
Dissolved Oxygen
8 – 24 Hours
Coliform, Fecal
Coliform, E.coli
8 hrs = Enforcement
24 hrs = Condition
48 Hours
BOD
Color
Nitrate (NO3)
Nitrite (NO2)
Turbidity
OP
Longer Holding Time Parameters
example of common surface water parameters
7 Days
Solids
28 Days
Ammonia
COD
Chloride
TKN
NO3+NO2
TP
Silica
Conductivity
Sulfate
6 Months
Hardness
Metals
Except Mercury
Which is
28 – 90 days
Sample Storage and Delivery to Lab
Challenge #1:
Maintaining proper Paperwork / Chain of Custody
See example of chain of custody forms
Challenge #2:
Keeping samples colder than 6 degrees Celsius
Preserved samples meet DOT Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations
Challenge #3:
Meeting Preservation and Holding times
See Federal Register Table II (40 CFR, Ch. 1)
Required Containers, Preservation Techniques, and Holding Times
Challenge #4
Keeping Shipping Costs Down
Choosing a carrier, Speedee, USPS, UPS, Fed Ex, Courier
http://www.speedeedelivery.com
Ada
Aitkin
Albertville
Alexandria
Appleton Apple
Austin
Valley
Bagley
Baudette
Bemidji *
Benson
Bertha
Bird Island
Blaine
Bloomington
Brainerd
Cambridge
Chisholm
Cloquet
Cokato
Detroit Lakes
Duluth *
Elk River
Fergus Falls *
Forest Lake
Fosston
Glenville
Glenwood
Golden Valley
Grand Marais
Greenbush
Hallock
Hibbing
Hinckley
Hutchinson
International Falls
Lakefield
Litchfield
Little Falls
Mahnomen
Mankato *
Marshall *
Milan
Minneapolis
Mora
New Hope
New Richland
New Ulm
North Branch
Paynesville
Pequot Lakes
Perham
Pine City
Pipestone
Ortonville
Red Lake Falls
Remer
Rochester *
Roseau
Roseville
Rushford
Saint Cloud *
Sandstone
Sauk Centre
Shakopee
Silver Bay
Slayton
Sleepy Eye
Saint Cloud
Thief River Falls *
Vadnais Heights
Virginia *
Wadena
Waite Park
Walker
Warren
Warroad
Willmar
Windom
Winona
Quality in
is NECESSARY to get
Quality out.
Resources / Acknowledgments:
• www.amrclearinghouse.org/Sub/WATERmonitoring/MonitoringPlan
• www.pca.state.mn.us/water/csmp.html
• www.rmbel.info