1 - paducah environmental information center

Paducah Site
Field Sampling Quality Control
Data Quality Objectives and Sample
Planning
From the point of conception of any
sampling program, DQOs play· an important
role. The number of samples, location of
sampling sites, sampling methods, sampling
schedules, and coordination of sampling and
analytical resources to meet critical completion
times were part of the. DQOs and are documented
in the Environmental Monitoring Plan (BJC
1998).
Each sample location and sample collected
was assigned a unique identification number
which consists of an alphanumeric sequence.
Each segment . of the sequence was used to
designate information concerning the location
from which a sample was collected. In order to
progress from planning to ,implementing the
DQOs, an. analytical statement of work (SOW)
for the analytical laboratory was generated from
a system'within, the Paducah Integrated Data
System. ,From . this system, the Project
Environmtmtal Measurements System (PEMS),
an electronic 'database used for streamlining
fidd-generated and laboratory-generated data,
was populated with sample identification
numbers, sampling locations, sampling methods,
analytical parameters, analytical methods, and
container and preservative requirements. This
information was used to produce sample bottle!
jar labels and chain-of-custody forms for the
sampling event.
,Field Measurements
Field measurements for the groundwater
and surface water monitoring program were
collectedreal.:.time in, the field and consisted of
water ievet measurements, pH, conductivity,
flow rates, . turbidity, temperature, dissolved
oxygen, total residual chlorine, and barometric
pressure. Environmental conditions· such as
temperature and weather were also recorded.
Field measurements were taken and downloaded
electronically or recorded on appropriate field
forms or in logbooks, and input into PEMS on a
weekly or other appropriate basis.
Sampling Procedures
Samples were collected using mediaspecific
procedures which are written according
to EPA-approved sampling methods. Sample
media consisted of surface water, groundwater,
sediment, and biota, such as fish or deer. Sample
information collected during the sample event
consisted of the following: sample identification
number, station (or location), data collected,
time collected, person who performed the
sampling, etc. This information. was recorded in
the logbooks and on the chain-of-custody form
and sample container label, arid input directly
into PEMS on a weekly or other appropriate
basis. Chain-of-custody forms, were maintained
from the point of sampling, and samples were
properly protected until they were placed in the
custody of an analytical laboratory.
Field Quality Control Samples
The QC program for both groundwater and
environmental monitoring activities specified a
minimum target rate of 5%, or one per 20
environmental samples, on field QC samples.
Table 11.1 shows the types of QC samples
collected and analyzed. Analytical results of
field QC samples were evaluated to determine if
the sampling event had, in some way, affected
the sample results.
Analytical Laboratory Quality
Control
Analytical Procedures
When available and appropriate for the
sample matrix, SW -846 methods were used for
sample analysis. When SW -846 methods were
11-2
Quality Assurance