Schedule B3 - COAG Standing Council on Environment and Water

Other valuable information for inclusion on analysis reports is:
• the date the sample was received
• the name of person receiving the sample
• a description of the sample
• whether the sample was received in good order (where appropriate) , for example, note any
broken or leaking containers, incorrect storage condition during transit, sample temperature
container for the analyte (where appropriate)
• brief description of analytical method and equipment used, including pre-treatment
procedures and test conditions where appropriate
• confidence interval, QC data and LOR
• any bias noted during the analysis or information on the analysis which may affect the
interpretation of the result
• the date on which sample analysis commenced.
Where laboratories are required to report analysis blanks, the uncorrected result and the
method blank should be reported.
The analytical report should be checked for transcription errors, accuracy n the calculation and
expression of results, description of the sample, and whether the QC data meets the acceptable
limits for the method. These are all components of the laboratory QA processes.
4.7 Split samples
This is a field QC process implemented by the client rather than laboratory QC; however,
laboratories and sample collectors should both be aware of its requirements and purpose.
Split samples provide a check on the analytical performance of the laboratory. At least 1 in 20
samples from a site should be homogenised and split, with one duplicate sample set submitted
to a secondary laboratory (an independent laboratory run by a different organisation or
company) and the remaining samples to the primary laboratory. The client must stipulate that
each laboratory analyses the split samples for the same analytes using, as far as possible, the
same methods recommended in these guidelines. For comparability of data, there should be
minimal delay in sample submission to each laboratory to allow minimum time difference
between analyses, especially for analysis of volatile analytes.
The difference in the results between the split samples should, in general, be within 30% of the
mean concentration determined by both laboratories. However, higher variation can be
expected for organic analyses compared to inorganic analyses and for samples with low analyte
concentrations.
4.8 Blind replicate samples
Blind replicate samples provide a check of the repeatability of a laboratory’s analysis. At least
5% of samples should include a larger than normal quantity of soil collected from the same
sampling point, removed from the ground in a single action if possible, and mixed as
thoroughly as practicable and divided into two vessels. These samples should be submitted to
the laboratory as two individual samples without any indication to the laboratory of their
common source.
A similar test of analysis repeatability is provided by re-submission of previously analysed
samples, provided the stability of analyte is adequate under the storage conditions used
between the two submission dates.
<strong>Schedule</strong> <strong>B3</strong> - Guideline on laboratory analysis of potentially contaminated soils 13