A workshop for chiefs of sediment laboratories operated and/or used by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Water Resources Division (WRD) was hosted by the USGS District Office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on March 23-26, 1998. This is a summary of the meeting's significant outcomes gleaned from the minutes of the meeting and from discussions, both formal and informal, that took place during and after the meeting.
The purposes of the workshop were to:
Fulfill the requirements of OSW Technical Memorandum 98.05 and update guidelines as a new memorandum (OSW Technical Memorandum 99.04), which requires that each District or contract laboratory chief attend periodic meetings of the laboratory chiefs,
Present the results of the Sediment Laboratory Quality Assurance (SLQA) project and proposed performance standards in the SLQA that will effect laboratories in the future.
Increase communication and enhance consistency in methods, instruments, and equipment between the sediment laboratories,
Accomplish proficiency training,
Articulate problems, needs, accomplishments and new directions,
Set goals to be addressed before the next sediment laboratory chiefs meeting (approximately 3 years) and recommend a mechanism to achieve those goals.
Jack Kramer, Heidelberg College, along with the following USGS employees participated in most or all of the meeting: Arthur Adams (LA), Dave Funderburg (NM), John George (CO, retired), Dan Gooding (CVO), John Gordon (OWQ-BQS), John Gray (OSW), Bill Johnson (CVO), Marlon Johnson (LA), Cheryl Joseph (LA), Kathy Love (MO), Scott McEwen (CR), Von Miller (IA), Allan Mlodnosky (CA), Raphael Pena (PR), LeRoy Schroder (OWQ-BQS) Clyde Sholar (NR), Libby Shreve (KY), Pam Smith (IA), and Lucille Wright (LA). Of the eleven production sediment laboratories servicing the USGS, all but the USGS laboratories in Montana and Hawaii were represented.
Ed Martin, District Chief, LA, welcomed the group to Baton Rouge, and Wayne O'Neal, Chief, Federal Interagency Sedimentation Project (FISP), MS, provided a briefing on the products and activities of the FISP. The remainder of the workshop was spent in discussions and deliberations regarding sediment laboratory operations with particular emphasis on quality assurance and safety.
Libby Shreve did an outstanding job in keeping meeting minutes. Following is a summary of discussions, recommendations, and conclusions from the meeting.
Sediment Laboratory Safety (principal contact - Sholar): Sediment laboratory safety needs have expanded in recent years. In addition to standard safety requirements consisting of relatively traditional concerns such as chemical storage, proper hood venting, emergency shower facilities, and proper grounding of electrical circuits, current concerns focus on biocontaminants in water samples (such as Phiesteria), and development of a mechanism to notify sediment laboratories of the potential presence of pathogens in samples received by a laboratory.
The workshop's agenda did not permit an exhaustive evaluation of the status of sediment laboratory safety, which administratively falls under the purview of the District and Regional Safety Officers. However, because of its importance, Clyde Sholar, NE Region Safety Officer and former Chief of the Kentucky Sediment Laboratory, agreed to develop a generic plan on newly emerging safety issues to be incorporated in the safety plans of each sediment laboratory.
Workshop Outcome: Clyde Sholar will develop a generic sediment laboratory safety chapter dealing with newly emerging safety issues, and will work with the Division's safety committee to provide the guidelines needed by the laboratories to address emerging safety issues.
Sediment Laboratory Environmental Data System (SLEDS) (principal contact - Gooding): A large majority of workshop attendees favor adopting SLEDS as the WRD's sole, centrally supported sediment laboratory software. This conclusion was based on several factors, including:
Need for sediment lab software with a central support mechanism that precludes development of local program "mutants."
Need for a single program for all laboratories to store quality-control (QC) data in a uniform manner, with the capability to upload these QC data to a national data base.
SLEDS' use of the most current computer technology and is device-independent.
Concerns were voiced over program "bugs"; costs associated with installing and maintaining SLEDS; and assurance for its long-term support.
Workshop Recommendations:
Adopt SLEDS as WRD's sediment laboratory software if issues concerning bugs, installation and maintenance, and long-term support can be resolved to the satisfaction of the participating sediment laboratories. October 1, 1998, was considered a realistic goal for announcing adoption of SLEDS in an OSW Technical Memorandum (Gray).
A formal SLEDS training session for lab personnel should be held, ideally in FY99.
The OSW should propose a mechanism for funding SLEDS annual support needs, understanding that support of the program is beneficial to the integrity of sediment data collected by the WRD (Gray).
Office of Surface Water Technical Memorandum 98.05, "A National Sediment Laboratory Quality Assurance Program" (principal contacts - Gray, Gordon): The concept of a national sediment laboratory quality assurance program was favorably received by workshop participants.
Clarification: Use of the double-blind standard reference samples by sediment laboratory chiefs for internal laboratory checks is optional.
Resolutions Needed:
A means for providing travel costs for selected sediment laboratory chiefs to participate as understudies in a sediment laboratory review in conjunction with a triennial surface-water review needs to be identified (Gray).
Criteria for designating a sediment laboratory as being "out of control" need to be finalized and circulated (either 2 or 3 f-pseudosigma) (Gordon, Schroder).
Ascertain whether or not constitution of sediment-water mixtures by field personnel as part of the double-blind standard reference sample program will result in large errors unattributable to sediment laboratory performance (Gordon in concert with Lab Chiefs).
Determine how Districts with laboratories would prefer to 'store' funds for payment of travel expenses of a certified sediment laboratory reviewer.
One suggestion -- starting in FY1999, have the OSW collect from each District with a sediment laboratory about $300 annually (roughly a third of the cost of the certified lab reviewer's travel) regardless of the timing of a District's sediment laboratory review. The OSW, in turn, would pay travel expenses for the certified lab reviewer. There are two advantages here: It spreads the cost of travel over a 3-year period, and it effectively results in "cost equalization." It was suggested to also include costs of SLEDS support in the annual assessment if those costs are not otherwise covered (Gray).
Recommendations:
QC data analyses for a given laboratory will be kept confidential until the sample size is considered adequate, after which all QC data obtained under the single- and double-blind standard reference sample programs will be made public and identified by originating laboratory (Gordon).
The OSW and BQS need to market this national program to other Federal Agencies, and, if appropriate, to foreign sediment laboratories perhaps via Fact Sheet (Gordon, Gray).
Action: Alan Mlodnosky, Chief, California sediment laboratory, and John Gordon, Chief, National Sediment Laboratory Quality Assurance Program, will collaborate on an initial test of the double-blind reference-sample project, and provide insights on potential problems in this program.
Update on Quality Assurance and Quality Control Recommendations from the 1994 Sediment Laboratory Chief's Workshop (principal contacts - Schroder, Shreve): The 1994 recommendations on standard operating procedures (SOP's) were evaluated and updated as part of three breakout groups, and are attached as appendix A.
Libby Shreve provided insights on SOP's -- "Everything else one needs to know that isn't included in the sediment laboratory QA plan."
Recommendation: Formalize the SOP's from the workgroup and those provided by Libby and others, and make the information available to each laboratory for inclusion in the sediment laboratory quality assurance plan, or as an attachment to the plan (Shreve).
World Wide Web Sites for Sediment Laboratories (principal contacts - McEwen, Gordon, Gray): The participants agreed to develop Web sites for their respective laboratories with links to other sediment laboratory web sites and to the OSW's, which is public (the OSW has set up a sediment laboratory Web site at http://water.usgs.gov/osw/technqiues/sedimentlabs.html). Although the Web sites would be unique for each laboratory, a single format would be used to convey a sense of commonality to laboratory customers.
John Gordon suggested that the web page be used as a tool to facilitate communication between labs regarding subtle nuances in methods that could influence data quality and as a way to "horse-trade" for needed supplies. Labs with an excess supply of a certain item could post a notice to the page offering to trade for a supply they need which another lab may have in excess, or otherwise offer the item for another lab's use.
Scott McEwen, CR Computer Specialist, provided a preliminary Web page prototype that is available at http://water.usgs.gov/osw/technqiues/sedimentlabs.html.
Action: Each sediment laboratory will develop a Web site and place it on their District home page. Each lab will create links to the other labs and to the OSW sediment laboratory Web site (McEwen).
Recommendation: In a consistent format, each laboratory Web site should list:
Background information on the laboratory, including the chief, address, telephone and a hypertexted email contact information for the laboratory chief.
Analytical services performed and latest statistics available on the annual numbers of samples per analysis type and turnaround time, all available in a consistent format.
When considered ready for release, the Web site should contain the laboratory's statistics from the Sediment Laboratory Quality Assurance Program along with a link to the BQS Web site which contains the Program's national statistics.
Certification Training (principal contacts - Schroder, Gray): The two forms of certification training discussed in the meeting are based on:
A requirement for sediment laboratory chiefs to attend a "training period under a certified sediment laboratory chief, and ... periodic meetings of sediment laboratory chiefs" (OSW Technical Memorandum 98.05).
The OSW's need to train and maintain a cadre of certified sediment laboratory reviewers.
Fortunately, training needs for these purposes are complementary and can often be achieved simultaneously through mentoring by a certified laboratory reviewer on a triennial sediment laboratory review.
As of March 1998, the following individuals are considered certified laboratory reviewers:
John George, Vernon Norman, LeRoy Schroder, Russ Ludlow, Dan Gooding, Al Onions, and Clyde Sholar. There is a disparity in availability and time since direct involvement in day-to-day sediment laboratory activities associated with those listed. For example,
Dan Gooding is the only current laboratory chief in the group. On the other extreme, Vernon Norman has not been involved with sediment laboratories for years, is retired, and has given no indication of interest in his future involvement in this capacity. A larger cadre of certified sediment laboratory reviewers with recent laboratory experience needs to be trained, and soon.
Recommendation: Annually send 1-3 laboratory chiefs not certified as sediment laboratory reviewers on sediment lab reviews until all in need of this training have participated. We may opt to provide certification on a method-by-method basis (Gray).
Status of Wet Sieving (principal contacts - Schroder, Love): A non-standard wet-sieving technique that uses higher-than-standard water-rinse velocities to wash sediments in the sieve appear to provide less-biased data than those analyzed by the traditional method of washing with a hand-held rinse bottle.
Action: Shortly following the workshop, Kathy Love collaborated with Alan Mlodnosky to develop a proposal to test the non-standard rinse technique to determine if it should become a SOP.
Recommendation: The OSW fund a variation of the proposal recommended by LeRoy Schroder and John Gray.
Standardization (principal contact - Schroder): It was recognized that some minor variations inevitably exist in techniques and equipment used by the laboratories. For example, there is no standard design for the "J" tube siphon used to remove water from water-sediment mixtures. Also, the sediment laboratory review checklist needs to be updated.
Recommendations:
Follow through on recommendation for lab chiefs to visit other laboratories (Gray).
Have all laboratory chiefs review the TWRI Book 5, Chapter C1, and OFR 92-499 (which supersedes the TWRI on suspended-sediment concentration determinations) and document any deviations from the techniques described therein in a memorandum to the BQS.
Technology (principal contact - Gooding, Gray): Several technologies developed for purposes other than sediment laboratories show promise in either replacing some laboratory instruments, or in automating some aspects of laboratory procedures.
Recommendation: Dan Gooding and John Gray are encouraged to continue efforts toward bringing robotics to sediment laboratories, and more promising technologies to the test phase. They are encouraged to seek funding from the OSW and from other entities with a potential interest in these technologies.
Criteria for Evaluating QC Data
John Gordon gave a presentation on a proposed set of minimum QC standards that would apply to all of the laboratories that produce physical sediment data for the WRD. The key tenants of this proposal are nonparamentrically based warning and control limits and corrective actions when warranted. The rational for nonparametric-based warning and control limits and the guidelines specifying the level of follow-up that may result depending on laboratory performance was described. The group expressed support for this method of evaluating and using SLQA data.
John Gordon then gave a presentation discussing the results of the Sediment Laboratory Quality Assurance Project (OSW Technical Memorandum No. 96.11) in 1996-97. Only those samples reported as not having lost water or sediment during transit were included in this analysis, i.e., the effects of commonly used shipping procedures was not a part of this presentation. Warning limits on John Gordon's control charts were set at ±2 f-Pseudosigma values. Control limits were set at ±3 f-Pseudosigma values. The benchmark for performance is for all of reported data for each analysis to be "in control."
Exceedance of control limits is cause for initiating corrective action as described in general terms in OSW Technical Memorandum 98.05.
Corrective action for a laboratory may also be triggered by:
A run of all QC data of a given type on one side of the median with a length consisting of the majority of samples.
A continued rise or fall (trend) within a given type of data.
Periodicity in QC data, or data that "hug" the ±3 f-Pseudosigma limits.
Control charts were displayed for the different sample sizes used in the study. The samples sent to the laboratories for analysis were in 3 different concentration ranges:
The low concentration samples were made using a sample base of fine material that weighed between 50 and 100 milligrams with the exact weight known to .01 milligrams.
The medium concentration samples used a fine material base of 100 to 300 milligrams.
The large concentration samples used a fine material base exceeding 2000 milligrams.
A known amount of sand-size material was added to each sample. The mass of sand was between 10 and 30 percent of the mass of the fine material. The volume of water was carefully measured using volumetric flasks and was between 200 and 500 mL for each sample. A synopsis of results for the 3 concentration ranges follows:
50 - 100 mg base:
There were some notable differences in laboratory performance. One laboratory reported 6 concentration values that exceeded the control limits. The next highest number of values outside of the control limits for single laboratory in this concentration range was two.
100 - 300 mg base
One of the laboratories had four values outside the control limits. No others had more than one reported value in this concentration range that exceeded the control limits.
> 2000 mg samples
The results for the highest concentration samples were the best for the same laboratory that struggled to meet the control limits on the smaller concentration ranges. Two of the reported values in this size class for this laboratory were within 1 percent of the actual sediment concentration.
Summary
In general the participating laboratories did very well in these QC tests, with some notable differences between them. While a few of the laboratories showed considerable improvement in their results over time, others consistently performed extremely well. In addition, some labs that did very well on sediment concentration were provided marginally acceptable data on percentages of sand versus finer material (sand-fine splits). The reverse was also true--some of the labs that were among the best at determining the sand and fine fractions did not always excel at concentration analyses.
Other Observations and Outcomes from the Sediment Laboratory Chiefs Workshop (principal contact - all):Quart Glass Bottle: The mayo sample bottle is being discontinued, according to FISP Chief Wayne O'Neal. Input on this needs to be directed to Wayne.
Sample Evaporation: Von Miller agreed to summarize his work on evaporation from samples in a dark, temperature-controlled room and share them with OSW, BQS, and laboratory chiefs. He noted considerable evaporation (10-30 percent) around some caps (Miller).
"J" Tube Specifications: Von Miller agreed to provide the specifications of the Iowa Laboratory "J" tube, and perhaps to fabricate several for distribution as-needed.
Sediment Laboratory Review Check List: Clyde Sholar agreed to take the lead in updating the checklist with help from Von Miller and Cheryl Smith. Dave Funderburg provided a copy of the current checklist.
Appendix A:
March, 1998, Update of "Quality Assurance and Quality Control Recommendations" from the 1994 Sediment Laboratory Chiefs meeting at Cascades Volcano Observatory.
Balances, Desiccators, and Ovens
The work group analyzing quality control for balances, desiccators, and ovens has identified a number of quality control activities and quality control data acquisition requirements. Several quality control activities require the laboratory chief to be proactive.
Balances
I. Balance Quality Control (QC)
Identify the balances used in the laboratory.
Prepare a calibration, maintenance, and service log.
Log can be either electronic or hard copy.
Log should contain at least the following information: Date,
Identification of Balance, Name of Analyst, Time, Action taken,
and Data.
A separate logbook will be maintained for each balance.
Balance use QC
Each laboratory should have a heavy shock-proof table.
If shock-proof table is unavailable, the laboratory will measure the drift
and variability twice a week and determine if the data from the balance
meet the manufacturer's specifications.
Each analyst will be trained to use all the laboratory balances by the
laboratory chief or certified trainer.
The laboratory chief will go through the laboratory review form with each
analyst to ensure that the analyst is aware of the minimum QC expected
by outside reviewers.
Daily Balance QC
Check that all weights are traceable to the NIST or NBS.
Set the minimum acceptable differences allowed from the known weights.
Difference between the measured weight and known weight that are 1
gram or less must be less than 1 percent.
Difference between the measured weight and known weight that are
greater than 1 gram must be less than 0.75 percent.
At the beginning of the weighing session, analyst weighs two weights that
are representative of the weights to be made that day and determines that
the weights are within 1 milligram for analytical balances and 0.5 grams
for macro balances. Results will be documented in logbook.
If the weights do not meet these criteria, the analyst will
re-calibrate the balance before continuing the analysis.
If the analyst cannot get the balance to operate correctly, the
laboratory chief will check the balance and tell the analyst how
to fix the problem.
If the laboratory chief cannot correct the problem, the manufacturer's
representative will be called.
The analyst will not continue to analyze sample if the balance is not
within manufacturer's specifications.
Laboratory chief will determine how to examine QC data. If plotting is
used then:
The plot will be the measured value versus the data measured. Each
plot will denote the analyst who made the measurement.
Each analyst will be trained to readjust the balance to zero every
ten measurements.
Monthly Balance QC
Laboratory chief will determine that the daily quality control checks have
been performed.
A person other than the normal analyst will make one daily balance check.
If the balance fails this check, the laboratory chief will determine
if the balance is functioning within manufacturer's specifications.
The monthly check data will be stored in the balance log.
It is recommended (not mandatory) that the laboratory chief evaluate the
test data. If plots are used, the following is recommended:
If a pattern--6 or more values of high or low measured weights are
found, the laboratory chief will service the balance.
Yearly Balance QC
The balances will be serviced and calibrated by a manufacturer's
representative at least once per year. Record of servicing will
be documented in the balance logbook.
Weights need certification of calibration either in-house or at the
service representative facility.
Desiccators
Desiccators will be used to store crucibles and evaporating dishes after removal from the drying oven to prevent absorption of moisture. This includes both the empty glassware prior to its initial weighing, and the glassware with the dried sediment.
Cleaning
Desiccators should be kept clean, and thoroughly cleaned at 6-month intervals. Desiccators requiring use of sealant grease must receive extra care to avoid excess grease accidentally being transferred to the crucibles or evaporating dishes. All maintenance of desiccators should be recorded in a logbook.
Desiccant
Calcium chloride or silica gel may be used as a desiccant. A color indicator must be included in the calcium chloride desiccant. Manufacturer's recommendations should be followed for the regeneration of the specific desiccant used. In addition to using a color-indicating desiccant, a humidity meter should be used with each desiccator as a secondary means of monitoring moisture. It is a good practice to replace desiccant at least once per year. Some desiccant cannot be adequately recharged after repeated use. Records of desiccant regeneration/replacement should be maintained in a logbook.
Glassware storage time
Crucibles and evaporating dishes should be cooled in the desiccator for a minimum of 3 hours prior to weighing.
Ovens
Ovens are used to dry the glassware and sediment samples. Convection-type ovens will be used to allow for even temperature distribution within the oven. Ovens will be vented to the outside for the safety of laboratory personnel.
Temperature control
Temperatures between 85 and 95°C should be maintained when water is in the dishes, and increased to 103°C (+ or - 2 degrees) after all visible water has evaporated. These are actual temperatures, and not necessarily the control knob setting, as the control knob may not be calibrated to the oven temperature. If the oven has a high-temperature limiter, set it at 106°C.
Temperature checks
Temperature checks will be made at least twice during the drying cycle. Results of temperature checks will be documented in the oven logbook. When documenting temperature checks, include both the thermometer reading and the oven setting.
Thermometer checks
The oven thermometer will be checked against a calibration thermometer at least every 6 months. The oven thermometers will be replaced if they differ by more than 2°C from the calibration thermometer. Thermometer checks and action taken will be recorded in the oven logbook.
Drying time
The clean crucibles with filters should be dried at 103°C for a minimum of 2 hours. Evaporating dishes should be dried for a minimum of 1 hour. After the sediment has been placed into the crucibles and evaporating dishes, a minimum of 2 hours should be allowed for drying after all visible moisture has evaporated. Additional drying time may be necessary for large amounts of sediment in either the crucibles or evaporating dishes.
Sample handling
Samples should be removed from the oven and immediately placed in the desiccator within 10 minutes after the oven is turned off. Dried samples should not be stored in the oven. Ovens should be loaded from the top down, and unloaded from the bottom up to prevent particles from falling into the samples.
Oven cleaning
All ovens should be kept clean at all times. Racks should be inspected and replaced or restored if there is danger of particles falling into the samples.
Decanting, Filtration, and Glassware
Following are the recommendations from the Decanting, Filtration, and Glassware work group.
Decanting
The variety of fluvial material in sediment samples requires that the sample be allowed to settle with a minimum of sample movement before decanting the supernatant water. When decanting large volumes do not increase the decant rate; instead, build additional decant time into the price structure.
The rate of removal of supernatant water must not disturb the solids.
A needle valve can be installed in the vacuum line to
remove water at an ideal rate of 1 liter/minute, but no more
than 1.5 liter/minute.
A much lower decant rate or no decanting should be used
for samples containing sediments of relatively low density,
such as coal particles.
The decanting process:
Do not tip the sample bottle when decanting.
Keep the J-tube against the inner rim of the bottle mouth while
lowering the J-tube at a smooth, even rate.
Avoid stirring motions or sweeping motions with the J-tube.
Keep the suction tip of the J-tube near the water surface while
decanting.
Do not lower the J-tube tip closer than 1 inch from the
surface of the sediment layer. Continue decanting
until the water level drops to the height of the J-tube
tip.
If at any time sediments begin to rise from the bottom of the
sample bottle, immediately remove the J-tube and stop decanting the sample.
Decanting suggestion:
For labs that use Erlenmeyer filtration flasks, use a
filtering Erlenmeyer flask (Kimex heavy wall, Pyrex safety
coated, or equivalent), stopper with single hole, fitted with
a 1/8" - 1/4" tube long enough to rest below the flask hose
barb, pass through the stopper, and connect to the J-tube
hose.
Determinations of sediment concentrations in decanted water
is not required. However, each laboratory is encouraged to
measure sediment concentrations in the water decanted from
selected samples, with particular emphasis on supernatant from
samples containing relatively low-density sediments. For
laboratories with fixed filtration racks, the quality-control
procedure follows:
Set up a crucible holder on either end of the rack that
can both securely hold a crucible, but function as a quick
release, fit the J-tube hose with a #7 single hole stopper,
and a 1/8" - 1/4" tube, and fix the stopper to a properly
prepared crucible. Decanted water passes through the
crucible as would a sample. At the end of the set, rinse the
stopper and tube into the crucible, and handle the crucible
as a typical sample.
Filtration
The process used by the laboratories has remained essentially the same for the last 30 years. The only major changes were to standardize the filter, which is used for concentration analysis, and the use of fritted-glass crucibles by some laboratories. The specific recommendations for filtering are:
A consistent vacuum pressure should be used by all laboratories.
The WRD should, in a cost-effective manner, standardize the crucible
used by the sediment laboratories.
Physical and quality control data need to be obtained and evaluated
before the decision is made.
The filter or porous part of the fritted-glass crucible should be examined
after every use and the crucible discarded if the frit appears to be
plugged.
There is a need to determine the loss through the 934-4H filters.
Glassware care
Both the care of bottles and evaporation dishes were considered by the work group. Also, one possible safety problem was considered.
Sample bottles
If a laboratory has a dishwasher, the bottles should be cleaned 1
cycle in dishwasher.
Check the bottle for chips around the mouth of the bottle. If there
are chips around the mouth of the bottle, the bottle should be
discarded.
Manual washing with an electric bottle-brush allows laboratory
personnel to clean and examine the bottles in one step.
Bottles should be air-dried.
Examine one percent of the bottles for changes in the tare value and for
dissolved-solids residue. Laboratory chief should determine to
clean or dispose of bottles. The tare values should be recorded.
After bottles have been cleaned and allowed to air dry, bottles are
capped and stored for future use.
NOTE: All manually operated electric bottle brushes must be connected to a ground-interrupt circuit.
Evaporation dishes
Any dish that is chipped or cracked should be discarded. Heating and
handling chipped or cracked dishes is also a safety hazard.
The weights of clean, dry, cooled evaporating dishes will be measured
and recorded before every use.
Use of Blank Samples
Blank samples are suggested for the three determinations: 1) suspended-sediment concentration, 2) sand/silt splits, and 3) particle size by dry sieve. The determination of particle size by dry sieving has not been monitored using blank samples; so, to obtain some quality control data, the work group suggests a re-analysis procedure.
Suspended-Sediment Concentration
A blank is defined as 300 mL of deionized water that is filtered through a preweighed crucible and filter. The crucible and filter is dried in the oven, cooled in a desiccator, and weighed. So the blank sample is processed as a natural sample except the blank sample neither comes in contact with a J-tube nor is decanted.
Laboratories preparing an evaporating-dish blank sample should pour
200 mL of deionized water into a preweighed dish, evaporate
the water and dry the dish in an oven, cool the sample in a desiccator,
and measure the weight.
A good blank should have a mass of 0.0005 g or less.
Blanks with a mass greater than 0.5 g could indicate a problem
in the analytical process.
A database should be developed by measuring a blank every tenth sample.
After the database is established, the number of blank samples can be
reduced to 20 samples per month with a minimum of 200 blanks per year.
Each new laboratory employee should analyze a blank sample every tenth
sample during the training period of about 8 weeks.
All blank-sample data should be stored in a data base in a quality
control file with hard copies of the data in a notebook.
Sand/Fine Split
A blank is defined as 300 mL of deionized water that is poured through a 0.062 mm mesh sieve. Then, a second blank is defined as 300 mL of deionized water that is poured through the inverted 0.062 mm sieve.
Both blank waters should be filtered through separate crucibles and filters.
Both crucibles are processed as normal samples. (Note: Could be combined
into a single blank without the loss of information?)
A good blank should have a mass of 0.0005 g or less.
Blanks with a mass greater than 0.0005 g could indicate a
problem in the cleaning of or recovery of material from the sieve.
A database should be developed by preparing the pair of blanks every tenth
sample. After the database is established, 5 to 10 percent of the samples
should be blanks.
Each new laboratory employee should analyze the dual blank every tenth
sample through the training period.
Dry Sieve
No blank was defined for the dry-sieve process; so, to obtain some quality control data, samples analyzed by dry sieving can be analyzed twice (rerun).
After recording that mass of the sample retained on each sieve, the
sample should be re-combined.
Sieve the sample as second time and record the mass of the sample
retained on each sieve.
Compare the two sets of data.
If the two results from any pair of data differ by more than 5
percent, the present and previous sample should be rerun and the
results compared. If results from any pair of data differ by more
than 5 percent, stop analyzing samples and determine the problem in
the sample analysis.
Experience indicates that most of the errors are caused by inaccurate
weighing or in calculating the sums.
All dual analysis data should be stored in a quality control database.
The laboratory chief should evaluate the data every 2-3 months.
Appendix B:
Informal Notes on Safety from the 1998 Sediment Laboratory Chiefs Workshop, Baton Rouge, LA:
Safety Plans:
Chemical Hygiene Plan - may not be required for some WRD Sediment Laboratories.
Sediment Laboratory Safety Plan - Recommended for sediment laboratories not covered by a chemical hygiene plan.
Personal Protective Equipment:
Eye/face protection.
Skin protection.
Hearing protection.
Respiratory Protection.
Personal Hygiene
Proper hand washing.
NO eating or drinking in sample processing area.
Medical Monitoring
Required if there is a potential for exposure to hazardous chemicals/materials.
Tetanus; Possibily others, including Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid.
Back Injury Protection:
Back injuries are second most common injury in WRD.
Proper lifting techniques are critical.
Back Belts - pros and cons.
Each WRD Regional Safety Manager has an excellent back-injury prevention training package.
Electrical Safety:
Check condition of cords/electrical connections, especially those used around water.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI's) must be used.
Laboratory Ventilation:
Oven venting.
Fume hoods.
Canopy hoods.
Special Safety Concerns:
Contaminated samples: PCB's, Phiesteria, other to be considered.
How to ensure proposed sediment lab notification of contaminated samples?
Respiratory Protection:
Fume hoods - possibly perform analysis of contaminated sample in hood?
Respirators - may be appropriate in certain conditions.
Other Sediment Laboratory Safety Issues or Questions?
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.
In log-in form should question, "is there any reason to suspect that this sample is toxic from chemical or biological origins?" be asked?
The following bullets were developed from a presentation by Alan Mlodnosky, who led the Workgroup on Safety that included Von Miller, Dave Funderburg, and Clyde Sholar.
The '94 recommendations on safety were reviewed.
Want all ovens vented outside.
If potential exists, customer has responsibility to notify - "handle as potentially hazardous substances."
Analyze under fume hoods or set up one lab to handle (not recommended but suggested, costs unknown).
Portable hoods for hazardous samples.
Acids under fume hood or outside.
Use protective clothing.
Use protective gloves at all times.
Immunizations - tetanus shots are a minimun.
Minimum ground fault interrupt all circuits.
Hand vibrators are against OSHA regulations.
Avoid cuts from glassware.
Back safety - use common sense when lifting.
Review laboratory safety with employees twice annually.
Chemical hygene plan not required, but a laboratory safety plan is.
Sometimes goggles are not enough.
Each office should have a safety officer for field and laboratory.
Recommends treating all samples as hazardous materials.
Allan Mlodnosky has a line item in his lab budget for safety.
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