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Category
Core Parameter
Reporting
Units
Analytical Method
Acceptable Range for Initiating
Testing
Instrumentation
Biological
Zooplankton,
live organisms ≥ 50
µm in size
Live
Organisms/
m³
SOP – Live
Organisms >50
Microns
Organisms ≥ 50 µm in minimum
dimension should be present in a
total density of >75,000 to live
individuals per m3, and should
consist of at least 5 species from at
least 3 different phyla/divisions.
Culture organisms can be added.
Protists, live
organisms 10 - 50 µm
in size
Live
Individuals
/ml
SOP – Live
Organisms 10 - 50
Microns
Organisms 10 - 50 µm in minimum
dimension should be present in a
total density of not less than 750 cells
per mL, and consist of at least 5
species from at least 3 different
phyla. Culture organisms can be
added.
Bacteria
Viable
bacteria/ml
SOP- Live Bacteria
and Indicator
Pathogens
Heterotrophic bacteria should be
present in a density of at least 1,000
per ml.
When problems occur during the analytical process, a corrective action is implemented. The corrective
action should identify the source of the problem and eliminate it. Staff communicates corrective actions
to management to determine if additional corrective actions are necessary. The senior researcher of each
lab has the primary responsibility for responding to failure of analytical systems. Solutions, which are
consistent with the measurement objectives, will be reached in consultation with the MERC QA Manager.
Failures in field and laboratory measurement systems involve, but are not limited to, such things as
instrument malfunctions, failures in calibration, sample jar breakage, blank contamination, and quality
control samples outside of defined limits In many cases, field staff or lab analysts are able to correct the
problem. If the problem is resolvable by MERC field staff or lab analysts, then they document the
problem in their field data sheet or laboratory record and complete the analysis. If the problem is not
resolvable, then it must be conveyed to the respective senior researcher, who makes the determination if
the problem compromised the sample analysis and should therefore results not be reported. The nature
and disposition of the unresolved problem needs to be documented in the data report that is sent to the
MERC PC and QA Manager.
Unused raw sample volume, sample extract and sample digestates are disposed of properly in accordance
with each laboratory’s waste management procedures. Disposal of unused raw sample for routine analysis
will occur when the analysis is complete and verified to be accurate or when holding times are exceeded,
whichever is less.
B.4.1. Viable Organisms >50µm in size
The sampling system consists of two sets of paired tanks, each designed to accommodate a 37µm um
(50µm diagonally) mesh plankton net used to collect the >50µm size fraction. One pair handles water
from the treated ballast tank and the other pair handles water from the untreated (control) tank. The paired
sampling tank/net arrangement allows for the residual from the cod-end of one net from each pair to be
processed for examination while filtration continues via the other net, thereby avoiding clogging. In this
way unimpaired filtration back and forth between each pair of nets continues until a total of 3 to 7 m
3
has