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A summary of QA/QC check samples and information they provide are noted in Table 8. Procedures and
formulas for calculating applicable QC statistics are described in Section A.7 of this QAPP.
Table 8. QA/QC check samples
QC Check
Information Provided
BLANKS
Bottle blank
Cleanliness
Field blank
Transport, storage, and field handling bias
Reagent blank
Contaminated reagent
Rinsate or equipment blank
Contaminated equipment
Method blank
Response of an entire laboratory analytical system
SPIKES
Matrix Spike
Analytical (preparation + analysis) bias
Matrix spike replicate
Analytical bias and precision
Analysis matrix spike
Instrument bias
Surrogate spike
Analytical bias
CALIBRATION CHECK SAMPLES
Zero check
Calibration drift and memory effect
Span check
Calibration drift and memory effect
Mid-range check
Calibration drift and memory effect
REPLICATES, SPLITS, ETC.
Field collected samples
Sampling + measurement precision
Field replicates
Precision of all steps after acquisition
Field splits
Shipping + inter-laboratory precision
Laboratory splits
Inter-laboratory precision
Laboratory replicates
Analytical precision
Analysis replicates
Instrument precision
B.6.
Instrument/Equipment Testing, Inspection, and Maintenance
All field and laboratory instruments and equipment used in the BWTS tests will be inspected and
maintained in accordance to the manufacturers’ recommendations, instruction manuals, or the laboratory
SOPs of the analysis laboratory. Field equipment refers to items used for on-site monitoring and testing,
whereas laboratory equipment refers to items used in the laboratory in support of data collection (e.g.,
refrigerators). Laboratory instruments are items used for sample analysis.
The MERC Facility Manager is responsible for ensuring regular cleaning, inspection, and maintenance of
field equipment. All equipment should be visually inspected daily for damage or dirt, and repaired or
cleaned if needed before use. If meters are stored for long periods (> 1 week) without being used, they
will be calibrated and inspected at least weekly to keep them in good working order.
Laboratory instrument/equipment maintenance is the responsibility of the MERC senior researchers in
their respective laboratories. Any sub-contracted laboratories will follow the testing, inspection and
maintenance procedures as stated in the respective laboratory’s QAPP and SOPs.
All routine maintenance and non-routine repairs will be documented in a bound logbook and kept with the
instrument/equipment. The information recorded will include analyst initials, date maintenance was
performed, a description of the maintenance activity, and (if the maintenance was performed in response
to a specific instrument performance problem) the result of retesting to demonstrate that the instrument