New Division Protocol for Collecting and Processing Surface-Water Samples for Low-Level Inorganic Analyses




In Reply Refer To:                                   December 23, 1993
Mail Stop 412

OFFICE OF WATER QUALITY TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NO. 94.05

Subject:  New Division Protocol for Collecting and Processing
          Surface-Water Samples for Low-Level Inorganic
          Analyses

This memorandum conveys the new Division protocol for collecting and processing
surface-water samples for low-level (microgram/liter, part-per-billion)
inorganic analyses.  The Office of Water Quality (OWQ) has developed the
protocol over the last 2 1/2 years to improve and assure the inorganic data
produced in the operational program.  In reading and using the protocol,
personnel are directed to OWQ Technical Memorandum 93.11, which covers (1)
reasons for the protocol; (2) what is meant by "implementation"; (3) programs
and projects affected, including logistical considerations and equipment needs;
(4) training needs; and (5) answers to some specific questions that have been
asked about the protocol.

The implementation date for the protocol is January 1, 1994.  That means that
all new projects and programs started on or after that date will use the new
protocol and it will become standard operating procedure (SOP) for the
Division.  For those projects and programs already in progress, the protocol
should be applied as soon as possible.  That is, for a project whose field
sampling is scheduled to end prior to October 1, 1994, you have the option of
using or not using the new protocol.  For longer term projects now in progress
and continuing past October 1, 1994, the protocol should be applied as SOP as
soon as practical.

For Federal programs, including NAWQA, Toxic Substances Hydrology, DODEC,
and NASQAN/Benchmark, the protocol will be implemented upon guidance from the
respective Program Managers.  This should be accomplished after January 1,
1994, when practical,but no later than October 1, 1994.

The National Water Quality Laboratory is developing a set of Custom Analyses
Schedules for analyzing deionized water blanks.  
                                                            
The specifics are (1) a 2- to 3-week turnaround time; (2) detection levels in
the range of 0.2 to 0.4 mg/L, for 15-20 (actual number to be determined) trace
elements analyzed by ICP/MS; and (3) analyses of nutrients, major ions, and
additional trace elements by existing methods.  This new schedule and the issue
of acid preservation will be described in an upcoming OWQ Technical Memorandum.




						David A. Rickert
						Chief, Office of Water Quality

Attachment

This memorandum does not supersede any other Office of Water Quality
Technical Memorandum.

Key Words:  Analysis, protocol, surface water

Distribution:  A, B, S, FO, PO, AH


(Hard copies with attachment will be distributed by the week of
January 10, 1994.

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