Methodology and Quality Assurance/Quality Control of Environmental Analysis - Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling and Analysis - page 97

Chapter 5

Methodology and Quality
Assurance/Quality Control
of Environmental Analysis

5.1 OVERVIEW ON STANDARD METHODOLOGIES
5.2 SELECTION OF STANDARD METHODS

5.3 FIELD QUALITYASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL (QA/QC)

5.4 ANALYTICAL QUALITYASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL

REFERENCES

QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS

The U.S. EPA and many other agencies and organizations have promulgated a
variety of standard methods for sampling and analysis. To select an appropriate
method and understand the requirements for a particular project is an important first
step, yet it is not an easy task. To many beginning environmental professionals, this
could be a frustrating and discouraging experience. As Popek (2003) noted, ''the
analytical laboratory with its dozens of seemingly similar methods and arcane QA/
QC procedures is a mysterious world that most professionals who work in consulting
industry rarely visit or fully comprehend. The perplexing terminologies, the subtitles
of analytical QA/QC protocols, and the minutia of laboratory methods usually
intimidate those who come in contact with the analytical laboratory only
occasionally.'' The purpose of this chapter is to serve as a roadmap in helping the
reader to navigate the ''maze'' of sampling and analytical methodologies, as well as
QA/QC procedures. We will discuss these methodologies and procedures
promulgated by the U.S. EPA, as well as other agencies. While reading this chapter,
the reader should not be distracted by a specific method number and its specific
details, but rather should navigate the recommended Web sites, learn how to identify