Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
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Wavelength (nm)
Figure 4.1. CDOM absorption properties of nylon tubing leachate (3.2 L of laboratory grade water
flushed nylon through tubing at 200 ml per minute and then sampled; solid black line), soap (10%
diluted antibacterial soap; dashed black line), acetone (12 drops in 200 mL of laboratory-grade water
and cuvette rinsed with acetone and subsequently filled with laboratory grade water; solid gray line
and dashed gray lines respectively) and methanol (dash-dot black line). Note the solid black line at
254 nm highlighting the potential for interference with SUVA
254
measurements.
of the sampling design to trace the specific source of any contamination observed in the
field blank if required. Individual equipment, filter, and sampler blanks can be used to test
for contamination from equipment, filters, or sampling devices (e.g., pumps, Niskin bot-
tles) and to assess the equipment, filter and sampler cleaning protocols. Ambient blanks
that are exposed to atmospheric outfall or other relevant conditions (e.g., inside a fume
hood) can be used to examine if the sample exposure was the source of any contamination.
As such, blanks are both important in observing any potential contamination and also dis-
covering any contamination so that it may be eliminated and are fundamental to successful
sampling design.
Replicate samples are collected at the same time or as close to one another as possible
via identical equipment and procedures. Replicate samples are also important for qual-
ity control as they allow for identification and also quantification of any variability in the
overall sampling, or parts thereof if broken down into individual sections (e.g., filtration
