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SAMPLING QUALITY ASSURANCE

CodyHart sampling quality assurance includes:

  • Testing deionised water used for rinsing equipment to ensure it is
    <5 µS/cm at the start of each sampling day. The result is noted on the field parameter forms for the day.
  • Checking that repeated readings of field analyte values at the end of a purge, or from the four field surface water samples taken at each sampling point, are reasonably close and not exceeding a Relative Percentage Deviation (RPD) of 20% where RPD = {(A-B)/ [(A+B)/2]} x 100.
  • Conducting field blank tests of EC regularly throughout the sampling day, that is, after the final deionised water decontamination rinse at a sampling point, deionised water is swilled in a sampling beaker or other piece of sampling equipment and its EC tested. Results were noted on the field parameter forms.
  • Noting low EC readings of the remaining deionised water in the pump at the start of the purge for each well.
  • Logging field lab calibrations.
  • Logging gas monitor calibrations.
  • Completing sampling point specific field parameter forms as sampling progresses and including them in quarterly reports.
  • Using chain of custody forms for pick up and delivery of samples to document the lack of tampering with sample containers from and samples to the laboratory. These forms will also be included in the quarterly report addendum.
  • Having two field personnel who work together and review one another’s work practices.

ANALYTICAL QUALITY ASSURANCE

Australian Laboratory Services (ALS) quality assurance includes:

  • NATA registration for the analyses
  • A method blank of all inorganic analytes. A known analyte free matrix is processed and analysed in the same manner as the samples.
  • A Lot Control Spike (LCS) of most inorganic analytes, the number depending on the range of analytes in the set of 20 samples of similar matrix being analysed by ALS at the time of submission of samples. A spike of target analytes is placed into a known, interference free matrix which is processed as per a set of 20 samples of similar matrix (a sample lot) which may be from different batches but are processed together for Quality Control purposes. The known true value of the spiked concentration is compared with its tested result (% recovery), to note the accuracy of the equipment and methodology. No more than 20% on either side of 100% is generally regarded as acceptable.
  • If clients wish, the sampling team will collect one duplicate (split sample – the water is poured from a sampling beaker into two containers) per ten sampling points for a full range of analytes and send them to the laboratory marked D. An RPD of µ20% is expected, except for trace analytes where the RPD is likely to be greater. To assist impartial analysis, the laboratory is not given the time of sampling or the duplicate sampling point making it difficult for laboratory personnel to determine the duplicate’s sampling point origin. Extra cost is incurred for this additional quality assurance.
 
 
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