Title: Quality assurance for phytoplankton data
Author: Environment Agency Thames Region
Document Type: Monograph
Abstract:
Phytoplankton analyses have several roles within the Environment Agencys Thames Region, some of which are likely to influence major investment projects and the enforcement of legislation. There is, therefore, a prima facie case for ensuring that results from these analyses are of a known and defensible quality. Statistical errors can be introduced into a phytoplantkon analysis at several stages. The process of enumeration is subject to various errors associated with non-random distributions of cells within counting chambers, but the scale of these errors needs to be assessed relative to that of natural variation within the river and of errors introduced at the sampling and sub-sampling stages. Quality assurance strategies used by Anglian Region and Thames Region are compared and recommendations on a new strategy for Thames Region, based on the best elements of existing approaches, is described. Several areas where further research is required are highlighted. In particular, these include development of a taxonomic data quality objective and further development of methods for the objective evaluation of replicate samples analyzed by two or more analysts.
Publisher: Environment Agency
Publication Date: 1998
Publication Place: Bristol
Subject Keywords: Rivers; Estuaries; Phytoplankton; Data; Quality assurance
Geographic Keywords: EA South East; Thames
Extent: 45
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:1302
Total file downloads: 357
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