SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1979
STP34895S

Interpretation of Chemical Water Quality Data

Source

Meaningful interpretation of water quality data requires an evaluation of the reliability of the data. Particular attention must be given to evaluation of the applicability of the analytical methods used, sampling and sample handling procedures, and analytical quality control program.

There are many problems with the use of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) water quality criteria as a basis for evaluating water quality. Meaningful interpretation of data requires consideration of the concentration-time of the exposure relationships that exist at a given location within a body of water where the concentration of a chemical is in excess of the U.S. EPA criterion. Also, consideration must be given to the amount of the contaminant which is available to affect water quality. This may require the use of bioassay procedures since, in general, chemical procedures provide a relatively poor estimate of the amount of available contaminant present in a water sample. In addition, consideration must be given to the physical and chemical characteristics of the water since they may markedly affect the significance of a chemical contaminant for water quality.

Author Information

Lee, GF
EnviroQual Consultants and Laboratories, Inc., Fort Collins, Colo.
Jones, RA
EnviroQual Consultants and Laboratories, Inc., Fort Collins, Colo.
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Details
Developed by Committee: E35
Pages: 302–321
DOI: 10.1520/STP34895S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4738-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0279-8