Download Water and wastewater sampling

EPA Guidelines: Water and wastewater sampling
Table 2
Summary of blank and duplicate samples
Number
QC sample
type
Field and
transport
blanks
Quantifies
contamination
from:
Contamination
due to the field
conditions
Contamination
during transport
Container
blanks
Equipment
blanks
Contamination
due to the
container,
washing process
and
preservatives
Residue on
sampling
equipment
Action in the laboratory
Select three identical sample
containers. Fill all with distilled water
(or water of corresponding salinity to
sample). One sample is left in the
laboratory as a control sample. Two
samples are taken to the field—one as a
field blank and one as a transport
blank. The actions in the field are then
carried out.
Action in field
Field blank—open container in the
field for a similar period of time as
is required to take sample. Re-cap
container and transport to
laboratory for analysis.
1 set (of 3
containers) per
sampling tripa
None
Minimum
requirement if
monitoring as
condition of
authorisation
Nil
1 blank per 10
samplesb
Transport blank—Carry a sealed
sample container in the cooler with
other samples. No other action
necessary in the field. Return to
laboratory for analysis.
Fill a sample container with distilled
water—do not rinse. Apply the
preservation appropriate to samples
taken in that container type. The
sample is to be held in the laboratory
for a similar period of time as the
majority of samples are held before
analysis.
Nil
Recommended by
AS5667.1 and
ANZECC/ARMCANZ
2000
Nil
1 per batch of
containersa
Nil
1 per 10 samplesb
Wash sampling equipment as
required. Collect final rinse water as
the blank.
30
No specific
recommendation
1 per sampling
event if equipment
is used