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Title: A report on quality assurance procedures for use in biological surveys of marine/estuarine benthos
Author: National Rivers Authority Anglian Region
Document Type: Monograph
Abstract:
The results of biological sampling are likely to be increasingly used and challenged by dischargers, Government Departments and other Agencies as the costs of compliance with Statutory Water Quality Objectives, the EC Bathing Water Directive and improving water quality are evaluated. Biological data are currently used by a number of outside organisations including those for the assessment of discharges and abstractions and for the assessment of conservation value. Where biological data are used in pollution prosecutions they must also be robust enough to stand up to legal scrutiny. Confidence in the validity of the results will also be of increasing importance internally as the data are used to assist in a wide range of different functional activities. It is likely that as Environmental Quality Standards are developed a RTVPACS-like predictive model (as used in freshwater benthic biology) will also evolve for marine and estuarine communities. It is vital that the baseline data produced for such projects are of a consistent standard. The above can only be achieved by ensuring that the quality of the product, including its applicability and presentation, is assured. This report covers the development of a Quality Assurance scheme for marine/estuarine benthic sampling and analysis. A standard methodologies manual has been produced and is included in this document together with further notes upon the methods and associated errors. The manual also outlines Quality Assurance measures, including AQC procedures to be adopted for both sampling and analysis of marine/estuarine benthic samples.
Publisher: National Rivers Authority
Publication Date: 1993
Publication Place: Peterborough
Subject Keywords: Biological samplingBathing Water DirectiveWater qualityEstuariesCoastal waters
Geographic Keywords: EA Anglian
Extent: 36; + appendices
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:3696
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