United States
                  Environmental Protection
                  Agency          	
Environmental Monitoring
Systems Laboratory
Las Vegas NV 89193-3478
                  Research and Development
EPA/600/S4-88/025   Apr. 1990
v°/EPA        Project Summary
                  Eastern  Lake  Survey-
                  Phase II and  National Stream
                  Survey-Phase  I  Processing
                  Laboratory  Operations  Report


                  L. J. Arent, M. 0.  Morison, and C. S. Soong
                    The National Surface Water Survey
                  was designed to characterize surface
                  water chemistry in regions  of the
                  United  States  believed  to  be
                  potentially sensitive to acidic deposi-
                  tion. The National Stream Survey was
                  a synoptic survey designed to quan-
                  tify the chemistry of streams in areas
                  of the United States known to contain
                  low alkalinity waters. Phase II of the
                  Eastern Lake Survey was designed  to
                  address temporal variability of chem-
                  ical and biological characteristics  of
                  a subset of Phase I lakes. This docu-
                  ment describes the centralized pro-
                  cessing laboratory operations associ-
                  ated with the 1986 surveys.
                    The processing  laboratory was
                  located in Las Vegas, NV. Personnel
                  at the laboratory processed  water
                  samples received from the field and
                  shipped  prepared aliquo.ts to con-
                  tracted analytical laboratories for
                  subsequent analyses. Dissolved inor-
                  ganic carbon,  pH, total monomeric
                  aluminum, organically bound mono-
                  meric aluminum, true color, turbidity,
                  and conductivity were measured  at
                  the processing laboratory. A total  of
                  3,377 lake, stream, and snowpack
                  samples were  processed  and anal-
                  yzed during the 1986 studies.
                    The centralized laboratory  opera-
                  tion was successful. Samples were
                  prepared for shipment to the analyt-
                  ical laboratories within the specified
                  holding time  in  all cases. No
                  personnel safety incidents occurred
during the study. Recommendations
regarding laboratory operations are
included in this report to assist in the
preparation of similar projects.
  This report was submitted in partial
fulfillment of contract 68-03-3249  by
Lockheed Engineering and Manage-
ment Services Company, Inc., under
the sponsorship  of the U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency.
  This Project  Summary was devel-
oped by EPA's Environmental Moni-
toring Systems Laboratory, Las Vegas,
NV, to announce key findings of the
research project  that is fully docu-
mented in a separate report of the
same title (see Project Report order-
ing information at back).

Introduction
  The  National  Surface Water Survey
(NSWS)  was conducted  under the
direction of the  U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency  (EPA). The NSWS, as
part of the National Acid  Precipitation
Assessment Program's  Aquatic Effects
Research  Program, was  designed  to
characterize surface water chemistry in
regions of the United States believed to
be potentially sensitive to acidic deposi-
tion. The NSWS was composed of the
National Lake Survey  (NLS) and the
National Stream Survey (NSS). The NLS
consisted of  the Eastern  Lake Survey
(ELS) and the  Western Lake Survey
(WLS).
  Phase I  projects  of the NSWS  were
synoptic surveys designed to quantify the

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chemistry of lakes and streams in areas
of the United States known to contain low
alkalinity waters.  Phase II projects were
designed  to  determine  temporal
variability of chemical characteristics of a
subset of  Phase I lakes  and streams.
Pilot studies  were conducted  prior to
Phase I  projects  in  order  to test
equipment, logistics, and protocols.
  The  EPA's  Environmental Monitoring
Systems  Laboratory in  Las  Vegas,  NV,
has been charged with the responsibility
for   conducting  NSWS  field  and
processing laboratory  operations.  Labora-
tory, field sampling,  managerial,  and
quality  assurance (QA) personnel  were
provided by  Lockheed Engineering  and
Management Services Company, Inc.
  This  report discusses the centralized
processing laboratory operations for the
following  1986 NSWS  studies:  Spring
Variability Pilot Study  (SVS-P), Snowpack
Study,  National Stream Survey-Phase  I
(NSS-I, and Eastern Lake Survey-Phase II
(ELS-II) spring, summer, and fall seasonal
studies. The  objective of SVS-P was to
obtain  data describing the  spatial  and
temporal  variability  of lake chemistry
during  snowmelt. The Snowpack Study
was conducted in order to determine the
relationship between   snowpack
conditions and the extent and severity of
episodic lake acidification.


Procedures

Laboratory Preparation
  Six mobile  laboratory  trailers were
constructed for Phase I of the NLS. For
the surveys  conducted prior to  1986
(ELS-Phase   I, WLS, and  NSS  Pilot
studies), a field laboratory was stationed
at each field site  in order  to  process
samples as  soon as possible following
collection. For logistical  and financial
reasons, the six  laboratory trailers were
centralized in  one  location  (Las Vegas,
Nevada) for  the  1986  surveys. It  was
determined experimentally that the maxi-
mum sample holding  time could  be
extended  from  12  to  24 hours. This
extension permitted the overnight ship-
ment of  samples to  the  processing
laboratory. All sample information  was
tracked by a communications staff sta-
tioned in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  For the centralized laboratory opera-
tions, the staff consisted of a coordinator,
responsible for the  overall  operation  of
the laboratory, one or  two  supervisors,
responsible  for  daily operations,  and
analysts,  who prepared sample  aliquots
(for  subsequent  analyses at contracted
analytical  laboratories) and performed
several chemical analyses.
  The laboratory supervisor(s) conducted
the training  programs.  These  sessions
included  instruction  in  analytical
methods, laboratory safety, and  quality
control (QC)  protocols. Analysts were
required   to  complete  a  written
examination,  undergo  medical  surveil-
lance testing, and  acquire certification in
first  aid and  cardiopulmonary resusci-
tation.  Safety  eyeglass and  respirator
fittings  were required also.

Laboratory Operations
  The  main function of the processing
laboratory was to process water samples
received from  the field  and to  ship
prepared sample aliquots to a contracted
analytical  laboratory  for  subsequent
analyses.  Dissolved inorganic  carbon
(DIG),  pH,  monomeric aluminum, true
color, turbidity, and  conductivity were
measured  at  the  processing laboratory.
Two species  of aluminum  were deter-
mined  by  flow injection analysis  (FIA):
total monomeric and organically bound
monomeric aluminum. The FIA-aluminum
and  conductivity  methods  were  newly
incorporated for the 1986 surveys. The
laboratory  staff also provided calibration
and  quality control check standards
(QCCS),  deionized water,  and  other
supplies to support the field crews.
  Each day,  the  processing laboratory
staff organized  supplies and equipment,
prepared reagents and standards, and
calibrated  analytical instruments  before
samples arrived  from the  field. The
laboratory coordinator organized samples
into  groups (sample batches) by survey
type, then distributed the  samples  to the
analysts. After  sample processing was
completed, the staff prepared the sample
aliquots for shipment  to  the contracted
analytical  laboratories.  The  coordinator
completed the data forms and forwarded
the  information  to   QA  personnel.
Laboratory personnel cleaned the facility
and prepared for the  next  day's
operations.

Results and Discussion
  A total  of 3,377 lake, stream, and
snowpack  samples were  processed and
analyzed during  the  six  surveys con-
ducted in  1986. Samples were prepared
for shipment to the analytical laboratories
within  the  specified holding time in  all
cases.
   Based on  the   good precision and
accuracy  of the  QCCS  results  from
previous surveys,  the number of samples
that  could be  analyzed  between C
checks was increased for pH, DIG, ai
turbidity  methods  before  the ELS
summer  seasonal  study.  Prelimina
review of  the  processing  laborato
QCCS and audit sample (a sample with
known chemical  composition)  resul
during the laboratory operations indicat
that the data are of acceptable quality.
  Two pH  meters  were  necessary
analyze  the large number of  sampd
received within the required holding tirr
This  necessitated the  development of
protocol to monitor  the comparability
the  pH  meters  which  included  tl
addition  of an intermeter comparabili
QCCS. Well-characterized lake sample
used  as  natural  audit  samples  for tl
surveys,  were used as  the  intermet
comparability QCCS during  the sprii
surveys.  Because the  natural auc
samples  required  approximately  C
minutes to  reach pH equilibrium  and d
not always meet the  meter  agreeme
criteria, a dilution of the pH calibratk
buffer solution was substituted as tl
intermeter comparability QCCS for ELS
summer and fall seasonal  operations.
  Instrument  and  method  problerr
delayed the development  of a viable Fl
aluminum protocol. The method  develo
ment was successfully completed befo
ELS-II summer   seasonal operation
including  the  optimization   of  tr
calibration procedure,  sample flow rate
reagent  concentrations,  and   catio
exchange column. Additional  QC mea
ures were  instituted and  a natural au<
sample  was used as  a  standard
monitor the function of the  FIA.  The u:
of the audit material was  necessa
because no synthetic  standard  wi
available  to monitor measurement of tl
organically  bound monomeric aluminu
fraction.
  Several modifications  in  the  availab
method  and  replacement  of the co
ductivity cell  were  necessary  for tl
successful  measurement  of conductivil
High-range methods were developed f
true color and turbidity because the NS
I  sample  results exceeded  the upp
limits of the available methods.
  The NSS-I samples were extreme
slow  to  filter using only  fine (0.45 nr
pore  size filters.  Therefore, the  use of
two-stage filtration unit, which includes
coarse prefilter and  a fine pore size filt<
is recommended for  future  large-sea
operations. One day per  week should I
dedicated to instrument maintenance. V\
experienced  difficulty  attempting
process samples and  perform tt
necessary equipment upkeep concurrei

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ly. The development of specific daily data
review procedures for each method was
valuable because it  reduced the chance
of errors in data reporting.

Conclusions
  The  centralized laboratory operation
was  successful. Samples were prepared
for shipment to the analytical laboratories
within the specified  holding time  in  all
cases. No personal safety incidents
occurred  during the laboratory opera-
tions.

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L. J. Arent, M. 0. Morison, and C. S. Soong are with Lockheed Engineering and
 Management Services Company, Inc., Las Vegas, NV 89119.
W. L Kinney is  the EPA Project Officer (see below).
The complete report, entitled "Eastern Lake Survey -  Phase II and National Stream
 Survey - Phase I Processing Laboratory Operations Report" (Order No. PB  90-
 146 2751 AS; Cost: $17.00, subject to change) will be available only from:
       National Technical Information Service
       5285 Port Royal Road
       Springfield, VA22161
       Telephone: 703-487-4650
The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:
       Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory
       U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
       Las Vegas, NV 89193-3478
     United States
     Environmental Protection
     Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
\
     Official Business
     Penalty for Private Use $300

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