U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Best Practices for Submitting Metals Data to the Water Quality exchange (WQX) Created in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Geological Survey and Water Quality exchange state partners ------- Execut Data submitted via WQX is published through the Water Quality Portal and made available with USGS, USDA and other state, tribal, territory, academic, and volunteer partners. The goal of the WQX Metals Best Practices Guide is to increase the quality of metals data records in WQX by making it easier for data providers to capture metadata elements, increasing consistency of metadata elements utilized, and removing confusion and ambiguity for secondary data users. This guide outlines how WQX data submitters can capture a complete metals record which includes: a metals characteristic, sample fraction, and analytical method. It is preferential for organizations to publish their data using a national analytical method to enhance data reuse and comparability with other datasets available through the Water Quality Portal. This document is a direct product of the WQX Metals Quality Assurance Workgroup, comprised of representatives from EPA, USGS, external stakeholders, and several states. The Metals Quality Assurance team has included details regarding metadata element capture decision points, how to propose new metals characteristics for use in WQX, and commonly reported metal records combinations. This guidance does not require any new metadata to be submitted to WQX but does advise data submitters to make adjustments to characteristic names and new characteristic name proposals. To learn about best practices for capturing Nutrient data and metadata elements see the WQX Nutrient Best Practices Guide at https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/wqx-nutrients-best-practices-guide (Um'I Metals data are collected, analyzed, and then published to WQX by hundreds of organizations throughout the country. Each of those organizations have unique projects and purposes for which they are collecting valuable and high-quality data. It is natural that each of those organizations store metals data with varying metadata elements and define metadata terms for their own analysis purposes. Likewise, data collected by the organization may have metadata qualities that can be assumed and thus not captured in the dataset. However, once the data is reported nationally, those metadata nuances that can be assumed at an organizational level, can no longer be assumed at the national level. By clarifying ambiguous terms, providing user guidance, and improving WQX submission requirements, the WQX metals data can be captured at such detail to facilitate secondary data usage. The Water Quality exchange (WQX) Metals Best Practices Guide was created to assist organizations in submitting metals data to WQX, by promoting consistency when capturing metadata and removing confusion and ambiguity for secondary data users. This document is a direct product of the WQX Metals Quality Assurance Workgroup, comprised of representatives from EPA, USGS, external stakeholders, and several states. The QA Workgroup addressed three areas of concern for metal characteristics: (1) Method Speciation, Ions and Sample Fraction, (2) National Analytical Methods, and (3) Metal Results. This Guide is designed to be used with WQX version 2.0, although some of these practices address elements that may become required in WQX 3.0 (scheduled for release in 2018-2019). It is recommended to adopt them now in anticipation of their inclusion in 3.0. Doc Im'i'i'i j >t f\ . f , , I 11 ' „«!¦,!. I1 I I J ¦ •, t \\ :ics Speciation Metals are only ever reported as a single speciation, thus the workgroup determined that method speciation is a nonessential metadata element and should not be a required data element. For example: Aluminum is always reported ------- "as Al", thus there is no need to require data submitters to report metadata that can be reasonably assumed. Ionic forms, which are sometimes referred to as the speciation of a metal, are identified as the ionic form in the characteristic name, such as Arsenic(lll) or Chromium(VI), as described below. Ions Metals are found in multiple ionic forms in nature, which becomes important when assessing bioavailability of the metal. WQX needs to allow for the reporting of these ionic variants, such as Chromium(VI) and Chromium(lll). After review of the current WQX metals characteristic list and the EPA Substance Registry System (SRS), the team determined the format for establishing new metal ion characteristics will be the metal name followed by the ion numeric value shown in the Chromium example above. When requesting ionic forms of metals to be added to the WQX characteristics allowable value list, please do so using the preferred format. Sample Fraction The sample fractions of "Total" and "Dissolved" when used with metals indicate an unfiltered and filtered sample, respectively. The workgroup found that the use of "Total" and "Dissolved" for metals is not ambiguous because only one speciation can be reported for each characteristic, eliminating the possibility that "Total" could indicate the sum of all forms. Total recoverable on the other hand, are the metals solubilized by digestion with strong solutions of mineral acids and is sometimes incorrectly used synonymously with Total metals. Please check with your lab to ensure you are recording the correct sample fraction. NOTE: To capture filter pore size in a data submission, please capture the information in the Result Comment metadata element. Natf i ¦! i. . tic . fv frvi . The table below was created by the QA Workgroup to show common combinations of the WQX metadata elements, characteristic, sample fraction, and national methods, needed for a complete metals result. Referencing a national method under the laboratory analysis method metadata element improves data consistency. And although WQX does allow organizations to create unique Method IDs, this option is primarily for cases when the method has not yet been captured in the domain value list. Organizations should map their lab analytical methods to an existing WQX lab analytical method if at all possible. Optimally, the laboratory analyzes and reports data using a recognized national method such as APHA or USEPA (captured in the WQX metadata element "method context"). If the lab is using a method or SOP equivalent to a recognized national method such as USEPA, APHA Standard Methods, ASTM, etc., report the recognized national method. If you cannot map your analytical method to a national method, and must create a custom method, it is not recommended to use words like "QAPP" or "UNKNOWN" in the method ID. These types of method IDs require a secondary data user to find documents that are not readily available, and may result in the data not being used because the methods are inaccessible.. Analyzing and reporting data with national methods increases the archival and reuse value of the data because it can be more readily combined with data from other organizations. The Analytical Methods listed in table 1 are the most commonly reported methods for each given metal characteristic. The methods are not directly applicable to each possible metal result combination with sample fraction. There exist less ------- frequently used methods included on the WQX allowable values list that are not listed in the table below. To look up these additional method IDs, go to https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/storage-and-retrieval-and-water-qualitv-exchange- domain-services-and-downloads#domain. The National Environmental Methods Index is another reference for analytical methods https://www.nemi.gov/home/. If the method used is a nationally recognized method or you are a node submitter, please email the STORET helpdesk (storet@epa.gov ) with the NEMI information and your ID request. If the method is not in the table below, the domain value lists, or NEMI, then you should add a new analytical method by logging into WQX web. To add an analytical method in WQX Web, select "Domain Values" > "Edit Analytical Methods" > Identify the Org ID as the context > input the analytical method > Save. Doc A complete metal result contains a characteristic name, a result (or result detection condition) value and unit, a sample fraction, and analytical method. If reported as above or below a quantitation limit by the laboratory, the complete record will need to contain a detection limit type, value, and unit instead of a result value and unit. Table 1: Metals Result Guidance at a Glance Table 1: The table below shows each of the recommended characteristics to be reported to WQX, any previous WQX allowable values that are synonyms of the recommended characteristic, sample fractions which can be reported for those characteristics, and the most commonly reported national methods for those characteristics. Preferred WQX Characteristic Name Result Sample Fraction Acid Soluble Recoverable Bed Sediment Total Dissolved Total Recoverable Commonly-Reported Analytical Methods for Characteristic Aluminum USEPA: 200.8, 200.7, 6010C, 1638, 6010B, 6010A, 6020A APHA: 3120 HACH: 10215 Antimony Bed Sediment Total Dissolved Total Recoverable Recoverable USEPA: 200.8, 6020, 1638, 6020A, 6010C, 6010B, 6020,1620A, 6020B, 200.7 Arsenic (V) Former Synonyms - Arsenic ion (5+) & Arsenate Total Dissolved USEPA: 200.8, 6010C, 6020,1638, 200.7, 6020A, 200.9, 6010B, 1632 APHA: 3114-B, 3113-B Arsenic Bed Sediment Recoverable Dissolved Total Fixed Total Recoverable Inorganic USEPA: 200.8, 6010C, 1638, 200.7, 6020A, 200.9, 6010B, 1632 APHA: 3114-B, 3113-B Arsenic (III) Former Synonyms - Arsenic ion (3+) & Arsenite Total Dissolved USEPA: 1632 APHA: 3114-B Barium Bed Sediment Total Dissolved Total Recoverable Recoverable USEPA: 200.8, 200.7, 6010C, 1638, 6010B, 6020A, 6020, 6010C, 1620A, Beryllium Bed Sediment Total Dissolved Total Recoverable Recoverable USEPA: 200.8, 200.7,1638, 6020, 6010B, 6020A, 1620A, 6020B ------- Preferred WQX Characteristic Name Result Sample Fraction Commonly-Reported Methods for Characteristic Boron Bed Sediment Recoverable Dissolved Total Dissolved Total Fixed Total Recoverable Inorganic USEPA: 200.7, 200.8, 6020, 6010C, 6010B, APHA: 2130 Cadmium Bed Sediment Recoverable Dissolved Total Pot. Dissolved Total Recoverable USEPA: 200.8, 200.7, 6010C, 6020, 1638, 6020A, 6010B, 200.12, 200.9 HACH: 10217 Calcium Total Dissolved USEPA: 200.7, 6010C Chromium Bed Sediment Total Dissolved Total Recoverable Recoverable USEPA: 200.8, 200.7, 6010C, 1638, 6020, 6020A, 200.12, 6010B, 1620(A) APHA: 3113-B HACH: 10218 Chromium(lll) Total Dissolved USEPA: 6010C, 7199 APHA: 3500-CR(D) Chromium(VI) Dissolved Total Recoverable Total Recoverable USEPA: 218.6, 7199, 7196A, 200.8 APHA: 3500-CR(D), 3500-CR(B), 3500-CR(D) Cobalt Bed Sediment Total Dissolved Total Recoverable Recoverable USEPA: 200.8, 200.7, 6020, 6020A, 6010C, 6010B Copper Bed Sediment Recoverable Dissolved Total Pot. Dissolved Total Recoverable USEPA: 200.8, 200.7, 6010C, 1638, 6020, 6010B, 200.9 APHA: 3120, 3500-CU(B) HACH: 10215 Ferrous ion Total Dissolved HACH: 8146 Gadolinium Total Dissolved USEPA: 200.8 Gold Total Dissolved USEPA: 200.7, 200.8 Iron Bed Sediment Dissolved Recoverable Total Total Recoverable Lead Bed Sediment Suspended Dissolved Total Pot. Dissolved Total Recoverable Recoverable USEPA: 200.7, 200.8,1638, 6010B, 6010C, 6020A, 6010A APHA: 3111-B, 3120 HACH: 10215 Lithium Bed Sediment Recoverable Dissolved Total USEPA: 200.8, 200.7, 6010C, 6020, 1638, 6010B, 6020A, 200.9, 200.12 HACH: 10216 Magnesium Total Dissolved USEPA: 200.7, 6010C Manganese Bed Sediment Suspended Dissolved Total Recoverable Total Recoverable USEPA: 200.8, 200.7, 6010B Mercury Bed Sediment Suspended Dissolved Total Recoverable Total Recoverable USEPA: 200.7, 200.8,1638, 6010C, 6010B, 6020A, 1620(A), 6020 APHA: 3120, 3111-B Molybdenum Bed Sediment Total Dissolved Total Recoverable Recoverable USEPA: 245.1, 245.7,1631, 1631E, 7471B, 7471A, 200.8, 7470A, 7473 APHA: 3112-B ------- Preferred WQX Characteristic Name Result Sample Fraction Commonly-Reported Methods for Characteristic Nickel Bed Sediment Total Dissolved Total Recoverable Recoverable USEPA: 200.7, 200.8, 6020, 6020A, 6010C, 6010B Potassium Bed Sediment Total Dissolved Total Recoverable Free Available USEPA: 200.7, 200.8, 6010B, 1638, 300.1 APHA: 3120, 3111-B Selenium Bed Sediment Suspended Dissolved Total Dissolved Total Pot. Dissolved Total Recoverable Recoverable USEPA: 200.8, 200.7, 6010C, 1638, 6020, 6020B, 6020A, 6010B, 200.9 HACH: 10220 Silver Bed Sediment Total Dissolved Total Recoverable Recoverable USEPA: 200.8, 6010C, 6020, 1638, 200.7, 6020A, 200.9, 6010B APHA: 3114-C, 3114-B, 3113-B Sodium Bed Sediment Total Dissolved Total Recoverable Fixed Recoverable Free Available USEPA: 200.7, 200.8, 6010B, 6020A, 273.1, APHA: 3120B, 3111-B Strontium Bed Sediment Total Dissolved Total Recoverable Recoverable USEPA: 200.8, 200.7, 6020, 6010C, 1638, 6020A, 6010B, 200.9, 6020B Thallium Bed Sediment Total Dissolved Total Recoverable USEPA: 200.7, 200.8,1638, 6010B, 6020, Tin Bed Sediment Total Dissolved Total Recoverable Recoverable USEPA: 200.8, 1638, 6020, 6020A, 6010C, 200.7, 6010B, 6020B, 300.0 Titanium Bed Sediment Total Dissolved Total Recoverable USEPA: 200.7, 200.8 Vanadium Bed Sediment Total Dissolved Total Recoverable Recoverable USEPA: 200.8, 200.7 Zinc Bed Sediment Recoverable Dissolved Total Pot. Dissolved Total Recoverable USEPA: 200.8, 200.7, 6010C, 6020. 6020A, 6010B, 6010C, 1620(A), 1638 ------- |