##### QADATA Summary -- January 2003

The Inorganic Blind Sample Project (IBSP) reviews 95 inorganic
analytical lines at the National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) and 84
inorganic analytical lines at the Ocala Water Quality and Research
Laboratory (OWQRL) using double-blind, quality-assurance samples. The
QADATA Summary is a report that includes a short summary of only those
analytical lines for which the quality-assurance charts indicate or have
indicated a bias and/or higher than expected variability. The data
reviewed is for the time period 07/09/02 through 01/14/03; however,
longer-range charts are shown when they add clarity to problem. The
quality-assurance charts contain data from samples that have been
subject to the same laboratory handling procedures as the samples that
are submitted by the USGS district offices, and the data have the same
level of quality control-review as the data released to the districts.
Thus, any factors that affect the district's data should also affect the
data shown in the IBSP quality-assurance charts as well. Samples for
which the results are outside of control limits (+/-2 f-pseudosigma) are
reanalyzed but the values not updated unless it is determined that the
sample had deteriorated or had been contaminated before submittal, or an
IBSP sample mix-up occurred.

Charts containing all data received as of 01/30/03 may be accessed at
[http://bqs.usgs.gov/bsp/WY03charts.htm](http://bqs.usgs.gov/bsp/WY02charts.htm).

Lab personnel and customers can also make their own QADATA retrieval to
parallel their project's sampling period by using the QADATA application
online at <http://bqs.usgs.gov/bsp/mainpage.html>. (Select QADATA
Application button.) Charts pertaining specifically to this report can
be accessed by following the blue, underlined hyperlinks embedded within
the report and associated with each analysis discussed in the report.

Most of the control charts for zinc determinations indicate positive
bias and high variability
([http://bqs.usgs.gov/bsp/WY03charts.htm](http://bqs.usgs.gov/bsp/WY02charts.htm).)
This is indicative of background contamination and may be originating
from the IBSP. The problem is not reflected on the quality-assurance
charts for the ICPs used at the NWQL because the concentration of zinc
in most of the quality-assurance samples submitted to the NWQL is less
than the Laboratory Reporting Level (LRL). Since control limits are
widened as the concentration approaches the LRL, this tends to group the
NWQL's zinc data from ICP within the +/- 2 f-pseudosigma control lines
displayed on the chart even when the values indicate high variability.
The source of the zinc contamination will be researched further.

*Tedmund M. Struzeski*

<struzesk@usgs.gov>

Table 1

NWQL PERFORMANCE ON IBSP SAMPLES

######### Note: Click the blue, underlined text in the left column to access the control chart for the associated parameter.

+----------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| **       | **Problem\       | **Lab Comment\    | **Corrective      |
| Nutrient | (IBSP)**         | (NWQL)**          | Action\           |
| Determin |                  |                   | (NWQL)**          |
| ations** |                  |                   |                   |
+==========+==================+===================+===================+
| [Orthoph | High             | The Nutrients     | The Nutrients     |
| osphate, | variability,     | Unit has been     | Unit, with the    |
| F        | starting October | monitoring the    | assistance of the |
| iltered] | 2002, still      | results for the   | MRD Program,      |
| (http:// | demonstrated.    | IBSP samples      | corrected         |
| bqs.usgs |                  | using the IBSP    | deficiencies      |
| .gov/bsp |                  | control charts.   | found on the      |
| /QADATA_ |                  | N76 and the       | orthophosphate    |
| all/JAN0 |                  | on-line QC sample | line. On-line QC  |
| 3NWQL006 |                  | prepared from a   | samples,          |
| 71H.gif) |                  | certified         | including         |
|          |                  | reference         | commercial        |
| **Colo   |                  | material continue | certified         |
| rimetric |                  | to run higher     | reference         |
| labcode  |                  | than the MPV.     | samples, will be  |
| 1974     |                  | NS10 is still     | monitored for     |
| parmcode |                  | running lower     | improvement in    |
| 0671H**  |                  | than the MPV and  | the variability.  |
|          |                  | has variability   | The BQS charts    |
|          |                  | that is not       | will also be      |
|          |                  | exhibited on the  | looked at weekly  |
|          |                  | other             | for improvement.  |
|          |                  | instruments.      |                   |
|          |                  | Examination of    |                   |
|          |                  | the               |                   |
|          |                  | ortho-phosphate   |                   |
|          |                  | line analytical   |                   |
|          |                  | system was        |                   |
|          |                  | performed.        |                   |
+----------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| [Pho     | Positive bias    | The small         | The Nutrients     |
| sphorus, | still evident.   | positive bias     | Unit purchased    |
| F        | At a             | that is evident   | new source        |
| iltered] | concentration of | for N73 and N75   | standards and     |
| (http:// | 0.128 mg/L, the  | for this analysis | prepared a new    |
| bqs.usgs | average bias is  | (and for LC 2333) | stock solution.   |
| .gov/bsp | +0.003 mg/L      | indicated that a  | Calibrants for    |
| /QADATA_ | (+2.0%). Data    | complete review   | this analysis and |
| all/JAN0 | from six other   | of the            | LC 2333 were      |
| 3NWQL006 | phosphorus       | preparation of    | prepared from the |
| 66G.gif) | methods suggest  | calibration       | new stock and     |
|          | that N75 is      | standards was     | were compared to  |
| **Colo   | recovering lower | needed.           | the old           |
| rimetric | than the MPV, so |                   | calibrants and    |
| Low      | the actual bias  |                   | N75 samples. The  |
| -level** | for this         |                   | results for N75   |
|          | analytical line  |                   | were lower using  |
| labcode  | is probably best |                   | the new           |
| 2331     | represented by   |                   | calibrants.       |
| parmcode | the earlier N73  |                   | Continued on-line |
| 0666G    | data (showing a  |                   | analysis of N75   |
|          | 5.0% bias). The  |                   | has given results |
|          | apparent         |                   | that are at, or   |
|          | improvement in   |                   | slightly lower    |
|          | the bias         |                   | than the MPV.     |
|          | starting October |                   | N75, as well as   |
|          | 2002 is probably |                   | on-line certified |
|          | due to the low   |                   | standards will    |
|          | recovery for     |                   | continue to be    |
|          | N75, and not the |                   | analyzed to see   |
|          | analytical       |                   | if the bias       |
|          | method.          |                   | improves.         |
+----------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| [Pho     | Positive bias    | The small         | The Nutrients     |
| sphorus, | still evident.   | positive bias     | Unit purchased    |
| Who      | At a             | that is evident   | new source        |
| le-Water | concentration of | for N73 and N75   | standards and     |
| Reco     | 0.128 mg/L, the  | for this analysis | prepared a new    |
| verable] | average bias is  | (and for LC 2331) | stock solution.   |
| (http:// | +0.005 mg/L      | indicated that a  | Calibrants for    |
| bqs.usgs | (+3.5%). Data    | complete review   | this analysis and |
| .gov/bsp | from six other   | of the            | LC 2331 were      |
| /QADATA_ | phosphorus       | preparation of    | prepared from the |
| all/JAN0 | methods suggest  | calibration       | new stock and     |
| 3NWQL006 | that N75         | standards was     | were compared to  |
| 65G.gif) | actually runs    | needed.           | the old           |
|          | low, so the      |                   | calibrants and    |
| **Colo   | actual bias for  |                   | N75 samples.      |
| rimetric | this analytical  |                   | Continued on-line |
| L        | line is probably |                   | analysis of N75   |
| ow-level | best represented |                   | has given results |
| labcode  | by the earlier   |                   | that are at, or   |
| 2333     | N73 data         |                   | slightly lower    |
| parmcode | (showing a 5.5%  |                   | than the MPV. The |
| 0665G**  | bias). The       |                   | on-line certified |
|          | apparent         |                   | standard also     |
|          | improvement in   |                   | seems to be       |
|          | the bias         |                   | running lower     |
|          | starting October |                   | than in the past. |
|          | 2002 is probably |                   | N75, as well as   |
|          | due to the low   |                   | on-line certified |
|          | recovery for     |                   | standards will    |
|          | N75, and not the |                   | continue to be    |
|          | analytical       |                   | analyzed to see   |
|          | method.          |                   | if the bias       |
|          |                  |                   | improves.         |
+----------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+

Table 1---*Cont'd*

NWQL PERFORMANCE ON IBSP SAMPLES

######### Note: Click the blue, underlined text in the left column to access the control chart for the associated parameter.

+---------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| **Trace | **Problem\       | **Lab Comment\    | **Corrective      |
| Metal   | (IBSP)**         | (NWQL)**          | Action\           |
| De      |                  |                   | (NWQL)**          |
| termina |                  |                   |                   |
| tions** |                  |                   |                   |
+=========+==================+===================+===================+
| [**Al   | The positive     |                   | The NWQL will     |
| uminum, | bias shown       |                   | continue to       |
| Filt    | during October   |                   | monitor and work  |
| ered**] | 2002 appears to  |                   | with BQS.         |
| (http:/ | reflect a        |                   |                   |
| /bqs.us | problem with the |                   |                   |
| gs.gov/ | mixed reference  |                   |                   |
| bsp/QAD | material         |                   |                   |
| ATA_all | submitted by     |                   |                   |
| /JAN03N | IBPS.            |                   |                   |
| WQL0110 |                  |                   |                   |
| 6G.gif) | No corrective    |                   |                   |
|         | action           |                   |                   |
| *       | necessary.       |                   |                   |
| *ICP-MS |                  |                   |                   |
| labcode |                  |                   |                   |
| 1784    |                  |                   |                   |
| p       |                  |                   |                   |
| armcode |                  |                   |                   |
| 1106G** |                  |                   |                   |
+---------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| [**An   | Positive bias    | Bias has          | New standards     |
| timony, | persists.        | continued on      | have been         |
| Filt    | Fifty-three out  | in-house control  | verified as       |
| ered**] | of 55 points are | charts.           | acceptable. The   |
| (http:/ | above the MPV    |                   | NWQL started      |
| /bqs.us | since March      |                   | using the new     |
| gs.gov/ | 2002.            |                   | standards the     |
| bsp/QAD |                  |                   | last week of      |
| ATA_all |                  |                   | January 2003 and  |
| /JAN03N |                  |                   | will keep         |
| WQL0109 |                  |                   | monitoring QC for |
| 5G.gif) |                  |                   | bias.             |
|         |                  |                   |                   |
| *       |                  |                   |                   |
| *ICP-MS |                  |                   |                   |
| labcode |                  |                   |                   |
| 1785    |                  |                   |                   |
| p       |                  |                   |                   |
| armcode |                  |                   |                   |
| 1095G** |                  |                   |                   |
+---------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| [**     | The historical   | NWQL charts still | New standards     |
| Barium, | negative bias    | show a slight     | will be prepared  |
| Whol    | persists.        | negative bias.    | and checked the   |
| e-Water |                  | The standards     | first week in     |
| Recover |                  | approved in       | February, 2003.   |
| able**] |                  | August, 2002 were | They will be      |
| (http:/ |                  | recently          | compared with the |
| /bqs.us |                  | re-checked and    | old standards on  |
| gs.gov/ |                  | found to be       | the ICP as well   |
| bsp/QAD |                  | slightly outside  | as by ICPMS       |
| ATA_all |                  | acceptance limits | (alternate        |
| /JAN03N |                  | on a new ICP      | method). SRS      |
| WQL0100 |                  | instrument in     | performance will  |
| 7C.gif) |                  | development       | be evaluated      |
| **ICP** |                  | status**.**       | using the new     |
|         |                  |                   | standards. The    |
| **      |                  |                   | OWQRL lab will be |
| labcode |                  |                   | called to compare |
| 2352**  |                  |                   | procedures as     |
|         |                  |                   | well.             |
| **p     |                  |                   |                   |
| armcode |                  |                   |                   |
| 1007C** |                  |                   |                   |
+---------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| [**Ber  | The positive     | Third party QC    | New standards are |
| yllium, | bias that        | checks in lab     | prepared and      |
| Filt    | developed around | remain unbiased.  | verified against  |
| ered**] | the beginning of |                   | the newest SRSs   |
| (http:/ | July 2002 has    |                   | and other third   |
| /bqs.us | somewhat         |                   | party standards.  |
| gs.gov/ | decreased,       |                   | The new           |
| bsp/QAD | however, a       |                   | calibration       |
| ATA_all | positive bias is |                   | standards were    |
| /JAN03N | still evident.   |                   | implemented in    |
| WQL0101 |                  |                   | January 2003. The |
| 0G.gif) |                  |                   | NWQL will monitor |
|         |                  |                   | QC for            |
| *       |                  |                   | improvement in    |
| *ICP-MS |                  |                   | bias.             |
| labcode |                  |                   |                   |
| 1787    |                  |                   |                   |
| p       |                  |                   |                   |
| armcode |                  |                   |                   |
| 1010G** |                  |                   |                   |
+---------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| [**C    | Two new points   |                   | We will continue  |
| admium, | received since   |                   | to monitor for    |
| Filt    | last report are  |                   | bias and          |
| ered**] | within +/- 1 SD. |                   | variability to    |
| (http:/ | The data quality |                   | see if            |
| /bqs.us | since July 2002  |                   | implemented       |
| gs.gov/ | has shown        |                   | changes are       |
| bsp/QAD | improvement.     |                   | effective.        |
| ATA_all |                  |                   |                   |
| /JAN03N | Analysis should  |                   |                   |
| WQL0102 | still be closely |                   |                   |
| 5F.gif) | monitored until  |                   |                   |
|         | the next QADATA  |                   |                   |
| **GFAA  | Summary is       |                   |                   |
| labcode | distributed.     |                   |                   |
| 1554**  |                  |                   |                   |
|         |                  |                   |                   |
| **p     |                  |                   |                   |
| armcode |                  |                   |                   |
| 1025F** |                  |                   |                   |
+---------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| [**C    | The slight       | Third party QC    | New standards are |
| admium, | positive bias    | charts show a 5%  | acceptable and    |
| Filt    | that developed   | bias at 2 ug/L    | have been in use  |
| ered**] | around April     | and 3% bias at 20 | since January     |
| (http:/ | 2002 appears to  | ug/L since        | 2003. The NWQL    |
| /bqs.us | have increased   | October 2002. All | will monitor      |
| gs.gov/ | even more around | in-house QC data  | cadmium closely   |
| bsp/QAD | mid-September    | have been         | for improvement   |
| ATA_all | 2002.            | acceptable. New   | in bias.          |
| /JAN03N |                  | SRSs were started |                   |
| WQL0102 |                  | December 2002.    |                   |
| 5G.gif) |                  | Not enough data   |                   |
|         |                  | for the newest    |                   |
| *       |                  | SRSs to evaluate  |                   |
| *ICP-MS |                  | bias.             |                   |
| labcode |                  |                   |                   |
| 1788    |                  |                   |                   |
| p       |                  |                   |                   |
| armcode |                  |                   |                   |
| 1025G** |                  |                   |                   |
+---------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+

Table 1---*Cont'd*

NWQL PERFORMANCE ON IBSP SAMPLES

######### Note: Click the blue, underlined text in the left column to access the control chart for the associated parameter.

+---------+---+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| **Trace | * |                  | **Lab Comment\    | **Corrective      |
| Metal   | * |                  | (NWQL)**          | Action\           |
| De      | P |                  |                   | (NWQL)**          |
| termina | r |                  |                   |                   |
| tions** | o |                  |                   |                   |
|         | b |                  |                   |                   |
|         | l |                  |                   |                   |
|         | e |                  |                   |                   |
|         | m |                  |                   |                   |
|         | \ |                  |                   |                   |
|         | ( |                  |                   |                   |
|         | I |                  |                   |                   |
|         | B |                  |                   |                   |
|         | S |                  |                   |                   |
|         | P |                  |                   |                   |
|         | ) |                  |                   |                   |
|         | * |                  |                   |                   |
|         | * |                  |                   |                   |
+=========+===+==================+===================+===================+
| [**Ch   | A |                  |                   | We will continue  |
| romium, | l |                  |                   | to monitor for    |
| Filt    | l |                  |                   | bias and          |
| ered**] | d |                  |                   | variability to    |
| (http:/ | a |                  |                   | see if            |
| /bqs.us | t |                  |                   | implemented       |
| gs.gov/ | a |                  |                   | changes are       |
| bsp/QAD | r |                  |                   | effective.        |
| ATA_all | e |                  |                   |                   |
| /JAN03N | c |                  |                   |                   |
| WQL0103 | e |                  |                   |                   |
| 0I.gif) | i |                  |                   |                   |
|         | v |                  |                   |                   |
| **GFAA  | e |                  |                   |                   |
| labcode | d |                  |                   |                   |
| 1936    | s |                  |                   |                   |
| p       | i |                  |                   |                   |
| armcode | n |                  |                   |                   |
| 1030I** | c |                  |                   |                   |
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|         | . |                  |                   |                   |
+---------+---+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| [**Ch   | T |                  |                   | We will continue  |
| romium, | h |                  |                   | to monitor for    |
| Whol    | e |                  |                   | bias and          |
| e-Water | t |                  |                   | variability to    |
| Recover | w |                  |                   | see if            |
| able**] | o |                  |                   | implemented       |
| (http:/ | n |                  |                   | changes are       |
| /bqs.us | e |                  |                   | effective.        |
| gs.gov/ | w |                  |                   |                   |
| bsp/QAD | v |                  |                   |                   |
| ATA_all | a |                  |                   |                   |
| /JAN03N | l |                  |                   |                   |
| WQL0103 | u |                  |                   |                   |
| 4E.gif) | e |                  |                   |                   |
|         | s |                  |                   |                   |
| **GFAA  | r |                  |                   |                   |
| labcode | e |                  |                   |                   |
| 1937**  | c |                  |                   |                   |
|         | e |                  |                   |                   |
| **p     | i |                  |                   |                   |
| armcode | v |                  |                   |                   |
| 1034E** | e |                  |                   |                   |
|         | d |                  |                   |                   |
|         | s |                  |                   |                   |
|         | i |                  |                   |                   |
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|         | S |                  |                   |                   |
|         | D |                  |                   |                   |
|         | . |                  |                   |                   |
|         |   |                  |                   |                   |
|         | A |                  |                   |                   |
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|         | n |                  |                   |                   |
|         | e |                  |                   |                   |
|         | x |                  |                   |                   |
|         | t |                  |                   |                   |
|         | Q |                  |                   |                   |
|         | A |                  |                   |                   |
|         | D |                  |                   |                   |
|         | A |                  |                   |                   |
|         | T |                  |                   |                   |
|         | A |                  |                   |                   |
|         | S |                  |                   |                   |
|         | u |                  |                   |                   |
|         | m |                  |                   |                   |
|         | m |                  |                   |                   |
|         | a |                  |                   |                   |
|         | r |                  |                   |                   |
|         | y |                  |                   |                   |
|         | i |                  |                   |                   |
|         | s |                  |                   |                   |
|         | d |                  |                   |                   |
|         | i |                  |                   |                   |
|         | s |                  |                   |                   |
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|         | r |                  |                   |                   |
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|         | d |                  |                   |                   |
|         | . |                  |                   |                   |
+---------+---+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| [       |   | The two new      |                   | We will continue  |
| **Lead, |   | values received  |                   | to monitor for    |
| Filt    |   | since last       |                   | bias and          |
| ered**] |   | QADATA Summary   |                   | variability to    |
| (http:/ |   | are within +/- 1 |                   | see if            |
| /bqs.us |   | SD.              |                   | implemented       |
| gs.gov/ |   |                  |                   | changes are       |
| bsp/QAD |   | Analysis should  |                   | effective.        |
| ATA_all |   | be closely       |                   |                   |
| /JAN03N |   | monitored until  |                   |                   |
| WQL0104 |   | the next QADATA  |                   |                   |
| 9F.gif) |   | Summary is       |                   |                   |
|         |   | distributed.     |                   |                   |
| **GFAA  |   |                  |                   |                   |
| labcode |   |                  |                   |                   |
| 1560**  |   |                  |                   |                   |
|         |   |                  |                   |                   |
| **p     |   |                  |                   |                   |
| armcode |   |                  |                   |                   |
| 1049F** |   |                  |                   |                   |
+---------+---+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| [**Moly |   | *Note: This      |                   |                   |
| bdenum, |   | analytical line  |                   |                   |
| Whol    |   | is no longer     |                   |                   |
| e-Water |   | quality assured. |                   |                   |
| Recover |   | Annual sample    |                   |                   |
| able**] |   | load is less     |                   |                   |
| (http:/ |   | than 250         |                   |                   |
| /bqs.us |   | samples.*        |                   |                   |
| gs.gov/ |   |                  |                   |                   |
| bsp/QAD |   |                  |                   |                   |
| ATA_all |   |                  |                   |                   |
| /JAN03N |   |                  |                   |                   |
| WQL0106 |   |                  |                   |                   |
| 2B.gif) |   |                  |                   |                   |
|         |   |                  |                   |                   |
| **GFAA  |   |                  |                   |                   |
| labcode |   |                  |                   |                   |
| 1999**  |   |                  |                   |                   |
|         |   |                  |                   |                   |
| **p     |   |                  |                   |                   |
| armcode |   |                  |                   |                   |
| 1062B** |   |                  |                   |                   |
+---------+---+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| [**     |   | The negative     | NWQL QC charts do | We will analyze   |
| Silver, |   | bias shown       | not show a bias   | problem BQS       |
| Filt    |   | starting October | or any changes.   | samples by        |
| ered**] |   | 2002 may be      |                   | another method to |
| (http:/ |   | partly or        |                   | determine or rule |
| /bqs.us |   | exclusively due  |                   | out a method      |
| gs.gov/ |   | to newly         |                   | bias. We will     |
| bsp/QAD |   | implemented      |                   | involve BQS in    |
| ATA_all |   | mixed reference  |                   | this study.       |
| /JAN03N |   | materials        |                   |                   |
| WQL0107 |   | submitted by     |                   |                   |
| 5G.gif) |   | IBSP. The IBSP   |                   |                   |
|         |   | and the NWQL     |                   |                   |
| *       |   | will investigate |                   |                   |
| *ICP-MS |   | this further.    |                   |                   |
| labcode |   |                  |                   |                   |
| 1796    |   |                  |                   |                   |
| p       |   |                  |                   |                   |
| armcode |   |                  |                   |                   |
| 1075G** |   |                  |                   |                   |
+---------+---+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
|         |   |                  |                   |                   |
+---------+---+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+

######  

###### 

###### Table 2

OWQRL PERFORMANCE ON IBSP SAMPLES

Note: Click the blue, underlined text in the left column to access the
control chart for the associated parameter.

+----------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| **       | **Problem\       | **Lab Comment\    | **Corrective      |
| Nutrient | (IBSP)**         | (OWQRL)**         | Action\           |
| Determin |                  |                   | (OWQRL)**         |
| ations** |                  |                   |                   |
+==========+==================+===================+===================+
| [Am      | A downward trend | Possible problem  | New stock         |
| monia-N, | over the last    | with ammonia      | standard was      |
| fi       | six months is    | standard stock    | prepared.         |
| ltered]( | noted. A         | solution.         | Analysis will be  |
| http://b | negative bias    |                   | monitored closely |
| qs.usgs. | may be           |                   | to see if this    |
| gov/bsp/ | developing.      |                   | removes the bias. |
| QADATA_a |                  |                   |                   |
| ll/JAN03 | Analysis should  |                   |                   |
| OWQRL006 | be closely       |                   |                   |
| 08F.gif) | monitored until  |                   |                   |
|          | the next QADATA  |                   |                   |
| **Colo   | Summary is       |                   |                   |
| rimetric | distributed.     |                   |                   |
| labcode  |                  |                   |                   |
| 1976     |                  |                   |                   |
| parmcode |                  |                   |                   |
| 0608F**  |                  |                   |                   |
+----------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| [**Am    | A positive bias  | Internal control  |                   |
| monia+Or | may be           | also show a       |                   |
| ganic-N, | developing.      | possible high     |                   |
| Who      | Variability has  | bias, but not     |                   |
| le-Water | increased since  | increased         |                   |
| Recover  | November 2002.   | variability.      |                   |
| able**]( |                  |                   |                   |
| http://b | Analysis should  |                   |                   |
| qs.usgs. | be closely       |                   |                   |
| gov/bsp/ | monitored until  |                   |                   |
| QADATA_a | the next QADATA  |                   |                   |
| ll/JAN03 | Summary is       |                   |                   |
| OWQRL006 | distributed.     |                   |                   |
| 25D.gif) |                  |                   |                   |
| **Colo   |                  |                   |                   |
| rimetric |                  |                   |                   |
| labcode  |                  |                   |                   |
| 1986     |                  |                   |                   |
| parmcode |                  |                   |                   |
| 0625D**  |                  |                   |                   |
+----------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| [**Phosp | The variability  | Most of the low   |                   |
| horus-P, | has improved as  | values are from   |                   |
| Filt     | of November      | sample NS11,      |                   |
| ered**]( | 2002. The        | which the NWQL is |                   |
| http://b | negative bias    | also getting low  |                   |
| qs.usgs. | indicated may be | results on. Our   |                   |
| gov/bsp/ | due to the       | internal control  |                   |
| QADATA_a | reference        | charts for this   |                   |
| ll/JAN03 | materials        | parameter do not  |                   |
| OWQRL006 | submitted by     | show this bias.   |                   |
| 66D.gif) | IBPS.            |                   |                   |
|          |                  |                   |                   |
| **Colo   | Analysis should  |                   |                   |
| rimetric | still be closely |                   |                   |
| labcode  | monitored until  |                   |                   |
| 1983     | the next QADATA  |                   |                   |
| parmcode | Summary is       |                   |                   |
| 0666D**  | distributed.     |                   |                   |
+----------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| [**Phosp | The bias and     |                   |                   |
| horus-P, | variability have |                   |                   |
| Who      | improved as of   |                   |                   |
| le-Water | mid-October      |                   |                   |
| Recover  | 2002.            |                   |                   |
| able**]( |                  |                   |                   |
| http://b | No corrective    |                   |                   |
| qs.usgs. | action           |                   |                   |
| gov/bsp/ | necessary.       |                   |                   |
| QADATA_a |                  |                   |                   |
| ll/JAN03 |                  |                   |                   |
| OWQRL006 |                  |                   |                   |
| 65D.gif) |                  |                   |                   |
|          |                  |                   |                   |
| **Colo   |                  |                   |                   |
| rimetric |                  |                   |                   |
| labcode  |                  |                   |                   |
| 1984     |                  |                   |                   |
| parmcode |                  |                   |                   |
| 0665D**  |                  |                   |                   |
+----------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
|          |                  |                   |                   |
+----------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+

###### 

###### Table 2---*Cont'd*

OWQRL PERFORMANCE ON IBSP SAMPLES

Note: Click the blue, underlined text in the left column to access the
control chart for the associated parameter.

+----------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| **Trace  | **Problem\       | **Lab Comment\    | **Corrective      |
| Metal    | (IBSP)**         | (OWQRL)**         | Action\           |
| Determin |                  |                   | (OWQRL)**         |
| ations** |                  |                   |                   |
+==========+==================+===================+===================+
| [**      | Increased        | Problem with      | Amount of matrix  |
| Arsenic, | variability      | matrix modifier.  | modifier used was |
| Whole    | starting late    |                   | adjusted to give  |
| Water    | October 2002.    |                   | more consistent   |
| Recover  |                  |                   | results.          |
| able**]( |                  |                   |                   |
| http://b |                  |                   |                   |
| qs.usgs. |                  |                   |                   |
| gov/bsp/ |                  |                   |                   |
| QADATA_a |                  |                   |                   |
| ll/JAN03 |                  |                   |                   |
| OWQRL010 |                  |                   |                   |
| 021.gif) |                  |                   |                   |
|          |                  |                   |                   |
| **GFAA   |                  |                   |                   |
| labcode  |                  |                   |                   |
| 3119     |                  |                   |                   |
| parmcode |                  |                   |                   |
| 1        |                  |                   |                   |
| 002(1)** |                  |                   |                   |
+----------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| [**C     | A negative bias  | The appearance of | A new set of      |
| hromium, | is demonstrated. | the bias          | working standards |
| Filt     | Chromium, WWR,   | coincides with    | will be made.     |
| ered**]( | ICP (lc 3019, pc | the preparation   | Parameter will be |
| http://b | 10341) does not  | of new working    | monitored closely |
| qs.usgs. | show this bias   | standards.        | to determine if   |
| gov/bsp/ | for the same     |                   | the bias still    |
| QADATA_a | reference        |                   | present.          |
| ll/JAN03 | materials.       |                   |                   |
| OWQRL010 |                  |                   |                   |
| 30I.gif) |                  |                   |                   |
|          |                  |                   |                   |
| **GFAA   |                  |                   |                   |
| labcode  |                  |                   |                   |
| 1936     |                  |                   |                   |
| parmcode |                  |                   |                   |
| 1030I**  |                  |                   |                   |
+----------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
|          |                  |                   |                   |
+----------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+

+----------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| **Major  | **Problem\       | **Lab Comment\    | **Corrective      |
| Ion      | (IBSP)**         | (OWQRL)**         | Action\           |
| Determin |                  |                   | (OWQRL)**         |
| ations** |                  |                   |                   |
+==========+==================+===================+===================+
| [**Alk   | A positive bias  |                   |                   |
| alinity, | is demonstrated  |                   |                   |
| Who      | for October      |                   |                   |
| le-Water | 2002. These same |                   |                   |
| Recover  | reference        |                   |                   |
| able**]( | materials do not |                   |                   |
| http://b | show the same    |                   |                   |
| qs.usgs. | bias at the      |                   |                   |
| gov/bsp/ | NWQL. As of      |                   |                   |
| QADATA_a | November 2002,   |                   |                   |
| ll/JAN03 | no bias is       |                   |                   |
| OWQRL904 | indicated.       |                   |                   |
| 10A.gif) |                  |                   |                   |
|          | No corrective    |                   |                   |
| *        | action           |                   |                   |
| *labcode | necessary.       |                   |                   |
| 0070     |                  |                   |                   |
| parmcode |                  |                   |                   |
| 90410A** |                  |                   |                   |
+----------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| [*       | The variability  | We are having a   | We are working    |
| *Silica, | increases        | problem with      | with US Filter on |
| Filt     | starting         | varying amounts   | the building      |
| ered**]( | November 2002.   | of SiO2 in the    | deionized water   |
| http://b |                  | building water.   | system to remove  |
| qs.usgs. | Analysis should  | This has led to   | SiO2 more         |
| gov/bsp/ | still be closely | the increased     | consistently from |
| QADATA_a | monitored until  | variability of    | the water coming  |
| ll/JAN03 | the next QADATA  | the SiO2 data.    | into the          |
| OWQRL009 | Summary is       |                   | building.         |
| 551.gif) | distributed.     |                   |                   |
|          |                  |                   |                   |
| **ICP**  |                  |                   |                   |
|          |                  |                   |                   |
| *        |                  |                   |                   |
| *labcode |                  |                   |                   |
| 3078     |                  |                   |                   |
| parmcode |                  |                   |                   |
| 0        |                  |                   |                   |
| 955(1)** |                  |                   |                   |
+----------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
|          |                  |                   |                   |
+----------+------------------+-------------------+-------------------+