SESD Project ID Number: 10-0440 Category 2 QAPP Page 1 of 25

United States Environmental Protection Agency 

Region 4 

Science and Ecosystem Support Division 

980 College Station Road 

Athens, Georgia 30605-2720 

Gulf Coast Post-Oil Landfall Beach and Sediment Sampling 

Quality Assurance Project Plan

Mississippi/Alabama/Florida 

May 26, 2010 

Revision 11 

SESD Project Identification Number: 10-0440

Requestor: Unified Command SESD Project Leader: Kevin Simmons 

Water Unit Incident Commander Science and Ecosystem Support Division 

1 South Water Street 980 College Station Road 

Mobile, Alabama 36602 Athens, Georgia 30605 

 

 
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Approval Sheet

Approving Officials: 

 

Archie Lee, Chief Date 

Enforcement and Investigations Branch 

Science and Ecosystem Support Division 

SESD Project Leader: 

 

Kevin Simmons, Life Scientist Date 

Enforcement and Investigations Branch 

Science and Ecosystem Support Division 

Region 4 Quality Assurance Manager: 

___________________________ _____________________________ 

Danny France, Region 4 Date 

Quality Assurance Manager 

Science and Ecosystem Support Division 

This quality assurance project plan (QAPP) has been prepared according to: EPA Requirements 

for Quality Assurance Project Plans (EPA QA/R5 EPA/240/B-01/003, U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Information, Washington, DC, March 2001 

(USEPA, 2001). 

This document will be used to ensure that environmental and related data collected, compiled, 

and/or generated for this project are of the type, quantity, and quality required for their intended 

purposes within the limitations of available resources. 
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Table of Contents 

1.0 QAPP Distribution List ........................................................................................ 5

2.0 Project Organization ............................................................................................ 5

3.0 Project Management............................................................................................. 6

3.1 Site Description ................................................................................................. 6

3.2 Problem Definition............................................................................................ 6

3.3 Project Description ........................................................................................... 7

3.4 Quality Objectives and Criteria for Measurement Data............................... 7

3.5 Special Training Requirements ....................................................................... 8

3.6 Documents and Records................................................................................... 8

4.0 Data Generation and Acquisition........................................................................ 8

4.1 Study Design...................................................................................................... 8

4.2 Ecotoxicity Methods........................................................................................ 10

4.2.1 Acute Toxicity Screening Tests (Standard) .......................................... 10

4.2.2 Acute Toxicity Screening Tests (Photo-enhanced)............................... 10

4.2.3 Short-term Chronic Toxicity Tests........................................................ 11

4.2.4 Whole Sediment Acute Toxicity Tests................................................... 11

4.3 In Situ Monitoring .......................................................................................... 15

4.4 Sample Handling and Custody ...................................................................... 15

4.5 Analytical Methods ......................................................................................... 15

4.6 Quality Control ............................................................................................... 18

4.7 Equipment Maintenance and Calibration.................................................... 18

4.8 Inspection/Acceptance for Supplies and Consumables ............................... 19

4.9 Non-direct Measurements.............................................................................. 19

4.10 Data Management........................................................................................... 19

5.0 Assessment/Oversight......................................................................................... 19

5.1 Assessments and Response Actions ............................................................... 19

5.2 Reports to Management ................................................................................. 19

6.0 Data Validation and Usability............................................................................ 20

7.0 Long Term Sampling Plan ................................................................................. 20

8.0 References............................................................................................................ 20

Appendix A: Data Quality Objectives ......................................................................... 23

Figures 

Figure 1 - Beach Sampling Locations BCH01-BCH05................................................ 17 

Figure 2 - Beach Sampling Locations BCH06-BCH13................................................ 18 

Tables 

Table 1: QAPP Distribution List.................................................................................... 5

Table 2: Project Study Team .......................................................................................... 6

Table 3: Project Schedule................................................................................................ 7

Table 4: Surface Water/Sediment Sampling Locations ............................................... 9
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Table 5: Recommended Test Species for Water-Column Toxicity Testing of 

Dredged Material............................................................................................................ 12

Table 6: Test Conditions and Acceptance Criteria: 10-day Leptocheirus plumulosus

Acute Toxicity Test ......................................................................................................... 13

Table 7: Test Conditions and Acceptance Criteria: 10-day Neanthes

arenaceodentata Acute Toxicity Tests ........................................................................... 14

Table 8: Surface Water (sampled as waste) Sample Requirements........................... 16

Table 9: Sediment (sampled as waste) Sample Requirements.................................... 16
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1.0 QAPP Distribution List 

Table 1: QAPP Distribution List

Recipient Organization Telephone 

Number Address/Email Address 

Stephen Ball or 

current Water 

Unit Incident 

Commander 

Environmental 

Protection 

Agency (EPA) 

404-229-9513 ball.stephen@epa.gov

Doug Mundrick 

Environmental 

Protection 

Agency (EPA) 

404-562-9328 mundrick.doug@epa.gov

2.0 Project Organization 

Requesting Program: Unified Command 

Responsibilities: Unified Command requested SESD support to assess the impact 

of oil on the Gulf Coast bays and beaches in Mississippi, 

Alabama and Western Florida due to the BP Deepwater Horizon 

oil spill. 

Principal Data User: Stephen Ball 

Water Unit Incident Commander 

 Unified Command 

Project Leader: Kevin Simmons, EPA SESD, Post-Oil Landfall Sampling 

Responsibilities: The project leader will be responsible for planning and 

implementing the field study to meet the data quality objectives. 

The project leader is responsible for: 

• quality assurance project plan (QAPP) preparation 

• ensuring the QAPP is implemented as written 

• all data collection activities 

• collation of study data; and 

• report preparation.

All data generated by the various field projects will be tied to a single identification 

number in the SESD Data Archive and ReTrieval (DART) system. The number for the 

Deepwater Horizon event is #10-0436. 
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Table 2: Project Study Team

Team Members Organization Responsibilities Contact 

Kevin Simmons SESD/EIB/ES Project Leader 706-355-8730 

TBD SESD/EIB/ES Beach Water/Sediment 

Sampling, Safety Officer 706-355-xxxx 

TBD, if needed SESD Sampling Assistance, 

Photos, GPS 706-355-xxxx 

TBD, if needed SESD Sampling Assistance, 

Photos, GPS 706-355-xxxx 

Data Review: Internal technical review of the analytical data will be conducted 

by EPA SESD Staff prior to being included in the report. 

Responsibilities: Upon completion of the draft report, copies will be provided to 

SESD team members and Incident Command for technical 

review. Once comments are addressed, a final report will be 

issued to the project requestor.

3.0 Project Management 

3.1 Site Description 

The oil leak from British Petroleum’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig has resulted in oil 

reaching the bays and beaches along the Gulf Coast. Prior to the plume making landfall, 

SESD conducted water quality and sediment sampling in selected bays and on beaches 

along the coasts of Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida to establish baseline conditions in 

these environments. 

3.2 Problem Definition 

Once the oil makes landfall, SESD was requested to focus on collecting samples at each 

baseline station that has been impacted by the oil. Additional post-impact samples may 

be collected if deemed necessary by the Incident Command. 

The requested analyses used for the baseline sampling have been modified to address the 

change in matrix that will occur once the oil makes landfall. The lists of these analyses 

are provided in Tables 5 and 6. The surface water samples will most likely be an 

emulsion of oil and water and will be collected as waste samples. The “waste” 

designation indicates to the laboratories that the samples have the potential to contain 

high concentrations of the target analytes and dilution may be necessary. 

In the case that oil is not visible or apparent in the surface water and/or sediment at the 
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baseline station, sampling will be performed at the discretion of the field team based 

upon observed conditions. 

The current study is designed to provide analytical data for total metals including 

mercury, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi volatiles (SVOCs, including 

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), total organic carbon (TOC), total petroleum 

hydrocarbons (TPH) including both gasoline range (GRO), diesel range organics (DRO), 

and oil range organics (ORO) at the sampling locations. 

The Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) for volatile and semi-volatile 

organics and metals plus analyses for ignitability and corrosivity may be included if 

requested to address disposal issues. 

Samples may also be collected and analyzed for the oil spill dispersants that have been or 

may be used in the Gulf of Mexico. Currently the two dispersants in use are Corexit 

EC9500A and Corexit EC9527A manufactured by Nalco Company. 

3.3 Project Description 

Beach sampling will commence as soon as possible after the oil makes landfall as 

determined by the Unified Command (UC). This will be accomplished by the collection 

of surface water and sediment samples for the above mentioned compounds and analytes. 

Table 3 provides an anticipated, but tentative timeline. 

Table 3: Project Schedule 

Activity Organization Anticipated Date of 

Completion Deliverable 

QAPP Preparation SESD/EIB May 17, 2010 Final QAPP 

Post-Oil Landfall 

Field Investigation SESD/EIB TBD based upon date of landfall 

Complete sampling 

effort 

Sample Analysis SESD/Contract 

Lab TBD Analytical results from sampling 

Report Generation SESD/EIB 7 Days following 

release of analytical 

results 

Draft Report issued 

for internal review 

Final Report SESD/EIB 3 Days following draft 

report issuance 

Final Report 

3.4 Quality Objectives and Criteria for Measurement Data 

The primary objective of this study is to provide water and sediment analytical data to aid 

in the determination of the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the beaches and 

shore-line of Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. Data quality objectives (DQOs) for this 

study are provided in Appendix A. 
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3.5 Special Training Requirements 

The Project Leader and all scientists assisting with this project have been trained in the 

application and use of the operating procedures and equipment to be used to conduct this 

sampling. 

3.6 Documents and Records 

Dedicated field logbooks will be used to record all field information (USEPA 2007f). The 

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) and Final Report will be prepared in accordance 

with SESD Operating Procedures for Project Planning (USEPA 2007h) and Report 

Preparation and Distribution (USEPA 2007j), respectively. The report will include a 

tabular presentation of results, discussion, and conclusions. Upon completion and 

transmittal of the report to the Incident Commander, project records will be submitted to 

the SESD Records Room. The files will be maintained in the SESD Records Room 

according to the EPA records schedule as described in the SESD Operating Procedure for 

Control of Records (USEPA 2007a). The most current records schedules are available at 

http://epa.gov/records/policy/schedule. 

4.0 Data Generation and Acquisition

4.1 Study Design 

Sample site selection was determined by the baseline beach sampling that was conducted 

prior to the oil making landfall. Generalized baseline sampling locations were chosen to 

provide a spatially representative evaluation of conditions within the limitation of time 

imposed by the potential migration of the oil plume. The post landfall samples will be 

collected at the established baseline stations based on the visible presence of oil. 

Additional sample stations may be added at the discretion of the UC or based upon field 

observations. The baseline sampling locations are listed in Table 4 and shown in Figures 

1 and 2. Beach station IDs are designated with a “BCH” prefix to avoid confusion with 

bay station IDs. 

Considering the nature of the contaminant (crude oil), the analysis of pesticides/PCBs, oil 

and grease, nutrients, hardness, and in-situ measurements may be impractical for this 

event and will not be conducted during this phase. Any concentrations of pesticides or 

PCBs would very likely be masked by the compounds associated with the crude oil. 

Likewise, the oil and grease analysis method is typically used for NPDES monitoring and 

is more suitable for cooking fats and oils, not crude oil. In-situ measurements would also 

be negatively affected by fouling of the sensors and probes by the crude oil. 

Where practical, sampling will be conducted at the established baseline stations; 

however, locations may be adjusted due to observed conditions. Any deviations will be 

noted in the field logbooks. Additional stations may be added at the discretion of the 

field team and/or UC. 
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The surface water samples will be collected by individually dipping the sample 

containers into the water at a depth such that the oil/water emulsion will be collected. 

The sample will be collected in a manner that will obtain any oil that is present in the 

water. The exact depth will be determined at each station based on the amount of oil in 

the water. If no oil is apparent or visible, the water sample will be collected at the 

discretion of the field team. 

Sediment samples will be collected at a point on the beach where obvious staining or oil 

is visible. Only the top 1” – 3” of sediment will be collected, including the oil, over an 

area large enough to obtain the required volume of sample for all listed analyses. If no 

oil is apparent or visible, the sediment sample will be collected at the discretion of the 

field team. The GPS coordinates for each baseline beach station will be used for the post 

impact sampling locations. Coordinates will also be collected for any additional stations. 

These coordinates are listed in Table 4. The station IDs will be the same as the baseline 

station IDs and additional stations will be numbered sequentially starting at BCH14. 

If requested, TCLP analysis will be performed to provide information regarding disposal 

options for the waste material accumulated on the beaches/shore-lines. 

Table 4: Surface Water/Sediment Sampling Locations

Station Sample ID Station Name Latitude Longitude 

BCH01 

BCH01-SD-20100501 

BCH01-SW-20100501 Bay St. Louis 30.30513333 -89.32843333

BCH02 

BCH02-SD-20100502 

BCH02-SW-20100502 Long Beach 30.34261667 -89.15343333

BCH03 

BCH03-SD-20100503 

BCH03-SW-20100503 Biloxi 30.39326667 -88.92495

BCH04 

BCH04-SD-20100503 

BCH04-SW-20100503 Pascagoula 30.34286667 -88.54795

BCH05 

BCH05-SD-20100503 

BCH05-SW-20100503 Dauphin Is. 30.24726667 -88.12938333

BCH06 

BCH06-SD-20100505 

BCH06-SW-20100505 Pensacola Beach 30.33105 -87.13798333

BCH07 

BCH07-SD-20100504 

BCH07-SW-20100504 Destin 30.3815 -86.42623333

BCH08 

BCH08-SD-20100504 

BCH08-SW-20100504 Panama City 30.24603333 -85.94113333

BCH09 

BCH09-SD-20100505 

BCH09-SW-20100505 Cape San Blas 29.66906667 -85.3561

BCH10 

BCH10-SD-20100506 

BCH10-SW-20100506 St. George Sound 29.69436667 -84.78856667

BCH11 

BCH11-SD-20100506 

BCH11-SW-20100506 St. George Is. 29.68641667 -84.78891667

BCH12 

BCH12-SD-20100506 

BCH12-SW-20100506 Carabelle Beach 29.82836667 -84.69298333

BCH13 

BCH13-SD-20100506 

BCH13-SW-20100506 St. Mark's NWR 30.0741 -84.18055
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4.2 Ecotoxicity Methods 

Ecotoxicological effects from the spill will be assessed using a two-phased approach for 

the water samples: 1) acute toxicity screening tests and 2) definitive sublethal (chronic) 

toxicity tests. Because of holding time and other constraints, the acute and chronic water 

tests will be conducted concurrently. This is because the lack of acute toxicity does not 

preclude chronic effects. Each of the acute tests will comprise a control (i.e. dilution 

water only), a reference sample collected from non-impacted areas (i.e., an area that 

appears free from visible oil contamination or detectable oil related constituents) and 

100% spill water. The chronic definitive tests will comprise of 50% dilution series of the 

spill water to provide test concentrations of 0, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100% water. The 

results of the toxicity tests will be interpreted in a stepwise fashion as depicted in Figure 

4-1. A lack of acute or chronic effects in any of the test samples implies that no further 

action is required. Whole sediments toxicity tests will also be performed with an 

amphipod and a polychaete. Details of the test species and methods are presented below. 

4.2.1 Acute Toxicity Screening Tests (Standard) 

96-hour acute toxicity screening tests will be performed to determine if there is a 

significant difference between the 100% aqueous samples and the laboratory control or 

field reference waters. Tests will be performed with the inland silverside fish, Menidia 

beryllina, and the mysid shrimp, Americamysis bahia (formerly identified as Mysidopsis 

bahia) in accordance with the guidance provided in “Methods for Measuring the Acute 

Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater and Marine Organisms (EPA 

2002a).” A summary of test conditions and acceptability criteria proposed for the acute 

tests are presented in Tables 4-4 for A. bahia and 4-5 for M. beryllina. Additional 

toxicity tests with an echinoid, Arbacia punctulata and/or the eastern oyster, Crassostrea 

virginica, will be performed depending on the availability of organisms for these tests. 

Test methods for the latter two organisms provided in ASTM (2004a) “Standard Guide 

for Conducting Static Acute Toxicity Tests with Echinoid Embryos” and ASTM (2004b) 

“Standard Guide for Conducting Static Acute Toxicity Tests Starting with Embryos of Four 

Species of Saltwater Bivalve Mollusks.” Test conditions for these tests are presented in Tables 4-

6 and 4-7. 

The sensitivity of the each batch of test organisms used will be evaluated with reference 

toxicant tests. The results of the reference toxicant tests will be compared with historical 

limits to determine if the organisms are within their normal sensitivity ranges. 

4.2.2 Acute Toxicity Screening Tests (Photo-enhanced) 

Oil in the water column can be 10 times to greater than 100 times more toxic in the 

presence of natural sunlight. Photo-enhanced toxicity assessment will be used to assess 

the enhanced toxicity of simulated solar radiation using the same organisms used in the 

standard acute toxicity assays above. 

Assessment of photo-enhanced toxicity is critical to the complete assessment of the 

potential impacts of the spill to aquatic life. Many waters of the Gulf are clear, allowing 

sunlight to penetrate and potentially enhance the toxicity of bioaccumulated oil. Photo-
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enhanced acute toxicity tests (i.e., conducted under full spectrum lights) will be 

performed concurrently with the standard acute screening tests (i.e., conducted under 

normal laboratory lighting) using the same test methods (Tables 4-4 and 4-5) and batch of 

test organisms but under separate conditions of lighting. Measurements of both light 

wavelength and intensity will be made using a broad wavelength radiometer (e.g., 

International Light Model IL1400BL or similar device). Light intensity will be measured 

by placing the detector at the bottom of surrogate test containers filled with reference 

water. Surrogate containers will be placed at multiple locations within the test facility 

and measurements will be made at both test initiation and termination. Similar 

measurements of wavelength and intensity will also be collected at select sampling 

locations in the field to aid in the interpretation of the results and facilitate the ecological 

risk assessment. 

4.2.3 Short-term Chronic Toxicity Tests 

In addition to the acute tests, short-term chronic toxicity tests will be performed with the 

inland silverside fish, Menidia beryllina, and the mysid shrimp, Americamysis bahia. 

The tests will be performed in accordance with the guidance provided in the following 

documents: Short-term Methods for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and 

Receiving Waters to Marine and Estuarine Organisms (EPA 2002b), and Short-term 

Methods for Estimating the Short-term Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving 

Waters to West Coast Marine and Estuarine Organisms (1995). A summary of test 

conditions and acceptability criteria proposed for the short-term chronic tests are 

presented in Tables 4-8 for A. bahia and 4-9 for M. beryllina. The sensitivity of the each 

batch of test organisms used will be evaluated using reference toxicant tests. The results 

of the reference toxicant tests will be compared with historical limits to determine if the 

organisms are within their normal sensitivity ranges. 

4.2.4 Whole Sediment Acute Toxicity Tests 

Whole sediment toxicity screening tests will be performed to determine the effects of the 

contaminants in sediments arising from the Gulf Spill on the survival of the marine 

amphipod, Leptocheirus plumulosus, and the polychaete, Neanthes arenaceodentata. 

The tests will be performed following guidance provided in USEPA (1994) entitled 

“Methods for Assessing the Toxicity of Sediment-Associated Contaminants with 

Estuarine and Marine Organisms,” and ASTM (2007) entitled “Standard Guide for 

Conducting Sediment Toxicity Tests with Polychaetous Annelids.” A summary of test 

conditions and acceptability criteria are presented in Tables 4-10 and 4-11 for the 

amphipod and polychaete, respectively. Each batch of test organisms will be evaluated in 

reference toxicant tests and the results shall be compared with historical control limits in 

order to determine if the organisms are within their normal sensitivity ranges. 
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Table 5: Recommended Test Species for Water-Column Toxicity Testing of 

Dredged Material 

SUMMARY OF TEST CONDITIONS AND TEST ACCEPTABILITY CRITERIA FOR 

Crassostrea virginica LARVAE, ACUTE TOXICITY WATER COLUMN TEST

1. Test type: Static non-renewal 

2. Test duration: 48 h, based on control development; not to exceed 54 h 

3. Temperature: 25 ± 1oC 

4. Salinity: Optimal 30 (range: 18-32) ± 2‰ 

5. DO concentration: 60-100% of saturation 

6. pH: Optimal 7.8 ± 0.5; measure according to ASTM protocol 

7. Light quality: Ambient laboratory illumination 

8. Light intensity: 500-1000 lux 

9. Photoperiod: 16L/8D 

10. Test chamber size: 20-30 ml 

11. Test solution volume: 10-30 ml 

12. Renewal of test solutions: None 

13. Age of test organisms: Larvae, less than 4 h after fertilization 

14. Concentration of organisms per 

test chamber: 

15-30/ml; do not exceed 30/ml 

15. Number of replicate chambers 

per elutriate concentration: 

Minimum of 5, plus 1 chamber for water quality monitoring

16. Feeding requirements: None 

17. Test solution aeration: None 

18. Dilution water: Optimal 30 (range: 18-32) ± 2‰; natural seawater or 

suitable artificial seawater prepared with Milli-Q® or 

equivalent deionized water 

19. Test treatments: 100% elutriate, 100% control water, 100% dilution water 

(if different from control) 

20. Dilution series: 100%, 50%, 10%, 1% of the dredged material elutriate 

(Note: lower concentrations may be necessary if test 

elutriate is toxic or contains very fine non-settleable solids) 

21. Endpoint: Survival, embryo shell development to hinged, D-shaped 

prodisoconch I larva 

22. Sample holding requirements:* <2 wk for sediments. Toxicity tests prepared from 

sediments should be started within 2 wk of sampling, but 

not later than 8 wk after sampling. <14 d for site, dilution, 

and control waters; elutriates are to be used within 24 h of 

preparation 

23. Field sample volume required:^ 1 L sediment per sample station/4 L site water for creation 

of 100% elutriate 

24. Test acceptability: >90% survival AND ≥70% shell development to hinged, Dshaped prodisoconch I larva in the control 

* Obtain prior approval from your local EPA and USACE district offices if sediment samples will 

be held longer than the specified sample holding requirements. Prior approval could be obtained 

during the review and approval of the Sampling and Analysis Plan. 

^ This is the minimum volume required to run the test one time. If you need to repeat the 

test or archive the sample, you should collect additional equivalent volumes.
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Table 6: Test Conditions and Acceptance Criteria: 10-day Leptocheirus plumulosus

Acute Toxicity Test 

SUMMARY OF TEST CONDITIONS AND TEST ACCEPTABILITY CRITERIA FOR 

THE AMPHIPOD, Leptocheirus plumulosus, 10-DAY ACUTE TOXICITY SEDIMENT 

TEST 

1. Test type: Static non-renewal 

2. Test duration: 10 d 

3. Temperature: 25 ± 1oC 

4. Salinity: Optimal 20 (range: 1-32) ± 2‰ 

5. DO concentration: Not less than 60% saturation 

6. pH: Optimal 7.8 ± 0.5; measure according to ASTM protocol 

7. Light quality: Ambient laboratory illumination 

8. Light intensity: 500-1000 lux 

9. Photoperiod: Continuous light 

10. Test chamber size: 1-L glass beaker or jar with 10-cm inner diameter 

11. Test solution volume: 200 ml (about 2 cm depth minimum) 700 ml overlying 

water 

12. Renewal of test solutions: None 

13. Age of test organisms: 2 to 4 mm, no mature males or females 

14. Number of organisms per test 

chamber: 

20 

15. Number of replicate chambers 

per treatment: 

5 

16. Feeding requirement: None 

17. Test solution aeration: Water in each test chamber should be aerated overnight 

before start of test, and throughout the test; aeration at 

rate that maintains >90% saturation of DO concentration 

without disturbing the sediment surface 

18. Overlying water: Optimal 20 (range: 1-32) ± 2‰, natural seawater or 

artificial seawater prepared with Milli-Q® or equivalent 

deionized water 

19. Test treatments: Site sediment, a reference sediment, and a control 

sediment 

20. Endpoint: Survival 

21. Sample holding requirements:* <2 wk for sediments. Sediment toxicity tests should be 

started within 2 wk of sampling, but not later than 8 wk 

after sampling. <14 d for overlying water 

22. Field sample volume required:^ 4 L of site, reference site, and control sediment, 

depending on chamber size 

23. Test acceptability: ≥90% survival in controls AND meet requirements of 

Table A1.3 in ASTM 2004 and Table 11.3 in USEPA 

1994 

* Obtain prior approval from your local EPA and USACE district offices if sediment samples will 

be held longer than the specified sample holding requirements. Prior approval could be obtained 

during the review and approval of the Sampling and Analysis Plan. 

NOTE: Pore-water/overlying water ammonia concentrations greater than 60 mg/l total (or 
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0.8 mg/l unionized) ammonia at pH 7.7 will result in mortality. Follow recommended procedures 

in Appendix N to reduce ammonia levels before beginning tests. 

Table 7: Test Conditions and Acceptance Criteria: 10-day Neanthes

arenaceodentata Acute Toxicity Tests 

SUMMARY OF TEST CONDITIONS AND TEST ACCEPTABILITY CRITERIA FOR 

THE POLYCHAETE, Neanthes arenaceodentata, 10-DAY ACUTE TOXICITY 

SEDIMENT TEST 

1. Test type: Static, non-renewal 

2. Test duration: 10 d 

3. Temperature: 20 ± 1oC 

4. Salinity: Optimal 30 (range: 28-36) ± 2‰ 

5. DO concentration: 60-100% of saturation 

6. pH: Optimal 7.8 ± 0.5 

7. Light quality: Ambient laboratory illumination 

8. Light intensity: 500-1000 lux 

9. Photoperiod: 16L/8D 

10. Test chamber size: 1 L minimum 

11. Test solution volume: 200 ml (about 2 cm depth minimum) 700 ml of overlying 

water 

12. Renewal of test solutions: None 

13. Age of test organisms: 2-3 wk post emergence 

14. Number of organisms per test 

chamber: 

5-10 

15. Number of replicate chambers 

per treatment: 

5 

16. Feeding requirement: None 

17. Test solution aeration: Trickle flow (<100 bubble/min) 

18. Overlying water: Optimal 30 (range: 28-36) ± 2‰; natural seawater or 

suitable artificial seawater prepared with Milli-Q® or 

equivalent deionized water 

19. Test treatments: Site sediment; reference sediment; and control sediment 

20. Endpoint: Survival 

21. Sample holding requirements: * <2 wk for sediments; sediment toxicity tests should be 

started within 2 wk of sampling, but not later than 8 wk 

after sampling; <14 d for overlying water 

22. Field sample volume required:^ 4 L of site, reference site, and control sediment, depending 

on chamber size 

23. Test acceptability: ≥90% survival overall in controls, with >80% survival in 

individual replicates 

*Obtain prior approval from your local EPA and USACE district offices if sediment samples will 

be held longer than the specified sample holding requirements. Prior approval could be obtained 

during the review and approval of the Sampling and Analysis Plan. 

^ This is the minimum volume required to run the test one time. If you need to repeat the test or 

archive the sample, you should collect additional equivalent volumes. 
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4.3 In Situ Monitoring 

Due to the nature and characteristics of the oil-laden water, in-situ water quality 

monitoring will not be conducted during this phase of sampling. 

4.4 Sample Handling and Custody 

 

The post landfall samples will be preserved as required, see Table 5, and delivered or 

shipped to the appropriate laboratory. A chain-of-custody form will be completed and 

accompany all samples to the laboratory. 

4.5 Analytical Methods 

Any analyses performed by SESD will be conducted in accordance with the SESD 

Analytical Support Branch Laboratory Operations and Quality Assurance Manual (ASB 

LOQAM; USEPA 2010). The analytical methods, sample containers, sample 

preservation and analysis holding times for the waste samples are listed in Tables 5 and 6, 

respectively and are taken from Chapter 3, Table 3-1 of the ASB LOQAM (USEPA 

2010). 

In the event that SESD does not have the capacity to perform any requested analyses, a 

contract laboratory may be utilized to conduct the analysis. All analyses performed by

contract laboratories will be conducted in accordance with the contract laboratory 

statement of work. Any contract laboratories utilized for the analyses will be secured by 

the Incident Command. 

For this sampling event the surface water and sediment samples will be assigned a 

matrix/media code of WA (waste). This designation indicates to the laboratories that the 

samples have the potential to contain high concentrations of the target analytes and 

dilution may be necessary. As a result the analytical results for a “water” sample will be 

reported in mg/kg instead of mg/L. The “sediment” sample results will remain as mg/kg. 

If requested, samples may also be analyzed for organic and inorganic TCLP constituents 

plus ignitability and corrosivity if needed. 

Samples may also be collected and analyzed for the major ingredients of the oil spill 

dispersants. Container requirements, analytical methods, holding times, etc. are to be 

determined. 
SESD Project ID Number: 10-0440 Category 2 QAPP Page 16 of 25

Table 8: Surface Water (sampled as waste) Sample Requirements

Analytical Group Volume/ 

Container Preservative Containers/ Sample

Holding 

Time Laboratory 

TOC 8 oz. Glass n/a 1 n/a Contract 

Metals + Hg 8 oz. Glass n/a 1 6 months, 

Hg-not specified Contract 

Volatiles 8 oz. Glass n/a 1 28 Days SESD 

Semi-Volatiles 

(including PAHs) 8 oz. Glass n/a 1 54 Days SESD 

Alkyl-PAHs* TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD 

TPH (GRO) 2 oz. Glass 

w/septum Ice 1 7 Days Contract 

TPH (DRO) & (ORO) 8 oz. Glass n/a 1 7 Days Contract 

TCLP Metals 8 oz. Glass n/a 1 360 Days TBD 

TCLP VOC 

TCLP SVOC 

8 oz. Glass 

8 oz. Glass 

n/a 

n/a 

1 

1 

28 Days 

61 Days TBD 

Dispersant 

Compounds* 

To be determined in 

consultation with WPD. 

8oz glass 4° C 1 TBD TBD 

* Specific analytical methods are under discussion between Region 4 and Region 6. 

Table 9: Sediment (sampled as waste) Sample Requirements

Analytical Group Volume/ 

Container Preservative Containers/ Sample 

Holding 

Time Laboratory 

TOC 8 oz. Glass n/a 1 n/a Contract 

Ammonia Nitrogen TBD TBD TBD TBD Contract 

Sulfides TBD TBD TBD TBD Contract 

Particle Size 8 oz. Glass n/a 1 Not specified Contract 

Metals + Hg 8 oz. Glass n/a 1 6 Months, Hg- not 

specified Contract 

Volatiles 8 oz. Glass n/a 1 28 Days SESD 

Semi-Volatiles 

(including PAHs) 8 oz. Glass n/a 1 54 Days SESD 

Alkyl-PAHs* TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD 

TPH (GRO) 2 oz Glass 

w/septum Ice 1 7 Days Contract 

TPH (DRO) & (ORO) 8 oz Glass n/a 1 7 Days Contract 

Toxicity Test TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD 
SESD Project ID Number: 10-0440 Category 2 QAPP Page 17 of 25

Analytical Group Volume/ 

Container Preservative Containers/ Sample 

Holding 

Time Laboratory 

TCLP Metals 8 oz. Glass n/a 1 360 Days TBD 

TCLP VOC 

TCLP SVOC 

8 oz. Glass 

8 oz. Glass 

n/a 

n/a 

1 

1 

28 Days 

61 Days 

TBD 

TBD 

Dispersant 

Compounds* 

To be determined in 

conjunction with WPD. 

8oz glass 4° C 1 TBD TBD 

* Specific analytical methods are under discussion between Region 4 and Region 6. 

Figure 1 - Beach Sampling Locations 

Station 01-05 
SESD Project ID Number: 10-0440 Category 2 QAPP Page 18 of 25

Figure 2 - Beach Sampling Locations 

Station 06-13 

4.6 Quality Control 

Each sampling, analysis, or measurement technique to be performed for this site 

investigation has associated quality control (QC) requirements. QC activities associated 

with the field operations may include, but are not limited to the following: trip blanks, 

preservative blanks, equipment rinse blanks, and temperature blanks. Laboratory QC 

activities may include use of blanks, matrix spike (MS) and matrix spike duplicates 

(MSD), surrogates, second column confirmation, laboratory control samples, initial and 

continuing calibration verifications, etc. The specific QC requirements, acceptance 

criteria, corrective action in case of non-conformance and the procedures used to 

calculate applicable statistics, are provided in the EPA Region 4 field and laboratory 

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and methods, and in the following QA/QC 

documents: SESD Operating Procedure for Field Sampling Quality Control (USEPA 

2007c), and chapter 5 of the ASB LOQAM (USEPA 2010). 

4.7 Equipment Maintenance and Calibration 

All equipment used during this study will be maintained and calibrated according to the 

requirements of the SESD Operating Procedure for Equipment Inventory and 

Management (USEPA 2007b). Spare parts for all critical elements of the study will be 

taken to the field in the event of a malfunction. 
SESD Project ID Number: 10-0440 Category 2 QAPP Page 19 of 25

4.8 Inspection/Acceptance for Supplies and Consumables 

All critical supplies and consumables for this field study are inspected and maintained in 

accordance with the following procedures: 

SESD Operating Procedure for Purchasing of Services and Supplies, 

SESDPROC-016-R3 (USEPA 2007i). 

SESD Operating Procedure for Equipment Inventory and Management, 

SESDPROC-108-R3 (USEPA 2007b). 

SESD Operating Procedure for Field Sampling Quality Control, 

SESDPROC-011-R2 (USEPA 2007c). 

The SESD Field Quality Manager and the Branch Quality Assurance Officers are 

responsible for ensuring that these requirements are met. 

4.9 Non-direct Measurements 

Non-direct measurement data for this project may include hydrologic or meteorological 

data available from other Federal or State agencies. These data may be used qualitatively 

to enhance understanding of the SESD sampling effort. Therefore, there are no Quality 

Assurance requirements for this data.

4.10 Data Management 

The project leader will be responsible for ensuring that all requirements for data 

management are met. All field data generated during this study, whether hand-recorded 

or obtained using an electronic data logger will be recorded, stored and managed 

according to the SESD Operating Procedures for Control of Records (USEPA 2007a), 

Sample and Evidence Management (USEPA 2007k), and Logbooks (USEPA 2007f). 

5.0 Assessment/Oversight 

5.1 Assessments and Response Actions 

Assessments will be conducted by the project leader during the field investigation 

according to the SESD Operating Procedure for Project Planning (USEPA 2007h) to 

ensure the QAPP is being implemented as approved. The project leader is responsible for 

all corrective actions while in the field. Any issues that may arise during the study will 

be documented in the logbooks. This documentation and any corrective actions taken 

will be used to determine the overall quality and usability of the data. 

5.2 Reports to Management 

The project leader will be responsible for notifying the project requestor and appropriate 

SESD management if any circumstances arise during the field study that may adversely 
SESD Project ID Number: 10-0440 Category 2 QAPP Page 20 of 25

impact the quality of the data collected. Any problems noted during field sampling that 

could result in unusable data will be addressed in the final report. 

6.0 Data Validation and Usability 

All data derived from SESD field measurements, if applicable, will be reviewed, verified, 

validated and reported in accordance with the SESD Operating Procedure for Report 

Preparation and Distribution (USEPA 2007j). Analytical data will be reviewed, verified, 

validated in accordance with SESD’s ASB LOQAM (USEPA 2010). 

7.0 Long Term Sampling Plan

During and after remediation efforts, SESD will be available to provide additional 

technical support as requested. Further revisions to this QAPP may be necessary to 

accommodate the demands of this dynamic situation.

8.0 References 

USEPA 2007a-m, SESD Field Branches Quality System and Technical Procedures, can 

be found at http://epa.gov/region4/sesd/fbqstp/index.html. 

USEPA 2007a. Operating Procedure for Control of Records, 

SESDPROC-002-R4, Region 4, SESD, Athens, GA 

USEPA 2007b. Operating Procedure for Equipment Inventory and Management, 

SESDPROC-108-R3, Region 4, SESD, Athens, GA 

USEPA 2007c. Operating Procedure for Field Sampling Quality Control, 

SESDPROC-011-R2, Region 4, SESD, Athens, GA 

USEPA 2007d. Operating Procedure for Global Position System, 

SESDPROC-110-R2, Region 4, SESD, Athens, GA 

USEPA 2007f. Operating Procedure for Logbooks, 

SESDPROC-010-R3, Region 4, SESD, Athens, GA 

USEPA 2007g. Operating Procedure for Packing, Marking, Labeling and Shipping of 

Environmental and Waste Samples, 

SESDPROC-209-R1, Region 4, SESD, Athens, GA 

USEPA 2007h. Operating Procedure for Project Planning, 

SESDPROC-016-R1, Region 4, SESD, Athens, GA 

USEPA 2007i. Operating Procedures for Purchasing of Services and Supplies, 

SESDPROC-016-R3, Region 4, SESD, Athens, GA 
SESD Project ID Number: 10-0440 Category 2 QAPP Page 21 of 25

USEPA 2007j. Operating Procedure for Report Preparation and Distribution, 

SESDPROC-003-R3, Region 4, SESD, Athens, GA 

USEPA 2007k. Operating Procedure for Sample and Evidence Management, 

SESDPROC-005-R1, Region 4, SESD, Athens, GA 

USEPA 2007l. Operating Procedure for Surface Water Sampling, 

SESDPROC-201-R1, Region 4, SESD, Athens, GA. 

USEPA 2007m. Operating Procedure for Sediment Sampling, 

SESDPROC-200-R1, Region 4, SESD Athens, GA. 

USEPA 2007n. Operating Procedure for Waste Sampling, 

SESDPROC-302-R1, Region 4, SESD Athens, GA. 

USEPA 2007o. Operating Procedure for Management of Investigation Derived Waste, 

SESDPROC-202-R1, Region 4, SESD Athens, GA. 

USEPA 2007p. Operating Procedure for Field Equipment Cleaning and 

Decontamination, 

SESDPROC-205-R1, Region 4, SESD Athens, GA. 

USEPA 2010. SESD Analytical Services Branch Laboratory Operations and Quality 

Assurance Manual (ASB LOQAM). United States Environmental Protection 

Agency. Region 4, SESD, Athens, GA 

USEPA 2010. Quality Assurance Sampling Plan for British Petroleum Oil Spill, US 

EPA Emergency Response prepared in conjunction with EPA Region 6, EPA 

Region 4, EPA Environmental Response Team, EPA ASPECT, and CTEH. 

USEPA 2001. Methods for Assessing the Chronic Toxicity of Marine and Estuarine 

Sediment-Associated Contaminants with the Amphipod, Leptocheirus 

plumulosus, EPA/600/R-01/020. 

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). 2004a. Standard Guide for 

Conducting Static Acute Toxicity Test with Echinoid Embryos. Annual Book of 

ASTM Standards, Vol. 11.06. E1563-98 (2004-e1). American Society for 

Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA. 

ASTM, 2004b. Standard Test Methods for Measuring the Toxicity of SedimentAssociated Contaminants with Estuarine and Marine Invertebrates. Annual Book 

of ASTM Standards, Vol. 11.06. E1367-03e1. American Society for Testing and 

Materials, Philadelphia, PA. 

ASTM. 2007. Standard Guide for Conducting Sediment Toxicity Tests with 

Polychaetous Annelids. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 11.06. 
SESD Project ID Number: 10-0440 Category 2 QAPP Page 22 of 25

E1611-00 (2007). American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 

PA 

USEPA. 1990. Conducting the Sea Urchin Larval Development Test. ERLNarragansett Standard Operating Procedure 1.03.007. 

USEPA. 1994. Methods for Assessing the Toxicity of Sediment-Associated 

Contaminants with Estuarine and Marine Amphipods. EPA/600/R-94/025. 

USEPA. 1995. Short-Term Methods for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Efluents 

and Receiving Waters to West Coast Marine and Estuarine Organisms. First 

edition. EPA/600/R-95/136. West Coast Manual. EPA/600/R-95/136. 

USEPA. 1997. Ecological Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund: Process for 

Designing and Conducting Ecological Risk Assessments. Interim Final. 

EPA/540/R-97/006. 

USEPA. 1998. Guidelines for Ecological Risk Assessment. Risk Assessment Forum. 

EPA/630/R-95/002F. 

USEPA. 2002. Methods for Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Effluents and 

Receiving Waters to Freshwater and Marine Organisms. 5th Edition. EPA821-R-02-012. U.S. Environmental protection Agency, Office of Water, 

Washington, DC. 

USEPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2008. Southeast Regional Implementation 

Manual (SERIM) Requirements and Procedures for Evaluation of the Ocean 

Disposal of Dredged Material in Southeastern U.S. Atlantic and Gulf Coast 

Waters. Prepared by EPA Region 4 Atlanta, Georgia and U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers South Atlantic Division Atlanta, Georgia, with assistance from 

ANAMAR Environmental Consulting, Inc. 904-B-08-001. 
SESD Project ID Number: 10-0440 Category 2 QAPP Page 23 of 25

Appendix A: Data Quality Objectives
SESD Project ID Number: 10-0440 Final Category 2 QAPP 

STEP DATA QUALITY OBJECTIVES DESCRIPTION 

1 

State the Problem • Concise description of the problem 

• Identify members of the planning team and the 

primary decision maker 

• Develop a conceptual model of the environmental 

hazard to be investigated 

• Determine resources – budget, personnel, and 

schedule 

Description of Problem

The Unified Command desires to determine on beaches in Alabama, Mississippi, and FloDeepwater Horizon spill. Planning Team

Kevin Simmons* R4, SESD Art Masters R4, SESD Danny France R4, SESD Antonio Quniones R4, SESD Doug Mundrick R4, WPD Andrea Zimmer R4, WPD Dave Melgaard R4, WPD *Project Leader for Field Study Conceptual Model

The Region 4 coastal states of Mississippi, Athe Gulf of Mexico. Resources/Personnel/ScheduleField sampling will commence as soon as polandfall. The draft report will be prepared by following data release from the lab with a finthe draft. 

2 

Identify the Goal of the Study 

• Identify the principal study question • Define the alternative actions that could result from 

resolution of the principal study question. 

• For decision problems, develop decision 

statements(s), organize multiple decisions. 

• For estimation problems, state what needs to be 

estimated and key assumptions. 

Principal Study Questions

1. To characterize the concentrations of p

water and sediment as a result of the DThese data will be used by EPA to charesulting from the oil spill. 

No alternative actions at present. 

3 

Identify Information Inputs 

• Identify types and sources of information needed to 

resolve decisions or produce estimates. 

• Identify the basis of information that will guide or 

support choices to be made in later steps of the DQO process. 

Information Type and Source

Sampling of surface water and sediment. Analytical laboratory results of oil laden surBaseline data and regulatory criteria. 
SESD Project ID Number: 10-0440 Final Category 2 QAPP 

STEP DATA QUALITY OBJECTIVES DESCRIPTION 

• Select appropriate sampling and analysis methods for 

generating the information 

Sampling and analytical methods will meet Estandards. 

4 

Define the Study Boundaries 

• Define the target population of interest and its 

relevant spatial boundaries. 

• Define what constitutes a sampling unit. • Specify temporal boundaries and other practical 

constraints associated with sample/data collection. 

• Specify the smallest unit on which decisions or 

estimates will be made. 

Beaches in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippthe baseline phase of the study and are now bays or washing ashore. Sampling will occur at the baseline stations areas. Ongoing studies may be required due to the spill. 

5 

Develop the Analytic Approach 

• Specify appropriate population parameters for 

making decisions or estimates. 

• For decision problems, choose a workable Action 

level and generate and “If....then....else” decision rule which involves it. 

• For estimation problems, specify the estimator and 

the estimation procedure. 

Results of surface water and sediment analybaseline data in addition to other regulatory requested by the Unified Command. If exceedences are encountered, the data wilCommand as soon as possible for follow-up 

In situ water quality data may not be collect

would have upon water quality instruments. 

6 

Specify Performance or Acceptance Criteria 

• For decision problems, specify the decision rule as a 

statistical hypothesis test, examine consequences of making incorrect decisions from the test, and place acceptable limits on the likelihood of making decision errors. 

• For estimation problems, specify acceptable limits on 

estimation uncertainty. 

Decision Ruling

If there are no exceedances of the baseline dthe spill has not impacted these areas at the texceedences are encountered, the data will bCommand for follow-up action. See Section 6.0 in QAPP for data validation 

7 

Develop the Plan for Obtaining Data 

• Compile all information and outputs generated in 

Steps 1 through 6 above. 

• Use this information to identify alternative sampling 

and analysis designs that are appropriate for your intended use. 

• Select and document a design that will yield data 

that will best achieve your performance or acceptance criteria. 

Sampling and Analysis Design

The project team will make assessments basdata generated.