Florida Administrative Code › 62 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › 62 - Departmental › Chapter 62-160 - QUALITY ASSURANCE › Part IV - MISCELLANEOUS › Section 62-160.700 - Tables

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
The following table has been referenced in this chapter and
					 is identified by this Title:
Table 1: Data Qualifier Codes.
Table 1
DATA QUALIFIER CODES
The following codes shall be used by laboratories and/or
					 field organizations when reporting sample data values that either meet the
					 specified descriptions outlined below or do not meet the applicable quality
					 control criteria specified for the laboratory or field result. Data qualifier
					 codes listed in summary reports or other presentations comprising information
					 that has been reformatted from original reports generated by field or
					 laboratory organizations or individuals shall meet the requirements of
					 subsections  62-160.240(4) 
					 and  62-160.340(7),
					 F.A.C. Data qualifier codes added to sample results during data review
					 procedures conducted by organizations or individuals other than the generators
					 of original reports shall meet the requirements of subsections
					  62-160.240(5) 
					 and  62-160.340(8),
					 F.A.C.
CODE
DEFINITION
A
Value reported is the arithmetic mean (average) of
								two or more determinations. This code shall be used if the reported value is
								the average of results for two or more discrete and separate samples. These
								samples shall have been processed and analyzed independently. Do not use this
								code if the data are the result of replicate analysis on the same sample
								aliquot, extract or digestate (for example, for Stream Condition Index,
								biochemical oxygen demand or bacteriological analyses, or instrumental analyses
								such as Inductively Coupled Plasma).
B
Results based upon colony counts outside the
								acceptable range. This code applies to microbiological tests and specifically
								to membrane filter colony counts. The code is to be used if the colony count is
								generated from a plate in which the total number of coliform colonies is
								outside the method indicated ideal range. This code is not to be used if a 100
								mL sample has been filtered and the colony count is less than the lower value
								of the ideal range.
F
When reporting species: F indicates the female
								sex.
H
Value based on field kit determination; results may
								not be accurate. This code shall be used if a field screening test (e.g., field
								gas chromatograph data, immunoassay, or vendor-supplied field kit) was used to
								generate the value and the field kit or method has not been recognized by the
								Department as equivalent to laboratory methods.
I
The reported value is greater than or equal to the
								laboratory method detection limit but less than the laboratory practical
								quantitation limit.
J
Estimated value. A "J" - qualified sample value
								shall be accompanied by a detailed explanation to justify the reason(s) for
								designating the value as estimated. Where possible, the organization shall
								report whether the actual sample value is estimated to be less than or greater
								than the reported value, to assist data users in any evaluation of the
								usability of the sample value. A "J" data qualifier code shall not be used as a
								substitute for G, K, L, M, S, T, V, or Y; however, if additional reasons exist
								for identifying the value as an estimate (e.g., laboratory control spike or
								matrix spiked failed to meet acceptance criteria), the "J" code may be added to
								a G, K, L, M, T, U, V, or Y qualifier. The following are examples of when a "J"
								code must be reported: instances where a quality control item associated with
								the reported value failed to meet the established quality control criteria (the
								specific failure must be identified); instances when the sample matrix
								interfered with the ability to make any accurate determination; instances when
								data are questionable because of improper laboratory or field protocols (e.g.,
								composite sample was collected instead of a grab sample); instances when the
								analyte was detected at or above the method detection limit in an analytical
								laboratory blank other than the method blank (such as a calibration blank) and,
								the blank value is greater than 10% of the associated sample value; or,
								instances when the field or laboratory calibrations or calibration
								verifications did not meet calibration acceptance criteria, including
								quantitative or chronological bracketing requirements for field testing
								data.
K
Off-scale low. Actual value is known to be less
								than the value given. This code shall not be used for microbiological tests or
								for biochemical oxygen demand. This code shall not be used for field-testing
								measurements where quantitative bracketing is required. This code shall only be
								used for those tests using a calibration curve if:
1. The value is less than the lowest calibration
								standard and the calibration curve is known to be non-linear; or
2. The value is known to be less than the reported
								value based on sample size, dilution.
This code shall not be used to report values that
								are less than the laboratory practical quantitation limit or laboratory method
								detection limit.
L
Off-scale high. Actual value is known to be greater
								than value given. This code shall not be used for microbiological tests or
								biochemical oxygen demand. This code shall not be used for field-testing
								measurements where quantitative bracketing is required. To be used when the
								concentration of the analyte is above the acceptable level for quantitation
								(exceeds the linear range or highest calibration standard) and the calibration
								curve is known to exhibit a negative deflection.
M
When reporting chemical analyses: presence of
								material is verified but not quantified; the actual value is less than the
								value given. The reported value shall be the laboratory practical quantitation
								limit. This code shall be used if the level is too low to permit accurate
								quantification, but the estimated concentration is greater than or equal to the
								method detection limit. If the value is less than the method detection limit
								use "T" below.
N
Presumptive evidence of presence of material. This
								qualifier shall be used if:
1. The component has been tentatively identified
								based on mass spectral library search; or
2. There is an indication that the analyte is
								present, but quality control requirements for confirmation were not met (i.e.,
								presence of analyte was not confirmed by alternative procedures).
O
Sampled, but analysis lost or not performed.
Q
Sample held beyond the accepted holding time. This
								code shall be used if the value is derived from a sample that was prepared or
								analyzed after the approved holding time restrictions for sample preparation or
								analysis. This code shall be reported with sample results calculated from two
								or more component analyses, if one or more component sample preparations or
								analyses were performed out of holding time.
T
Value reported is less than the laboratory method
								detection limit. The value is reported for informational purposes only and
								shall not be used in statistical analysis.
U
Indicates that the compound was analyzed for but
								not detected. This symbol shall be used to indicate that the specified
								component was not detected. The value associated with the qualifier shall be
								the laboratory method detection limit. This code shall also be used to indicate
								the laboratory reporting limit, where applicable to the specific test,
								according to paragraph
								 62-160.340(3)(c),
								F.A.C. (e.g., biochemical oxygen demand, chlorophyll or microbiological tests).
								Unless requested by the client, values less than the method detection limit
								shall not be reported (see "T" above).
V
A "V" - qualified sample value indicates that the
								analyte was detected at or above the method detection limit in both the sample
								and the associated method blank and the blank value was greater than 10% of the
								associated sample value. The 10% criterion shall not apply to blank results for
								biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) or microbiological tests. For BOD tests, the
								"V" code shall be used for all sample results where the associated method blank
								result exceeds the maximum blank DO depletion specified in the analytical
								method. For microbiological tests, the "V" code shall be used for all samples
								where the associated method blank indicates growth of the target organism.
								Note: unless specified by the method, the value in the blank shall not be
								subtracted from associated samples.
X
Indicates, when reporting results from a Stream
								Condition Index Analysis (SCI 1000), that insufficient individuals were present
								in the sample to achieve a minimum of 280 organisms for identification (the
								method calls for two aliquots of 140-160 organisms), suggesting either extreme
								environmental stress or a sampling error.
Y
The laboratory analysis was from an improperly
								preserved sample. The data may not be accurate.
Z
Too many colonies were present for accurate
								counting. Historically, this condition has been reported as "too numerous to
								count" (TNTC). The "Z" qualifier code shall be reported when the total number
								of colonies of all types is more than 200 in all dilutions of the sample tested
								using a membrane filter technique. When applicable to the observed test
								results, a numeric value for the colony count for the target microorganism
								tested may be estimated by a laboratory from the highest dilution factor
								(smallest sample volume) and the upper limit of the ideal colony count range
								indicated in the method used for the test, and reported with the qualifier
								code. Atypical, non-target, spreading colonies or other interferences may
								prevent estimation of typical target organism counts, and reporting a numerical
								result may not be possible. Report "No Result" along with the qualifier code
								when this condition is observed, or when more than 200 non-target colonies are
								observed. Additional comments such as "confluent growth" may be reported with
								the "Z" code. When required by Chapter 62-550, F.A.C., the samples with
								verified, positive colonies must be reported as detections.
?
Data are rejected and should not be used. Some or
								all of the quality control data for the analyte were outside criteria, and the
								presence or absence of the analyte cannot be determined from the data.
*
Not reported due to interference.
The following codes deal with certain aspects of field
					 activities. The codes shall be used if the laboratory has knowledge of the
					 specific sampling event. The codes shall be added by the organization
					 collecting samples if they apply:
CODE
DEFINITION
D
Measurement was made in the field (i.e., in situ).
								This code applies to any value (
except
field measurements of pH,
								specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, temperature, total residual chlorine,
								transparency, turbidity or salinity) that was obtained under field conditions
								using approved analytical methods. If the parameter code specifies a field
								measurement (e.g., "Field pH"), this code is not required.
E
Indicates that extra samples were taken at
								composite stations.
G
A "G" - qualified sample value indicates that the
								analyte was detected at or above the method detection limit in both the sample
								and the associated field blank, equipment blank, or trip blank, and the blank
								value was greater than 10% of the associated sample value. The value in the
								blank shall not be subtracted from associated samples.
R
Significant rain in the past 48 hours. (Significant
								rain typically involves rain in excess of 1/2 inch within the past 48 hours.)
								This code shall be used when the rainfall might contribute to a lower or higher
								than normal value.
S
Secchi disk visible to bottom of waterbody. The
								value reported is the depth of the waterbody at the location of the Secchi disk
								measurement.
!
Data deviate from historically established
								concentration ranges.
Rulemaking Authority
						403.061,
						403.0623 FS. Law Implemented
						373.026,
						373.309,
						373.409,
						373.413,
						373.414,
						373.416,
						373.4592,
						376.303,
						376.305,
						376.3071,
						403.0623,
						403.0625,
						403.087,
						403.088,
						403.0881,
						403.504,
						403.704,
						403.707,
						403.722,
						403.853
						FS.
New 1-1-91, Amended 2-4-93, 2-27-94, Formerly 17-160.700,
						Amended 3-24-96, 4-9-02, 6-8-04, 12-3-08, 7-30-14,
						4-16-18.