Implementation of OWQ tech memo 99.04--Questions and answers

Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 17:17:58 -0700
To: "E  - All WRD Employees"<distribution.e@cstran.cr.usgs.gov>
From: "Charles J. Patton" <cjpatton@cstran.cr.usgs.gov>
Subject: Implementation of OWQ tech memo 99.04--Questions and answers
Cc: seniors@cstran.cr.usgs.gov,
        "John Vasquez, Supervy. Chemist, Denver, CO "<jvasquez@cstran.cr.usgs.gov>,
        "Peter F Rogerson, Senior Chemist, Denver, CO "<rogerson@tdqsserv.cr.usgs.gov>,
        "Amy S Ludtke, Hydrologist, Denver, CO "<asludtke@tdqsserv.cr.usgs.gov>,
        "Robert T Kirkland Jr., Supv Phy Scientist, Ocala, FL "<kirkland>,
        "John C McKenzie, Lead Phy Sci Tech, Ocala, FL "<jcmckenz>,
        " , WRD Archive File,  "<wrd-archive>

During the past week, Juan Vasquez and I have received several queries
relating to Office of Water Quality Technical Memorandum No. 99.04, which
was distributed by e-mail on November 25, 1998.  OWQ TM 99.04 announces
changes, effective January 1, 1999, in field-treatment protocols and
bottle types for whole-water samples collected for nutrient
determinations.  I have summarized answers to questions we have received
so far in the form of a question/answer list, below.


Q.	What bottle types are affected?

<paraindent><param>out</param>A.	Only RCC bottles.  Beginning January 1,
1999, whole water nutrient samples should be collected in translucent
("natural"), 125-ml polyethylene bottles, amended with 1 mL of 4.5 normal
sulfuric acid, and designated WCA.  The RCC bottle code will become
invalid at the NWQL after a two-month grace period.  Use only field
supplies obtained from the USGS Quality Water Service Unit (QWSU) in
Ocala (see table below).  

</paraindent>

	QWSU		

	Number		Item Description				Quantity	

	====== 	==================================       =========

	407FLD		Bottle, Poly., Plain, 4 oz (125 mL)	Case (100)

	406FLD		Bottle, Poly., Plain, 4 oz (125 mL)	Case (500)

	26FLD		Bottle Cap, Plastic, 28 mm			Box (900)

	417FLD		Bottle Cap, Plastic, 28 mm			Pack (100)

	438FLD		Vial (PP), H2SO4, 4.5 N (1:7), 1 mL,	Box (24)

			whole-water (WCA) nutrient preservative	


<paraindent><param>out</param>Q.	Should FCC bottles be acidified also?

A.	No.  Do not acidify filtered (dissolved) nutrient samples.  Continue
to use brown, 125-mL polyethylene bottles for collection.    Continue to
use the FCC designation.

</paraindent>	

<paraindent><param>out</param>Q.	Can I use sulfuric acid in glass
ampoules in my current field-supply inventory to acidify WCA samples?

A.	No.  These ampoules typically contain concentrated sulfuric acid,
which would greatly over acidify samples and degrade analytical results. 
Use only 1 mL of   4.5 normal sulfuric acid contained in screw-cap,
polypropylene vials (QWSU # 438FLD) available beginning 12/15/98.

</paraindent>

<paraindent><param>out</param>Q.	Can I use half-filled, 250-mL
translucent polyethylene bottles to submit acidified whole-water samples
to the NWQL for nutrient analysis?

A.	No.  Over- or under-filling would be more difficult to recognize in
250-mL bottles.  Over- or under-filling results in variation in acid
concentration, which in turn could impact analytical results.  Filling
125-mL bottles to the shoulder with sample will result in a consistent
volume of 120 mL +/- 5 mL.  The NWQL will assume this volume when we
matrix-match calibration and reference materials use during analysis of
WCA samples.

</paraindent> 

Q.	How do I process WCA samples at the collection site?

<paraindent><param>out</param>A.	Field rinse clear, 125-mL polyethylene
bottles with three 10- to 15-mL volumes of well-mixed, whole water
dispensed from churn or cone splitters.  Then fill bottles to the level
of their shoulders (approximately 120 mL).

</paraindent>

<paraindent><param>out</param>	Add 1 mL of 4.5 normal sulfuric acid
solution (QWSU # 438FLD) to each WCA bottle and secure the cap.

</paraindent>

<paraindent><param>out</param>	Immediately shake or swirl the bottle to
mix the sulfuric acid solution with the sample.

</paraindent>

<paraindent><param>out</param>	Pack processed sample bottles in ice and
ship them with next-day priority to the NWQL for analyses.

</paraindent>

Q.	What if I send an RCC sample to the NWQL after December 31, 1998?

<paraindent><param>out</param>A.	Between January 1, 1999 and February 28,
1999, RCC samples inadvertently sent to the NWQL will be amended with
sulfuric acid and designated as WCA samples prior to analyses.  After
this grace period, all RCC bottles received at the NWQL will be returned
at submitters' expense or discarded.

</paraindent>

<paraindent><param>out</param>Q.	What if I presently submit FCA and RCA
bottles to the NWQL for analysis of samples collected in compliance with
USEPA protocols?

A.	Use the WCA sulfuric acid amendment solution (1 mL of 4.5 N H2SO4 per
125 mL of sample, QWSU # 438FLD) to acidify FCA (filtered, chilled,
acidified) samples.  Beginning January 1, 1999, submit a WCA bottle for
any whole-water nutrient analysis that required a RCA bottle.  Using QWSU
# 438FLD sulfuric acid solution for all acidified nutrient samples will
provide the NWQL with a known and consistent analytical matrix, which in
turn should improve the quality of analytical data.


</paraindent>Please distribute and post this e-mail as appropriate.  If
you have additional questions, please contact Juan Vasquez (jvasquez, 303
467-8113) or me (cjpatton, 303 467-8084)