Analytical Quality Control and Quality Assurance (AQC/QA)

Environmental and Ecological Quality Objectives and Standards (EQO/EQS, EcoQO/EcoQS)

The use of Analytical Quality Control and Quality Assurance (AQC/QA) is of great importance in monitoring schemes especially where data from different areas or times require to be compared and centrally collated (Elliott, 1993). Field methodologies require to be standardised to eliminate worker-variability (Baker & Wolff, 1987) and to ensure that any changes detected are attributable to environmental variation rather than sampling-induced variation.

The laboratory analysis of sedimentary faunal samples is required to follow procedures advocated by Rees et al (1990) and Elliott (1993) in order to produce valid data from standardised and quality-controlled methods. Where possible, the analysts should take part in the UK National Marine Biological AQC Scheme which aims to standardise methods and to check the quality of data produced (Elliott & Service, in press). Health and safety guidelines should be followed in all monitoring techniques and appropriately trained staff used.

In contrast to surveillance (or condition monitoring), compliance monitoring is required to be carried out against pre-determined and agreed numerical standards and objectives (Elliott, 1993). Chemical EQS and biological EQO have been used in environmental water quality management for many years and numerical standards for sediment parameters are now being developed (MPMMG/CGSDM unpublished). However, biological or ecological standards are only now being developed for particular stressors such as dredging and sewage-sludge disposal but these require field testing (SOAEFD, 1996).

At present, no Ecological Quality Standards and Objectives have been derived for the SAC’s nor for the sedimentary biotope complexes considered here. It is now possible to set Ecological Quality Objectives (EcoQS) for SAC’s (see Chapter VIII) and after the monitoring of the SACs has been in progress for some time it will be possible to derive EcoQS which take into account natural variations. Compliance monitoring can then be carried out to determine whether such EQS are met after identifying potential anthropogenic stressors at the biotope complexes (see Chapter V).

Similarly, the biological and physical state of the biotope complexes will have to be quantified such that any deviation from the natural state can be determined. Where possible, this will require a predictive capability as an aid to management. For example, community based predictive models such as the RIVPACS scheme for freshwater systems (Wright et al, 1989) or those based on biological parameters (Elliott & O’Reilly, 1991) indicate change due to anthropogenic stress. These approaches will not be possible in the initial stages of the SAC program but may be of use at a later stage.

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