National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2018/19 Laboratory Operations Manual Version 1.1 June 2018
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United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water Washington, DC EPA 841-B-17-004 National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2018/19 Laboratory Operations Manual Version 1.1 June 2018 2018/19 National Rivers & Streams Assessment Laboratory Operations Manual Version 1.1, June 2018 Page ii of 185 NOTICE The intention of the National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2018-2019 is to provide a comprehensive “State of Flowing Waters” assessment for rivers and streams across the United States. The complete documentation of overall project management, design, methods, quality assurance, and standards is contained in five companion documents: National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2018-19: Quality Assurance Project Plan EPA-841-B-17-001 National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2018-19: Site Evaluation Guidelines EPA-841-B-17-002 National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2018-19: Non-Wadeable Field Operations Manual EPA-841-B- 17-003a National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2018-19: Wadeable Field Operations Manual EPA-841-B-17- 003b National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2018-19: Laboratory Operations Manual EPA-841-B-17-004 Addendum to the National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2018-19: Wadeable & Non-Wadeable Field Operations Manuals This document (Laboratory Operations Manual) contains information on the methods for analyses of the samples to be collected during the project, quality assurance objectives, sample handling, and data reporting. These methods are based on the guidelines developed and followed in the Western Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (Peck et al. 2003). Methods described in this document are to be used specifically in work relating to the NRSA 2018-2019. All Project Cooperator laboratories should follow these guidelines. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this document does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. More details on specific methods for site evaluation, sampling, and sample processing can be found in the appropriate companion document. The suggested citation for this document is: USEPA. 2017. National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2018-19: Laboratory Operations Manual. EPA- 841-B-17-004. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC. OTICE N ii 2018/19 National Rivers & Streams Assessment Laboratory Operations Manual Version 1.1, June 2018 Page iii of 185 TABLE OF CONTENTS NOTICE ...............................................................................................................................................................ii TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................................ vii LIST OF ACRONYMS ........................................................................................................................................... vii 1.0 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 9 2.0 GENERAL LABORATORY GUIDELINES ..................................................................................................... 10 2.1 RESPONSIBILITY AND PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS ................................................................................................ 10 2.2 ROLES AND CONTACT INFORMATION ................................................................................................................... 10 2.3 SAMPLE TRACKING .......................................................................................................................................... 10 2.4 REPORTING .................................................................................................................................................... 11 3.0 ALGAL TOXIN: CYLINDROSPERMOPSIN IMMUNOASSAY PROCEDURE .................................................... 12 3.1 DEFINITIONS AND REQUIRED PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS ...................................................................................... 12 3.1.1 Definitions .............................................................................................................................................. 12 3.1.2 Personnel Qualifications ........................................................................................................................ 13 3.2 PRECAUTIONS ................................................................................................................................................. 13 3.3 EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS .................................................................................................................................. 14 3.4 SAMPLE RECEIPT ............................................................................................................................................. 14 3.5 PROCEDURE ................................................................................................................................................... 15 3.5.1 Sample Preparation ............................................................................................................................... 15 3.5.2 Kit Preparation ....................................................................................................................................... 16 3.5.3 Insertion of Contents into Wells ............................................................................................................. 17 3.5.4 Dilutions (if needed) ............................................................................................................................... 21 3.6 PERTINENT QA/QC PROCEDURES ...................................................................................................................... 22 3.6.1 QC Samples ............................................................................................................................................ 22 3.6.2 Summary of QA/QC Requirements ........................................................................................................ 23 4.0 ALGAL TOXIN: MICROCYSTIN IMMUNOASSAY PROCEDURE ................................................................... 25 4.1 SUMMARY OF THE PROCEDURE .......................................................................................................................... 25 4.2 HEALTH AND SAFETY WARNINGS ........................................................................................................................ 25 4.3 DEFINITIONS AND REQUIRED RESOURCES (PERSONNEL, LABORATORIES, AND EQUIPMENT) ........................................... 25 4.3.1 Definitions .............................................................................................................................................. 25 4.4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LABORATORIES ...................................................................................................... 27 4.4.1 Expertise ................................................................................................................................................ 27 4.4.2 Quality assurance and quality control requirements ............................................................................. 27 4.4.3 Personnel ............................................................................................................................................... 27 4.4.4 Equipment/Materials ............................................................................................................................. 27 4.5 SAMPLE RECEIPT ............................................................................................................................................. 28 4.6 PROCEDURE ................................................................................................................................................... 29 4.6.1 Sample Preparation ............................................................................................................................... 29 4.6.2 Kit Preparation ....................................................................................................................................... 29 4.6.3 Insertion of Contents into Wells ............................................................................................................. 30 4.6.4 Dilutions (if needed) ............................................................................................................................... 35 4.7 QUALITY MEASURES ........................................................................................................................................ 36 4.7.1 Assistance Visits ..................................................................................................................................... 36 4.7.2 QC Samples ............................................................................................................................................ 36 TABLE OF CONTENTS iii 2018/19 National Rivers & Streams Assessment Laboratory Operations Manual Version 1.1, June 2018 Page iv of 185 4.7.3 Summary of QA/QC Requirements .......................................................................................................