Home Templates & Guidance Training EIM News FAQ
Data Qualifiers Sample Sources Labs Methods Parameters Parameter Groups Taxa Taxa Groups Tissue Types Units Unit Conversions
Data Dictionary Contact EIM

Data Dictionary


  
  

Export to Excel

Field Name Description Size Type Requirements Examples and Guidance Active
Organization City The mailing address city for the Organization. 25 Alphanumeric. Free Text. REQUIRED; Yakima, Walla Walla Y
Organization Contact Phone Number The main phone number for the Organization - used for contact purposes when information is required from the Organization about its involvement in a Study. 15 Alphanumeric. Format: (360) 407-1234. REQUIRED; (360) 407-1234 Y
Organization Country The mailing address country for the Organization. 20 Alphanumeric. Free Text. Optional; United States or US, Canada or CA Y
Organization Key The key (code) generated by Ecology and sent to the user in response to a request for a new organization account. The key is used to set up one or more individual user accounts within the organization account. Contact us if you lose your key. 10 Numeric. System-generated; Y
Organization Name The formal name of the Organization which is the sponsor or initiator of the Study. 60 Alphanumeric. Free Text. REQUIRED; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Washington State Department of Ecology. Y
Organization Role Type The type of role an Organization plays in a specific Study. An Organization may have multiple roles in a Study. 15 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. Administrative;

Valid Values:

  • Lead
  • Previous Lead
  • Analysis
  • Funding
  • Sampling
  • QA
  • Other
 Y
Organization State Abbreviation of the mailing address state or province for the Organization. 2 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. REQUIRED; WA, OR, ID, BC, etc. Y
Organization Website The primary Website address for an organization, if available. 40 Hyperlink Optional; http://www.ecology.wa.gov Y
Organization Zip Code The mailing address US Zip Code or Canadian Postal Code for the Organization. 10 Alphanumeric. Format 98504 or 98504-7600 or V5K-0A REQUIRED; 98504; 98504-7600; B2N-1Y6 Y
Other Parameters Parameters other than water level, like chemiical paramters, temperature, pH, etc. Search by Parameter Name, Parameter Group, or CAS Number. 1 Alphanumeric. Free Text. Administrative; Parameter Name: Arsenic, Temperature Parameter Group: Metals, PAHs CAS Number: 7440-38-2 Y
Page Size The number of records to be displayed per page when editing or searching. The minimum is 1. The maximum is 50, which is also the default setting. 0 Not a Field (information or instruction) Informational; 25 Y
Paper Map Scale Scale of the paper base map used to determine the geographic position of the field location. 2 Numeric. Valid Values. REQUIRED ONLY FOR;paper maps

Only fill this out if column AF, Horizontal Coordinate Collection Method, is code 19, “Paper map interpolation”

Valid Values:

  • 9 - 1:25,000
  • 10 - 1:24,000
  • 13 - 1:10,000
  • 14 - 1:12,000
  • 15 - 1:25,001-1:50,000
  • 16 - 1:50,001-1:100,000
  • 17 - 1:20,001-1:25,000
  • 20 - 1:5,001-1:10,000
  • 21 - 1:501-1:5,000
  • 22 - >1:500
  • 23 - <1:500
 Y
Parameter / Result Parameter Name / Well Water Level Parameter Name

Name of the parameter reported for the result.

Parameters are most often thought of as chemical analytes, but also include things like temperature, fish weight, flow, etc..

 254 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. REQUIRED;

Ex. "Cadmium" or "Fish, Number in Composite Sample"

Observations - use "Unable to measure"

Search for EIM Parameter Names (online)

Need a parameter added to EIM?  Contact us online or ask your Data Coordinator.

 Y
Parameter Alias/Synonym An alternative name or identifier for a Parameter. Usually a chemical synonym, but can also be a trade name.EIM does not contain a complete inventory of Parameter synonyms. A more comprehensive source is EPA's Substance Registry Service at: https://ofmpub.epa.gov/sor_internet/registry/substreg/ 254 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. Administrative; "Methyl benzene" is a synonym for the chemical commonly known as "Toluene." Y
Parameter Fraction Analyzed Required Flag Indicates whether Fraction Analyzed is required for the Parameter of interest. Primarily for water samples, especially for metals, but also for other analytes such as Nitrogen and Phosphorus. 1 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. Administrative;

Valid Values:

  • Y - Yes
  • N - No
 Y
Parameter Group / Result Parameter Group

A group of Parameters that are related in some way, such as metals analytes, pesticide compounds, or PCBs. This allows rapid searching for related Parameters.

Parameters are most often thought of as chemical analytes, but also include things like temperature, fish weight, flow, etc.

 40 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. Administrative;

PBDEs (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers, Fire retardents)

See list of result parameter groups here: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/eimhelp/ValidValues/ParameterGroups  

 Y
Parameter Procedure Required Flag Indicates whether a specific analytical procedure is required for the Parameter of interest. Primarily for chemical parameters. 1 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. Administrative;

Valid Values:

  • Y - Yes
  • N - No (default)
 Y
Parameter Units Type Type of units of measure used when recording results for a specific Parameter. 10 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. Administrative;

Valid Values:

  • AREA - Area
  • FLOW - Flow
  • GENDER - Gender
  • LEN - Length
  • MISC - Miscellaneous
  • PROD - Production (ex. pounds per acre per year)
  • RAD - Radiation
  • SUBST - Substance (chemical)
  • TAX - Taxonomic
  • TEMP - Temperature
  • TIME - Time
  • VEL - Velocity
  • VOL - Volume


 Y
Parameter Usage Type Indicates whether the Parameter of interest is associated with field measurements, lab analyses, or both. 13 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. Administrative;

Valid Values:

  • Lab
  • Field
  • Lab and Field


 Y
Parameter, Taxon, Laboratory Alias Name or Method Alias Code An alternative name for a Parameter, Taxon, Laboratory or code for Method. 40 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. Administrative; Ex. Chum Salmon is the Common Name (or Taxon Common Name) for Oncorhynchus keta; Methyl benzene is a Synonym for Toluene. Y
Parameter, Taxon, Laboratory, or Method Alias Type The type of alternative identifier for a Parameter, Taxon, Laboratory, or Method. 30 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. Administrative;

Valid Values:

Parameter
 - Synonym
Taxon
 - Common name
 - Alternate name
 - Invalid name
 - NODC code (National Oceanographic Data Center)
 - Xerces code
Laboratory
 - Former name
 - Alternate name
 - Current name
Method
 - Alternate code

 Y
Parameters (Search Criteria) (DROPPED, date unknown) The picklist displays the list of unique Parameters that were found in the selected batch. In case of a Manchester Lab LIMS batch, the Lab ID/CAS Number is listed along with the Parameter name in parenthesis. 0 Not a Field (information or instruction) Informational; If a particular LIMS batch contains the parameter 'Mercury' then the display will be 'Mercury(7439976)'. Y
Parent Taxon TSN The Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN) for the next level in up the taxonomic hierarchy from the subject taxon. From the Integrated Taxon Identification System (ITIS). https://www.itis.gov/ 10 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. Administrative; Ex. 114069 is the Taxon ITIS Code for Family Psephenidae, which is the Parent Taxon for Genus Acneus. Y
Person Email Address Email address of Ecology employee, contractor, or affiliate. In public Loader, this is the SAW email address. 20 Alphanumeric. Format: username@domain.name. REQUIRED; user461@ecy.wa.gov Y
Person First Name First name of Ecology employee, contractor, or affiliate. 20 Alphanumeric. Free Text. REQUIRED; John, Mary Y
Person Last Name Last name of Ecology employee, contractor, or affiliate. 20 Alphanumeric. Free Text. REQUIRED; Smith, Clark Y
Person Name Full name of Ecology employee, contractor, or affiliate. 0 Not a Field (information or instruction) Informational; John Smith, Mary Clark Y
Person Phone Number Telephone number of Ecology employee, contractor, or affiliate. 15 Alphanumeric. Format: (360) 407-1234. REQUIRED; (509) 227-1234 Y
Program Data Coordinator Ecology staff member designated to assist users in getting their data into EIM and help assure good data quality. They specialize in internal and/or external data for various Ecology programs. 10 Alphanumeric. Free Text. Administrative; jdoe461 Y
Program Data Coordinator Location City and state where the EIM Program Data Coordinator resides. 40 Alphanumeric. Free Text/Preferred Format. Administrative; Olympia, Washington Y
Program Data Type Specific type of EIM data within an Ecology program. 254 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. Administrative; Cleanup site or VCP Y
Program Name Abbreviation for the Ecology environmental program. 16 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. Administrative; EAP Y
Program Office Description Full name of the Ecology environmental program. 254 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. Administrative; Environmental Assessment Program Y
Protocol Name

Identifies the field protocol used to collect environmental data at a specific site.

Searching on a specific protocol will return only those sites that have data collected using that protocol.

 50 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. REQUIRED;

Valid Values:

  • WSDOE Narrow - Washington Department of Ecology Narrow Stream Protocol
  • WSDOE Wide - Washington Department of Ecology Wide Stream Protocol
 Y
QC Blank Censor Factor (NEW 2023-6-29)

Blank-censor indicator or factor. QC blank data are multiplied by this number to get the detection limit threshold.

For uncensored low-level PCB congener data, EIM auto-calculates 1x, 3x, 5x, 8x, and 10x blank-censored results. The data are downable via EIM Search.

 50 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. REQUIRED FOR;uncensored low-level PCB data by EPA1668C, B, or A and MEL730138 v1.0 Valid Values:

  • Uncensored
  • 1x
  • 3x
  • 5x
  • 8x
  • 10x
  • Factor Unknown

For uncensored low-level PCB congener data by EPA1668C, B, or A and MEL730138 v1.0, enter “Uncensored.” 

Note: You can submit ANY data (PCB or otherwise) that’s already blank-censored and qualified. Indicate the blank-censor factor here. If you don’t know the blank censor factor, use “Factor Unknown.”

Download help for “Low-Level PCB Congener Data.”

 Y
QC Blank Type (NEW 2023-06-29)

Type of QC blank reported. 

Currently, EIM accepts only method blank data, and only for low-level PCB congener methods (EPA1668C, B, or A and MEL730138 v1.0).

 50 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. REQUIRED FOR;method blank data by EPA1668C, B, or A and MEL730138 v1.0. Valid Values:
  • Method Blank

For method blank data, also enter “QC Blank” in Field Collection Type (column D) to distinguish it from regular results.

EIM won’t save method blank data for any other methods besides EPA1668C, B, or A and MEL730138 v1.0.

Currently, EIM doesn’t accept other types of blank data, like trip or transfer.

Download help for “Low-Level PCB Congener Data.”

 Y
Quarter Section/Township/Range Code In the Section/Township/Range (STR) Grid System, denotes the first-level Quarter Section. Equals 1/4 Section or 160 acres. 2 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. System-generated;

Valid Values:

  • NE
  • NW
  • SE
  • SW
 Y
Quarter-Quarter Section/Township/Range Code In the Section/Township/Range (STR) Grid System, denotes the second-level Quarter Section. Equals 1/16 Section or 40 acres. 2 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. System-generated;

Valid Values:

  • NE
  • NW
  • SE
  • SW
 Y
Quarter-Quarter-Quarter Section/Township/Range Code In the Section/Township/Range (STR) Grid System, denotes the third-level Quarter Section. Equals 1/64 Section or 10 acres. 2 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. System-generated;

Valid Values:

  • NE
  • NW
  • SE
  • SW
 Y
Range Direction Code In the Section/Township/Range (STR) Grid System, denotes whether the Location exists east or west of a meridian, the vertical line from which the survey began. In Washington, all Locations are either east or west of the Willamette Meridian, which bisects the state through Puget Sound. 1 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. System-generated;

Valid Values:

  • E - East
  • W - West
 Y
Range Number In the Section/Township/Range (STR) Grid System, denotes, the number of Range units east or west of a meridian, the vertical line from which the survey began. In Washington, all Locations are either east or west of the Willamette Meridian, which bisects the state through Puget Sound. 10 Numeric. Valid Values. System-generated;

Valid Values: 01-47

 Y
Reach Type

Valley and bedform classification system for rivers and streams. Montgomery and Buffington (1993, 1997) reach type assesses sediment supply and transport, valley type (colluvial, alluvial, and bedrock), and channel types to classify each location sampled into one of these reach types.

Searching by one of these reach types will limit search results to sites defined in the field as the selected type.

 50 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. Administrative;

Valid Values:

  • Colluvial;
  • Alluvial: Braided;
  • Alluvial:Regime;
  • Alluvial:Pool-Riffle;
  • Alluvial:Plane Bed;
  • Alluvial: Step Pool;
  • Alluvial:Cascade;
  • Bedrock
Y
Recommended QC Blank Censor Factor for Study (NEW 2023-06-29)

Only for certain Studies that contain low-level PCB congener data. Indicates which blank censor factor (e.g., 8x) gets used for results in the Discrete Results download file in Search.

Background: for certain low-level PCB congener data, EIM auto-calculates results using several blank censor factors, downloadable in a separate file - only one can be displayed in the Discrete Results file.

If you don't set this, the default results have the 5x blank censor factor.

 50 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. Optional;

Valid Values:

  • 1x
  • 3x
  • 5x
  • 8x
  • 10x

For low-level PCB congener data by EPA1668C, B, or A, and MEL730138 v1.0.

Download help for “Low-Level PCB Congener Data.”

 Y
Record Last Edited By The name of the person who last edited the EIM record. 150 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. System-generated; sone461 Y
Record Last Edited Date The date that the EIM record was last edited. 10 Date. Format: MM/DD/YYYY. System-generated; 07/09/2013 Y
Record Loaded By The name of the person who originally loaded the EIM record. 150 Alphanumeric. Valid Values. System-generated; sone461 Y
Record Loaded Date The date that the EIM record was originally loaded. 10 Date. Format: MM/DD/YYYY. System-generated; 07/09/2013 Y
Records per Page Number of search result records displayed on each page, as set by the user. The default is 100. The maximum number is 999. 0 Not a Field (information or instruction) Informational; 200 Y
Records Rejected A value or values in a record does not match an EIM valid value or values and/or one or more required fields is missing.To view error details, click the "View Processed Records" button to bring up the dataset, and then click the "Rejected" link under "Submittal Status." Alternatively, you can click the "View Error Records" button to see all error details at once. All Rejections need to be corrected before data submittal process is considered complete. The dataset will need to be resubmitted after the errors have been corrected. 0 Not a Field (information or instruction) Informational; "Result Sample Fraction is required for all metals and conventional nitrogen/phosphorus parameters. It is also required when a Semi-Permeable Membrane Device (SPMD) was used to collect the sample." Y
Result Additional Comment Additional comments about the Result Value. 2000 Alphanumeric. Free Text. Optional;

Ex. "Temperature result is an estimate because thermometer not calibrated."

Download help for “How to Use EIM’s Comment fields.”

 Y
Page 4 of 7    <<--    <-    ->    -->>
337 records