|
Field Name
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Description
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Size
|
Type
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Requirements
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Examples and Guidance
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Active
|
|
Result Basis
|
Physical state in which the analyte concentration was reported - either as the sample was received by the lab (wet weight) or adjusted to remove moisture (dry weight).
|
3
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
REQUIRED FOR;Sediment, Soil and Tissue chemistry data or if this information was reported by the lab
|
Valid Values: Dry - Analyte concentration in dry weight;
Wet - Analyte concentration in wet weight Result Basis is sometimes concatenated with units in lab reports. We store Result Basis and units separately in EIM. Do not populate Result Basis for Measurements, Grain Size, Percent Solids or Water Samples – leave it blank. Download help for "Result Basis.”
|
Y
|
|
Result Comment / Well Water Level Comment
|
Comments about the Result Value or additional comments about the water level measurement.
|
2000
|
Alphanumeric. Free Text.
|
Optional;
|
Ex. "Thermometer broke, temperature taken with new thermometer." Download help for “How to Use EIM’s Comment fields.”
|
Y
|
|
Result Data Qualifier / Well Water Level Data Qualifier
|
Standard annotations for documenting issues with Result Values, such as non-detects or estimates. Also used for - Well Water Level Measurements
- Observations, to explain why a sample or measurement wasn't possible.
|
3
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
REQUIRED IF;applicable
|
Valid Values:
Search for EIM Result Data Qualifier Valid Values (online) - Ex. (lab) J = Analyte positively identified. Associated numerical result is an estimate.
- Ex. (measurement) BAT = Instrument experienced battery issues; reported result is an estimate.
- Ex. (observation) FH = Flow too high to measure.
- Ex. (wells) WLR = Well site was pumped recently.
For non-detects, record the reporting or detection limit in the Result Value field and the appropriate qualifier (U or UJ, etc.) in this field. Do NOT use the < symbol before the value or an "ND" for the value. Download help for "Entering Non-Detects and Estimates.” Note: Since lab qualifiers are not universal, pick a qualifier that best-represents the one assigned by your lab.
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Y
|
|
Result Detection Limit
|
The minimum quantity of an analyte that can be distinguished from background.
|
10
|
Numeric.
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REQUIRED FOR;non-detects and some J-qualified data. Also required for detects, if available
|
Ex. "2.90" Must be a number. Value must have same units as Result Value. Labs should provide this information for most data. You may not have this information for historical data. Download help for "Entering Non-Detects and Estimates.”
|
Y
|
|
Result Detection Limit Type
|
Specifies the type of Detection Limit provided by the lab.
|
9
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
REQUIRED IF;you enter a Result Detection Limit
|
Valid Values: - MDL - Method Detection Limit
- EDL - Estimated Detection Limit
- LOD - Limit of Detection
- IDL - Instrument Detection Limit
- CRDL - Contract-Required Detection Limit (as defined by EPA)
- MDC - Minimum Detectable Concentration (Radiochemistry)
- UNKNOWN - for historical data only upon approval
|
Y
|
|
Result Lab Name
|
Name of lab that analyzed the sample.
|
254
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
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REQUIRED IF;Field Collection Type is Sample
|
Ex. " ALS Lab Group, Kelso WA" Search for EIM Lab valid values (online) Do not fill this out for Measurements. Some labs have new names due to mergers. Use the name the lab was under when your samples were analyzed. Need a lab added to EIM? Contact us online or ask your Data Coordinator.
|
Y
|
|
Result Lab Replicate ID
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Additional ID for lab replicate samples with the same primary Sample ID.
|
4
|
Alphanumeric. Free Text/Preferred Format.
|
REQUIRED FOR;lab replicates with same Sample ID
|
Ex. 1, 2, or LR1, LR2, or REX1, REX2, or DIL1, DIL2, etc. Lab (analytical) replicates are separate analyses of sub-samples created in the lab from a single field sample. They are used to assess error associated with sample heterogeneity, sample treatment, and analytical procedures - or variability of organism responses to toxicity tests. Download help for "Lab Dilutions and Re-Extractions."
|
Y
|
|
Result Method (Code) / Well Water Level Method (Code)
|
Code assigend to a procedure or method used to derive a result. Includes lab (analytical), field (measurement), and derivation methods.
|
20
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
REQUIRED IF;Field Collection Type is Sample or Measurement
|
Must be valid EIM Method Code. Search for EIM Method valid values (online). Ex. "SW8260" – Analysis Method Code with description “Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), Revision 2” Ex. "GWLMT" – Measurement Method Code with description "Groundwater level by electric tape measurement" Download help for learning "About EIM Methods." Need a method added to EIM? Contact us online or ask your Data Coordinator.
|
Y
|
|
Result Method (Description) / Well Water Level Method (Description)
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Description of a procedure or method used to derive a result. Includes lab (analytical), field (measurement), and derivation methods.
|
254
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
Administrative;
|
Ex. Code "SW8082 Description: "Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) by Gas Chromatography"
|
Y
|
|
Result Rejected Flag
|
A flag that indicates whether a user has rejected a particular result record (Sample or Measurement) for a specific reason. In order to complete the rejection of a result, the user also must enter a reason for the rejection in either of two attribute text fields, Result Validation Method or Result Value Comment.
|
1
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
Administrative;
|
Valid Values: Y - Yes,
N - No,
U - Unknown
|
Y
|
|
Result Reporting Limit
|
Minimum concentration at which detection of a parameter is reported. Usually chosen by the laboratory and usually above a parameter's method detection limit.
|
10
|
Numeric.
|
REQUIRED FOR;non-detects and some J-qualified data
|
Ex. "4.60" Must be a number. Value must have same units as Result Value. Labs should provide this information for most data. You may not have this information for historical data. Download help for "Entering Non-Detects and Estimates.”
|
Y
|
|
Result Reporting Limit Type
|
Specifies the type of Reporting Limit provided by the lab.
|
9
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
REQUIRED IF;you enter a Result Reporting Limit
|
Valid Values: MRL - Method Reporting Limit
PQL - Practical Quantitation Limit
EQL - Estimated Quantitation Limit
LLOQ - Lower Limit of Quantitation (EPA SW-846 methods only)
LOQ - Limit of Quantitation
SQL - Sample Quantitation Limit
CRQL - Contract-Required Quantitation Limit (as defined by EPA)
LabDef - Lab Defined (limited use)
UNKNOWN - for historical data only upon approval
|
Y
|
|
Result System ID
|
A unique, system-generated ID assigned to each Result by EIM when the record is inserted.
|
10
|
Numeric.
|
System-generated;
|
Ex. "56789"
|
Y
|
|
Result Taxon Group
|
Search by taxa in groups instead of individually. Groups have specific attributes, like all taxa that are invertebrates. Taxa can belong to more than one group. Taxa at the Result level are usually from counts and measurements. Note that EIM's groups are not complete and that some taxa may be missing.
|
50
|
Alphanumeric. Free Text.
|
Administrative;
|
|
Y
|
|
Result Taxon Level Code
|
The taxonomic level of the subject taxa.
|
10
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
Administrative;
|
Valid Values: Kingdom,
Phylum or Division,
Subphylum,
Superclass,
Class,
Subclass,
Infraclass,
Superorder,
Order,
Suborder,
Infraorder,
Superfamily,
Family,
Subfamily,
Tribe,
Genus,
Subgenus,
Species,
Subspecies
|
Y
|
|
Result Taxon Life Stage
|
Describes life stage of an organism.
|
50
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
REQUIRED FOR;some macroinvertebrate taxonomic data
|
Valid Values: Adult,
Egg,
Juvenile,
Larva,
Megalopa,
Nauplius
Nymph,
Pupa
Zoea
For more information, see help documents "Benthic Organism Counts - Freshwater" and "Benthic Organism Counts - Marine ."
|
Y
|
|
Result Taxon Name
|
Scientific or common name of the subject taxon. This is used if what you are reporting is an organism count. This is not used if an analysis was performed on animal or plant tissue.
|
254
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
REQUIRED FOR;taxonomic data submitted as counts
|
Ex. "Leptoceridae" (Common name "long-horn caddisflies") If your data are not counts, but rather results from an analysis performed on animal or plant tissue, fill out Sample Taxon Name instead. Search for EIM Taxa valid values (online) Need a critter added to EIM? Contact us online or ask your Data Coordinator
|
Y
|
|
Result Taxon TSN
|
Integrated Taxon Identification System (ITIS) Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN).
|
10
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
Optional;
|
Ex. "116547" (TSN for Family "Leptoceridae")
|
Y
|
|
Result Taxon Unidentified Species
|
Indicates that a subject taxon has been observed but not positively identified to the species level. The next highest taxonomic level (usually genus) is indicated in the Result Taxon Name field.
|
10
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
REQUIRED IF;more than one unidentified species in the same sample is reported under the same parent taxon
|
Valid Values: SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, SP5, SP6, SP7, SP8, SP9 Assign sequentially for each unidentified species in the same sample reported using the same parent taxon. Roll the Result Taxon Name and TSN up to the next taxonomic level (usually genus). Download help for "Entering Unidentified Species Data."
|
Y
|
|
Result Validation Level
|
Third-party or independent expert data validation following the most updated versions of USEPA guidance and national functional guidelines. Pre-August 2013 data follows older guidance.
|
1
|
Alphanumeric. Free Text.
|
Administrative;
|
If the data were NOT validated by third-party or independent experts, leave this field blank and specify QA information ONLY at the Study level (Study QA Assessment Level). If your data were externally validated by third-party or independent experts and you are using this field to indicate the EPA validation stage, set your Study QA Assessment Level to “See Results.”
|
Y
|
|
Result Value / Well Water Level Value
|
Reported result value for a particular parameter.
|
20
|
Numeric.
|
REQUIRED IF;Field Collection Type is Sample or Measurement
|
Must be a number. No commas, no less-than (<) symbols, no NDs for non-detects, no zeros (0) for non-detects. Ex. "4.60" (lab analysis showed soil sample contained 4.60 micrograms of cadmium). Ex. "26.2" (water level 26.2 feet below the measuring point). Observations – leave this field blank. Non-detects/censored data - record the reporting or detection limit in this field and use the appropriate qualifier (U or U-variant) in the Result Data Qualifier field. Download help for "Entering Non-Detects and Estimates.”
|
Y
|
|
Result Value Number / Well Water Level Value Number
|
Reported result value for a particular parameter. Numerically stored version, copied over from the Result Value field. Used to perform calculations.
|
20
|
Numeric.
|
System-generated;
|
Ex. "0.325"
|
Y
|
|
Result Value Text / Well Water Level Value Text
|
Reported result value for a particular parameter. Shown exactly as it was entered into the database, stored in text format. This value is also copied to a numeric field in the database (Result Value Number), in order to perform calculations.
|
20
|
Numeric.
|
REQUIRED IF;Field Collection Type is Sample or Measurement
|
Ex. "0.325"
|
Y
|
|
Result Value Units / Well Water Level Value Units
|
Units of measure associated with a Result Value.
|
10
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
REQUIRED IF;Field Collection Type is Sample or Measurement
|
Ex. "ppm" (parts per million) Must be a valid EIM Unit. Search for EIM Units (online). Observations – leave this field blank. Need a unit added to EIM? Contact us online or ask your Data Coordinator.
|
Y
|
|
Results
|
The Results associated with a particular Study or field Location.Results represent specific information about an environmental Parameter. Results are determined by field measurements, physical observations, or analytical procedures performed on samples. Results are the basis for the analysis of environmental conditions.
|
0
|
Not a Field (information or instruction)
|
Informational;
|
|
Y
|
|
Salmon Recovery Region
|
Geographic area dividing Washington State into segments of environmental study. These regions were established by the Governor's Salmon Recovery Office (now the Recreation and Conservation Office). Searching by one or more of these regions will return all sites that fall within the selected regions(s). Link to mapped boundaries: https://www.rco.wa.gov/salmon_recovery/regions/regional_orgs_map.shtml
|
50
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
Administrative;
|
Valid Values: - Puget Sound
- Hood Canal
- Washington Coast
- Lower Columbia River
- Middle Columbia River
- Upper Columbia River
- Northeast Washington
- Snake River
|
Y
|
|
Sample Collection Method (Code)
|
Code assigned to a procedure or method used to collect a sample.
|
20
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
REQUIRED FOR;some data types like stormwater, macroinvertebrate, groundwater, and others
|
Ex. "BAIL-TEF" - Bailer, teflon Search for EIM Method valid values (online) Download help for learning "About EIM Methods" Need a method added to EIM? Contact us online or ask your Data Coordinator
|
Y
|
|
Sample Collection Method (Description)
|
Description of a procedure or method used to collect a sample.
|
2000
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
Administrative;
|
|
Y
|
|
Sample Composite
|
A single sample created by combining two or more discrete samples collected spatially and/or temporally.
|
0
|
Not a Field (information or instruction)
|
Informational;
|
|
Y
|
|
Sample Composite Flag
|
Indicates that the sample is a composite created by combining two or more discrete samples collected spatially and/or temporally.
|
1
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
REQUIRED IF;Field Collection Type is Sample
|
Valid Values: Y - Yes
N - No
U - Unknown Download help for "Entering Composite Samples."
|
Y
|
|
Sample Field Replicate ID
|
Secondary ID to identify a field replicate sample. Field replicates are separate samples identically collected as close as possible to the same point in space and time as the original sample. They are stored in separate containers, each of which is identically processed and analyzed. Field replicates provide insight into field and laboratory procedure variability (and in some cases contaminant distribution).
|
4
|
Alphanumeric. Free Text/Preferred Format.
|
REQUIRED IF;sample is a replicate and shares a Sample ID with one or more samples
|
Ex. 1, 2, 3, or FR1, FR2, FR3, etc. Replicate samples often have separate Sample IDs; however, they may have the same Sample ID in some instances. The Sample Field Replicate ID is necessary to differentiate them in these cases. Download help for "Entering Field Replicates."
|
Y
|
|
Sample ID
|
Primary ID to identify a sample. May be selected by the sampler or assigned by the lab.
|
50
|
Alphanumeric. Free Text.
|
REQUIRED IF;Field Collection Type is Sample
|
Ex. "1304017-04" or "C1" or "MW1" Must match the corresponding Sample ID used in reports or other documents. The laboratory-assigned sample ID is often entered in this field, but not always. For example, upland cleanup sites commonly use IDs like MW1 to identify the location from which the sample was collected. Check with your data coordinator if you have questions about Sample IDs. Split samples sent to different labs must be assigned the same Sample ID before entry into EIM. Do not enter the data with mismatching lab-assigned sample IDs. This includes bioassay and chemistry data from the same sample. For information on Sample IDs and field replicates, download help for "Entering Field Replicates."
|
Y
|
|
Sample Matrix
|
Describes the environmental medium which was measured or from which a sample was taken.
|
14
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
REQUIRED;
|
Valid Values: Air/Gas,
Other Liquid,
Habitat,
Solid/Sediment,
Tissue,
Water Tip: the Sample Matrix for porewater is solid/sediment.
|
Y
|
|
Sample Method Other
|
Additional data input field for collection, preparation, or preservation method.
|
20
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
Optional;
|
Search for EIM Method valid values (online) Download help for learning "About EIM Methods" Need a method added to EIM? Contact us online or ask your Data Coordinator
|
Y
|
|
Sample Percent Sorted
|
Percent of sample that is sorted. For benthic macroinvertebrate and periphyton count data.
|
3
|
Numeric. Valid Values.
|
REQUIRED FOR;macro-invertebrate and periphyton counts
|
Valid Values: 1-100 Ex. "30" for macroinvertebrates or "0.00001468" for periphyton For macroinvertebrates, usually the number of grid squares counted, divided by the total number of grid squares, times 100. Periphyton count sample percent sorted will be a very small number. Download help for “Periphyton Counts” Download help for "Benthic Organism Counts - Freshwater" Download help for "Benthic Organism Counts - Marine"
|
Y
|
|
Sample Preparation Method (Code)
|
Code assigned to procedure or method used to prepare a sample.
|
20
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
REQUIRED FOR;some data types like TCLP/SPLP, filtered water samples, and others
|
Ex. "SW3010A" (Acid Digestion of Aqueous Samples and Extracts for Total Metals for Analysis by FLAA or ICP Spectroscopy, Revision 1) Ex. “FILTER.45um”
Search for EIM Method valid values (online) Download help for learning "About EIM Methods" Need a method added to EIM? Contact us online or ask your Data Coordinator
|
Y
|
|
Sample Preparation Method (Description)
|
Description of procedure or method used to prepare a sample.
|
2000
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
Administrative;
|
|
Y
|
|
Sample Preservation Method (Code)
|
Code assigned to a procedure or method used to preserve a sample.
|
20
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
Optional;
|
Ex. "ETHANOL85" (Sample preserved in 85% ethanol-filled container upon collection) If you are entering data, use the Sample Method Other field to enter Sample Preservation Method. Search for EIM Method valid values (online) Download help for learning "About EIM Methods" Need a method added to EIM? Contact us online or ask your Data Coordinator
|
Y
|
|
Sample Preservation Method (Description)
|
Description of a procedure or method used to preserve a sample.
|
2000
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
Administrative;
|
|
Y
|
|
Sample Replicate Flag
|
Indicates that the sample is a field replicate. Field replicates are separate samples identically collected as close as possible to the same point in space and time as the original sample. They are stored in separate containers, each of which is identically processed and analyzed. Field replicates provide insight into field and laboratory procedure variability (and in some cases contaminant distribution).
|
1
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
REQUIRED IF;sample or measurement is a field replicate
|
Valid Values: Y - Yes N - No Download help for "Entering Field Replicates."
|
Y
|
|
Sample Source
|
Describes the environmental resource which was measured or from which a sample was taken. More specific than Sample Matrix.
|
30
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
REQUIRED;
|
See Sample Source valid values (online).
|
Y
|
|
Sample Sub ID
|
Secondary ID to identify a set of field split samples. Mostly used for sediment data. For split samples with the same Sample ID or with different Sample IDs.
|
4
|
Alphanumeric. Free Text/Preferred Format.
|
REQUIRED IF;sample is a field split and shares a Sample ID with one or more sub-samples
|
Ex. 1, 2, 3, or SS1, SS2, SS3, etc. First split is 1, second is 2, etc., no matter what the Sample ID is. To create a split sample, a single field sample (often created by compositing several samples from the same field location) is split in the field into two or more sub-samples. This is done so different types of analyses can be performed (e.g., toxicity, chemistry) or the same analyses can be performed by different laboratories. Each split or sub-sample is analyzed individually.
|
Y
|
|
Sample Taxon Group
|
Search by taxa in groups instead of individually. Groups have specific attributes, like all taxa that are fish. Taxa can belong to more than one group. Taxa at the Sample level are usually tissue samples. Note that EIM's groups are not complete and that some taxa may be missing.
|
50
|
Alphanumeric. Free Text.
|
Administrative;
|
|
Y
|
|
Sample Taxon Name
|
Scientific or common name of the subject taxon, commonly species level. Specified when an analysis was performed by a lab on animal or plant tissue.
|
254
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
REQUIRED IF;Sample Source is Animal Tissue or Plant Tissue
|
Ex. Species "Oncorhynchus keta" (common name "Chum salmon"). Search for EIM Taxa valid values (online) If you have macroinvertebrate or plant COUNTS, fill out Result Taxon Name instead. Need a critter added to EIM? Contact us online or ask your Data Coordinator.
|
Y
|
|
Sample Taxon TSN
|
Integrated Taxon Identification System (ITIS) Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN)
|
10
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
Optional;
|
Ex. "161976" (TSN for species "Oncorhynchus keta") Search for EIM Taxa valid values (online)
|
Y
|
|
Sample Tissue Type
|
Type of animal or plant tissue that was sampled or measured.
|
254
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
Required if;Sample Matrix is Tissue
|
Fillet, skin off
Whole organism, not shell
|
Y
|
|
Sample Use
|
Indicates that the sample was collected for a specific purpose, namely background, reference, or test. Commonly used for sediment data.
|
1
|
Alphanumeric. Valid Values.
|
REQUIRED FOR;sediment data when bioassay analyses were done on the same sample
|
Valid Values: B - Background Sample
R - Reference Sample
T - Test Sample
I - Initial Sample (for bioaccumulation T0 (time zero) tissue concentration data only) Tip: Use “B” to indicate that a sample was collected as a background sample for the Study even if it's not included in the final background calculation (due to suspected contaminant sources or other inappropriate data).
|
Y
|
|
Sample Year
|
Calendar year in which the environmental data was collected from the field. Searching for a specific year or range of years will only return sites where data was collected during the year(s) selected.
|
0
|
Not a Field (information or instruction)
|
Informational;
|
2009 to 2011
|
Y
|
|
Samples With Chemistry And Bioassay Data Only
|
Check this to return only bioassay data for samples that have associated chemistry data (collected at the same time and place).
EIM uses these fields to match control and reference samples to test samples: - Study ID
- Location ID
- Field Collection Start Date
- Field Collection Upper Depth
- Sample Matrix
- Sample Source
|
0
|
Not a Field (information or instruction)
|
Informational;
|
|
Y
|
|
Section Number
|
In the Section/Township/Range (STR) grid system, the section in which the Location exists. Each Section is a 1-mile square tract of land containing 640 acres. There are 36 sections in a Township/Range.
|
2
|
Numeric. Valid Values.
|
System-generated;
|
Valid Values: 01-36
|
Y
|
|
337 records
|