General description of what the coordinates represent.

For coordinates that don’t represent a discrete monitoring point (25-29), use the Location Description column (Column D) to describe the monitoring area, stream segment, or transect where data were collected.

Results from locations that represent centroids (25) should be flagged as composite Y in the result template. Download help for Composite Samples.

Stream segement (26) applies to a length of stream segment. Only use it when you are collecting data from multiple points within a stream segment and you want all those data to be associated with a single EIM location. It’s most commonly used for habitat data.

Additional ID for lab replicate samples with the same primary Sample ID.

Bioassay lab 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.

lab replicates with same Sample ID

Free text / preferred format.

1, 2, etc.

Marine bioassays normally have 5 replicates and freshwater bioassays have 8 replicates per sample, test and endpoint.

The beginning value for a Bioassay, such as the number of individuals present.

Must be a positive number or zero

• 0
• 1.1
• 2.88
• 100, etc.

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.

Sample Source is Animal Tissue or Plant Tissue

Must be valid EIM Taxon Name.

• Oncorhynchus keta
• Achnanthes subhudsonis

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.

Model used to project the horizontal position of the field location to a map.

• GPS Unit = Check unit’s settings for datum
• EIM Map = NAD83HARN
• Google Earth = WGS84

Locations using Washington State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS) should only use NAD83 or NAD83HARN.

Integrated Taxon Identification System (ITIS) Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN)

Must be valid EIM Taxon TSN.

• 161976
• 3559

The end value for a Bioassay, such as the number of individuals present.

Must be a positive number or zero

• 0
• 53.5
• 1.75
• 84, etc.

Best estimate of horizontal coordinate accuracy for a field location.

Download help for Horizontal Coordinate Accuracy.

Unit of measure associated with the Bioassay Initial and Final Values.

Type of animal or plant tissue that was sampled or measured.

Sample Source is Animal Tissue or Plant Tissue

• Fillet, skin off
• Whole organism, not shell

Method used to collect the horizontal coordinates for a field location.

For more information about different GPS technologies, download help for Horizontal Coordinate Accuracy.

Percent of sample that is sorted. For benthic macroinvertebrate and periphyton count data.

macro-invertebrate and periphyton counts

0-100

• 30 (macroinvertebrates)
• 0.00001468 (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 is a very small number.

Download help for Periphyton Counts.

Download help for Benthic Invertebrate Identification and Counts

Scale of the paper base map used to determine the geographic position of the field location.

EIM no longer takes this info

Historical 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

Attribute observed the end of the Bioassay.

Point at which the elevation at a field location was measured.

except for EIWs with groundwater chemistry data only

If you choose Land Surface, Well Water Level Measuring Point or TOC Height (AQ) is required.

Note: Use Well Water Level Measuring Point only if the measuring point isn’t the top of casing (like an access port).

The percent that the Bioassay sample is diluted.

• 0-100

Negative Control samples use 0.

Test and Reference Samples use 100 (except in rare cases for Test).

Initial Value and Positive Control Samples can be whatever values are provided.

• 0
• 30
• 100

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..

Must be a valid EIM Parameter Name.

• Cadmium
• Fish, Number in Composite Sample

Observations - use "Unable to measure"

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

A unique number assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Division of the American Chemical Society to each distinct chemical substance recorded in the Chemical Registry System.

provided by your lab.

Format XXXXXX-XX-X to XX-XX-X

Must be a valid EIM CAS Number.

• 30002-00-9
• 5905-01-1

Must include dashes.

Don't enter non-CAS identifiers like "temp." Don’t fill this out for Measurements.

If your lab didn’t supply CAS numbers, you don’t need to provide them. EIM will automatically populate CAS numbers based on parameter names. If you provide CAS numbers, EIM will cross-check parameter names and CAS numbers for accuracy.

Excel can reformat some CAS numbers into dates. EIM templates are preformatted to avoid this, but if you open a CSV in Excel, be cautious.

Download help for Preserving Values Corrupted by Excel.

See info on CAS numbers that reformat into dates (in this document).

The distance of a field location above or below a vertical reference point. In feet or meters.

except for EIWs with groundwater chemistry data only

-9999999.999

to

0000000.000

to

9999999.999

• 356
• - 7.2

Note: This is the elevation of the point specified in column AH (Elevation of).

Marine and freshwater sediment surface (or mudline) elevations are measured relative to a reference point like mean sea level (column AN). They are often (but not always) negative values.

Basis on which the bioassay value was reported - either as the sample was received by the lab (wet weight) or adjusted to remove moisture (dry weight). Sediment bioassays are normally reported in dry weight.

information was reported by lab

Some bioassay tests require more than one endpoint to be reported.

The date that the lab analyzed the sample.

This is the date the result was created by the lab analysis, not the date the report was generated by the lab.

Field Collection Type is Sample

MM/DD/YYYY

• 06/23/1999
• 11/15/2022

Don’t fill this out for Measurements.

Units in which the elevation of a field location is expressed.

except for EIWs with groundwater chemistry data only

Additional treatment performed on the Bioassay sample.

information was reported by lab

Vertical reference point from which elevation was measured at a field location.

except for EIWs with groundwater chemistry data only

GPS unit = Check unit’s settings for datum.

Google Earth and EIM Map = NAVD88.

Local datum = You must convert your elevation data to NAVD88 if you used another datum, including local datums.

Download help for Converting Local Elevation Datums to NAVD88.

For sediment elevations, leave this column blank. See Sediment Elevation Reference (Column AN).

Standard annotations indicating deviations from the Bioassay protocol.

test deviated from protocol (U or D in Bioassay Data Acceptability column)

Indicates if the Lab Analysis Date is accurate to the day, week, month, or year. Except for historical data, most cases are Day.

Don't fill this out for Measurements.

Rating of the Bioassay data quality.

The time that the lab analyzed the sample.

This is the time the result was created by the lab analysis, not the time the report was generated by the lab.

Parameters with a holding time of 48 hours or fewer

HH:MM:SS or HH:MM

• Enter 24-hour time
• Enter local time

• 16:00:36 (interpreted as 4 PM)
• 9:56 (interpreted as 9:56 AM)
• 00:00:00 (interpreted as 12 AM midnight)

Leave blank for unknown time - don’t enter zero.

Don’t fill this out for Measurements.

Best estimate of elevation accuracy at a field location.

except for EIWs with groundwater chemistry data only

Reported result value for a particular parameter.

Field Collection Type is Sample or Measurement

Must be a number.

• No commas
• No less-than (<) symbols
• No “NDs”
• No zeros for non-detects

• 4.60 (lab analysis showed soil sample contained 4.60 micrograms of cadmium).
• 26.2 (water level 26.2 feet below the measuring point).

Measurements – check the accuracy of your instrument and report the appropriate significant digits.

Download help for Field Measurements

If viewing your data in Excel, be cautious of auto-reformatting. Digits may be lost unless these cells are formatted as Text. For more information about preserving the formatting in this field, download help for Preserving Values Corrupted by Excel.

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.

The method used to measure elevation at a field location.

except for EIWs with groundwater chemistry only

Comments about the Bioassay values.

Free text / preferred format.

For Tests and Negative Controls, LC50 or EC 50 values are entered here.

• LC50 = 6.67 ug /L of Cadmium.

Units of measure associated with a Result Value.

Field Collection Type is Sample or Measurement

Must be a valid EIM Unit.

• ug/L

Observations – leave this field blank.

Need a unit added to EIM? Contact us online or ask your data coordinator.

Comments about the Bioassay positive control.

Free text / preferred format.

For positive controls, enter the chemical name, the chemical formula, the largest concentration used, and the toxicant.

• Cadmium chloride; CdCl2*2.5H2O; 60ug/L; Cadmium.

For tests and negative controls enter the appropriate LC50 or EC50 values.

Reference point for the depth (elevation) of a marine or freshwater sediment field location.

marine or freshwater sediment locations with elevation specified in the Elevation column (AI)

Don’t fill this out unless the location is a sediment location (marine or freshwater).

If you used a reference point not listed here, contact your Data Coordinator.

Minimum concentration at which detection of a parameter is reported. Usually chosen by the laboratory and usually above a parameter's method detection limit.

non-detects and some J-qualified data.

Also required for detects, if available.

Not required for measurements.

Must be a number.

Must have same units as Result Value.

• 4.60
• 0.23

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.

ID for the point on the well from which water levels are measured. Often top of well casing (TOC).

except for EIWs with groundwater chemistry data only

Valid Values:

TOC1 - when measured from top of casing

TOC2 -when measured from a secondary point at top of casing (like when the casing gets cut off)

MP1 - when measured from access port or similar

MP2 - when measured from a secondary access port or similar

Tip: If the top of casing gets cut off or you have more than one measuring point, contact your Data Coordinator. They will enter a new Measuring Point ID into EIM for you.

Procedure or method used to derive a result.

Must be a valid EIM Bioassay Method Code.

• PSEP-BIO95 - Puget Sound Estuary Protocols, Laboratory Bioassays on Puget Sound Sediments, Rev. 1995

Use UNKNOWN-BIOASSAY for SEDQUAL and non-SEDQUAL legacy data where method is not known.

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

The name of the lab that conducted the Bioassay.

Must be valid EIM Lab Name.

• Spheros Environmental, Port Gamble WA

Some labs have new names due to buyouts or mergers. Please 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.

Specifies the type of Reporting Limit provided by the lab.

you enter a Result Reporting Limit

Description of the point on the well from which water levels are measured. Often top of well casing (TOC).

except for EIWs with groundwater chemistry data only

Free text

• Top of casing, notch on north side

The minimum quantity of an analyte that can be distinguished from background.

non-detects and some J-qualified data.

Also required for detects, if available.

Not required for measurements.

Must be a number.

Must have same units as Result Value.

• 2.90
• 0.45

Labs should provide this information for most data. You might not have this information for historical data.

Download help for Entering Non-Detects and Estimates.

Third-party expert data validation following 1989 PTI guidance.

applicable

For bioassay data that were not validated at QA1 or QA2, leave this field blank and specify the QA Assessment Level (1-5) at the Study Level in EIM.

Valid Value Details:

QA1: Level of quality assurance review acceptable for most sediment bioassay investigations conducted under the Washington State Sediment Management Standards (SMS), as well as for sediment sampling and analyses conducted to determine the suitability of dredged material for unconfined, open-water disposal at a Washington State Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP) site. A QA1 review of bioassay data covers field collection and handling, completeness, data presentation and reporting elements, and evaluates the acceptability of test results for positive controls, negative controls, reference sediment, replicates, and experimental conditions (temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen). Detailed guidance on QA1 review procedures is provided in PTI (1989a) and is available from Ecology.,

QA2: More rigorous level of quality assurance review appropriate for sediment bioassay data that are to be used for the development of Puget Sound Apparent Effects Threshold (AET) values. Also recommended in cases where the data may be used in litigation. This level of review ensures that the observed bioassay responses are not confounded by extraneous factors such as improper sample collection and processing, variable organism sensitivity, suboptimal experimental conditions, and erroneous endpoint determinations. QA2 review procedures are described in PTI (1989b), also available from Ecology.

Valid Value References:

PTI, 1989a. Puget Sound Dredged Disposal Analysis guidance manual: data quality evaluation for proposed dredged material disposal projects. Prepared for the Washington Department of Ecology, Olympia, WA. PTI Environmental Services, Bellevue, WA.

PTI. 1989b. Data validation guidance manual for selected sediment variables. Prepared for the Washington Department of Ecology, Olympia, WA. PTI Environmental Services, Bellevue, WA.

Distance from the land surface to the point where the water level was measured (often top of well casing (TOC)). Synonymous with “casing stickup.”

“land surface” is specified in “Elevation of” field (AH) except for EIWs with groundwater chemistry data only (no water levels measured).

Report measuring points below land surface as negative values

• 2.8 (above ground)
• -0.5 (below ground)

Note: This isn’t wellhead surface elevation. See the Elevation column (AI) for that.

It is encouraged to populate this field for all wells.

Specifies the type of Detection Limit provided by the lab.

you enter a Result Detection Limit

Scientific or common name of the Bioassay organism.

Must be a valid EIM Taxon Name.

• Daphnia pulex
• Hyalella Azteca

Make sure the taxon name is correctly paired with the taxon in the test name for the Bioassay Type.

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

Units in which the measuring point height is expressed.

Well Water Level Measuring Point or TOC Height is populated

Date on which the measuring point was first used.

Format: MM/DD/YYYY

• 03/15/1999
• 12/22/2021

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.

applicable

Must be a valid EIM Result Data Qualifier. The qualifier must be appropriate to the type of data (lab/sample, measurement, well water level, observation).

• Lab/Sample - J (Analyte positively identified. Associated numerical result is an estimate).
• Measurement - EST (Measurement value reported is estimated.).
• Observation - FH (Flow too high to measure).
• 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. Don’t use the < symbol before the value or an "ND" for the value. Download help for Entering Non-Detects and Estimates.

Note: Since lab qualifiers aren’t universal, the qualifiers in your dataset might not match EIM’s. Pick a qualifier that best represents the one assigned by your lab. Put your lab’s qualifier and definition in the Result Comment (column AZ) or Result Additional Comment (column BA) field.

If you use EST (measurements) you must add a comment to Result Comment (column AZ) or Result Additional Comment (column BA) explaining why your result is an estimate.

If the sample exceeds the holding time, you must enter a Result Data Qualifier.

Integrated Taxon Identification System (ITIS) Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN) of the Bioassay organism.

Must be a valid EIM Taxon TSN.

• 83874
• 94026