| Study ID | MRED0003 |
| Study Name | Assessing Dioxin in Groundwater, Lower Yakima Valley |
| EIM Data Entry Review Status | Not Reviewed |
| Study Type | General environmental study |
| Study Purpose | To assess dioxin in groundwater in the lower Yakima valley. |
| Field Collection Date Range | 11/4/2019 - 4/28/2021 |
| Data First/Last Loaded Date |  |
| Data Last Updated Date | |
| Ecology Program or Other Responsible Entity | Ecy Environmental Assessment Program |
| Ecology Contact | Melanie Redding |
| Ecology Monitoring Program | |
| Submitting Organization | WA Department of Ecology |
| Study QA Planning Level | LEVEL 4: Approved QAPP or SAP. |
| Study QA Project Plan Description | |
| Study QA Assessment Level | Level 1: Data neither Verified nor Assessed for Usability |
| Study Result Description | Link to technical memo on Ecology webpage: https://tinyurl.com/2hvre8rh |
| Study Comment | Quality assurance measures are important for credible data.
For this study, Ecology used quality assurance and quality control practices for dioxins to figure out the levels of background contamination, limits of detection, and the variability of sample results. The laboratory method to analyze dioxins is very sensitive, and cross-contamination can easily occur.
Dioxins are found throughout the world in our environment. They are found mostly in soil, sediment, and food. Very low levels are found in plants, water, and air. Because of this, numerous blank samples were analyzed in order to determine the threshold at which dioxins in well water samples could be distinguished from dioxins already present in the environment and the analytical and sampling processes.
Blank samples are ultra-pure water that is free of dioxins and supplied by the laboratory. These blank samples were sent back to the lab along with the other samples.
The types of blanks analyzed for this study included laboratory and field blanks. Laboratory blanks consist of pure water samples that are analyzed along with the collected samples. Three types of field blanks were used: travel blanks, transfer blanks, and an equipment blank.
Replicates of some types of blanks were used during each 3-day sampling event. Three travel blanks were analyzed during each sampling event (one blank for each day of the three days of sampling). Travel blanks remained in the vehicle the samplers drove to each sampling site, but were never opened.
Blank samples help determine where contamination may be occurring during the sampling and analytical process.
Dioxins that were present in these unopened bottles, both laboratory and field blanks, are referred to as “noise” or “background” contamination.
To fully comprehend the data contained in this study, please also take a look at the dioxin levels found in the travel blanks, transfer blanks, and equipment blanks. |
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