Issue 11, 2000
From the journal:

Analyst

Sampling proficiency test for the estimation of uncertainty in the spatial delineation of contamination

Sharon Squire,†*a   Michael H. Ramsey,b   Michael J. Gardnerc  and  Dustin Listerd  

* Corresponding authors

a Environmental Geochemistry Research Group, T. H. Huxley School of Environment, Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK

b Centre for Environmental Research, School of Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex, UK

c WRc-NSF, Henley Road, Medmenham, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, UK

d 3D Visualisation, T. H. Huxley School of Environment, Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK

Abstract

The performance of samplers in their ability to delineate spatially a region of contamination has been assessed by the use of a sampling proficiency test (SPT) on a synthetic reference sampling target (RST). The RST was used to compare the participant’s estimate of the extent of contamination with that of the assigned dimensions. These dimensions were defined based on the analyte spiked into the site and verified by the collection of field samples. Nine participants collected soil samples independently using protocols selected on the basis of their own professional judgement. Test portions from these samples were then analysed by the SPT coordinator under repeatability conditions. The resulting concentration measurements were sent to each participant for them to make their own interpretation of the spatial distribution of the contamination above a defined threshold concentration. For each participant the reported spatial extent of contamination was compared with the assigned dimensions of the hot spot to provide a score based on a novel adaptation of the International Harmonised Protocol. The consensus of the participants’ spatial delineations that were deemed fit-for-purpose using a cost-effectiveness scoring system were used to estimate the area within which the assigned hot spot was positioned with 95% confidence. The score for this ‘consensus’ hot spot area was 0.64 when compared with the assigned dimensions, where a score of 0 indicates perfect spatial delineation and a score of ⩽3 indicates acceptable performance for this particular investigation.

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Article information

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1039/B004421K
Article type
Paper
Submitted
02 Jun 2000
Accepted
11 Sep 2000
First published
13 Oct 2000

Analyst, 2000,125, 2026-2031

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Sampling proficiency test for the estimation of uncertainty in the spatial delineation of contamination

S. Squire, M. H. Ramsey, M. J. Gardner and D. Lister, Analyst, 2000, 125, 2026 DOI: 10.1039/B004421K

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