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Annex B-4 Standard Operating Procedures
HELCOM/OSPAR | Title of Standard Operating Procedure | Issue no.: 1 |
Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Principle
1.3 Extent
1.4 Disturbances
1.5 Contamination risk
1.6 Safety
2. Preparation
2.1 Cleaning and purification
2.2 Sample identification
2.3 Reagents
2.4 Prior to sampling
2.5 Protocol
3. Sampling
3.1 Sampling
3.2 Preservation/Processing
3.3 Storage
4. Method description
4.1 Reagents
4.2 Calibration solutions
4.3 Processing
4.4 Calibration
4.5 Analysis
5. Calculations
5.1 Calculation function
5.2 Calculations
5.3 Precision and accuracy
6. Quality assurance and evaluation
6.1 Control charts
6.2 Evaluation
7. Report format
8. Equipment
9. Chemicals and solutions
10. References
11. Appendices
1. Introduction
Presentation of the method and its relevance as an environmental quality factor. Relevant references are provided.
1.1 Background
General description of the basis for the method for non-experts with some detail and references.
1.2 Principle
Detiled description of the principle behind the method for e.g. technicians.
1.3 Extent
Present under what environmental conditions the method is applicable. For example present limitation due to salinity, temperature, concentrations, rates or other factors.
1.4 Disturbances
Present factors that may cause erroneous results by the method
1.5 Contamination risk
Present compounds that may contaminate the sample, distort specimens or hamper growth.
1.6 Safety
Present hazardous substances used in the method and precautions that should be applied.
2. Preparations
2.1 Cleaning and purification
2.2 Identification of sample
2.3 Reagents
2.4 Before cruise/sampling
2.5 Protocol
Identify protocols for e.g. logistic data, incubation conditions that should be used.
3. Sampling
3.1 Sampling
3.1.1 Sampling strategy
Provide advice on sampling frequency in time and spatial coverage of stations that is recommended based on statistical considerations.
3.1.2 Sampling method
3.2 Preservation/processing
Give time limits within which sample processing or analysis should have been completed.
3.3 Storage
4. Method description
4.1 Reagents
4.2 Calibration solutions
4.3 Processing
4.4 Calibration
Define calibrations of instruments that should be performed routinely.
4.5 Analysis
5. Calculations
5.1 Calculation functions
5.2 Calculations
Present how calculations are best performed by e.g. manually, by data bases or distributed software.
5.3 Measurement uncertainty
Provide extended measurement uncertainty estimates of the method and detection limit according to current international standards and guidelines.
6. Quality assurance and evaluation
6.1 Control charts
Recommend suitable control charts according to international scientific guidelines.
6.2 Evaluation
Describe quality criteria for approval of a measurement value.
7. Reporting
Present variables and other information that should be supplied with measurement values of the operating procedure.
Table 2. Primary database variables and units.
| Parameter | SI-unit | Valid digits | Calculation function | Category | Database acronyme | Value example |
† footnote.
Define what primary (raw) data that should be reported.
Table 3. Calculated parameters.
| Parameter | SI-unit | Valid digits | Calculation function | Category | Database acronyme | Value example |
8. Equipment
Detailed presentation of equipment, its performance, model number and brand.
9. Chemicals and solutions
Detailed description of solutions and chemicals, their quality requirements, distributor, concentrations, preparations procedure and storage.
10. References
Give full traceable reference to scientific literature, reports or links to web sites.
Last updated: 4.1.2008