BATCH: A group of samples which behave similarly with respect to the sampling or the testing procedures being employed and which are processed as a unit. For QC purposes, if the number of samples in a group is greater than 20, then each group of 20 samples or less will all be handled as a separate batch.

CONTINUING CALIBRATION BLANK: A blank which is analyzed at the beginning of each analytical batch to verify that the instrument baseline is zero and that the instrument is free of contamination. This is used primarily for metals and wet chemistry analyses.

CONTINUING CALIBRATION STANDARD: A mid-level standard which is analyzed with each analytical batch to verify the initial calibration.

EQUIPMENT RINSATE or EQUIPMENT BLANK: A sample of analyte-free media which has been used to rinse the sampling equipment. It is collected after completion of decontamination and prior to sampling. This blank is useful in documenting adequate decontamination of sampling equipment.

ESTIMATED QUANTITATION LIMIT (EQL): The lowest concentration that can be reliably achieved within specified limits of precision and accuracy during routine laboratory operating conditions. The EQL is generally 5 to 10 times the MDL. However, it may be nominally chosen within these guidelines to simplify data reporting. For many analytes the EQL analyte concentration is selected as the lowest non-zero standard in the calibration curve. Sample EQLs are highly matrix-dependent. The EQLs in SW-846 are provided for guidance and may not always be achievable.

FIELD DUPLICATES: Independent samples which are collected as close as possible to the same point in space and time. They are two separate samples taken from the same source, stored in separate containers, and analyzed independently. These duplicates are useful in documenting the precision of the sampling process.

INTERFERENCE CHECK STANDARD: A standard that contains interfering elements at high concentrations and other non-interfering elements at trace concentrations to prove that the background correction intervals and inter-element correction factors have been set properly. Used in ICP metals analysis only.

INTERNAL STANDARD: A spike added to each organic analysis that is used in analyte quantitation. The internal standard is also used to verify instrument response and retention time stability.

LABORATORY CONTROL SPIKE: A known matrix spiked with compound(s) representative of the target analytes. This is used to show that sample preparation procedures do not contribute to loss of analytes.

MATRIX: The component or substrate (e.g., surface water, drinking water) which contains the analyte of interest.

MATRIX DUPLICATE: An intralaboratory split sample which is used to document the precision of a method in a given sample matrix.

MATRIX SPIKE: An aliquot of sample spiked with a known concentration of target analyte(s). The spiking occurs prior to sample preparation and analysis. A matrix spike is used to document the bias of a method in a given sample matrix.

MATRIX SPIKE DUPLICATES: Intralaboratory split samples spiked with identical concentrations of target analyte(s). The spiking occurs prior to sample preparation and analysis. They are used to document the precision and bias of a method in a given sample matrix.

METHOD BLANK: An analyte-free matrix to which all reagents are added in the same volumes or proportions as used in sample processing. The method blank should be carried through the complete sample preparation and analytical procedure. The method blank is used to document contamination resulting from the analytical process.

METHOD DETECTION LIMIT (MDL): The minimum concentration of a substance that can be measured and reported with 99% confidence that the analyte concentration is greater than zero and is determined from analysis of a sample in a given matrix containing the analyte.

ORGANIC-FREE REAGENT WATER: For volatiles, all references to water in the methods refer to water in which an interferant is not observed at the method detection limit of the compounds of interest. Organic-free reagent water can be generated by passing tap water through a carbon filter bed containing about 1 pound of activated carbon. A water purification system may be used to generate organic-free deionized water. Organic-free reagent water may also be prepared by boiling water for 15 minutes and, subsequently, while maintaining the temperature at 90?C, bubbling a contaminant-free inert gas through the water for 1 hour.

For semivolatiles and nonvolatiles, all references to water in the methods refer to water in which an interferant is not observed at the method detection limit of the compounds of interest. Organic-free reagent water can be generated by passing tap water through a carbon filter bed containing about 1 pound of activated carbon. A water purification system may be used to generate organic-free deionized water.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SAMPLES: Spiked samples containing an unknown identity and amount of target analyte(s). They may be prepared internally or provided by an outside source.

PRECISION: The agreement among a set of replicate measurements without assumption of knowledge of the true value. Precision is estimated by means of duplicate/replicate analyses. These samples should contain concentrations of analyte above the MDL, and may involve the use of matrix spikes. The most commonly used estimates of precision are the relative standard deviation (RSD) or the coefficient of variation (CV).

REAGENT GRADE: Analytical reagent (AR) grade, ACS reagent grade, and reagent grade are synonymous terms for reagents which conform to the current specifications of the Committee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society.

REAGENT WATER: Water that has been generated by any method which would achieve the performance specifications for ASTM Type II water. For organic analyses, see the definition of organic-free reagent water.

REFERENCE MATERIAL: A material containing known quantities of target analytes in solution or in a homogeneous matrix. It is used to document the bias of the analytical process.

SPLIT SAMPLES: Aliquots of sample taken from the same container and analyzed independently. In cases where aliquots of samples are impossible to obtain, field duplicate samples should be taken for the matrix duplicate analysis. These are usually taken after mixing or compositing and are used to document intra- or inter-laboratory precision.

STANDARD ADDITION: The practice of adding a known amount of an analyte to a sample immediately prior to analysis. It is typically used to evaluate interferences.

STANDARD CURVE: A plot of concentrations of known analyte standards versus the instrument response to the analyte. Calibration standards are prepared by successively diluting a standard solution to produce working standards that cover the working range of the instrument. Standards should be prepared at the frequency specified in the appropriate section. The calibration standards should be prepared using the same type of acid or solvent and at the same concentration as will result in the samples following sample preparation. This is applicable to organic and inorganic chemical analyses.

SURROGATE (or SYSTEM MONITORING COMPOUND): An organic compound which is similar to the target analyte(s) in chemical composition and behavior in the analytical process, but which is not normally found in environmental samples.

TRIP BLANK: A sample of analyte-free media taken from the laboratory to the sampling site and returned to the laboratory unopened. A trip blank is used to document contamination attributable to shipping and field handling procedures. This type of blank is useful in documenting contamination of volatile organics samples.