Evaluation of data quality in Japanese National Forest Inventory

We evaluated the quality of data being collected for the Japanese National Forest Inventory (NFI). The inventory program commenced in 1999 but has not incorporated a quality assurance (QA) program; we sought to determine what effect this was having on the quality of data being collected. Forty-eight plots in four prefectures were measured by operational field teams and then remeasured by a control team that made careful and unhurried measurements. The paired data were evaluated, including diameter, total height, tree count, species richness, and topographic condition. Compared to the control team, all field teams of each prefecture tended to significantly underestimate all of the continuous variables. Most variables had larger variability in the inventory data than has been reported in the published literature. The findings of consistent bias and large variation in the field team measurements call for urgent implementation of a quality assurance program (extensive field training and regular remeasurement) in the Japanese NFI to improve data quality, and this conclusion could be applied to the inventory system of any country that does not include a QA program.     

氟化物和总硬度分析项目相关性的检验

目前,通过中国实验室国家认可委员会的实验室,按照ISO/IEC17025:2005《校准和检测实验室能力通用要求》,都要制定并实施质量控制程序以监控检测和校准的有效性,所得数据的记录方式应便于可发现其发展趋势,如可行,应采用统计技术对结果进行审查。文章利用认可准则规定的五种方法中的一种方法,就分析一个物品不同特性结果的相关性,即利用某地下水水质的监测数据对氟化物、总硬度进行一元线性回归,检验其相关性是负相关,并建立了回归方程,绘制回归直线,充分验证了监测数据的有效性和可靠性,从而证明实验室利用的质量监控方法有效。     

基于城市大气挥发性有机物特征分析的数据质量评估方法及案例

城市大气挥发性有机物(VOCs)监测是空气质量监测网的重要组成部分,而数据质量控制和质量保证是VOCs监测的基础。基于8次中国城市大气VOCs外场监测,通过挖掘VOCs浓度、组成和化学活性的内在规律,对VOCs监测数据质量进行评估并总结方法。分析结果显示:城市大气乙烷和苯等长寿命组分具有明显的背景浓度,且区域背景值较为接近,可以用来诊断长寿命VOCs组分浓度异常偏低或偏高现象。而示踪组分的季节(日)变化规律可以用来识别VOCs组分定性问题(如夏季大气异戊二烯和烷基硝酸酯浓度日变化规律应反映植被排放和光化学反应特征)。另外,在气团混合均匀的情况下,VOCs浓度波动与其活性之间存在负相关,这一规律可以用来核查数据准确性或局地源影响。     

The role of metadata and strategies to detect and control temporal data bias in environmental monitoring of soil contamination

It is crucial for environmental monitoring to fully control temporal bias, which is the distortion of real data evolution by varying bias through time. Temporal bias cannot be fully controlled by statistics alone but requires appropriate and sufficient metadata, which should be under rigorous and continuous quality assurance and control (QA/QC) to reliably document the degree of consistency of the monitoring system. All presented strategies to detect and control temporal data bias (QA/QC, harmonisation/homogenisation/standardisation, mass balance approach, use of tracers and analogues and control of changing boundary conditions) rely on metadata. The Will Rogers phenomenon, due to subsequent reclassification, is a particular source of temporal data bias introduced to environmental monitoring here. Sources and effects of temporal data bias are illustrated by examples from the Swiss soil monitoring network. The attempt to make a comprehensive compilation and assessment of required metadata for soil contamination monitoring reveals that most metadata are still far from being reliable. This leads to the conclusion that progress in environmental monitoring means further development of the concept of environmental metadata for the sake of temporal data bias control as a prerequisite for reliable interpretations and decisions.     

Framework for designing sampling programs

A general framework for designing sampling programs is described. As part of the sampling program the problem of concern, or reason for sampling, needs to be clearly stated and objectives specified. The development of a conceptual model will assist the clarification of objectives and the choice of indicators to be sampled.Objectives can then be stated as testable hypotheses and decisions made about the samallest difference/changes that are to be detected/observed by the sampling.To allow the collection of representative samples, and the statistical analysis of data to be collected, the potential sources of variability in the data must be considered. Site, selection, frequency and replication must account for the expected variability.Before field collection of samples occurs, the sample collection device needs to be tested as to its efficiency to collect a representative sample. It also will usually be necessary to consider how samples are to be preserved to inhibit biological and chemical change. All sample programs require a quality assurance program to identify, measure and control errors.As well as the above the cost-effectiveness of the program should be evaluated in terms of maximizing the information obtained/cost.     

QA/QC措施在中哈有机氯农药联合监测工作中的应用

为了说清伊犁河出、入境断面六六六、DDT等4种有机氯农药的检出问题,中国与哈萨克斯坦双方分别在中方的三道河子断面和哈方的杜本断面进行了联合研究性监测。中方采取现场采集平行样并加带全程序空白样品,实验室采用溶剂空白、实验室空白、全程序空白、平行双样以及加标回收分析等质控措施,使哈方专家认可中方监测数据的准确性和有效性,保证了双方的监测结果被中哈环保合作委员会接受和采用。研究以中哈跨界河流实际监测的典型实例,论证了质量保证与质量控制措施（QA/QC）在跨国界河流联合监测工作中的重要作用。     

Meteorological normalisation and non-parametric smoothing for quality assessment and trend analysis of tropospheric ozone data

Despite extensive efforts to ensure that sampling and installation and maintenance of instruments are as efficient as possible when monitoring air pollution data, there is still an indisputable need for statistical post processing (quality assessment). We examined data on tropospheric ozone and found that meteorological normalisation can reveal (i) errors that have not been eliminated by established procedures for quality assurance and control of collected data, as well as (ii) inaccuracies that may have a detrimental effect on the results of statistical tests for temporal trends. Moreover, we observed that the quality assessment of collected data could be further strengthened by combining meteorological normalisation with non-parametric smoothing techniques for seasonal adjustment and detection of sudden shifts in level. Closer examination of apparent trends in tropospheric ozone records from EMEP (European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme) sites in Finland showed that, even if potential raw data errors were taken into account, there was strong evidence of upward trends during winter and early spring.     

建设项目竣工环保验收监测中Pb、Cd、Hg、As数据分析

建设项目竣工环保验收监测中的质量保证和质量控制工作是确保监测数据质量的重要环节,对验收监测中Pb、Cd、Hg、As监测数据存在的问题,提出建议。     

Long-term environmental monitoring for assessment of change: measurement inconsistencies over time and potential solutions

The importance of long-term environmental monitoring and research for detecting and understanding changes in ecosystems and human impacts on natural systems is widely acknowledged. Over the last decades, a number of critical components for successful long-term monitoring have been identified. One basic component is quality assurance/quality control protocols to ensure consistency and comparability of data. In Norway, the authorities require environmental monitoring of the impacts of the offshore petroleum industry on the Norwegian continental shelf, and in 1996, a large-scale regional environmental monitoring program was established. As a case study, we used a sub-set of data from this monitoring to explore concepts regarding best practices for long-term environmental monitoring. Specifically, we examined data from physical and chemical sediment samples and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages from 11 stations from six sampling occasions during the period 1996–2011. Despite the established quality assessment and quality control protocols for this monitoring program, we identified several data challenges, such as missing values and outliers, discrepancies in variable and station names, changes in procedures without calibration, and different taxonomic resolution. Furthermore, we show that the use of different laboratories over time makes it difficult to draw conclusions with regard to some of the observed changes. We offer recommendations to facilitate comparison of data over time. We also present a new procedure to handle different taxonomic resolution, so valuable historical data is not discarded. These topics have a broader relevance and application than for our case study.     

支撑京津冀区域大气污染联防联控的大气监测体系构建

京津冀区域已成为全国大气污染最严重的地区之一,并且呈现出明显的区域性污染特征,加强区域间的环境合作,实施区域联防联控是解决京津冀区域大气污染问题的有效手段。对照《生态环境监测网络建设方案》的要求,目前京津冀区域大气监测体系还存在着监测网络不健全、监测项目覆盖不全面、监测新技术应用不足、质控体系不完善、信息产品供给与公众需求有差距等问题,与京津冀区域大气污染联防联控的要求不相适应。为全面提升京津冀区域大气监测体系对区域联防联控的技术支撑能力,亟需进一步完善京津冀区域的监测网络,增设传输研究、污染监控等特殊监测点位;逐步拓展监测项目,开展颗粒物化学组分和O_3前体物监测;加快遥感监测等立体监测技术在大气监测中的应用,全面分析污染物时空分布特征与传输规律;加强空气质量预报预警能力建设,为重污染天气应对提供技术支持;规范监测事权上收后的全过程质控体系,建立颗粒物标准方法比对和O_3量值传递质控机制;构建环境监测大数据平台,加强数据分析应用与信息公开。     

水环境生物监测的发展方向与核心技术

水环境生物监测是环境监测的重要内容,它应重点说清环境胁迫的生物效应。简述了总量管理、流域管理、风险管理、生态管理等环境管理对水环境生物监测有迫切需求,应引入＂生态系统健康＂、＂生物完整性＂、＂环境胁迫＂、＂全排水毒性＂等现代环境生物监测的基本概念,建立水环境生物监测技术发展的理论基础,发展生物完整性、综合毒性等监测与评价核心技术;革新现行监测方法体系,建立包括QA/QC、快速方法等支持系统在内的现代水环境生物监测业务化方法体系;创新评价技术体系,建立水环境生态健康评价及综合毒性评价指标体系、基准及分级管理标准,确立水环境质量管理的生物学目标。     

铜冶炼项目竣工环保验收监测中若干问题的分析

以某大型火法铜冶炼企业竣工环保验收监测项目为例,从监测因子的选择,监测、分析过程中的质量保证,固体废物检查,周边环境质量监测等方面,对铜冶炼项目环保验收监测中发现的问题进行了分析。提出,应开展重金属元素Sb的毒理方面的研究,并出台相关排放标准;在监测项目的选择时,考虑金属元素在矿材中的伴生问题;重视验收监测中的质量控制,尤其是分析过程中的空白扣除和加标回收;对涉及重金属及As的项目,适时开展环境影响后评价及跟踪监测。     

对地级市空气自动监测多参数站建设的思考

阐述了地级市空气自动监测多参数站(超级站)建设的必要性,提出了统筹考虑、分期实施与突出重点、兼顾一般的建设思路,介绍了站房选址原则。指出超级站建设应以常规监测、霾监测、光化学烟雾监测、空间立体监测和源解析监测为目标,实施质量控制和质量保证手段,设置数据采集和显示平台,满足对大气复合污染的监测需求。     

环境空气质量自动监测系统质量保证工作的探索

根据全国多个省市的环境空气自动监测质量保证工作的经验和做法,结合乌鲁木齐市环境空气自动监测质量保证工作实际情况,对点位设置要求、制度体系建立、仪器质量控制难点、数据审核与研判等环境空气自动监测质量保证工作的关键环节进行探索,为加强环境空气自动监测质量保证体系提供参考依据.     

福建省环境监测质量保证与质量控制现状及任务

通过实验室质量体系的建立与运行、计量认证、人员培训与持证上岗、制定监测技术规范、质量控制考核五个方面阐述了全省环境监测质量保证与质量控制工作的现状,并提出今后全省环境监测质量保证与质量控制工作的任务。     

水污染事件应急跟踪监测期分析的质量控制

随着环境应急事故处理的规范化要求不断深入,在水污染事件应急监测的不同阶段应做好相关质量控制工作。研究以某突发水环境污染事件为例,探讨跟踪监测阶段分析质量控制措施,包括实验室手工分析和采用自动分析设备分析。质量控制数据统计结果表明:该污染事件跟踪监测期间实验室分析数据处于可控状态,自动分析仪器所得数据与实验室分析数据可比。案例结果表明:在确定主要污染物后的污染事件跟踪监测期内,实验室分析应严格按照相关标准规范要求开展质量控制。建议在水污染事件应急监测中,通过方法比对和规范的质量控制措施,使监测处于受控状态,进一步提高应急监测数据质量,保证监测结果的及时、科学、准确和可靠。     

水质自动监测系统运行过程中的质量保证和质量控制

以常州市武进水质自动监测站的工作为例,根据水质自动监测系统的技术特点,提出健全各项规章制度,培训技术人员,建立质量保证体系和自动监测系统运行的质量控制方法,以保证水质自动监测系统的正常运行。     

Design of on-line river water quality monitoring systems using the entropy theory: a case study

The design of a water quality monitoring network is considered as the main component of water quality management including selection of the water quality variables, location of sampling stations and determination of sampling frequencies. In this study, an entropy-based approach is presented for design of an on-line water quality monitoring network for the Karoon River, which is the largest and the most important river in Iran. In the proposed algorithm of design, the number and location of sampling sites and sampling frequencies are determined by minimizing the redundant information, which is quantified using the entropy theory. A water quality simulation model is also used to generate the time series of the concentration of water quality variables at some potential sites along the river. As several water quality variables are usually considered in the design of water quality monitoring networks, the pair-wise comparison is used to combine the spatial and temporal frequencies calculated for each water quality variable. After selecting the sampling frequencies, different components of a comprehensive monitoring system such as data acquisition, transmission and processing are designed for the study area, and technical characteristics of the on-line and off-line monitoring equipment are presented. Finally, the assessment for the human resources needs, as well as training and quality assurance programs are presented considering the existing resources in the study area. The results show that the proposed approach can be effectively used for the optimal design of the river monitoring systems.     

Optimizing water quality monitoring networks using continuous longitudinal monitoring data: a case study of Wen-Rui Tang River, Wenzhou, China

Identification of representative sampling sites is a critical issue in establishing an effective water quality monitoring program. This is especially important at the urban-agriculture interface where water quality conditions can change rapidly over short distances. The objective of this research was to optimize the spatial allocation of discrete monitoring sites for synoptic water quality monitoring through analysis of continuous longitudinal monitoring data collected by attaching a water quality sonde and GPS to a boat. Sampling was conducted six times from March to October 2009 along a 6.5 km segment of the Wen-Rui Tang River in eastern China that represented an urban-agricultural interface. When travelling at a velocity of ～2.4 km h(-1), this resulted in water quality measurements at ～20 m interval. Ammonia nitrogen (NH(4)(+)-N), electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), and turbidity data were collected and analyzed using Cluster Analysis (CA) to identify optimal locations for establishment of long-term monitoring sites. The analysis identified two distinct water quality segments for NH(4)(+)-N and EC and three distinct segments for DO and turbidity. According to our research results, the current fixed-location sampling sites should be adjusted to more effectively capture the distinct differences in the spatial distribution of water quality conditions. In addition, this methodology identified river reaches that require more comprehensive study of the factors leading to the changes in water quality within the identified river segment. The study demonstrates that continuous longitudinal monitoring can be a highly effective method for optimizing monitoring site locations for water quality studies.     

国家地表水水质自动监测网的建设与运行

总结了中国地表水水质自动监测网的建设运行与应用现状,分析了水站目前在运行管理、数据质量保证和质量控制中存在的问题,并就今后利用水质自动监测数据进行综合分析以及保障水质自动监测的可持续发展提出了意见和建议。