Journal article
Uses and Biases of Volunteer Water Quality Data
Environmental science & technology, Vol.44(19), pp.7193-7199
06/11/2010
DOI: 10.1021/es100164c
Abstract
State water quality monitoring has been augmented by volunteer monitoring programs throughout the United States. Although a significant effort has been put forth by volunteers, questions remain as to whether volunteer data are accurate and can be used by regulators. In this study, typical volunteer water quality measurements from laboratory and environmental samples in Iowa were analyzed for error and bias. Volunteer measurements of nitrate+nitrite were significantly lower (about 2-fold) than concentrations determined via standard methods in both laboratory-prepared and environmental samples. Total reactive phosphorus concentrations analyzed by volunteers were similar to measurements determined via standard methods in laboratory-prepared samples and environmental samples, but were statistically lower than the actual concentration in four of the five laboratory-prepared samples. Volunteer water quality measurements were successful in identifying and classifying most of the waters which violate United States Environmental Protection Agency recommended water quality criteria for total nitrogen (66%) and for total phosphorus (52%) with the accuracy improving when accounting for error and biases in the volunteer data. An understanding of the error and bias in volunteer water quality measurements can allow regulators to incorporate volunteer water quality data into total maximum daily load planning or state water quality reporting.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Uses and Biases of Volunteer Water Quality Data
- Creators
- J. V. Loperfido - University of IowaPieter BeyerCraig L. Just - University of IowaJerald L. Schnoor - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Environmental science & technology, Vol.44(19), pp.7193-7199
- DOI
- 10.1021/es100164c
- ISSN
- 0013-936X
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 06/11/2010
- Academic Unit
- Civil and Environmental Engineering; Occupational and Environmental Health
- Record Identifier
- 9983557792402771
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