Ground-water sampling methods and quality-control data for the Red River of the North basin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, 1993-95

Water-Resources Investigations Report 96-4317
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Abstract

Ground-water-quality samples were collected for the intensive data-collection phase of the Red River of the P Torth Basin study unit, one of 60 study units of the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program throughout the United States. The sampling protocols used were designed for the NAWQA Program. The protocols include sampling equipment, cleaning procedures, sample-collection methods, and quality-control plans to monitor the accuracy of the data collected. One of the goals of the NAWQA Program was to collect data using similar methcds to build a nationally consistent water-quality data base.

Quality-control data demonstrated that most constituents measured for this study yielded reproducible data, with low to undetectable contamination from the sampling and analytical procedures. Several constituents were occasionally or frequently detected in blank samples at levels similar to low-concentration ground-water-quality samples. For example, iron was detected in 75 percent of the blank samples, with a maximum concentration of 27 [ig/L, indicating that iron contamination may interfere with its determination at low levels in ground waters. Copper, aluminum, and dissolved organic carbon concentrations in blank samples overlap those determined in ground-waterquality samples, thereby precluding quantitative reporting of those constituents. Most pesticide data are reproducible, with minimal bias. Some pesticides had low but consistent recoveries; these data may be useful if spike and surrogate data are carefully considered. Data for some pesticides measured in this study should not be quantitatively reported or used, because they may underestimate the concentrations of those pesticides in ground waters.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Ground-water sampling methods and quality-control data for the Red River of the North basin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, 1993-95
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 96-4317
DOI 10.3133/wri964317
Year Published 1997
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Mounds View, MN
Contributing office(s) Minnesota Water Science Center, North Dakota Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center
Description viii, 34 p.
Country United States
State Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota
Other Geospatial Red River of the North Basin
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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