The USGS Quality Systems Branch (QSB) represents the Water Resource Mission Area’s commitment to generating environmental data of known quality. QSB produces water and sediment performance-assessment samples and data to provide the USGS laboratory users, USGS laboratories, and field personnel with quantitative performance information to assess data quality.
Inorganic Blind Sample Project
https://qsb.usgs.gov/ibsp/
Main contact: Ted Struzeski
The Inorganic Blind Sample Project (IBSP) submits natural-matrix standard reference water samples to monitor and evaluate the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory’s (NWQL) inorganic analytical performance. These independently generated samples and data are crucial in defining random and systematic errors in NWQL analyses that are also present in the analyses of environmental samples.
Laboratory Evaluation Project
https://qsb.usgs.gov/lep/
Main contact: Jim Simmons
The Laboratory Evaluation Project (LEP) provides technical assistance in support of the USGS Water Mission Area’s (WMA) Laboratory Evaluation Policy (OWQ Technical Memorandum 2014.01). This policy requires WMA projects and programs to obtain and review appropriate laboratory-performance data and other laboratory information to assess and document the quality of laboratory-sample results.
National Field Quality Assurance Project
https://qsb.usgs.gov/nfqa/
Main contact: RoseAnn Martin
The National Field Quality Assurance project (NFQA) provides annual performance-assessment samples (pH, specific conductance, alkalinity) to USGS and cooperator personnel that measure water-quality field parameters. This unique, field-oriented project demonstrates the Water Mission Area’s commitment to assessing all components affecting the quality of water data within USGS.
Organic Blind Sample Project
https://qsb.usgs.gov/obsp/
Main contact: Delicia Beaty
The Organic Blind Sample Project (OBSP) generates samples to independently monitor and assess the performance of National Water Quality Laboratory’s organic analyses. Statistical, graphical, and data output that summarize the performance-assessment data are available and quantitively define random and systematic errors associated with these analyses for both USGS and non-USGS customers.
Sediment Laboratory Quality Assurance Project
https://qsb.usgs.gov/slqa/
Main contact: Rob Hood
The Sediment Laboratory Quality Assurance Project (SLQA) biannually prepares sediment-water samples to assess the performance of laboratories that analyze sediment mass, particle size, and concentration for Water Mission Area projects. USGS and non-UGSG labs participate in SLQA and provide critical performance data regarding long-term comparability and consistency among sediment laboratories.
Standard Reference Sample Project
https://qsb.usgs.gov/srs/
Main contact: Rob Hood
The Standard Reference Sample Project (SRS) conducts biannual laboratory performance-assessment studies for inorganic analytes in water. Six different sample types are prepared with native water collected from Colorado streams. Laboratories supplying Water Mission Area projects with inorganic analytical data are required to participate.
Biological Support and Evaluation Project
https://qsb.usgs.gov/bsep/
Main contact: Rob Hood
The Biological Support and Evaluation Project is currently in development within QSB. The goal of BSEP is to provide support services that are driven by the needs of the Water Mission Area. Initially, functions will include, taxonomic laboratory monitoring (invertebrates), technical support of taxonomic data review, technical support in biological laboratory contracting, and laboratory evaluation project support.
- Overview
The USGS Quality Systems Branch (QSB) represents the Water Resource Mission Area’s commitment to generating environmental data of known quality. QSB produces water and sediment performance-assessment samples and data to provide the USGS laboratory users, USGS laboratories, and field personnel with quantitative performance information to assess data quality.
Inorganic Blind Sample Project
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Inorganic Blind Sample Project. Inorganic, double-blind, performance assessment samples being packed for submission to the National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL). Sample submission is designed to make samples appear to originate from actual USGS field projects. (Credit: Tedmund Struzeski, USGS) https://qsb.usgs.gov/ibsp/
Main contact: Ted StruzeskiThe Inorganic Blind Sample Project (IBSP) submits natural-matrix standard reference water samples to monitor and evaluate the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory’s (NWQL) inorganic analytical performance. These independently generated samples and data are crucial in defining random and systematic errors in NWQL analyses that are also present in the analyses of environmental samples.
Laboratory Evaluation Project
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Laboratory Evaluation Project. A variety of blind sample types are used for assessing laboratory performance. (Credit: Mark Woodworth, USGS) https://qsb.usgs.gov/lep/
Main contact: Jim SimmonsThe Laboratory Evaluation Project (LEP) provides technical assistance in support of the USGS Water Mission Area’s (WMA) Laboratory Evaluation Policy (OWQ Technical Memorandum 2014.01). This policy requires WMA projects and programs to obtain and review appropriate laboratory-performance data and other laboratory information to assess and document the quality of laboratory-sample results.
National Field Quality Assurance Project
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.National Field Quality Assurance Project. Initial preparation of a concentrated chemical solution to produce very large volumes of blind performance assessment samples used for annual testing of field personnel in the measurement of water-quality parameters. (Credit: Mark Woodworth, USGS) https://qsb.usgs.gov/nfqa/
Main contact: RoseAnn MartinThe National Field Quality Assurance project (NFQA) provides annual performance-assessment samples (pH, specific conductance, alkalinity) to USGS and cooperator personnel that measure water-quality field parameters. This unique, field-oriented project demonstrates the Water Mission Area’s commitment to assessing all components affecting the quality of water data within USGS.
Organic Blind Sample Project
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Organic Blind Sample Project. Organic, blind, performance assessment samples being prepared for submission to the National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL). (Credit: Mark Woodworth, USGS) https://qsb.usgs.gov/obsp/
Main contact: Delicia BeatyThe Organic Blind Sample Project (OBSP) generates samples to independently monitor and assess the performance of National Water Quality Laboratory’s organic analyses. Statistical, graphical, and data output that summarize the performance-assessment data are available and quantitively define random and systematic errors associated with these analyses for both USGS and non-USGS customers.
Sediment Laboratory Quality Assurance Project
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Sediment Laboratory Quality Assurance Project. Sieving of specific particle sizes is crucial to the preparation of blind samples used in assessing the performance of analytical sediment laboratories. (Credit: Mark Woodworth, USGS) https://qsb.usgs.gov/slqa/
Main contact: Rob HoodThe Sediment Laboratory Quality Assurance Project (SLQA) biannually prepares sediment-water samples to assess the performance of laboratories that analyze sediment mass, particle size, and concentration for Water Mission Area projects. USGS and non-UGSG labs participate in SLQA and provide critical performance data regarding long-term comparability and consistency among sediment laboratories.
Standard Reference Sample Project
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Standard Reference Sample Project. Natural matrix waters provide a completely unique source of samples used in the performance assessment of laboratories providing analyses of inorganic species in water. (Credit: Mark Woodworth, USGS) https://qsb.usgs.gov/srs/
Main contact: Rob HoodThe Standard Reference Sample Project (SRS) conducts biannual laboratory performance-assessment studies for inorganic analytes in water. Six different sample types are prepared with native water collected from Colorado streams. Laboratories supplying Water Mission Area projects with inorganic analytical data are required to participate.
Biological Support and Evaluation Project
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Biological Support and Evaluation Project. QSB’s national invertebrate reference collection serves as an evaluation tool for verification of invertebrate identifications. Invertebrate example, Paragnetina immarginata, Dawson County, GA (Credit: Alan Cressler, USGS). https://qsb.usgs.gov/bsep/
Main contact: Rob HoodThe Biological Support and Evaluation Project is currently in development within QSB. The goal of BSEP is to provide support services that are driven by the needs of the Water Mission Area. Initially, functions will include, taxonomic laboratory monitoring (invertebrates), technical support of taxonomic data review, technical support in biological laboratory contracting, and laboratory evaluation project support.