DVR_1335024_20140329
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project
(FERC No. 14241)
Water Quality and Mercury Monitoring Program
Data Validation Technical Memo
Prepared for
Alaska Energy Authority
Prepared by
Tetra Tech Inc.
March 2014
D ATA V ALIDATION T ECHNICAL M EMO W ATER Q UALITY AND M ERCURY M ONITORING P ROGRAM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Laboratory Control Sample (LCS) and LCS Duplicates (LCSD) .................................. 2
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project
FERC Project No. 14241 Page i
Alaska Energy Authority
March 2014
D ATA V ALIDATION T ECHNICAL M EMO W ATER Q UALITY AND M ERCURY M ONITORING P ROGRAM
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Analytical Results with Hand-entered Data Qualifiers for SDG 1335024
Attachment B: Chain-of-Custody Documentation for SDG 1335024
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project
FERC Project No. 14241 Page ii
Alaska Energy Authority
March 2014
D ATA V ALIDATION T ECHNICAL M EMO W ATER Q UALITY AND M ERCURY M ONITORING P ROGRAM
Abbreviation
ADEC
QC
RL
RPD
SDG
MS
MSD
NFG
QAPP
SM
TDS
TKN
TOC
TSS
ICP
LCS
LL
MDL
CLP
COC
DOC
EPA
LIST OF ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS, AND DEFINITIONS
Definition
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Contract Laboratory Program
Chain of Custody
Dissolved Organic Carbon
Environmental Protection Agency
Inductively coupled plasma
Laboratory control sample
Low level
Minimum detection limit
Matrix spike
Matrix spike duplicate
National Functional Guidelines
Quality assurance project plan
Quality control
Reporting limit
Relative percent difference
Sample delivery group
Standard Method
Total dissolved solids
Total Kjeldahl nitrogen
Total organic carbon
Total suspended solids
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project
FERC Project No. 14241 Page iii
Alaska Energy Authority
March 2014
D ATA V ALIDATION T ECHNICAL M EMO W ATER Q UALITY AND M ERCURY M ONITORING P ROGRAM
1. INTRODUCTION
Tetra Tech, Inc. conducted data validation of the analytical results for fourteen fish tissue samples (including one fish liver sample) collected between August 4 and 14, 2013. Analytical results from these samples were provided in sample delivery group (SDG) 1335024 (Table 1.1-
1). Data were collected as part of the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project (Project). Brooks
Rand Labs of Seattle, Washington, conducted all analyses.
2. PARAMETERS MEASURED
The fish tissue and liver samples were analyzed for total mercury by Appendix to EPA 1631,
Total Mercury in Tissue, Sludge, Sediment, and Soil by Acid Digestion and BrCl Oxidation, methylmercury by EPA 1630, and percent total solids (%TS) by Standard Methods (SM) 2540G.
The liver sample was also analyzed for arsenic and selenium by EPA 1638 using Dynamic
Reaction Cell (DRC) technology and cadmium by EPA 1638.
3. LABORATORY PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
3.1. Data Qualifiers
Analytical data were evaluated in general accordance with the EPA C ontract Laboratory Program
(CLP) National Functional Guidelines (NFG) for Inorganic Superfund Data Review (January 2010) data validation guidance document and the Quality Assurance Project Plan for Water Quality and
Mercury Monitoring Project Water Quality Study Susitna River, Southcentral Alaska for the
Alaska Energy Authority (QAPP) (March 2014) . Table 3.1-1 summarizes a list of qualifiers that may have been used for the validation of this data package.
4. DATA EVALUATION
Data were evaluated based on parameters including in the following sections.
4.1. Data Completeness
SDG No. 1335024 was complete as submitted.
4.2. Sample Preservation, Receipt, and Holding Times
Sample preservation, receipt, and holding times were acceptable. Samples arrived at the laboratory at a temperature of 1.9º C, which is slightly above the QAPP preservation requirement that the samples be frozen upon collection (and presumably maintained frozen during storage and shipment), and within preservation the requirements of the method, which specify shipping the samples at 0 to 4º C.
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Alaska Energy Authority
March 2014
D ATA V ALIDATION T ECHNICAL M EMO W ATER Q UALITY AND M ERCURY M ONITORING P ROGRAM
4.3. Laboratory and Field Blanks
No field blanks were included in this SDG. Four method blanks were prepared and analyzed with both the total and methyl mercury analyses. The mean was used to correct the associated sample results. All method blank results were less than the associated MDLs. One of the method blanks associated with the %TS analysis, had a result between the DL and RL. No data were qualified however, because all associated sample results are greater than the RL.
4.4. Matrix Spike/Matrix Spike Duplicate (MS/MSD)
MS/MSD analyses for the total mercury and methyl mercury analyses were performed on sample
Oshetna-WHF-81413-01. Percent recoveries and relative percent differences were within quality control (QC) limits. MS/MSD analyses for the EPA 1638 analysis for cadmium and the 1638
DRC analyses for arsenic and selenium were performed on non-project samples, so were not considered for this data validation effort.
4.5. Laboratory Duplicate Sample Analysis
Laboratory duplicate relative percent differences (RPD) for the all analyses were within specified
QC limits with the following exception.
4.6. Spike Sample Analysis
No post digestion spikes were performed for this SDG.
4.7. ICP Serial Dilution
No inductively coupled plasma (ICP) serial dilution results were provided in the data package.
4.8. Field Duplicates
No field duplicates were included in this SDG.
4.9. Laboratory Control Sample (LCS) and LCS Duplicates (LCSD)
All LCS and LCSD percent recoveries and RPDs were within the QC limits.
4.10. Sample Dilution
None of the samples were diluted to place the results within the calibration range and/or to minimize matrix interferences.
4.11. Re-extraction and Re-analysis
No re-extraction or reanalysis was required for the samples analyzed within this SDG.
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 2
Alaska Energy Authority
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D ATA V ALIDATION T ECHNICAL M EMO W ATER Q UALITY AND M ERCURY M ONITORING P ROGRAM
4.12. Analyte Quantitation and Reported Detection Limit
Sample results below the calibration range, or less than the RL but greater than the MDL, were qualified as non-detected (U), unless previously qualified due to other QC exceedances.
4.13. Overall Assessment of Data
The overall quality of this data package was acceptable. All results are acceptable as received from the laboratory.
5. LITERATURE CITED
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2010. National Functional Guidelines for Inorganic
Superfund Data Review. Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
Document USEPA-540-R-10-011.
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Alaska Energy Authority
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D ATA V ALIDATION T ECHNICAL M EMO W ATER Q UALITY AND M ERCURY M ONITORING P ROGRAM
6. TABLES
Table 1.1-1. Sample and Laboratory IDs for SDG 11335024
Samples:
Sample ID
Oshetna-WHF-81413-01
Kosina-Grey-80413-3
Oshetna-WHB-81313-01
Kosina-Grey-80413-1
Oshetna-WHF-8/3/13-1
Kosina-Grey-80413-2
Oshetna-Nos-8/3/13-01
Oshetna-Nos-8/3/13-2
Oshetna-Nos-81313-04
Oshetna-Nos-81314-01
Oshetna-Nos-81313-03
RM193.1-LNS-80913-1
RM195.3-Burbot-80913-1
RM195.3-Burbot-80913-L
Laboratory ID
11335024-01
11335024-02
11335024-03
11335024-04
11335024-05
11335024-06
11335024-07
11335024-08
11335024-09
11335024-10
11335024-11
11335024-12
11335024-13
11335024-14
Table 3.1-1. Data Qualifier Definitions
J = The analyte was positively identified; the associated value is the approximate concentration of the analyte in the sample.
J+ =
J- =
NJ =
The analyte was positively identified; the associated value is the approximate concentration of the analyte in the sample and may be biased high.
The analyte was positively identified; the associated value is the approximate concentration of the analyte in the sample and may be biased low.
The analysis indicates the presence of an analyte that has been “tentatively identified” and the associated value is the approximate concentration of the analyte in the sample.
R = The sample result is rejected as unusable due to serious deficiencies in one or more quality control (QC) criteria. The analyte may or may not be present in the sample.
U =
UJ =
The analyte was analyzed for, but was not detected at or above the associated value (reporting limit
[RL]).
The analyte was analyzed for, but was not detected at or above the associated value (RL), which is considered approximate due to deficiencies in one or more QC criteria.
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D ATA V ALIDATION T ECHNICAL M EMO W ATER Q UALITY AND M ERCURY M ONITORING P ROGRAM
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 1
Alaska Energy Authority
March 2014
D ATA V ALIDATION T ECHNICAL M EMO W ATER Q UALITY AND M ERCURY M ONITORING P ROGRAM
ATTACHMENT A: ANALYTICAL RESULTS WITH HAND-ENTERED
DATA QUALIFIERS FOR SDG 1335024
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project
FERC Project No. 14241
Alaska Energy Authority
March 2014
D ATA V ALIDATION T ECHNICAL M EMO
[Insert Attachment A material.]
W ATER Q UALITY AND M ERCURY M ONITORING P ROGRAM
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project
FERC Project No. 14241 Appendix A – Page 1
Alaska Energy Authority
March 2014
D ATA V ALIDATION T ECHNICAL M EMO W ATER Q UALITY AND M ERCURY M ONITORING P ROGRAM
ATTACHMENT B: CHAIN-OF CUSTODY DOCUMENTATION FOR SDG
1335024
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project
FERC Project No. 14241
Alaska Energy Authority
March 2014
D ATA V ALIDATION T ECHNICAL M EMO
[Insert Attachment B material.]
W ATER Q UALITY AND M ERCURY M ONITORING P ROGRAM
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project
FERC Project No. 14241 Appendix B – Page 1
Alaska Energy Authority
March 2014
