Water Quality Data Elements for Reporting Results of:

Toxicity Test Analyses

September 2004 draft

Data Element

Definition

1.0 Contact Elements Module

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

2.0 Result Module

2.1 Result Value

2.1.1 Result or Endpoint Value

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

2.1.2 Unit of Measure

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

2.1.3 Biological Response*

Type of organism response measured in the test: e.g., survival, reproduction, growth (e.g., dry weight), fertilization.

2.1.4 Result Type*

The statistically-derived endpoint that was calculated to express the test result in 2.1.1: e.g., NOEC, LOEC, LC 50 , IC 25 .

2.1.5 Confidence Intervals**

The values representing the lowest and highest confidence level

2.1.6 Confidence Level**

The percent confidence associated with the confidence levels; i.e., 95%, 99%

2.1.7 Method of Comparison**

The basis for comparison that yielded the sample result or endpoint. For example, compared to laboratory control, reference sample, upstream sample.

2.1.8 Statistical Analysis Used**

Statistical test(s) used to obtain result or endpoint value (e.g., t-test, Dunnett t, ANOVA, Probit)

2.1.9 Mean organism survival per replicate and treatment*

Table with mean survival values for each replicate and treatment in the test to which the result value applies. Note, if the response reported is survival, this element not necessary

2.1.10 Range of physicochemical parameters per replicate and treatment*

Table with numeric ranges of water quality parameters measured during the test in either replicates or treatments to which the result value (element 2.1.1) applies. Examples of parameters include dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, salinity or conductivity.

2.2 Species Tested

2.2.1 Analyte (Species) Name

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

2.2.2 Analyte (Species) Code

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

2.2.3 Taxonomic Identification Reference**

Text indicating taxonomic reference or source used to verify test species identity.

2.2.4 Test Organism Age*

Age of organisms at test initiation in either hours or days

2.2.5 Units of Organism Age*

Hours or days

3.0 Reason for Sampling Module

3.1 Reason for Sample Collection

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

3.2 Sampling Design Used

Type of sampling design used to choose sites for sample collection. Includes: probabilistic, stratified-random, targeted, systematic

3.3 Data and/or Measurement Quality Objectives**

Brief summary of MQOs in relation to toxicity sampling and testing; for example, test precision, RSD £ 20%.

4.0 Date/Time Module

4.1 Sample Collection Start Date

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

4.2 Sample Collection Start Time

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

4.3 Sample Collection End Date

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

4.4 Sample Collection End Time Measure

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

5.0 Sample Location Module

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

6.0 Sample Collection Module

6.1 Sample Type

 

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

6.2 Media Sampled

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

6.3 Sample Collection Temperature

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

6.4 Sample Identification

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

6.5 Sample Collection Method

6.5.1 Area or Volume Sampled**

Amount of area or volume of material sampled for toxicity testing. For example, 1 square meter of stream bottom was sampled or 2 liters of sediment were collected for testing.

6.5.2 Written Sampling Method Citation**

Reference citation (preferably published) for sampling method used.

6.5.3 Certification/Training Status Of Sampler Personnel**

Text providing any certification or experience level of personnel sampling. For example, agency-trained/certified personnel.

6.5.4 Sample Composite Method**

Method used to composite subsamples, if any

6.5.5 Elapsed Time From Sample Collection To Delivery To Lab*

Time in hours between the end of sample collection and the receipt of the sample at the lab

6.6 Sample Preservation/Processing

6.6.1 Container type

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

6.6.2 Container color

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

6.6.3 Container size

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

6.6.4 Sample collection filtering code

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

6.6.5 Sample collection filtering comment text

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

6.6.6 Chemical preservation method

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

6.6.7 Chemical preservation method comment

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

6.6.8 Temperature Preservation Method

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

6.6.9 Chemical manipulation of the sample*

Text indicating chemical modification of the sample prior to testing, if any; e.g., pH adjustment, dechlorination.

6.6.10 Field Or Lab Processing**

Indicate whether samples were processed in the field or lab

6.6.11 Initial Device Used**

Indicate equipment used for initial processing such as screens, sieves, splitters.

6.6.12 Subsampling Method**

Text indicating method used to obtain subsamples for testing, if any: random aliquot

6.6.13 Homogenization Method**

Text indicating how sample was mixed prior to testing, if any: shaker, manual stirring,?

6.6.14 Compositing Method**

Text indicating the way in which samples were composited during processing, if any.

6.6.15 Written Protocol Citation**

Citation for method used in sample processing.

6.6.16 Sample Storage Time**

Time, in hours or days, over which sample was stored prior to testing hours or days.

6.7 Sample Volume

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

6.8 Sample Weight Collected

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

7.0 Sample Analysis and QC Module

7.1 Extraction/processing Date

N/A - See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

7.2 Extraction/processing Time

N/A - See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

7.3 Analysis (Test) Date (inclusive beginning and end dates)

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

7.3.1 Test Duration*

Time over which test performed

7.4 Analysis (Test) Time

At test initiation; See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

7.5 Method Number

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

7.5.1 Modifications to method if any*

Text indicating any departures from the referenced method such as test temperature, sample holding time, or organism age

7.5.2 Organism feeding regime*

Text specifying type and rate of feeding and whether organisms were fed as per cited protocol

7.5.3 Test chamber material*

Text indicating type of material with which test chambers made: HDPE plastic, stainless steel, Teflon, glass, etc.

7.5.4 Chamber volume*

Number of mls of solution or sediment/soil that the test chamber can hold

7.5.5 Number of replicates*

Number of separate replicates tested for each test concentration or sample

7.5.6 Organisms per replicate*

Number of test organisms exposed to material in each test chamber

7.5.7 Mean response per replicate and treatment*

Table with numeric values of the mean response (as defined in element 2.1.3) for each replicate and treatment in the test to which the result value (element 2.1.1) applies.

7.5.8 Test Temperature*

Target temperature value and acceptable range

7.6 Sample Size

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

7.7 Serial Dilution*

Percentages of sample tested: e.g., 0, 10, 20, 50, 100% sample

7.8 Composite Sample

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

7.9 Run Batch

N/A - See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

7.10 (Spiking) amount or dose added

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

7.11 Analytical (Test) Precision

 

7.11.1 Control Precision

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements; e.g., control C.V.

7.11.2 Intra-test Precision*

Measure of test precision or statistical sensitivity (e.g., MSD, PMSD)

7.12 Analytical Accuracy/Error

N/A - See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

7.13 Bias Number

N/A - See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

7.14 Control and Reference Sample Information*

 

7.14.1 Positive Control Name*

Analyte used as positive control in test

7.14.2 Positive Control Result*

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

7.14.3 Negative Control Name (Dilution Water or Control Sediment or Soil Used)*

Text indicating type of water or sediment used for test dilutions and as a negative control (e.g., tap water vs. RO water vs surface water and salinity, hardness, and/or organic carbon content)

7.14.4 Negative Control Result*

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

7.14.5 Reference Sample Name*

Text indicating name (location) of water, soil, or sediment used as a reference measure for test, if any

7.14.6 Reference Sample Result*

Numeric entry indicating response of reference sample results, if any, associated with result or endpoint; e.g., upstream water survival = 100%

7.15 Detection/Quantitation Level

 

7.15.1 Detection/Quantitation level measure

N/A - See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

7.15.2 Detection/Quantitation

N/A - See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

7.16 Detection/Quantitation Level Type

N/A

7.17 QA/QC Exception Flags (Test Acceptability Criteria Met?)

See Chemical/Microbiology Data Elements

7.18 QA/QC Exception Comment (Test Acceptability Notes)

Text indicating any comments or clarifications concerning how the test met or didn't meet certain acceptability criteria

7.19 QA/QC Comment Field

 

7.19.1 Potential Interferences Observed in Test*

Text indicating potential sources of interference observed by analysts such as low dissolved oxygen, high turbidity, presence of predators.

7.20 Reference Toxicant Results*

 

7.20.1 Reference Toxicant Name*

Text indicating material used in reference toxicant testing

7.20.2 Reference Toxicant Results*

Endpoint or result for corresponding
>reference toxicant test

7.20.3 Date of reference toxicant test*

Date when associated reference toxicant test was initiated.

7.20.4 Control Chart Limits*

95% C.I. for endpoint or result value given in 7.20.2

7.21 Laboratory Certifications/ Accreditation**

List applicable certifications or accreditations for the type of testing reported.

* Elements unique to toxicological data.

** Elements shared between toxicological and population-community data