Rod SET QA/QC Protocols Leigh Anne Sharp, LDNR/CRD LFO

1. Rod SET QA/QC ProtocolsLeigh Anne Sharp, LDNR/CRD LFO • Data Recording • Data Entry • Reporting • Deliverables

2. Field Data Sheet • Rod SET data is collected in 4 directions with 9 pin measurements recorded for each direction. • The four directions (bearings in degrees) should be the same each time the instrument is read. • If for some reason one of those directions changes (i.e. the plot is disturbed in some way and must be abandoned), the new direction should be recorded in the Site History. • The numbered pins should always be read in the corresponding hole. • The same RSET instrument should always be used at a site.

3. Field Data Sheet Cont’d • Detailed comments should be recorded about the surface that the RSET instrument is being leveled to. • If the pin lands in a hole, on a large root or clump of grass or if the surface is a slurry should be noted in the comments section. • Water level should be noted in the site conditions section.

4. Data Entry • Data from field sheet is entered into SONRIS.

5. Data Retrieval • Data goes into a buffer before it is accepted into the database. • Data can be retrieved from the buffer via download for QA/QC.

6. Data Retrieval • Data is output from SONRIS is the format below.

7. QA/QC Process • The data from the buffer should be checked against the field sheet for correctness. • The verified data should be QA/QC’d further to check for some basic consistencies: • That there are 36 measurements for a site, 9 in each direction. • That the directions were the same as last time. • That the same instrument was used as last time. • The verified data should further be checked for quality by calculating the difference in pin height (elevation change) over the time interval. • Data should be plotted with elevation change means (n=9) ± standard error for each direction. • Outliers, defined here as observations outside the 95% Confidence Interval for the mean in a direction should be noted. Flagged observations should be addressed in the data report.

8. Data Review Example • Using Exported data from SONRIS, compare the most recent and previous RSET sampling. • Report elevation change (mm) and 95% Confidence Intervals for each direction. • Identify outliers and review comments.

9. Data Review Example • Summarize data by directions and for consistency. • Plot mean Elevation Change ± Standard Error by direction. • If means and variations are not similar, attempt to determine why and re-examine data and comments.

10. Troubleshooting • Data goes back up the QA/QC chain and is corrected if: • Data weren’t entered correctly into SONRIS • Problem observations were not identified • Sampling was inconsistent (i.e. instrument and directions) • The Site History Report should be updated if: • Disturbance to the SET has occurred. • A direction needs to be replaced.

11. QA/QC Checklist • Generic form • Includes trip details

12. Deliverables • QA/QC Packet: • Original Data Sheets • QA/QC Data Report • Data review and graphs, discussion of outliers • Field Trip Report • Personnel, purpose, weather, sites sampled that day, type of sampling, explanation of problems encountered in the field, biological and other site alterations • QA/QC Checklist • All electronic files