Assessment Type: Assignment Marks: 30
Due: See the Assignments page of the unit’s Canvas site
Introduction
A Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP) documents the procedures and analytical requirements for sampling activities that are performed to collect environmental samples (soil, air, water or biological materials) and to determine whether these exceeding thresholds. The thresholds could be statutory requirements or guidelines.
What should be included in a basic SAP will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. However, most guidance on SAPs suggests the following elements should be included:
- The objectives of the sampling program
- Background on the site, including maps
- The types of samples to be collected (e.g., sediment, water…)
- Sample collection design (the spatial and temporal pattern of sampling)
- Methods
- sample containers,
- sampling devices and equipment,
- sample preservation
- equipment decontamination procedures,
- sample handling procedures, and
- reference to recognised protocols.
- Analytes of Concern
- Analytical Procedures, with reference to recognised protocols or standard methods
- Environmental Quality Guidelines (what guidelines or standards will be dapples be compared against to determine environmental acceptability)
- Disposal of Residual Materials
- Anticipated Cost
- Quality Assurance and Quality Control procedures
NB: You are not required to put all of these elements into your assignment. Keep reading for more information.
Your major assignment for the unit (Assignment 3, not this assignment) is to undertake a study to identify which of the Main Drains entering the Middle Swan and Canning sections of the Swan-Canning Estuary should be a priority for management (i.e., the priority drains). To do this, you would need to collect data
on the water quality of the drains and the water entering the Middle Swan and Canning sections of the estuary. This would normally be done through a monitoring programme, which would be described in a SAP.
The Assignment
For this assignment, you are required to produce a SAP that defines the sampling and analysis required to determine the water quality (nutrients and metals) of the main drains entering the Middle Swan and Canning sections of the Swan-Canning Estuary (Fig. 1), and to identify the drains which should be a priority for management attention.
WHAT YOUR SAP SHOULD CONTAIN:
- The objectives of the sampling;
- Define the study site;
- Outline the known environmental history of the study site;
- Outline the intended sampling design (spatial and temporal);
- State or refer to the field sampling methods;
- State the analytes of interest;
- State or refer to the laboratory analysis;
- Define any guidelines or standards that should guide the collection and analysis of samples; and
- Define any guidelines or standards that be used as criteria to assess water quality and identify priority drains for management attention.
Structure of the SAP
Using the SAP Guidelines (Australia) or the SAP Template (US EPA) as a guide for the structure of your SAP (see “Supporting Documents”, below).
Report length
Up to 20 A4 pages, single space (including figures and tables). References can be additional.
Supporting Documents
On the Canvas unit site, in the Assignment 2 page you will find a number of resources. Among these are:
- Guidance from an Australian Environmental Protection Authority on how to construct a SAP;
- Several examples of SAPs. These examples are largely for soil sampling but the concepts are applicable to air and water; and
- A template for a SAP from the US EPA (you are not required to use this template but it might give you some ideas of the sorts of things you should include in your SAP).
- The ANZECC/ARMCANZ (2000)· water quality guidelines.
Figure 1. Map of the Swan-Canning Estuary, showing the location of the Middle Swan and Canning sections of the estuary (in red boxes). Image from Nearmap.
- ANZECC/ARMCANZ (2000). National Water Quality Management Strategy, Paper No. 4, Australian and New Zealand guidelines for fresh and marine water quality, volume 1, The guidelines (chapters 1–7), Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council and Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand, Canberra, Australia.
Assessment criteria
The marking for this assignment will be based on the satisfactory inclusion of the following components:
Presentation
- Structure of the SAP is clear, logical and contains the key components advised in the reference materials.
Content
- Objectives of the sampling are clearly articulated and feasible.
- Historical sampling data and studies are appropriately referred to, summarised and referenced.
- The types of samples to be collected are clearly explained.
- The analytes are clearly listed.
- The spatial and temporal design of the sampling is explained and is appropriate to meet the objectives.
- The sampling methods are clearly and concisely explained or appropriate reference to reliable sources is provided.
- Sample storage and preservation is described or appropriate reference to reliable sources is provided.
- The laboratory analytical methods are clearly and concisely explained or appropriate reference to reliable sources is provided.
- Standards or Guidelines that will be used for assessment of monitoring samples/data are clearly stated and their appropriateness is justified.
Presentation | Poorly developed | Developing | Well-developed | Fully developed |
Structure of the SAP is clear, logical and contains the key components advised in the reference materials | Structure is unclear; Grammar/spelli ng create confusion; Lacks coherent flow or key components are missing | Many components unclear and/or many components missing | Some components unclear and/or minor components missing | Structure is clear and easy to follow. All the key components are included |
Content | ||||
Objectives | Not stated | Stated but incorrect or unclear | Adequate | Clearly articulated |
Historical sampling data and studies are appropriately referred to and referenced | Not included | Referred to but without detail | Adequate | Comprehensive summary of past monitoring for nutrients and metals, indicates which drains have |
exceeded trigger values in past and for which pollutants | ||||
The types of samples to be collected are clearly explained | Not stated | Some are stated but not all | All are sdtate3d but not the associated field measurements | All are stated, as well as field measurements using meters |
The analytes are clearly listed | Not listed | Listed but incomplete | Adequate | Listed (TN, NH4, NO3; TP and FRP or PO4; a justified set of metals) |
Spatial and temporal sampling design is explained and is appropriate to meet the objectives | Not done | Either spatial or temporal not complete. Rationale not clear | Adequate | All sampling site clearly indicated with a map which includes drain names Sampling frequency and times of year is indicated and justified |
Sampling methods are clearly and concisely explained or reference to reliable sources is provided | Not done | Adequate | Some methods are missing or not referenced | Methods clearly stated for water and sediment, with associated reference |
Sample storage and preservation described or appropriate or reference provided | Not stated | Adequate | Sample preservation method is clearly stated for all of the analytes | |
The laboratory analytical methods clearly and concisely explained or appropriate reference to source provided | Not included | Some missing or reference missing for some | Adequate but minor omissions or errors | Methods clearly stated for all of the analytes, with associated reference |
Standards or Guidelines to be used for assessment of samples/data are clearly stated and their appropriateness is justified | Not stated | Stated but not complete for all analytes in both water and sediment | Adequate but lacking in detail of the specific trigger value level of protection or tailored to correct habitat | ANZECC/ARMCANZ (2000) Guidelines or similar indicated Appropriate choice of specific Trigger Values from within the guidelines for the type of habitat and ecosystem protection level |
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