3.1. Environmental Sampling

Try these first

1. 1.

   Define what a sample is in the context of environmental sampling.

   Hint

   Think about what you collect for testing from a larger body.

2. 2.

   What does detection limit mean?

   Hint

   Consider how small a measurement must be before it can be considered accurate.

3. 3.

   What is the definition of a sample?

   Hint

   Consider what you collect to test the environment.

4. 4.

   True or False: The detection limit is the maximum concentration that can be measured by an instrument.

   Hint

   Think of the sensitivity of devices.

5. 5.

   You are tasked with measuring the suspended solids in a lake known to have low pollutant levels. Describe the approach you would take regarding sample size and instrument selection.

   Hint

   Consider how much you need to analyze based on expected conditions.

6. 6.

   Two different laboratories reported concentrations of TSS from the same water sample: one reports 3 mg/L and the other reports 5 mg/L. What steps would you recommend to ascertain the true value?

   Hint

   Think about the factors influencing variability in sampling.