Guide for physicochemical and toxicological characterization of sediments
Guide for physicochemical and toxicological characterization of sediments
Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques
et
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Décembre 2016
Abstract
The purpose of this guide is to standardize existing sediment characterization methods, specifically by integrating performance criteria that must be met by analyses as well as acceptance criteria for analysis results. It contains references to recognized, validated analytical methods. More generally, it is designed to minimize variability attributable to laboratory sources, from the receipt of samples to the issuance of certificates of analysis. It is designed to be used in the characterization of freshwater and marine sediments and is intended for managers of characterization projects, environmental consulting firms and laboratories that perform sediment analyses.
The guide is divided into seven parts. The introduction outlines the purpose of the guide and examines its context in order to identify the constraints associated with the characterization of sediments within a consistent, standardized framework. Part 2 addresses the laboratory procedures for the receipt and storage of samples. Part 3 deals with laboratory quality assurance and quality control. Part 4 covers certificates of analysis. Part 5 describes the general procedure for preparing sediment samples for chemical analysis. Part 6 sets out the sediment analysis parameters, the performance criteria required by the analytical methods, the acceptability criteria for results and a list of recommended analytical methods. Part 7 provides guidance on toxicological characterization.
Production Team
Coordination
Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, Centre d’expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec
- Mélanie Desrosiers, Direction des expertises et des études
Work team
Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, Centre d’expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec
- Christian Bastien , Direction des expertises et des études
- Jean-Pierre Blouin, Direction de l’analyse chimique
- Nathalie Dassylva, Direction de l’analyse chimique
- Christian Deblois, Direction de l’analyse chimique
- Sylvain Lévesque , Direction de l’analyse chimique
- François Messier, Direction de l’analyse chimique
- Paule-Émilie Groleau, Direction de l’analyse chimique
- Benoît Prémont, Direction de l’accréditation et de la qualité
- Gaëlle Triffault-Bouchet, Direction des expertises et des études
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Water Science and Technology Directorate
- Christian Gagnon, Fluvial Ecosystem Research
- Manon Harwood, Quebec Laboratory for Environmental Testing
- Serge Moore, Quebec Laboratory for Environmental Testing
- Magella Pelletier, Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance
- Patrice Turcotte, Fluvial Ecosystem Research
- Sylvie Roberge, Quebec Laboratory for Environmental Testing
Environmental Protection Operations Directorate
- Serge Lepage , Expert Support and Contaminated Sites
- Simon Blais, Expert Support and Contaminated Sites
Correct citation for this publication:
Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques and Environment and Climate Change Canada 2016. Guide for physicochemical and toxicological characterization of sediments. 59 pages + appendices.
Published by Authority of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2016
Published by Authority of the Ministre du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques du Québec
© Government of Quebec, 2016
Cat. No.: En84-141/2016E-PDF
ISBN: 978-0-660-06666-0 (Print or PDF)