Making waves: report your quality assurance and control (QA/QC) information when publishing analytical data

IF 11.4 1区环境科学与生态学 Q1 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Water Research Pub Date : 2025-01-20 DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2025.123167

Gretchen L. Lescord, Adam T. Lepage

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Quantitative analytical chemistry is an important tool for the aquatic sciences, turning environmental samples into meaningful data that support waterbody management and novel research. However, proper use of analytical data must include full and transparent reporting of quality assurance and control (QA/QC) information, something we have noted as consistently lacking in recent literature. Herein, we briefly discuss QA/QC theory and approaches, with the goal of informing interdisciplinary researchers who may not have received formal training in analytical labs. The core of this perspective is eight recommendations for effective QA/QC reporting in scientific products, including discussions on how and where to construct a transparent and concise QA/QC summary. We also discuss how to report detection limits and sample sizes - two commonly excluded parts of QA/QC reporting in our experiences. We end with a discussion of recent positive examples of effective QA/QC reporting in water science, as well as five points around the importance of QA/QC information for the broader aquatic science community (i.e., students, supervisors/mentors, data managers, and journal editors). Collectively, improved QA/QC reporting will extend the reach, usefulness, and longevity of our scientific data and research, enhancing the fundamental purpose of scientific publishing.

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来源期刊

Water Research 环境科学-工程：环境

CiteScore

20.80

自引率

9.40%

发文量

1307

审稿时长

38 days

期刊介绍： Water Research, along with its open access companion journal Water Research X, serves as a platform for publishing original research papers covering various aspects of the science and technology related to the anthropogenic water cycle, water quality, and its management worldwide. The audience targeted by the journal comprises biologists, chemical engineers, chemists, civil engineers, environmental engineers, limnologists, and microbiologists. The scope of the journal include: •Treatment processes for water and wastewaters (municipal, agricultural, industrial, and on-site treatment), including resource recovery and residuals management; •Urban hydrology including sewer systems, stormwater management, and green infrastructure; •Drinking water treatment and distribution; •Potable and non-potable water reuse; •Sanitation, public health, and risk assessment; •Anaerobic digestion, solid and hazardous waste management, including source characterization and the effects and control of leachates and gaseous emissions; •Contaminants (chemical, microbial, anthropogenic particles such as nanoparticles or microplastics) and related water quality sensing, monitoring, fate, and assessment; •Anthropogenic impacts on inland, tidal, coastal and urban waters, focusing on surface and ground waters, and point and non-point sources of pollution; •Environmental restoration, linked to surface water, groundwater and groundwater remediation; •Analysis of the interfaces between sediments and water, and between water and atmosphere, focusing specifically on anthropogenic impacts; •Mathematical modelling, systems analysis, machine learning, and beneficial use of big data related to the anthropogenic water cycle; •Socio-economic, policy, and regulations studies.