ABSTRACT
The methods employed to measure the selected variables depend on access to equipment and reagents, availability of technical staff and their degree of expertise, and the level of accuracy required by the objectives of the programme (see Chapter 2). A summary of the principal analytical methods for major variables is given in Table 3.1 and a summary of pre-treatment and storage of samples for different analyses is given in Table 3.2. Detailed descriptions of sampling and analytical methods are available in the companion volume to this guidebook by Bartram and Ballance (1996) and in a number of standard reference guides published by various international organisations and programmes, or national agencies (e.g. Semenov, 1977; WHO, 1992; NIH, 1987-88; Keith, 1988; APHA, 1989; AOAC, 1990). In addition a world-wide federation of national standards bodies and international organisations, the International Standards Organization (ISO), publishes a series of approved “International Standards” which includes methods for determining water quality. Further detailed information on the study and interpretation of chemical characteristics in freshwaters is available in Hem (1989), Environment Canada (1979) and many other specialist texts.
