Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling and Analysis

Description

An environmental domain was completely homogeneous, a single sample would adequately represent it. However, we seldom come across such a situation, as the environment is highly heterogeneous. One must also distinguish between a static and a dynamic system. A static system is one which does not change much with time. It must be sampled so that the sample reflects all the inhomogeneity of the system. Measurement is the process observing and recording the observations that are collected as part of a research effort. There are two major issues that will be considered here. First, you have to understand the fundamental ideas involved in measuring. Here we consider two of major measurement concepts. In Levels of Measurement, I explain the meaning of the four major levels of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio. To do a successful environmental study it is necessary to have a 'plan of action', a sampling plan. If the content of heavy metals in a river is being studied, for example, the purpose might be to examine the effect of these metals on fish, or it might be to monitor the content because the river is a drinking water source. The sampling plan will be different for each of these purposes. The first step is to clearly define the problem being studied and identify the environmental "population" of interest. This is a valuable and comprehensive reference book for chemists, technicians, consultants, lawyers, regulators, engineers, quality control officers, news and information managers, teachers, and students.