62-160.700. Tables  


Effective on Monday, April 16, 2018
  • 1The following table has been referenced in this chapter and is identified by this Title:

    16Table 1: Data Qualifier Codes.

    21Table 1

    23DATA QUALIFIER CODES

    26The following codes shall be used by laboratories and/or field organizations when reporting sample data values that either meet the specified descriptions outlined below or do not meet the applicable quality control criteria 59specified for the laboratory or field result. Data qualifier codes listed in summary reports or other presentations comprising information that has been reformatted from original reports generated by field or laboratory organizations or individuals shall meet the requirements of subsections 9962-160.240(4) 100and 10162-160.340(7), 102F.A.C. Data qualifier codes added to sample results during data review procedures conducted by organizations or individuals other than the generators of original reports shall meet the requirements of subsections 13262-160.240(5) 133and 13462-160.340(8), 135F.A.C.

    136CODE

    137DEFINITION

    138A

    139Value reported is the arithmetic mean (average) of two or more determinations. This code shall be used if the reported value is the average of results for two or more discrete and separate samples. These samples shall have been processed and analyzed independently. Do not use this code if the data are the result of replicate analysis on the same sample aliquot, extract or digestate 204(for example, for Stream Condition Index, biochemical oxygen demand or bacteriological analyses, or instrumental analyses such as Inductively Coupled Plasma)224.

    225B

    226Results based upon colony counts outside the acceptable range. This code applies to microbiological tests and specifically to membrane filter colony counts. The code is to be used if the colony count is generated from a plate in which the total number of coliform colonies is outside the method indicated ideal range. This code is not to be used if a 100 mL sample has been filtered and the colony count is less than the lower value of the ideal range.

    307F

    308When reporting species: F indicates the female sex.

    316H

    317Value based on field kit determination; results may not be accurate. This code shall be used if a field screening test (e.g., field gas chromatograph data, immunoassay, or vendor-supplied field kit) was used to generate the value and the field kit or method has not been recognized by the Department as equivalent to laboratory methods.

    372I

    373The reported value is greater than or equal to the laboratory method detection limit but less than the laboratory practical quantitation limit.

    395J

    396Estimated value. A “J” – qualified sample value shall be accompanied by a detailed explanation to justify the reason(s) for designating the value as estimated. Where possible, the organization shall report whether the actual sample value is estimated to be less than or greater than the reported value, 444to assist data users in any evaluation of the usability of the sample value. A “J” data qualifier code 463shall not be used as a substitute for G, K, L, M, S, T, V, or Y; however, if additional reasons exist for identifying the value as an estimate (e.g., 493laboratory control spike or 497matrix spiked failed to meet acceptance criteria), the “J” code may be added to a G, K, L, M, T, U, V, or Y qualifier. 522The following are examples of when 528a “J” code must be reported: instances where a quality control item associated with the reported value failed to meet the established quality control criteria (the specific failure must be identified); instances when the sample matrix interfered with the ability to make any accurate determination; instances when data are questionable because of improper laboratory or field protocols (e.g., composite sample was collected instead of a grab sample); instances when the analyte was detected at or above the method detection limit in 609an analytical laboratory 612blank other than the method blank (such as a calibration blank) and, the blank value is greater than 10% of the associated sample value; or, instances when the field or laboratory calibrations or calibration verifications did not meet calibration acceptance criteria, 653including quantitative or chronological bracketing requirements for field testing data663.

    664K

    665Off-scale low. Actual value is known to be less than the value given. 678This code shall not be used for microbiological tests or for biochemical oxygen demand. This code shall not be used for field-testing measurements where quantitative bracketing is required. 706This code shall only be used 712for those tests using a calibration curve 719if:

    7201. The value is less than the lowest calibration standard and the calibration curve is known to be non-linear; or

    7402. The value is known to be less than the reported value based on sample size, dilution.

    757This code shall not be used to report values that are less than the laboratory practical quantitation limit or laboratory method detection limit.

    780L

    781Off-scale high. Actual value is known to be greater than value given. 793This code shall not be used for microbiological tests or biochemical oxygen demand. This code shall not be used for field-testing measurements where quantitative bracketing is required. 820To be used when the concentration of the analyte is above the acceptable level for quantitation (exceeds the linear range or highest calibration standard) and the calibration curve is known to exhibit a negative deflection.

    855M

    856When reporting chemical analyses: presence of material is verified but not quantified; the actual value is less than the value given. The reported value shall be the laboratory practical quantitation limit. This code shall be used if the level is too low to permit accurate quantification, but the estimated concentration is greater than or equal to the method detection limit. If the value is less than the method detection limit use “T” below.

    929N

    930Presumptive evidence of presence of material. This qualifier shall be used if:

     

    9421. The component has been tentatively identified based on mass spectral library search; or

     

    9562. There is an indication that the analyte is present, but quality control requirements for confirmation were not met (i.e., presence of analyte was not confirmed by alternative procedures).

    985O

    986Sampled, but analysis lost or not performed.

    993Q

    994Sample held beyond the accepted holding time. This code shall be used if the value is derived from a sample that was prepared or analyzed after the approved holding time restrictions for sample preparation or analysis. 1030This code shall be reported with sample results calculated from two or more component analyses, if one or more component sample preparations or analyses were performed out of holding time.

    1060T

     

    1061Value reported is less than the laboratory method detection limit. The value is reported for informational purposes only and shall not be used in statistical analysis.

    1087U

    1088Indicates that the compound was analyzed for but not detected. This symbol shall be used to indicate that the specified component was not detected. The value associated with the qualifier shall be the laboratory method detection limit. 1125This code shall also be used to indicate the laboratory reporting limit, where applicable to the specific test, acco1144rding to paragraph 114762-160.340(3)(c), 1148F.A.C. (e.g., biochemical oxygen demand, chlorophyll or microbiological tests). 1157Unless requested by the client, values less than the method detection limit shall not be reported (see “T” above).

    1176V

    1177A “V” ‒ qualified sam1182ple value i1185ndicates that the analyte was detected at or above the method detection limit in both the sample and the associated method blank and the blank value was greater than 10% of the associated sample value. 1220The 10% criterion shall not apply to blank results for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) or microbiological tests. For BOD tests, the “V” code shall be used for all sample results where the associated method blank result exceeds the maximum blank DO depletion specified in the analytical method. For microbiological tests, the “V” code shall be used for all samples where the associated method blank indicates growth of the target organism. 1290Note: unless specified by the method, the value in the blank shall not be subtracted from associated samples.

    1308X

    1309Indicates, when reporting results from a Stream Condition Index Analysis (SCI 1000), that insufficient individuals were present in the sample to achieve a minimum of 280 organisms for identification (the method calls for two aliquots of 140-160 organisms), suggesting either extreme environmental stress or a sampling error.

    1356Y

    1357The laboratory analysis was from an improperly preserved sample. The data may not be accurate.

    1372Z

    1373Too many colonies were present for accurate counting. Historically, this condition has been reported as “too numerous to count” (TNTC). 1393The “Z” qualifier code shall be reported when the total number of colonies of all types is more than 200 in all dilutions of the sample 1419tested using a membrane filter technique1425. When applicable to the observed test results, a numeric value for the colony count for the target microorganism tested may be estimated 1448by a laboratory 1451from the highest dilution factor (smallest sample volume) 1459and the upper limit of the ideal colony count range indicated in the method 1473used for the test, and reported with the qualifier code1483. 1484Atypical, non-target, spreading colonies or other interferences may prevent estimation of typical target organism counts, and reporting a numerical result may not be possible.  Report “No Result” along with the qualifier code when this condition is observed, or when more than 200 non-target colonies are observed. Additional comments such as “confluent growth” may be reported with the “Z” code. When required by Chapter 62-550, F.A.C., the samples with verified, positive colonies must be reported as detections.

    ?

    1560Data are rejected and should not be used. Some or all of the quality control data for the analyte were outside criteria, and the presence or absence of the analyte cannot be determined from the data.

    1596*

    1597Not reported due to interference.

    1602The following codes deal with certain aspects of field activities. The codes shall be used if the laboratory has knowledge of the specific sampling event. The codes shall be added by the organization collecting samples if they apply:

    1640CODE

    1641DEFINITION

    1642D

    1643Measurement was made in the field (i.e., in situ). This code applies to any value (1659except 1660field measurements of pH, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, temperature, total residual chlorine, transparency, turbidity or salinity) that was obtained under field conditions using approved analytical methods. If the parameter code specifies a field measurement (e.g., “Field pH”), this code is not required.

    1702E

    1703Indicates that extra samples were taken at composite stations.

    1712G

    1713A “G” 1715‒ qualified sample value indicates that the analyte was detected at or above the method detection limit in both the sample and the associated field blank, equipment blank, or trip blank, and the blank value was greater than 10% of the associated sample va1759lue. The value in the blank shall not be subtracted from associated samples.

    1772R

    1773Significant rain in the past 48 hours. (Significant rain typically involves rain in excess of 1/2 inch within the past 48 hours.) This code shall be used when the rainfall might contribute to a lower or higher than normal value.

    1813S

    1814Secchi disk visible to bottom of waterbody. The value reported is the depth of the waterbody at the location of the Secchi disk measurement.

    1838!

    1839Data deviate from historically 1843established concentration ranges.

    1846Rulemaking Authority 1848403.061, 1849403.0623 FS. 1851Law Implemented 1853373.026, 1854373.309, 1855373.409, 1856373.413, 1857373.414, 1858373.416, 1859373.4592, 1860376.303, 1861376.305, 1862376.3071, 1863403.0623, 1864403.0625, 1865403.087, 1866403.088, 1867403.0881, 1868403.504, 1869403.704, 1870403.707, 1871403.722, 1872403.853 FS. 1874History–New 1-1-91, Amended 2-4-93, 2-27-94, Formerly 17-160.700, Amended 3-24-96, 4-9-02, 6-8-04, 12-3-08, 7-30-14, 4-16-18.

     

Rulemaking Events:

Historical Versions(3)

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