Detection limit
Water quality monitoring data are plagued with levels of chemicals that are too low to be measured precisely. This discussion will focus on the information needs of water quality management and how these needs are best met for monitoring systems that require many trace-level measurements. We propose that the limit of detection (LOD) or the limit of quantitation (LOQ) not be used to censor data. Although LOD and LOQ aid in the interpretation of individual measurements, they hinder statistical analysis of water quality data. More information is gained when a numerical result and an estimate of measurement precision are reported for every measurement, as opposed to reporting not detected or less than. This article is not intended to be a review of the issues pertaining to the LOD and related concepts.
- Research Organization:
- Everglades Research and Education Center, Belle Glade, FL (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6865073
- Journal Information:
- Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Vol. 22:8
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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