Comparative Assessment of Physico-Chemical Results of Air, Water and
Soil Samples Tested at Accredited and Non-accredited Laboratories

There are thousands of results produced by the environmental testing laboratory for the air, water and soil parameters. The results produced by the environmental testing laboratories are always basis of the policy decision on various occasions. The results produced by the environmental testing laboratory provide the basis for the water whether it is fit for drinking purposes or not. The soil of a particular area is fit for specific agriculture or not. Similarly, the air of a specific location is under the permissible limit of the required component or not. Over some time the environmental testing laboratories are increasing in our county and these laboratories can be segregated broadly into two categories namely accredited laboratories and non-accredited laboratories. The accreditation is done by the independent authoritative body as per the international standard ISO/IEC 17025. It is believed that the accredited laboratory has a quality management system and proven technical competence to perform a specific type of testing. This work presents the comparative studies of the physico-chemical results of air, water and soil samples tested by accredited and non-accredited laboratories. In case of soil, the pH and sulfate is tested by the accredited and non-accredited laboratories in the specific environment. Similarly, construction water and drinking water are tested for various parameters as per the relevant standard. The air samples were collected from the same site and analysis was done for the various parameters like PM2.5, PM10 and other toxic gases present in air. It is observed that there is a considerable difference between the results produced by the accredited and non-accredited laboratories. It is believed that the results produced by the accredited laboratory are more reliable in comparison to the non-accredited laboratory.

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Assessment of diversity and physico-chemical parameters of cyanobacteria, diatoms and other algal species in the paddy fields of Belagavi district, Karnataka

Plant Science Today ◽

10.14719/pst.2020.7.3.753 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 378-382

Author(s):

Santoshkumar Jayagoudar ◽

Pradeep Bhat ◽

Ankita Magdum ◽

Duradundi Sakreppagol ◽

Laxmi Murgod ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Algal Species ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Chemical Parameters ◽

Range Estimation ◽

The North ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Water And Soil Samples ◽

Study Sites ◽

Good Range

Algae are the diverse group of organisms in the soil and aquatic environment. The role of them in soil fertility enhancement has been extensively studied worldwide. Belagavi is a tropical agricultural belt in the North Karnataka region with highly fertile soil. Water and soil samples were collected randomly from the paddy field of 15–20 well-distributed spots in 4 selected locations viz Kusumali, Jamboti, Kinaye and Piranwadi. The identification revealed the presence of 94 species and 71 genera in the investigated sites. Among all, 62 species belonged to Bacillariophyceae, 14 species to Chlorophyceae, 10 species to Cyanophyceae, 3 to Xanthophyceae, followed by Trebouxiophyceae and Zygnematophyceae (2 species each) and one species of Ulvophyceae. The maximum number of 62 species was recorded from Kusamali, followed by 49 species in Kinaye, 44 in Jamboti and 35 in Piranwadi. The month of February had the highest number of species (61), decreased to 45 in March, 42 in April and 37 in May. Among the physicochemical parameters analysed for the soil samples, it was found that the pH of the soil is slightly acidic in all the study sites ranged between 5.03–5.85. Further, the electrical conductivity (EC) varied from 0.27–0.345 dS/m, found to be in a good range. Estimation of available micro and macronutrients of soil were measured, and it was found to be at low to moderate levels. The present study indicates the extensive distribution of different classes of algae in the rice fields of four study locations in Belagavi.

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A proposal of model for a quality management system in research testing laboratories

Accreditation and Quality Assurance ◽

10.1007/s00769-021-01479-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Silvia Martínez-Perales ◽

Isabel Ortiz-Marcos ◽

Jesús Juan Ruiz

Keyword(s):

Quality Management ◽

Literature Review ◽

Management System ◽

Quality Management System ◽

Testing Laboratory ◽

Agile Methodology ◽

Testing Laboratories ◽

Peculiar Nature ◽

Broad Consensus

AbstractThere is a broad consensus on the importance and advisability of testing laboratories adopting a Quality Management System (QMS) to support their work, no matter they are industrial or research oriented. However, laboratories involved in R&D have specific difficulties to implement a QMS due to the peculiar nature of their activity. This paper analyzes the main challenges and difficulties found by professionals when implementing a QMS in a research testing laboratory, based on the literature review and a questionnaire with 86 laboratories participating performed in collaboration with RedLab (Red de Laboratorios de la Comunidad de Madrid). After this analysis, a set of requirements for the competence of research testing laboratories based on ISO/IEC 17025 and UNE 166002 is defined, and an agile methodology for the fulfilment of these requirements is proposed.

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Effectiveness of nanoscale zero-valent iron for the immobilization of Cu and/or Ni in water and soil samples

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-73144-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

M. Gil-Díaz ◽

M. A. Álvarez ◽

J. Alonso ◽

M. C. Lobo

Keyword(s):

Water Samples ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Zero Valent Iron ◽

Acidic Soil ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Relevant Effect ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Nanoscale Zero Valent Iron ◽

Water And Soil Samples ◽

Dose Dependent Increase

Abstract In the last few years, the effectiveness of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) as a treatment for polluted waters and soils has been widely studied. However, little data are available on its efficacy for metal immobilization at low and moderate doses. In this study, the effectiveness of two doses of commercial nZVI (1 and 5%) to immobilize Cu and/or Ni in water and acidic soil samples was evaluated. The influence of the nanoremediation technology on iron availability, physico-chemical soil properties and soil phytotoxicity was also assessed. The results show that the effectiveness of nZVI to immobilize Cu and Ni in water and soil samples was determined by the dose of the nanomaterial and the presence of both metals. Nickel immobilization was significantly decreased by the presence of Cu but the opposite effect was not observed. nZVI showed better immobilization capacity in water than in soil samples. In water, the dose of 5% completely removed both metals, whereas at a lower dose (1%) the percentage of immobilized metal decreased, especially for Ni in Cu + Ni samples. In soil samples, 5% nZVI was more effective in immobilizing Ni than Cu, with a 54% and 21% reduction of leachability, respectively, in single contaminated samples. In Cu + Ni soil samples, nZVI treatment led to a significant decrease in Ni immobilization, similar to that observed in water samples. The application of nZVI induced a dose-dependent increase in available Fe—a relevant effect in the context of soil rehabilitation. Germination assays of Medicago sativa and Vicia sativa seeds revealed that treatment with nZVI did not induce phytotoxicity under the experimental conditions tested, and that the phytotoxicity induced by Ni decreased significantly after the treatment. Thus, the use of nZVI emerges as an interesting option for Cu and/or Ni immobilization in water samples. The effectiveness of nZVI to remove Cu from acidic soil samples was moderate, while for Ni it was strongly dependent on the presence of Cu. These observations therefore indicate that the results in water samples cannot be extrapolated to soil samples.

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Spatial and seasonal assessment of physico-chemical characteristics of soil in Wadi El-Rayan lakes using GIS technique

SN Applied Sciences ◽

10.1007/s42452-020-03976-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Asmaa Nasser Mohamed Eid ◽

C. O. Olatubara ◽

T. A. Ewemoje ◽

Mohamed Talaat El-Hennawy ◽

Haitham Farouk

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Ordinary Kriging ◽

Temporal Distribution ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Soil Parameters ◽

Chemical Parameters ◽

Distribution Maps ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Gis Technique ◽

High Concentrations

AbstractWadi El-Rayan wetland is an inland Egyptian Ramsar site of international importance, due to its rich biodiversity. The wetland constitutes two man-made lakes. The lakes size, particularly the Lower Lake, is in continuous reduction, and the vegetation productivity pattern is changing as result of deteriorating water and soil quality, domestic and industrial activities. This research was carried out to map the spatial and seasonal distribution of certain physico-chemical parameters of geo-referenced soil samples covering the two lakes parts using ordinary kriging GIS technique. The study utilized ArcGIS ver.10.7 software, and 76 soil samples collected from representative sites; 38 samples during winter and 38 samples during summer seasons. Soil data were analyzed statistically and geo-statistically based on best fitted semivariogram model. The results indicated high concentrations of some soil physical and chemical parameters, especially in summer and in the Lower Lake of Wadi El-Rayan. The summary statistics for soil parameters had shown that the median of some soil parameters is higher than the mean which indicated the presence of abnormal data. This finding has been approved through the spatial distribution mapping which clearly showed the differences in spatial and temporal distribution between the upper and lower lakes of Wadi El-Rayan. The study concluded that the generated spatial distribution maps using ordinary kriging method can be used as an effective tool in Wadi El-Rayan wetlands’ soil management.

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Appraisal Soil Quality in the Agrarian Society of Pir Panjal Himalayas

Alinteri Journal of Agricultural Sciences ◽

10.47059/alinteri/v36i2/ajas21121 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 104-111

Author(s):

M. Imran Ganaie ◽

Manzoor A. Wani ◽

Aisha Dev ◽

Ishtiaq A. Mayer

Keyword(s):

Electrical Conductivity ◽

Soil Fertility ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Organic Fertilizers ◽

Soil Testing ◽

Chemical Parameters ◽

Testing Laboratory ◽

Holistic View ◽

Agrarian Society ◽

Physico Chemical

Background: The present study pertains to appraise the soil fertility in the foot hills of Pir Panjal by measuring different physico-chemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the foothill of Himalayas. Study area with unique physiographic and socio-economic identities have attributed to the soil fertility. Methods: Soil tests were carried at Soil Testing Laboratory (STL), Department of Horticulture. Soil samples at 1-30 cm depth were collected from 10 sample sites selected through composite sampling. Samples were collected randomly keeping in mind the maximum areal coverage. From each site, three sub samples were taken from selected locations to have holistic view of the soil fertility. Conclusion: The study showed deficiency of N & K in all the soil samples, with little variations in other parameters. Sample sites adopting organic farming showed optimum soil fertility. In the study we concluded that practice of adapting organic fertilizers is suitable for maintaing soil fertility. Least perception in the use of different fertilizers (organic & inorganic) a potent cause in the soil deformities in the region.

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Physico-chemical analysis of selected agricultural soil samples in Junnar tehsil of Pune district, Maharashtra

Bhartiya Krishi Anusandhan Patrika ◽

10.18805/bkap205 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (1-2) ◽

Author(s):

Shailesh Maruti Acharya

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Soil ◽

Business Management ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Soil Parameters ◽

Marked Variation ◽

College Of Agriculture ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Phosphorous Content ◽

Low Levels

An experiment was undertaken at College of Agriculture Business Management, Narayangaon Maharashtra to investigate the physico- chemical properties of Onion and Tomato soil at ten different sites of Junnar tehsil of Pune District during February 2018 to May 2019. The soil parameters like soil pH, EC, Organic Carbon, Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorous content were analyzed. It was found that there was a marked variation in nutrients and parameters of various sample point in different farmers field. The results of the study show the low levels of Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium in both sites. Also the organic matter is low during the study area.

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