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Benthic Community Analysis
|
It is anticipated that European labs will be required to participate in at least two of the 5 components currently run by the NMBAQC: 1. Ring Test - This component of the Scheme examines inter-laboratory variation in the ability to identify fauna and attempts to determine whether any errors are the result of inadequate keys, lack of reference material (e.g. growth series), or the incorrect use of satisfactory keys. Two sets of twenty-five specimens are distributed each year. One contains a general set of species while the other is a 'targeted' distribution. |
 © Crown Copyright 2003 |
2. Own Sample (OS) exercises - This exercise examines laboratory analytical performance on material from their 'home' area. Each laboratory is requested to send a data set of samples from which three samples are randomly selected. The laboratories are notified of the selection. UK NMMP laboratories are advised to use NMMP samples if possible, otherwise there is a free choice.
Participating laboratories should carry out macrobenthic analysis of the samples using their normal procedures. All procedures are documented and details returned with the sample components. All material from the sample is sent to the contractor (Unicomarine Ltd) as follows:
- Sorted residue - material from which all animals had been removed and counted.
- Separated taxa - individually labelled vials containing the identified fauna.
- Other fractions - e.g. material containing fauna which had been counted in situ.
Identification is to the normal taxonomic level employed by the laboratory (usually species). Biomass analysis is also carried out.
All OS samples
are re-analysed at Unicomarine Ltd by the same operator. A tiered scoring
system (related to untransformed Bray-Curtis scores) is applied to categorise
and flag the data:
100% BCSI Excellent
95-<100% BCSI Good
90-95% BCSI Acceptable
85-90% BCSI Poor - Remedial action suggested
<85% BCSI Fail - Remedial action required
These exercises will began in April 2004 (NMBAQC Scheme Year 11 timetable below). To register your interest and participation, please contact the NMBAQC Project Office.
BEQUALM/NMBAQC Provisional Timetable for 2004-2005
|
Component
|
Event
|
Date
|
| RT24 | Samples distributed | 22/07/2004 |
| Return results and samples | 23/09/2004 | |
| PS24 | Samples distributed | 22/07/2004 |
| Return results and samples | 23/09/2004 | |
| RT25 | Samples distributed | 10/02/2005 |
| Return results and samples | 15/04/2005 | |
| PS235 | Samples distributed | 10/02/2005 |
| Return results and samples | 15/04/2005 | |
| LR09 | Distribute protocol and request for specimens | 22/07/2004 |
| Return of specimens | 05/11/2004 | |
| OS26-OS28 | Distribute request for data (from International/National/alternative sampling programmes) | 22/07/2004 |
| Return of data for sample selection | 28/08/2004 | |
| Return requested samples | 30/09/2004 | |
| MB12 | Samples distributed | 16/09/2004 |
| Return results and samples | 15/02/2005 |
RT = Ring
Test (mandatory for BEQUALM participants)
PS = Particle size Exercise
LR = Laboratory Reference Sample Exercise
OS = Own sample exercise (mandatory for BEQUALM particpants)
MB = Macrobenthos Bucket Exercise
