title: Application of intrawell testing of RCRA groundwater monitoring data when no upgradient well exists.
abstract: A statistical quality control approach to detect changes in groundwater quality from a regulated waste unit is described. The approach applies the combined Shewhart-CUSUM control chart methodology for intrawell comparison of analyte concentrations over time and does not require an upgradient well. A case study from the U.S. Department of Energy's Hanford Site is used for illustration purposes. This method is broadly applicable in groundwater monitoring programs where there is no clearly defined upgradient location, the groundwater flow rate is exceptionally slow, or where a high degree of spatial variability exists in parameter concentrations. This study also indicates that the use of the Data Quality Objectives (DQO) process can assist in designing an efficient and cost-effective groundwater monitoring plan to achieve the optimum goal of both low false positive and low false negative rates (high power).
authors.affiliation: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Barnett
mesh_terms: D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D012494:Sampling Studies; D014481:United States; D014484:United States Environmental Protection Agency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D014873:Water Pollutants