Assuring Data Quality at U.S. Geological Survey Laboratories (2019) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction
1 Introduction
Pages 11-20
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From page 11... ...
The data generated in the laboratories help answer pressing scientific and societal questions associated with energy and mineral resources, natural hazards, surface and groundwater quality and quantity, biology and ecology, environmental health, and other topics. A growing number of these topics touch on controversial issues, such as those concerning environmental pollutants or climate change, and USGS scientific results are coming under increasing scrutiny.
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From page 12... ...
In addition to developing a QMS, the USGS has commissioned external reviews of its QMS implementation, including this report. COMMITTEE TASKS AND APPROACH At the request of William Werkheiser, then USGS Deputy Director, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine established a committee to review a selection 12
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From page 13... ...
The analysis will be based on USGS-provided profiles of its laboratory facilities and protocols, preliminary results from the USGS assessment of quality management procedures at its labora tories, and other information gathered by the committee at site visits, teleconference meetings, and elsewhere. of USGS analytical laboratories and identify best practices and procedures for assuring the integrity and reliability of laboratory results.
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From page 14... ...
• Microbiology Lab • Reston Stable Isotope Lab • Wetland Ecosystems Ecology and Biogeochemistry Laboratory August 2018 Denver, Colorado • Analytical Chemistry Project • Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry • National Water Quality Laboratory • Plasma Laboratory • Radiogenic Isotope Laboratory • Spectroscopy Laboratory November 2018 Menlo Park, California • Benthic Lab • Rock Physics Laboratory • Tephrochronology Project Laboratory • Unsaturated Zone Flow Processes Lab February 2019 Kearneysville, West Virginia • Fish Health Laboratory -- Fish Culture and Pathology • Functional Genomic, Biomarker, and Environmental Contaminant Bioanalysis 14
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From page 15... ...
The USGS data do not indicate which laboratories do routine analyses or are led by laboratory managers, but they do specify which have external users, such as regulators and resource managers, which is an indication of production activities. Task 4 was to develop criteria for assessing laboratory protocols and procedures used by the organizations mentioned in Task 2 and to use them to identify best practices for USGS production laboratories.
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From page 16... ...
The USGS is organized in a matrix structure that involves seven mission areas chosen to reflect USGS science and applications objectives and seven regional offices chosen to reflect geographic variations in geological, biological, and hydrological characteristics 16
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Although QMS implementation plans are being developed by the mission areas, QMS reporting lines flow through the Deputy Director. The Bureau QMS Coordinator and staff -- who oversee implementation of the QMS -- report to the Deputy Director through the director of the Office of Science Quality and Integrity (Figure 1.3)
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From page 18... ...
18 FIGURE 1.2 Simplified representation of key organizational elements and reporting relationships of USGS upper-level management. SOURCE: Modified from USGS.
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From page 19... ...
FIGURE 1.3 Proposed QMS staffing and reporting structure for the USGS.3 SOURCE: USGS. 3 This figure was replaced with a current organizational chart after release of the publication version.
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