Statistical Evaluation of Environmental Geochemical Data Quality around Abandoned Barite Mine Dump Sites in parts of Oban Massif and Mamfe Embayment, South Eastern Nigeria

 

Adamu C. I.

 

Full Length Research Paper I Published March,2019

 

Journal of Physical Science and Environmental Studies Vol. 5 (1), pp.1-13

 

ABSTRACT

All environmental geochemical data released into the public arena should undergo quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) so that any conclusions and decisions made based on them are accurate and truthful. Invariably, quality control checks coupled with estimation of both random and systematic errors in geochemical analysis for environmental studies have become part of good professional practice. It is in this regards that this paper evaluated statistical methods and QA/QC protocols on geochemical samples from abandoned barite mine sites in parts of Oban massif and Mamfe Embayment, South Eastern Nigeria as a case study. Analytical data quality was controlled through the analysis of reference standard materials, duplicate and blank samples and subjected to statistical analysis after a rigorous quality control protocol. The statistical methods employed included bias estimation, scatter plots, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student’s t-Test. The analysis of standard reference material revealed that the expected standards fell within the acceptable limits of ±3SD. The scatter plots showed a very high correlation of the original and repeat samples. The ANOVA and t-Tests revealed no significant procedural errors. Generally, the geochemical data were good and quite satisfactory and could be confidently used in environmental studies.

Key words:Geochemical data, geochemical variation, quality assurance, quality control, statistics, technical variation.

 

Full Text-PDF