– External Quality Assessment Trials Phytoplankton –
EQAT Phytoplankton is a joint activity of the Landestalsperrenverwaltung des Freistaates Sachsen (LTV) and the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Trinkwassertalsperren e.V. (ATT). The proficiency tests are conducted at the LTV laboratory in Plauen. The quality management system of our laboratory was successfully audited by the German Accreditation Body Berlin on the basis of DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025: 2018. The counting of phytoplankton according to DIN EN 15204: 2006 is part of this accreditation.
Dr. Elly Spijkerman
Coordinator
Dr. Tilo Hegewald
Deputy head
Landestalsperrenverwaltung des Freistaates Sachsen
Untersuchungsstelle Plauen
Bärenstraße 46
D-08523 Plauen
Telefon: (+49) 03741-1564-102
Fax: (+49) 03741-1564-131
E-Mail: contact@planktonforum.eu
Our proficiency tests are inter-laboratory comparisons to check the quality and suitability of laboratories within the framework of external quality assurance. The basis of these proficiency tests is DIN 38402 – 45: 2014, which defines the requirements for proficiency test organisers as well as the planning, performance and evaluation of proficiency tests. The calculation of the target standard deviation and the determination of the target value is carried out with methods of robust statistics. The evaluation of the results of the laboratories is carried out on the basis of standardised deviations (Zu scores). In the case of the evaluation of qualitative taxonomic findings, the quality target is set at 80% of the maximum score.
The following persons are involved in the further development of the interlaboratory tests, their implementation and evaluation:
Dr Gabriele Packroff
Wahnbachtalsperrenverband, Siegburg
Organisation, implementation, design
Dr. Arndt Mehling
Harzwasserwerke, Langelsheim
Organisation, implementation, design
Dr Regine Jahn
BGBM, FU Berlin
Taxonomy
Dipl. Biol. Wolf-Henning Kusber
BGBM, FU Berlin
Taxonomy
Dr Steffen Uhlig
quodata GmbH, Dresden
Statistics, evaluation
Meetings with Dr Packroff and Dr Mehling take place at regular intervals as part of the meetings of the ATT Biology Working Group. Dr Jahn and Mr Kusber are involved in the validation of the "taxonomic target values" prior to each proficiency test. Unclear statistical issues are discussed with Dr Uhlig on a situation-specific basis.
The LTV is a state-owned enterprise within the remit of the Saxon State Ministry for the Environment and Agriculture. It manages the 115 state-owned dams and reservoirs for the provision of raw water for drinking and industrial water supply, flood protection and low water elevation. In addition, the LTV is responsible for 3000 kilometres of watercourses in the Free State of Saxony.
LTV operates 3 laboratories for the chemical/biological monitoring of its dams. All sites are accredited in accordance with DIN ISO 17025 for the sampling of surface water and the determination and counting of phytoplankton, and we are also accredited as an interlaboratory test provider in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17043.
The ATT is a non-profit association of around 40 water supply companies, water associations, dam operators and administrations, universities, research institutes and research institutes in Germany and Luxembourg that are involved in the extraction, treatment and distribution of drinking water from dams.
The Biology Working Group is one of the 6 working groups of the ATT. Its members deal with limnological and microbiological issues arising from the management of reservoir waters and their catchment areas as well as from drinking water treatment.
