Quality Control and Assurance of Environment Canada’s contaminant data

Atmospheric mercury data is collected on a routine and semi routine basis at various locations throughout Canada. These measurements are used to assess spatial and temporal trends of mercury within Canada and to assess the effectiveness of regulations implemented to reduce mercury emission sources. In order to asses the accuracy and precision of the data collected, rigorous quality control and quality assurance procedures must be applied. The Air Quality Research Division (AQRD) has produced specific standard operating procedures for data treatment and applied them to the Canadian Mercury Measurement Network (CAMNet). Currently, all atmospheric mercury data collected in ARQD are expected to be treated with CAMNet quality control standards. Persistent organic pollutant data is collected in the arctic on a weekly basis and the data, once through rigorous sample analysis, is subject to quality control processes. These processes have been established over many years. All the data that is collected including mercury and POPs is submitted to both national and international databases for storage and so that the public can access and use these collected data.

Period of the Contract: The period of the Contract is from date of contract award to March 31th, 2014 + two (02) option years