Soil testing and plant analysis in Australia

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 963 ◽  
Author(s):  
KI Peverill
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Method Development ◽  
Ion Exchange Resin ◽  
Plant Analysis ◽  
Primary Producers ◽  
Test Procedures ◽  
Adequate Quality ◽  
Support Software ◽  
Australian Soil ◽  
Soil And Plant Analysis

During the past 3 4 decades, there has been a modest growth in the demand for soil amd plant testing services in Australia. Such development reflects an increasing awareness by farmers that there are tangible benefits from the regular use of soil and plant analysis. Concomitant with these changes, there has been an increasing breadth and sophistication in the range of available services, instrumental advances that permit more rapid analytical throughput, evolution of computer management systems (including computer-generated reports), and a general decrease in reporting time to primary producers. These developments have not always been matched with adequate quality control and uniformity in sampling, analysis, interpretation, and fertiliser advice procedures. There is need for further research and method development leading to the introduction of universal reagents or ion exchange resin extractions, or new test procedures into laboratory routines, to enhance laboratory capacities and turnaround times or to improve interpretation skills. Advances in decision support software are also required in order to refine fertiliser advice to primary producers. The challenge for the future is the standardisation of procedures and maintenance of adequate quality control by the various agencies offering soil and plant testing services. The Australian Soil and Plant Analysis Council (ASPAC) will play a pivotal role in this process.

Preface

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. I
Author(s):  
Leigh Sparrow
Keyword(s):  
Data Sets ◽  
Plant Analysis ◽  
Satisfactory Performance ◽  
Accuracy And Precision ◽  
Analytical Accuracy ◽  
Equivalent Program ◽  
Australian Soil ◽  
Full Operation ◽  
Soil And Plant Analysis

Summary. In relatively few years, the Australian Soil and Plant Analysis Council Inc. (ASPAC) has conducted 2 inter-laboratory proficiency programs on plant material and 3 inter-laboratory proficiency programs on soils. The purpose of these performance-based programs is to enhance the quality of soil and plant analysis in Australasia, with guidance where necessary from the soil and plant expertise of ASPAC members. ASPAC’s inaugural ‘Accreditation Committee’ reviewed published standards and existing laboratory accreditation/proficiency programs in Australia and internationally before developing what is now in full operation. This historical perspective and the 12 principles that guide operations of ASPAC’s soil and plant proficiency programs are described, as are the numeric procedures used to determine satisfactory performance. Certificates are issued to successful laboratories on completion of each program. Moreover, these remain current until signed certificates from the next equivalent program are released. Wide variations in some data sets suggest there is considerable scope to improve laboratory accuracy, particularly for soil chemical tests. Some of these differences are sufficient to markedly affect the assessment of fertiliser requirements. The present ‘Accreditation Committee’, in addition to State Representatives, serve as ‘points-of-contact’ for laboratories that require assistance to overcome problems with analytical accuracy and precision. ASPAC encourages its member laboratories to seek and maintain NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia) accreditation, in addition to participating regularly in the performance-based proficiency programs run by ASPAC.

Australian Soil and Plant Analysis Council soil and plant quality assurance programs and the impact of variability of test results on clients

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 777 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. E. Rayment ◽  
K. I. Peverill ◽  
B. C. Shelley
Keyword(s):  
Data Sets ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Plant Analysis ◽  
Accuracy And Precision ◽  
Analytical Accuracy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Equivalent Program ◽  
Australian Soil ◽  
Soil And Plant Analysis

Summary. In relatively few years, the Australian Soil and Plant Analysis Council Inc. (ASPAC) has conducted 2 inter-laboratory proficiency programs on plant material and 3 inter-laboratory proficiency programs on soils. The purpose of these performance-based programs is to enhance the quality of soil and plant analysis in Australasia, with guidance where necessary from the soil and plant expertise of ASPAC members. ASPAC’s inaugural ‘Accreditation Committee’ reviewed published standards and existing laboratory accreditation/proficiency programs in Australia and internationally before developing what is now in full operation. This historical perspective and the 12 principles that guide operations of ASPAC’s soil and plant proficiency programs are described, as are the numeric procedures used to determine satisfactory performance. Certificates are issued to successful laboratories on completion of each program. Moreover, these remain current until signed certificates from the next equivalent program are released. Wide variations in some data sets suggest there is considerable scope to improve laboratory accuracy, particularly for soil chemical tests. Some of these differences are sufficient to markedly affect the assessment of fertiliser requirements. The present ‘Accreditation Committee’, in addition to State Representatives, serve as ‘points-of-contact’ for laboratories that require assistance to overcome problems with analytical accuracy and precision. ASPAC encourages its member laboratories to seek and maintain NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia) accreditation, in addition to participating regularly in the performance-based proficiency programs run by ASPAC.

Assessment of soil and plant analysis laboratories in the West Asia‐North Africa Region

1999 ◽  
Vol 30 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 885-894 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Ryan ◽  
Sonia Garabet ◽  
Abdul Rashid ◽  
Mohamed El Gharous
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Plant Analysis ◽  
The West ◽  
Soil And Plant Analysis

Quality assurance and quality control to ensure durability

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. C. Roy ◽  
Tanmoy Guha ◽  
R. Ekambaram
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Service Life ◽  
Performance Standards ◽  
Full Compliance ◽  
Design Build ◽  
Adequate Quality ◽  
Structural Failures ◽  
High Level ◽  
Fundamental Requirement

<p>High level of quality during design, design-build and construction stages is a fundamental requirement to ensure that structure serves its intended purpose. Establishment of a quality assurance manual is prime necessity. Lack of quality control during design, review and approving design drawings are major reasons for structural failures. Designers and design checkers need to work in tandem to ensure more adequate Quality Assurance &amp; Control (QA/QC).</p><p>In structural design Durability is a key parameter and becomes critical for service life of 100/120 years. In design build and construction stages controlling work quality is important to maintain performance standards. Tailor made quality plan for Design-build Contract is essential. Quality procedures, inspection and testing needs implementation in practice to verify full compliance and prevent occurrence of faults and defects towards durability and service life. This paper deals with Quality with special emphasis on durability in design and construction through case studies of design build contracts.</p>

Effects of pre-treatment with magnetic ion exchange resins on coagulation/flocculation process

2008 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Sani ◽  
E. Basile ◽  
C. Lubello ◽  
L. Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Ion Exchange ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Water Treatment Plant ◽  
Ion Exchange Resin ◽  
Test Procedures ◽  
Aggregation State ◽  
Jar Test ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Magnetic Ion

A new Magnetic Ion EXchange resin for DOC (Dissolved Organic Carbon) removal (MIEX®DOC Resin) has been evaluated as water pre-treatment at the Drinking Water Treatment Plant (DWTP) of Florence in order to reduce the oxidant demand and disinfection by-products (DBPs) formation potential. This pre-treatment leads to several effects on downstream treatment processes. In this experimental study the effects of MIEX® pre-treatment on clariflocculation process were evaluated with respect to coagulant demand reduction and characteristics of flocs formed. The analysis was conducted using traditional jar test procedures and a Photometric Dispersion Analyser (PDA2000) which provided continuous information about the aggregation state of particles during the jar tests. For a fixed turbidity goal in clarified water, ion exchange pre-treatment led to coagulant dosage reduction up to 60% and PDA results shown that flocs formed in pre-treated water were bigger and more resistant to shearing effects than those formed by conventional clariflocculation.

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