Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) regime in marine pollution monitoring programmes: The GIPME perspective

A fundamental requirement in collaborative monitoring programmes in marine pollution studies is the intercomparability of data obtained from participating laboratories irrespective of the country of origin. This demands that the data be ‘true’. The production of ‘true’ data requires that laboratories adopt good field and laboratory procedures as part and parcel of a Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) regime. This includes the selection of internationally-validated methodologies for sampling and analysis, mandatory use of reference materials (certified reference materials, whenever possible) and participation in ‘blind’ international intercomparison exercises. Under the IOC/UNEP/IMO Programme of Global Investigation of Pollution in the Marine Environment (GIPME) and its operational, regionally-based Marine Pollution Monitoring System (MARPOLMON), the steadfast pursuit of data of appropriate quality from participating laboratories in different regions of the world ocean is underpinned by the activities of the three GIPME Groups of Experts—on Methods, Standards and Intercalibration (GEMSI); on Effects of Pollutants (GEEP); and on Standards and Reference Materials (GESREM) which is additionally co-sponsored by IAEA. Experience gained by these groups over the years qualify GIPME as a credible mechanism for the generation of precise and accurate data upon which global, regional and national regulatory actions for the protection of the coastal and marine environment can be based.