Water chemistry and organic matter composition in UK and Faroe Island surface waters, 2018-2020

This experiment was devised in 2018 and the water samples were collected during 2018 – 2020. The water samples were analysed for various water chemistry parameters within 3 months of collection. Samples were stored in the fridge at 4 degrees. Organic matter was extracted by filtration and rotary evaporation within 3 months of collection and analysed for elemental composition within 3 months of extraction.
Lab analysis QA steps: 10% of all samples are analysed in a replicate. All equipment is calibrated at the beginning of a run and with multiple checks throughout.
Data analysis QA steps: all replicate data are compared, and if within 95% of each other, an average value is used. If the replicates were different, the samples were re-analysed.
Once CHNO content had been calculated, restrictions were placed on derived metrics based on physical properties (e.g. bonding).