Using Statistical Methods For Water Quality Management: Issues, Problems And Solutions

STATISTICS IN PRACTICE A practical exploration of alternative approaches to analyzing water-related environmental issues Written by an experienced environmentalist and recognized expert in the field, this text is designed to help water resource managers and scientists to formulate, implement, and interpret more effective methods of water quality management. After presenting the basic foundation for using statistical methods in water resource management, including the use of appropriate hypothesis test procedures and some rapid calculation procedures, the author offers a range of practical problems and solutions on environmental topics that often arise, but are not generally covered. These include: * Formulating water quality standards * Determining compliance with standards * MPNs and microbiology * Water-related, human health risk modeling * Trends, impacts, concordance, and detection limits In order to promote awareness of alternative approaches to analyzing data, both frequentist and Bayesian, statistical methods are contrasted in terms of their applicability to various environmental issues. Each chapter ends with a number of set problems for which full answers are provided. The book also encourages discussion between technical staff and management before embarking on statistical studies.

GRAHAM B. McBRIDE, MSc, is a Principal Scientist at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Ltd. (NIWA) in Hamilton, New Zealand. He has written many refereed journal articles and textbook chapters on water quality assessment and management.

"…illustrates the myriads of ways that statistical methods are needed for research and management related to water." (Journal of the American Statistical Association, September 2007)
"...well-written, clearly organized and quite comprehensive...this book should be a welcome addition to every water quality management library." (Ecological Engineering, January 2007)
"Managers…should…benefit from the wise advice on interpreting the results of analysis." (Journal of Environmental Quality, March/April 2006)
"…any groundwater scientist will certainly get considerable benefit from trying to acquire some of the knowledge put forth in this excellent book." (Technometrics, February 2006)

List of Figures.
List of Tables.
Preface.
PART I: ISSUES.
1. Introduction.
2. Basic Concepts of Probability and Statistics.
3. Intervals.
4. Hypothesis Testing.
5. Detection.
6. Mathematics and Calculation Methods.
7. Formulating Water Quality Standards.
8. Percentile Standards (and the Reverend Bayes).
9. Microbial Water Quality and Human Health.
10. MPNs and Microbiology.
11. Trends, Impacts, Concordance, Detection Limits.
12. Answers to Exerciser.
References.
Author Index.
Topic Index.
Appendix: Statistical Tables.