Using Statistical Methods for Water Quality Management

STATISTICS IN PRACTICE A practical exploration of alternative approaches to analyzingwater-related environmental issues Written by an experienced environmentalist and recognized expert inthe field, this text is designed to help water resource managersand scientists to formulate, implement, and interpret moreeffective methods of water quality management. After presenting the basic foundation for using statistical methodsin water resource management, including the use of appropriatehypothesis test procedures and some rapid calculation procedures,the author offers a range of practical problems and solutions onenvironmental topics that often arise, but are not generallycovered. 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 toanalyzing data, both frequentist and Bayesian, statistical methodsare contrasted in terms of their applicability to variousenvironmental issues. Each chapter ends with a number of setproblems for which full answers are provided. The book alsoencourages discussion between technical staff and management beforeembarking on statistical studies.