Harmonization of sampling and chemical analysis for the study of Cr(VI) water contamination in aquifers of eastern Mediterranean and Oman: the CrITERIA project experience

The CrITERIA project aims to deliver a harmonized data base, to assist water resource management organizations and water users on decision making when coping with water scarcity, climate extreme events and contaminated water. Contamination by Cr(VI) is used as an example of a specific water pressure problem that has to be tackled. Comparative, collaborative research using real situation data from case study areas in each of the participating countries was the base of our methodology. Such areas had already been identified in Greece and Italy and were further monitored, evaluated and compared to potentially affected water bodies in Cyprus, Turkey, Jordan and Oman, suspect for Cr(VI) contamination due to either natural or industrial sources within the same time frame. To enable comparison a common protocol for water sampling has been developed. This served as the base for monitoring water quantity and quality aspects in the case study areas and verify if Cr(VI) contamination levels exceed regulatory levels. The analytical QA/QC has been facilitated by analyzing a proportion of the samples from each case study area in an external accredited laboratory. The paper presents the developed sampling protocol and discusses the challenges during the harmonization of data from sampling and analysis.