The purpose of the ESdat Electronic Lab Data Format (ELDF) is to enable transfer of results from a laboratory to ESdat users in a format which allows
validation and direct import into ESdat*.
The ELDF files contain laboratory report, sample and result information, including comprehensive quality assurance data. The ELDF consists of three files:
The file names are of the format: Project Name as provided by the users; a full stop; a laboratory file identifier; a full stop; the text
"Header", "Sample4" or "Chemistry4" as appropriate and the file extension (".xml"or ".csv" as appropriate). An example of a file set would be
Within the csv export files Line 1 lists the data fields, line 2 and onwards contains the data for those fields:
Within the csv export files Line 1 lists the data fields, line 2 and onwards contains the data for those fields:
One record for each result.
Primary Key
|
Field
|
Description
|
Req'd
|
Data Type
|
*
|
SampleCode
|
Unique Identifier for each sample (as per Sample File)
|
Y
|
Text(40)
|
*
|
ChemCode
|
Unique Identifier for each analyte (eg. CAS number)
|
Y
|
Text(20)
|
|
OriginalChemName
|
The name for the Analyte as given in the laboratories Certificate of Analysis
|
Y
|
Text(50)
|
|
Prefix
|
|
if below detection limit
|
"<" or ">"
|
|
Result
|
The reported result applicable for the result unit. Results for Spikes should be reported as a Percentage.
|
Y
|
Number. Text is permitted for asbestos analyses or other specific results.
|
|
Result_Unit
|
Should use SI Units where possible. A dash should be specified where units are not applicable, such as for pH or text results.
Spike recoveries should be reported as a Percentage (%).
|
Y
|
Text(15)
|
*
|
Total_or_Filtered
|
Either Total or Filtered, if blank will default to T.
|
Y
|
List of
T (Total)
F (Filtered)
|
*
|
Result_Type
|
|
Y
|
Restricted to:
REG (regular result)
leached_REG (regular leached results)
SUR (Surrogate)
leached_SUR (leached surrogate)
SC (Spike Compound)
SC (Spike Compound Duplicate)
|
|
Method_Type
|
|
Y
|
Text(50):
PAH
Pesticides
Inorganic
Metals...
Etc as indicated on the CoC.
If a suitable value isn’t available then the name of the Method is most suitable, ie for the method “EG005T: Total Metals by ICP-AES”, the Name “Total Metals by ICP-AES” or similar would be most suitable.
|
*
|
Method_Name
|
Method or Test Code.
|
Y
|
Text(70)
|
|
Extraction_Date
|
Date extracted
|
if possible
|
Date
|
|
Analysed_Date
|
Date analyzed
|
if possible
|
Date
|
*
|
Lab_Analysis_ID
|
A unique value per analysis run included in the report.
|
Y
|
Text(20)
|
|
Lab_Preperation_Batch_ID
|
A unique value per sample preperation batch.
|
Y
|
Text(20)
|
|
Lab_Analysis_Batch_ID
|
A unique value per analysis batch.
|
Y
|
Text(20)
|
|
EQL
|
Quantitation Limit, reported in the units specified in the Detection_Limit_Units column.
|
Y
|
Number
|
|
RDL
|
Reportable Detection Limit, reported in the units specified in the Detection_Limit_Units column.
|
N
|
Number
|
|
MDL
|
Method Detection Limit, reported in the units specified in the Detection_Limit_Units column.
|
N
|
Number
|
|
ODL
|
Other Detection Limit, for use if required in contract or client specific requirements such as the US Defence "Limit of Detection".
Reported in the units specified in the Detection_Limit_Units column.
|
N
|
Number
|
|
Detection_Limit_Units
|
Units used for EQL, RDL, MDL and any other Detection/Quantiation Limit values. The Result can be reported in it's own unit (the Result_Unit).
(was called EQL_Units in v2e)
|
Y
|
Text(15)
|
|
Lab_Comments
|
Lab Comments specific to a result.
(was called Comments in 2e)
|
N
|
Text(255)
|
|
Lab_Qualifier*
|
|
N
|
Text **
|
|
UCL
|
Upper Confidence Limit used for QA recoveries
|
N
|
Number
|
|
LCL
|
Lower Confidence Limit used for QA recoveries
|
N
|
Number
|
|
Dilution_Factor
|
|
N
|
Number
|
|
Spike_Concentration
|
|
N
|
Number
|
|
Spike_Measurement
|
The measured concentration of the spike or surrogate.
|
N
|
Number
|
|
Spike_Units
|
Units used for Spike Concentration and Measurement
|
N
|
Text(15)
|
*The Lab_Qualifier may be populated with a data qualifier (U,J,J+,J-,R,UJ) as described in various USEPA documents, for example:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-06/documents/g8-final.pdf
, / Data Qualifier Definitions
** Multiple Lab Qualifiers to be separated with a semi colon ";"
File Format
The fields and data in the csv files may optionally be surrounded by quotation marks.
Leachate Tests
Leaching test results are not given a separate SampleCode, (ie are not treated as a separate sample). Results are indicated in the chemistry file, and
are identified in the Result_Type field.
Date Formats
Dates should be in the format dd mmm yyyy (eg 3 Jan 2020). This avoids confusion between users with different regional settings. If time is included it should be hh:mm AM/PM.
Tentatively Identified Compounds
Tentatively Identified Compounds should be reported with the ChemCode of the TIC, and be identified as such in the Comments field of the chemistry file. If the laboratory is using Lab Qualifiers a suitable Lab Qualifier should be reported.
Text Results
Asbestos and some other analyses are often reported as text. Only specific analyses can be reported as text. Including text in the result column for analyte concentration will result in an import error.
The EQL and the EQL Unit should remain as normal for an EQL, for example: 1 g/kg.
Aborted Analysis
Aborted analyses can be reported, a value of -999 should be entered as a result, and a comment entered into the Comments field in the Results file.
Laboratory QA Samples
Laboratory QA Samples should report the results for each Analysis Batch for which they relate, thus if a QC sample is applicable for multiple Analysis Batchs the results of that Sample should be reported for all Analysis Batch ID's for which they are appliable.
Typically field QA samples such as field duplicates, rinsates, some field or trip spikes will be applicable to the data and not known to the laboratory. The laboratory will report these results as per all other field samples and the QA type will be specified for those samples by ESdat users.
Matrix Spikes
The Sample Type should be reported as MS.
The SampleCode of the pre-spike sample indicated in the Parent Sample Column.
The results should be reported as per all Spike results, ie :
The % recovery should be reported in the Result column with Result Units of '%' and Result Type specified as MS. The Spike Concentration should be reported in the Spike_Concentration column and the Spike Measurement reported in the Spike_Measurement column. The Spike units should be reported in the Spike_Units column.
Trip Spikes
The Sample Type should be reported as Trip_S.
The results should be reported as per all Spike results, ie :
The % recovery should be reported in the Result column with Result Units of '%' and Result Type specified as MS. The Spike Concentration should be reported in the Spike_Concentration column and the Spike Measurement reported in the Spike_Measurement column. The Spike units should be reported in the Spike_Units column.
Laboratory Control Sample, Certified Reference Material, Standard Reference Material
The Sample Type should be reported as LCS, CRM, SRM as appropriate.
The results should be reported as per all Spike results, ie :
The % recovery should be reported in the Result column with Result Units of '%' and Result Type specified as MS. The Spike Concentration should be reported in the Spike_Concentration column and the Spike Measurement reported in the Spike_Measurement column. The Spike units should be reported in the Spike_Units column.
Laboratory QC performed on other clients field samples.
If the Lab Duplicate or Matrix spike used for Analysis Batch QC is on a field sample from another client the QC results on the parent and duplicate or spiked sample should still be reported.
The Field ID and Depth and any client provided information for these samples should not be reported.
The Sample Type of the Parent Sample should be set to NCP (Non Client Parent).
Matrix Spike Duplicates and Laboratory Control Sample Duplicates
The Sample Type should be reported as MS_D or LCS_D as appropriate.
The SampleCode of the primary Matrix Spike sample indicated in the Parent Sample Column.
The results should be reported as per all Spike results, ie :
The % recovery should be reported in the Result column with Result Units of '%' and Result Type specified as MS. The Spike Concentration should be reported in the Spike_Concentration column and the Spike Measurement reported in the Spike_Measurement column. The Spike units should be reported in the Spike_Units column.
Laboratory Duplicates
The Sample Type should be reported as Lab_D or Lab_T for laboratory duplicates or triplicates.
The SampleCode of the Parent Sample should be reported in the Parent_Sample column.
The results should be reported as normal measured concentrations.
Trip, Method and Storage Blanks
The Sample Type should be reported as Trip_B, MB or SB as appropriate.
The results should be reported as normal measured concentrations.
*The ESdat ELDF format is a continuously maintained and evolving proprietry format for receipt of laboratory results by organisations with an active ESdat maintenance agreement, account or subscription and the subsequent processing, storage or other use without limitation. Copyright in the Format specifications and the reference lists used in the Format reside with EarthScience Information Systems Pty Ltd. Third party software or development organisations wishing to use the ESdat format for other commercial or bespoke software should contact EScIS to arrange a licence agreement.