Average annual precipitation and runoff for Arkansas, 1951-80

Ten intercomparison studies to determine the accuracy of pH and specific-conductance measurements, using dilute-nitric acid solutions, were managed by the U.S. Geological Survey for the National Atmospheric Deposition Program and the National Trends Network precipitation networks. These precipitation networks set quality-control goals for site-operator measurements of pH and specific conductance. The accuracy goal for pH is plus or minus 0.1 pH unit; the accuracy goal for specific conductance is plus or minus 4 microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius. These intercomparison studies indicated that an average of 65 percent of the site-operator pH measurements and 79 percent of the site-operator specific-conductance measurements met the quality-control goal. A statistical approach that is resistant to outliers was used to evaluate and illustrate the results obtained from these intercomparisons.