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Simulating Errors in Statistical Tests of Leachate‐lmpacted Ground‐Water Quality
Author(s) -
Milke M. W.,
Huitric R. L.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
groundwater
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1745-6584
pISSN - 0017-467X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6584.1993.tb00598.x
Subject(s) - leachate , statistics , statistical hypothesis testing , water quality , quality (philosophy) , multivariate statistics , environmental science , computer science , mathematics , engineering , waste management , ecology , philosophy , epistemology , biology
Data on 13 median leachate qualities at 56 landfills show a multivariate character, A simulation technique is used to include this multivariate character of leachate quality in assessing false negative error rates for statistical tests of ground‐water quality. Although the technique makes gross simplifying assumptions regarding the conservative mixing of leachate and ground water, the technique is more appropriate than traditional statistical methods for simulating false negative error rates that neglect correlations among water quality parameters. The technique is applied to the simple case of a control chart, intrawell statistical test of ground‐water contamination. Simulation results show that both the false positive and false negative errors of statistical tests can be reduced when tests include more parameters and a higher confidence level; thus, the technique can provide a “win‐win” situation for regulators and the regulated.