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laboratory informatics
endeavoured to provide it with data analysis and modelling informatics tools to ensure best value and use of data is achieved. We had previously trialled the Tibco Spotfire and Statistics Server applications, and decided to invest in this soſtware just over three years ago. Utilising this opportunity, ESIU embarked on a considerable effort to ensure we make best use of SEPA’s data
DATA MUST BE OF HIGH QUALITY AND WE MUST MAKE BEST USE OF IT
and in particular, samples collected and analysed in our laboratories, from all over Scotland. We decided to deliver this through an Informatics Hub with many web-based, interactive, data-driven tools. Te aim was to provide these informatics
tools, some of which are automated and integrated into SEPA’s LIMS and its Oracle databases, through web-based applications, so as to greatly enhance our understanding of the environment and our capabilities in
analysis. We wanted to: l enable and improve data verification processes;
➤ Case Study 1: Scottish pollutant release inventory
Each year, SEPA collects data from operators in Scotland to populate the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory which is reported to Europe, and published on SEPA’s and the Scotland’s Environment website. This dataset has data from more than 800 operators covering ~200 pollutants emitted to air and water. Previously this data was validated via a series of spreadsheets, which were passed between SEPA regulatory teams and the Scottish Pollution Release Inventory administration team. It was a lengthy and difficult process, given the amount of data and issues of integrity always associated with flat files such as Excel. In 2011, we replaced this with interactive web- based Spotfire tools. These tools were able to highlight issues in data instantly and consistently, also while making reviewing and browsing the data much faster and more efficient, giving staff one place to view the data. We added the ability to add questions and comments to enable discussion, and recording of discussions. A review of the previous method, versus the new informatics Spotfire-driven method found a 66 per cent time saving in the first year. Given that the first year included training of staff to use the new tools, future years will achieve savings of more
www.scientific-computing.com l
The data is on-line so the general public can interrogate the state of Scotland’s environment
than 80 per cent in staff time. However it was not only efficiency savings that
were found: we found that by proving analyses such as ranking of sites and emissions, utilising
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visualisations of the data, mapping the data and instant methods of finding defined issues, the understanding of the data and subsequent data quality also improved significantly.
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