Technical Manager: Rafael Salas, Observatorio Canario de algas nocivas
International Phytoplankton Intercomparision (IPI)
From January 2023 to 2024, the Canary Islands Harmful Algal Bloom Observatory (OCHAB), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Spain in collaboration with the IOC Science and Communication Centre for Harmful Algae, Denmark will conduct a proficiency test on marine phytoplankton abundance and composition amongst laboratories.
The IPI proficiency testing scheme is open for participation to all relevant laboratories globally. This test is divided into two main competency areas and each participant must complete them both to obtain the required certification.
Taxonomical knowledge – in the form of a “Taxonomic assessment”, This test will be set up on a distant learning web platform called ‘Ocean teacher’. Participants will need to log on with a username and password and answer the questions online.
Sample Abundance and Composition – a number of samples inoculated with known quantities of a mixture of phytoplankton species or/and natural field samples will be sent to each laboratory. The number and type of samples will be adapted to be relevant to the participants each year.
Programme Schedule:
Registration opens: 30.01.2023 to 28.02.2023
Samples sent: 05.06.2023
Deadline for submission of samples: 01.09.2023
Report and Workshop: 01.11.2023
Please click on the link here for further information
The IPI exercise is organised by Rafael Salas (Observatario Canario de algas nocivas) and Jacob Larsen (IOC Science and Communication Centre on Harmful Algae) in collaboration with Claudia Delgado (IODE office). You can also e-mail me directly if you want to be included in future mailing about this test please contact rsalas@observatoriocanariohabs.com
The International Phytoplankton Intercomparison (IPI) is an international partnership to provide enumeration and identification quality assurance in marine phytoplankton. It was formerly part of the now concluded EU initiative Biological Effects Quality Assurance in Monitoring Programmes (BEQUALM) since 2005. The IPI did implement its intercomparison exercises through the Marine Institute Ireland in cooperation with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) through its Science and Communication Centre on Harmful Algae at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
From 2021 to 2025, the IPI Proficiency Testing scheme in abundance and composition of marine microalgae programme moved to the Canary Islands Harmful Algal Observatory (OCHABs) in the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Spain. The UK NE Atlantic Marine Biological Analytical Quality Control Scheme (NMBAQC) is one of our partners. They have been associated with the IPI scheme (formerly Bequalm) since the beginning in 2005 as the umbrella group for UK laboratories participating in phytoplankton intercomparison exercises under community analysis.
The IPI operates according to the ISO standards 17043 Conformity assessment-General requirements for proficiency testing and ISO13528 Statistical methods for use in proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparisons. We are currently applying for accreditation for 2017 under ISO17043 to the Irish national Accreditation Board (INAB) for the IPI to be accredited as a proficiency testing scheme. The IPI is a partnership of agencies, quality control entities and organizations with interest in phytoplankton monitoring and quality control. Partnership will allow for endorsement on IPI certificates of proficiency by national or regional partners where this will enhance the value of certificates to participants in the proficiency testing.
More information can be found on the website: https://www.iphyi.org