If the physical, chemical, and/or biological integrity of the samples is not maintained during interim periods between sample collection and sample analysis, a carefully performed sampling program will become worthless Prompt analysis is undoubtedly the most positive assurance against error due to sample deterioration Probable errors due to deterioration of the sample should be noted in reporting analytical dataIf the physical, chemical, and/or biological integrity of the samples is not maintained during interim periods between sample collection and sample analysis, a carefully performed sampling program will become worthless. Prompt analysis is undoubtedly the most positive assurance against error due to sample deterioration. Probable errors due to deterioration of the sample should be noted in reporting analytical data