Analysis
Data analysis is critical to nutrient criteria development. Appropriate analysis and data interpretation determines the scientific defensibility and effectiveness of criteria. Therefore, it is important to briefly reevaluate decisions regarding management goals made during previous phases and conceptual linkages between nutrients and assessment endpoints. Analysis can proceed after planning and problem formulation outputs have been reviewed and data sets have been assembled. This section covers important factors to consider in selecting an analytical approach. It also provides detailed instructions on applying three empirical approaches to deriving numeric criteria: reference condition, stressor-response, and mechanistic modeling.