Stream Sampling

1
Stream Sampling

• Assessing water quality through the collecting of
  macro-invertebrates found on woody debris

2
Sample Sites

• This method will work in any stream shallow
  enough to wade in safely
• Areas without trees near the stream may lack
  sticks.
• It may be possible to create artificial samples
  by placing suitable (see next slide) sticks in
  the stream a few weeks in advance of sampling

3
ProcedureIn the field

• From each site used, two samples of woody debris
  are collected, each consisting of two to three
  pieces
• Each piece should be about 12-14 inches long and
  0.25 to 1.5 inches (5-35 mm) diameter
• Sticks selected should be in the current, neither
  on the bottom nor above the surface

4
Sampling 2.

• Cut the samples under the water if possible,
  using pruning shears (or a pruning saw for very
  thick pieces)
• Place the sticks in a two-gallon zipper seal
  plastic bag, one bag for each sample of 2-3
  sticks
• Place a label in the bag

5
Label for sample in the field

• GREAT EGG HARBOR RIVER
• SITE __________________
• DATE ___________
• SAMPLE __________
• SUBSTRATE___________

Size 1.25 x 2.25 inches
These can be made in advance, printed on a laser
printer. Otherwise, use 2 pencil
6
ProcedureIn the field

• Specific conductance (mS) and pH are measured in
  the field
• The most accurate readings are made using
  electronic meters

7
Procedure In the Lab

• Take stick samples back to the lab and wash with
  a soft scrub, nylon bristle brush into a bucket
• Keep samples separate throughout the preparation
  and analysis

8
Lab sample preparation 2

• Pour washed off material through an 0.5 mm sieve
• Transfer contents to 80 ethanol and place a
  label in the container

9
Label for washed sample

• NJ ATL. CO. NACOTE CREEK
• Morses Mill below Lake Fred
• 25 OCTOBER 2004
• SAMPLE __________
• SUBSTRATE___________

Size 1 x 1.75 inches
These can be made in advance, printed on a laser
printer. Otherwise, use 2 pencil
10
ProcedureIn the lab

• After scrubbing, examine the cleaned sticks under
  a stereo microscope for any remaining
  invertebrates
• Place these in a separate, labeled container in
  70 ethanol with 5 glycerin.

11
Sample sorting In the lab

• Place small amounts of debris from sample in 0.75
  x 0.75 x 18 inch tray in ethanol
• Examine under stereo microscope, removing all
  invertebrates
• Preserve invertebrates in a separate, labeled
  container in 70 ethanol with 5 glycerin.
• Discard plant debris, sediment, etc.

12
Sorting and labeling taxa

• After macro-invertebrates have been sorted from
  debris, sort each sample into taxa as indicated
  on the data sheet
• Make label for each taxon from each sample
• Place each taxon and label in a separate vial of
  70 ethanol with 5 glycerin

• TRICHOPTERA
• DATE Aug 2004
• GREAT EGG HARBOR RIVER
• SITE__________SAMPLE ___
• SUBSTRATE wood

Size 1.25 x 2.25 inches
These can be made in advance, printed on a laser
printer. Otherwise, use 2 pencil
13
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