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Cataloging and Mapping Extreme Microorganisms in (This is a preliminary draft for this section of this website. Additional revision will take place based on review and recommendations. Any comments you may have can be submitted to the INEEL contacts listed on the Project Description Page.) 1.0 Purpose 2.0 Objectives 3.0 Personal Protection and Safety 4.0 Core Parameters 5.0 Spatial Relationships 6.0 Spring Discharge (Flow) 7.0 Spring Morphology 8.0 Quality Assurance 9.0 Sampling Protocols 10.0 Sampling Documentation 11.0 Field Conditions 12.0 Field Equipment 13.0 Water Quality Parameters 14.0 Photographic Documentation 15.0 Data Verification 16.0 Comments Field Forms: Section Two: Site Location (GPS and Map) Section Three: Field Conditions Section Four: Aquatic Chemistry Field Parameters Section Five: Photographic Documentation Section Six: Spring Discharge Section Seven: Field Notes and Signature The purpose of this document is to provide consistency in the collection of environmental field samples for the project, "Cataloging and Mapping of Extreme Microorganisms in Yellowstone National Park. " This document describes suggested methods and procedures to be used to collect water quality data from the spring habitats of these microorganisms. The protocols described are intended for the acquisition of data related to the general water chemistry and environmental conditions at the time of sample collection. Standardization of field methods is essential to ensure reliable data and correlation of published methods to site conditions is reasonable and valid.
3.0 Personal Protection and Safety All personnel involved in field sampling for this project will be trained and periodically retrained in personal protection, health and safety as required by LMITCO and the National Park Service (NPS). Personnel are not to collect samples or enter areas where they feel at risk or where degradation of the resource may result.
4.0 Core Parameters A minimum number of parameters are required to characterize the general water quality associated with the sampling location. These parameters will be used to determine general spring ecology and habitat associated with the extreme microorganisms. The core parameters that will yield environmentally and biologically relevant information include the following:
5.0 Spatial Relationships All sampling points will be located with global positioning system (GPS) methodologies and identified with photographic documentation. Protocols are included within Appendix A. 6.0 Spring Discharge (Flow) One of the major abiotic factors affecting spring ecology is the discharge volume. At each sampled spring, the discharge will be measured (or estimated) to determine the flow in cubic feet per second (cfs). The most practical method of measuring the discharge of a spring is by use of the velocity-area method. This method requires the physical measurement of a cross-sectional area of the channel through which water is flowing from a spring. The area is measured from the water surface to the bottom of the channel and from wetted bank to wetted bank. The cross-sectional area is determined in units of square feet. The velocity in which the water is flowing through this cross-sectional area is measured by use of a current meter. The velocity is determined in units of feet per second. Once these two parameters have been determined, the discharge in cfs can be calculated. The flow is determined by use of the incremental method. For each incremental width of the channel, the stream depth and the average velocity of flow are measured. The product of the increment width, increment depth and the velocity of the water within the increment is the discharge through that increment of the channel cross-section. The summation of all of the incremental discharges is the total discharge of the spring. Spreadsheet file Fflow.xls (Microsoft Excel 97) will calculate the discharge in cfs. Note that in the spreadsheet, water depth (Column C) measurements at each incremental location are recorded in centimeters (cm) and current meter revolutions (Column E) are recorded as number of revolutions per minute. If substrate conditions or resource concerns do not allow entry into the channel to collect measurements, the discharge can be estimated. This can be done by estimating a value for both the cross-sectional area of the channel and the water velocity. The location at which the spring discharge is determined will be documented by use of GPS methodologies. Additional information concerning determining spring discharge is included in Appendix B. At all sampled locations, if field condition allow, the wetted bank boundary of the spring will be determined and collected as a GPS polygon file. The depth of the spring at the sample location will be measured (if substrate conditions allow without disturbance of the environment). Quality assurance (QA) includes the quality control functions and involves a totally integrated program for ensuring the reliability of monitoring and measurement data. The objectives of QA within the field sampling process is to:
The complete sequence of sample collection and measurement must be evaluated to measure and minimize systematic and random error. A sampling protocol is a set of very explicit procedures to be followed during a sampling event at a specific site. One major objective of preparing and using protocols is to ensure sampling and data collection consistency throughout the project. Program requirements and scenario-specific factors will necessitate modifications to the protocols. Even though a sampling protocol is modified to reflect data quality objectives (DQOs), data quality is still dependent upon the samplers’ strict adherence to the detailed protocol. The collection of a representative sample is dependent upon the skill and precision with which the procedures are completed by the sampler. When exceptions to protocols do occur, it is important that they be completely and consistently documented to maintain a record of how the samples were actually collected. This allows the program manager to evaluate whether a sample will still meet program DQOs before utilizing the data. It is important that all sampling procedures:
Exceptions to Sampling Protocol Any exceptions to the sampling protocol will be documented to maintain a record of how samples were actually collected. The following details will be documented:
Sampling situations vary widely, therefore no general rule can be given as to the extent of information that must be recorded. However, field personnel must record sufficient information so that someone can reconstruct the entire sampling situation from the field data without reliance on the sampler’s memory. Sampling protocols include the use of approved field data forms. They are designed for documentation of field activities and provide for the collection of field data. They also provide a means to verify whether or not the sampling protocols were followed during a sampling event. The Environmental Field Data Form (EFDF) is a six-page form that will be used for all projects sampling events. The form consists of seven (7) sections, which are listed below: Section Two: Site Location (GPS and Map) Section Three: Field Conditions Section Four: Aquatic Chemistry Field Parameters Section Five: Photographic Documentation Section Six: Spring Discharge Section Seven: Field Notes and Signature Each section consists of a number of data fields related to the topic identified by the section header. To fully implement the protocol verification of the form, all data fields will be completed before leaving the sampling location. This will include filling in all blanks and checking all choices. All entries on the form must be legible and completed in waterproof ink and when completed, the form must be protected and filed in a secure location. A copy of the EFDF and additional information concerning the completion of the form are included within Appendix C. 11.0 Field Conditions Field conditions experienced during the sampling event will be recorded on the EFDF. The ambient conditions under which the sampling activities were conducted will be recorded. Any unusual field conditions that may have had a significant impact on the sampling results will be noted and described. 12.0 Field Equipment Personnel using instrumentation to collect field measurements will read the manufacturer’s instruction manual before using the instrument to record any data. Field personnel are to be familiar with operating limitations for all field instruments. These may include specified operating temperature ranges, humidity ranges and reduced response times due to environmental extremes. General care, maintenance, calibration procedures and operation of each measurement device will be in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications as detailed in the instruction manual for each device. All field equipment and instruments utilized will be identified by manufacturer, model number and serial number on the EFDF. In addition, all equipment inspection, preventative maintenance and calibration activities will be recorded. Equipment calibration information and a documentation form are included in Appendix D. A recommended inventory of field equipment and materials for completion of project activities is included within Appendix E. The basic suite of water quality parameters to be evaluated using field methods will include the following:
This parameter suite may be modified for specific sites or projects, upon agreement of the NPS and the principle investigator of the project. Parameter specific protocols for the project are based on information from Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 19th Edition and other references. Protocols for the parameters are included within Appendix F. Additional information concerning recommended field methods and general water quality are included in Tables 1 and 2. 14.0 Photographic Documentation Photographic records of the sites will provide a visual record of the conditions at the time of sampling. In addition, photographs will be used to determine qualitative changes that occur at a sampling location through time and/or with changing spring conditions, such as variation of discharge volume. Standard reference photographic documentation of a site will consist of a series of five (5) photographs (Photopoints). One photograph will be taken on each of the four major compass points (North, East, South and West) orientated towards the center of the sampled feature. One photograph will be taken (with a downward orientation) of the sample location. When sampling large features, locations from which photographic documentation was collected will also be recorded by the use of GPS methodologies. Additional information concerning photographic documentation is included within Appendix A of this document. 15.0 Data Verification All data collected during the project will be subject to a verification process. Data on EFDFs and other formats will be reviewed and verified by QA personnel prior to it being entered into the project database. All database entries will be reviewed by QA personnel to identify and correct any input errors. Additional information describing the data verification protocol is included within Appendix G. 16.0 Comments This document describes how to conduct field data collection. It outlines assumptions, methods, protocols, data handling and equipment required. It is not intended to describe how the analysis and interpretation of the collected data is to be conducted. The mention of trade names or commercial products within this document is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. Go to Home Page |