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BRIDGER-TETON NATIONAL FORESTWIND RIVER MOUNTAINS

AIR QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAMMETHODS MANUAL

MAY 2002

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BRIDGER-TETON NATIONAL FOREST

WIND RIVER MOUNTAINS

AIR QUALITY PROGRAM

METHODS MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTSSection PageI. FIELD PROCEDURES

1. General Introduction . . . . . 32. National Atmospheric Deposition Program . . 43. IMPROVE Program . . . . . 84. Bulk Precipitation Program . . . . 145. Lakes and Aquatic Invertebrate Monitoring Program. 28

II. LAB PROCEDURES . . . . . .

1. A. General Introduction . . . . . . 382. B. Bulk Precipitation Program . . . . 393. C. National Atmospheric Deposition Program . . 434. D. Lakes and Aquatic Invertebrate Monitoring Program. 44

III. EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS . . . . . . 47

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I. FIELD PROCEDURESIntroduction.There are four programs on the Bridger National Forest which require field work by the air quality technician. These are the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP), the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) Network, the Bulk Precipitation Collection Program, and the Lake and Aquatic Invertebrate Monitoring Program. A short description of each of these programs may help one understand their history and objectives.

The National Atmospheric Deposition Program was started in 1978 by a region of the State Agricultural Experiment Stations to “address the problem of atmospheric deposition and its effects on agriculture, forests, rangelands and fresh water streams and lakes.” [Instruction Manual, NADP/NTN Site Operation; revised by National Atmospheric Deposition Program, 11/93, P. 1-1]. In 1982, it merged with the National Trends Network (NTN) of the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program of the federal governments. Thus, the name is now denoted NADP/NTN for most sites. NADP/NTN has the primary objective of determining spatial patterns and temporal trends in chemical deposition over the United States. In 1992, there were 190 sites across the country that operated for the entire year. In Wyoming, there are four sites located around the Wind River Mountains. On the west side of the range, the Pinedale site (designated WY06) is monitored by the BLM and the Gypsum Creek site (designated WY98) is monitored by the Forest Service. These sites have been operating since 1982 and 1984 respectively. There are also NADP sites on the Washakie District of the Shoshone National Forest located at South Pass and in Sinks Canyon.

The IMPROVE measurement program (Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments) was started in March 1988 as a cooperative effort between the Environmental Protection Agency, federal land management agencies including the Forest Service, and state air agencies. Its objectives are: 1) to establish current background visibility in class I areas, 2) to identify chemical species and emission sources responsible for existing man-made visibility impairment, and 3) to document long term trends. [Spatial and Temporal Patterns and the Chemical Composition of the Haze in the United States: An Analysis of Data from the IMPROVE Network 1988-1991; Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, 2/93, p. S-1]. National Parks and Wilderness areas are class I areas: they have special protection under the Clean Air Act and cannot incur significant deterioration of air quality. 36 sites in class I airsheds across the country are set up to monitor visibility and aerosol concentrations; 20 of these (including our site) have optical monitoring equipment. In Wyoming, there is one site in Yellowstone as well as our site on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, near the boundary of the Bridger Wilderness Area.

The Bulk Precipitation Collection Program was set up in response to recommendations made at the March 1984 Air Quality and Acid Deposition conference conducted by the Forest Service. It is designed to be another tool, in addition to lakes monitoring, to gather data on the chemical composition of atmospheric deposition at high elevations. At the program’s inception, there were seven sites in the Wind River Mountains. In 1991, recommendations consolidated some sites, and eliminated others. The two current sites on the Bridger-Teton NF are located next to Hobbs Lake and Black Joe Lake; there is also a bulk collection site at South Pass maintained by Shoshone NF.

The Lake Monitoring Program began along with the bulk precipitation program in 1984. By gathering baseline data on lake chemistry and zooplankton/macroinvertebrate populations, the Forest Service will have a start in analyzing future trends. In the Wind River Mountains, five lakes were selected for sampling on the basis of their high (2900m+) elevation, deep and large size, and their low buffering capacities. The five lakes are continuing to be monitored; of the five, Saddlebag and Ross Lakes are on the Shoshone NF and Hobbs, Black Joe, and Deep Lakes are on the Bridger NF.

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National Atmospheric Deposition ProgramIntroductionThe Gypsum Creek site, Site WY98, has an Aerochem Metrics wet/dry precipitation collector. This collector has two identical plastic buckets. The wet side bucket is meant to collect only precipitation, and is protected against evaporation and contamination during dry periods by a cover. The dry side bucket is exposed only during dry periods and thus collects all airborne particles besides those in precipitation, including turbulent and gravitational settling of chemicals, as well as dew, frost, and fog transported particles. A sensor automatically moves the bucket cover from the wet to the dry bucket with he onset of precipitation, and vice versa.

In addition to the collector, the site has a Belfort 5-780 Universal rain gage. A mechanism in this gage converts the weight of the precipitation caught in a metal bucket into the movement of a recording pen, which makes an inked trace on a paper chart. In addition to the rain gage recording pen, there is an event recording pen that marks a record of the uncovering of the wet side collector bucket. This record is on the same chart as the rain gage pen, so as to compare events with actual precipitation increases.

ScheduleThe wet side bucket and rain chart need to be changed once a week, every Tuesday at about 0900. The dry side bucket is changed every 4 weeks (NADP notifies us of the exact dates beforehand in the CALendar), along with that week’s wet side bucket. The procedures for changing and cleaning the Dry Side Bucket are outlined below.

The first Tuesday of each month you need to change the dry-side bucket of the collector when you perform the Tuesday wet-side bucket change. This is necessary to help ensure a clean surface for the lid seal to rest upon during precipitation.

Each site should have two 3.5 gallon LPE buckets dedicated to dry-side use: one bucket installed on the collector and the other cleaned, bagged, and ready to use as a replacement. Both buckets should be plainly marked in permanent marker: “DRY-SIDE USE ONLY”.

3.2.3.1 Cleaning Dry-Side Buckets at Field Lab

Rinse the bucket inside and out with lots of tap water. Use a sponge or paper towel to remove any debris.

Do not use detergents or alcohol. After cleaning the bucket with tap water, rinse it with distilled water. Place the bucket in a spare CAL bag and fasten it with a twist tie.

3.2.3.2 Changing Dry-Side Buckets and Cleaning Foam Lid Seal

When you are asked to change the dry-side bucket; take the replacement bucket, which was cleaned as detailed in Section 3.2.3.1, a bottle with DI water and some lint-free tissues to the field site. Note: if you do not have a replacement bucket; remove a clean bucket from a regular wet-side mailer, label and use it. Return the now empty mailer to the CAL to be refilled and sent back to you.

Before operating the collector, remove the “old” dry-side bucket, set it aside, and note the presence of any precipitation.

Remove the wet-side bucket according to the instructions in Section 3.2.2.1

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While both buckets are out of the collector: Assuming the sensor is wet, dry it to allow the roof mechanism to move approximately halfway

between the wet-side and dry-side buckets and unplug the power to the collector. Wipe the underside of the lid seal to remove any accumulated debris. Use a damp, clean, lint-

free tissue. Let the foam lid seal air dry. Wipe the top of the roof, the frame of the collector, and the sensor to remove bird droppings or

other accumulations that could enter into the sample bucket from these surfaces. Install the new “DRY-SIDE USE ONLY” bucket. Plug in the collector. Install the new wet-side bucket. Note which surfaces have been cleaned in Block 10 of the FORF.

If it is snowing hard, raining, or the site is experiencing freezing temperatures, you may not be able to use the DI water to wipe the underside of the lid seal. In these cases, dry wipe the lid seal, top of the roof mechanism, the frame of the collector, and the sensor.

Equipment and suppliesFollowing is a list of supplies that need to be ordered from the CAL and kept in the lab:

1. PH 7.0 buffer2. PH 4.0 buffer3. CAL Check solution4. CAL specific conductance standard5. 4 ml. vials6. KCl solution7. Rain Gage Charts8. Field Observer Report Forms

Estimated time to complete procedureThe buckets are collected, at the site, each Tuesday by a contractor. In the event that you need to perform the duties of the field operator, the trip to and from the site and the actual sample collection will take 2 to 3 hours.

Preparations.The weekly wet side buckets come to us from Central Analytical Laboratory (CAL) in big black boxes. When a box arrives, check for supplies inside. Take these out, including the 1 liter bottle, and bring them to the lab. Flip the address card. Put a NADP Field Observer Report Form and a Rain Gauge chart in the box, then close it and put a “ready” sticker on the top. The stock of boxes should be rotated so the oldest one gets used next.

ProceduresAt 8 AM on Tuesday morning, a box should be set out by the door for the field operator. When the box returns from the field take it to the lab for analysis, or if it is winter, take the bucket out and allow the snow to thaw first.

Mailing. Black boxes are shipped back to CAL via UPS, within 48 hours of sample collection. UPS comes around noon. First, make copies of the Field Observer Report Form (1) and rain gauge chart (2). Tear off the pink copy from the report form, and insert the originals of both forms in the box. Weigh the box, close it up, and fill out the UPS record.

Filing. The pink copy of the Field Observer Report Form and one of the Rain Gauge copies, along with the NADP/NTN Calibration and Measurement Record from the lab, get filed in our NADP files. Graphs are marked for pH conductivity, and check sample pH. The second copy of both forms is kept for Exxon; there are periodically mailed to them.

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Notes Contacts for NADP are in Illinois and Fort Collins, CO. Consult the NADP site report binder for exact names. The CAL contact is:

Scott DossettCentral Analytical Laboratory2204 Griffith DriveChampaign, IL 61820Phone: (800) 952-7353. Fax: 217-333-0249.

Forms and instructions can be found on the web at http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/Contact him with equipment questions and printout questions, or any other basics. If you can’t do your NADP duties for the week, arrange an alternate. These are in order of preference; Sallie Otteman at the BLM, Terry Svalberg, Hank Williams, Kurt Nelson.

Contractor for Sample Collection:

Terry PollardBald Mountain OutfittersPinedale, WY 82941307-367-6539

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Gypsum Creek NADP Site Map (Kendall Mountain)

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IMPROVE IIIEquipment & suppliesBring from office:

1. Watch2. Keys

At site:

1. Log sheets/pens2. Glass cleaner & paper towel3. Isopropyl alcohol & kimwipes4. Blower brush5. Voltmeter6. Tools & repair items7. Site operator’s manual8. Packing crates9. Lamps (transmitter only)

Estimated timeReceiver: total time = half hour, with arrival at site 5-10 minutes before the top

of the hour.

Transmitter: same as receiver.

PreparationsEvery visit, before leaving the office, set your watch to the exact time bycalling the Bureau of Standards recording -- 303-499-7111.

Make sure there is enough visibility to see one site from the other.

Procedures Transmitter:Unlock the shelter, take a log sheet out of the red notebook, and fill it out, following these steps:

Before the top of the hour:

1. Document initial alignment. Turn the flip mirror know on the telescope from “ON” to “OBS” and look through the eyepiece. Find the receiver station - just above the receiver window is orange tape which is easier to spot. Mark the position in the circle with a “+”. It is rare that the telescope is out of alignment and needs adjustment, unless you have bumped it.

2. Instrument numbers. The instrument and lamp numbers are clearly labeled with stickers. Write these down.

3. Shelter window/telescope lens. Make comments if there is a dirty window (i.e. fly, doo-doo, etc). Slide the window up out of its holder, and clean both sides to utter spotlessness,using only kimwipes and isopropyl alcohol. With the window out, inspect telescope lens.

If there is dirt, lightly brush it with the blower brush only. Put the window back in the frame—the number etched in it should face inside the shelter, in the lower right hand corner.

4. Clean solar panels with glass cleaner and paper towels, or brush the snow off.

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5. Check battery charging and analyzing voltages. Unplug the voltmeter from the lamp socket and plug it into the battery socket. Turn the voltmeter know left 3 clicks, to 20VDC range. Take the lowest and highest readings and record them. If the weather is not sunny, the readings change very slowly. Plug the voltmeter back into the lamp socket and leave it on for now. That way, you can tell exactly when the lamp comes on.

At top of hour:

1. Note time of lamp turn-on. This can be gleaned by the voltmeter reading rising from 0 or hearing the whir of the chopper motor. Don’t look into telescope lens!

2. After lamp is on, check the red light on the control box (called the lamp check LED). This should be off (if it is on, the lamp voltage is too high).

3. After the lamp is on 5 minutes, write down the lamp voltage reading. Turn the voltmeter off.4. Note when lamp turns off. This will occur 16 minutes after it turns on.5. Write any comments about week’s weather/visibility—this will help ARS interpret the readings.

Before you leave, make sure:

1. Voltmeter is turned off.2. Flip mirror on telescope is back in “ON” position, not “OBS” (If left in OBS, it makes a loud

noise to remind you to turn it back to on!).

Reciever:Unlock shelter door, get out a log sheet from the red notebook, and follow the steps outlined. These include:

Before the top of the hour:

1. Record receiver display readings. Look at the receiver computer and write down the readings of each front panel switch. Receiver display, toggle switch, and CAL will vary; others should be: Gain = 900, Dist = 5.08, A1 = C, A2 = SD, Int = 10, Cycle = 1 HR.

2. Change the A1 switch from C (raw reading) to B (extinction reading) and record this display. Put the A1 switch back to C. Now look at the orange conversion chart handing on the wall and translate the B reading into miles (Example: .090=27 miles). Does this value agree with actual visibility conditions? Note and inconsistencies.

3. Clean window, lens, and solar panels. Same procedures as at transmitter.4. Check alignment and timing. Turn flip mirror knob from “ON” to “OBS” just before top of

hour. Record transmitter position and time transmitter lamp turns on (it is OK at the receiver to have flip mirror on “OBS” for the first minute or two of light transmission since the receiver is not taking readings until 3 minutes into the hour).

After the top of the hour:

1. Take batter readings with voltmeter. Make sure there is a good connection, turn voltmeter to 20VDC range, and get a charging and analyzing reading. Turn voltmeter off.

2. Record exact time of reading update. After 10 minutes of readings (13 minutes past hour), the display will update and the toggle light will turn of (if it was off) or off (if it was on). Record new reading and toggle state, and time of update.

3. Record time transmitter light turns off.

NOTE: it is important that these times be exact. The system clocks drift over time and it is important that the receiver takes its reading well-centered within the lamp-ON interval (there is 3 minutes of time before and after receiver readings so there is some leeway):

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Before leaving, make sure:

1. The A1 switch is back to “C”.2. The flip mirror knob is turned back to “ON”.3. Voltmeter is turned off! Otherwise, the battery will drain.

MAILING: Keep yellow sheets and mail white sheets in with the camera site’s sheet and film in ARS provided mailer. Address:

Air Resource Specialists1901 Sharp Point Dr., Suite EFort Collins, CO 80525

Notes

Don’t do something stupid like walk in front of lenses while a reading is being taken!!

Special servicing includes resetting the computer and the timing and changing lamps. There are specific directions and diagrams in the Site Operator’s Manual. ARS also can give good directions over the phone.

ARS contacts are Carter Blandford, or Dave Bikely, @ 1-800-344-5423. These folks are extremely helpful with any questions.

After any unusual/specific procedure such as a lamp change, FAX in the log sheet to ARS immediately: 970-484-3423.

There is an annual summer maintenance visit by ARS.

Steps of Transmissometer Protocol:

Transmitter:1. Check alignment.2. Clean windows, lens and solar panels.3. Get batter readings with voltmeter; plug voltmeter back in to lamp.4. Record time of lamp turn on.5. After 5 minutes, record lamp voltage, check lamp LED light on control box.6. Record time of lamp turn-off.7. Make sure voltmeter is off, flip mirror ON. Lock shelter. Bring back log sheet.

Receiver:1. Record received display readings.2. A1 switch to “B”. Does extinction reading correspond to actual visibility?3. Clean window lens and solar panels.4. Check alignment & timing at top of hour.5. Get battery readings with voltmeter.6. Record time of reading update. Repeat steps 1 & 2.7. Record time of transmitter light off.8. Make sure voltmeter off, A1 switch=”C”, flip mirror ON. Lock shelter. Bring back log sheet.

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LPV-2 Transmissometer Operator Log Sheet Transmitter Station

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LPV-2 Transmissometer Operator Log Sheet Receiver Station

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Bulk Precipitation CollectionIntroductionThe Hobbs Lake and Black Joe Lake bulk snow and rain collection sites are in remote wilderness locations, at 10,060’ and 10,259’ in elevation respectively. For most of the year, when snow can be expected, a tube collector is erected which is 18” in diameter and in sections 3’ long. Additional sections can be attached; at peak snow depth 4 sections of tube may be required. In summer months when rain can be expected, modified Hubbard Brook rain collectors are set up.

Schedule.Collection of the snow samples takes place once every four weeks, give or take up to one week. Rain samples are retrieved once every two weeks, give or take up to 2 days. The snow tubes (one at each site) are erected in September and taken down in June. The Hubbard Brook collectors (2 at each site) are set up in early June and taken down in late September; thus there is a sample overlap on each when either snow or rain is likely to fall.

Bulk Snow CollectionEquipment and supplies

The following are essential for work at the bulk collection site:1. 3 large plastic bags, called bulk snow collection bags2. 2 pairs lab gloves3. 1 roll duct tape4. Flat blade screwdriver5. WD-406. 7/16” socket7. 7/16” wrench8. Waterproof notebook/pencil

The following are essential for winter camping:

Group gear:1. Stove/gas/lighter2. Pots/utensils3. Food4. Fly or tent5. Wax kit6. Repair kit7. First aid kit8. Maps/compass9. Sled10. Radio and extra batteries

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Individual gear:1. Skis/poles/skins2. Shovel/transceiver3. Boots, gaiters4. Synthetic long underwear5. Shells, top and bottom6. Nylon or goretex, with hood7. Sleeping bag & pads8. 2-3 thick top layers9. 1 pair pile pants/overpants10. Parka11. Hat, scarf12. Sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses13. Cup, bowl, spoon, water bottle14. Pack

Time

Hobbs Lake is approximately 7 miles from Elkhart Park. In winter, the road is plowed only to White Pine, adding another 4 miles of travel. Depending on snow conditions, the trip generally takes 2 or 3 days.

The Black Joe Lake site is 8 miles from the “Cowgirl Cabin” at Big Sandy Opening. The snowmobile ride in to the cabin is 12-14 miles in winter, depending on the roadhead. The trip general takes 4 days - plan on an extra day in case of delays.

Preparations

The bulk snow bags come from the Associated Bag Co. Make sure there are enough bags for the season in early autumn.

Before the monthly trip1. Put the collection bags in an extra NADP bag and pack them away from possible contaminants, such

as gas.

2. Arrange for 2 other skiers to go.

3. Call the avalanche hotline for the latest snow/avalanche conditions in Jackson and the weather forecast.

4. The truck, snowmobiles, and snowmobile sled(s) should be gassed, oiled and thoroughly checked over before departure.

5. Find out condition of snowmobile trails.

6. Charge radio batteries, tell Anita schedule and who’s going.

7. Check to see if there is a blank or split this month.

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Procedures

Setting up for the season

The collector tube comes in 3 foot sections. Two sections can be erected initially, with additional sections bolted on as the snowpack gets deeper, or all 3 sections can be attached at the beginning of the season. If sections will be added on during the winter, be sure and store the extra sections under an easily identified tree. If all 3 sections are to be attached at the start, you will have to use some creative climbing techniques in order to reach the top in early winter, when the snowpack is still low.

The collector tube should be erected, then secured in place with 3 guy lines that run from the top flange of the tube to bolts or other anchors on the ground. The guy lines are held tight with cable clamps.

Next, the collector tube is fitted with 3 plastic bags—in case the inner collector bag is punctured there is still a double back up. Each bag is opened and stuffed down the tube, with the top folded outward around the rim and duct taped in place. Take care not to touch the inside of the bags or lean over the tube—reduce any potential contamination of the collector bags!! After all three bags are duct taped in place, a hose clamp is placed over the duct tape of the last bag as further security.

Monthly visit

When arriving at the collector site, note which way the wind is blowing and approach the collector from downwind (so as to reduce possible contamination). Drop your packs at least 20’ away from the collector and get out the necessary equipment. Take a look at the collector and determine if anything is unusual (i.e. collector overflowing, tipping over, or whatever).

Ski up to the collector with one other person, avoiding skiing over the guy lines, and take out the month’s snow sample:

Unscrew the hose clamp and tear off duct tape securing the innermost bag. Be careful not to touch the inside of the bag except where it is already contaminated by the duct tape. Also, don’t lean over the top of the collector, sneeze towards it, smoke near it, etc. Pull out the inner bag containing the snow sample. The bag is quite long—be sure not to spill any snow out the top when pulling the bag out of the tube. As soon as the sample is out, loosely duct tape the neck to close it.

Check in the collector to see if any sample has leaked through the inner bag to the next bag. If so, remove this bag from the collector too (and replace it).

Open a fresh collector bag and stick it down the collector. Fold the top over the rim and duct tape in place (you will have to make a pleat). Tighten the hose clamp over the duct tape.

Bring the sample over to the packs. Squeeze all the air out of the bag and duct tape tightly around the neck, 2” closer to the sample from the first tape. Open a second bag and line an empty pack with it. Carefully stuff the sample into the pack and duct tape the second bag shut. An alternative is to put the double bagged sample on the sled. A second alternative, though not as desirable, is to split the sample in half and transport it in two packs (if it’s huge). Possible contaminants such as fuel should not be put in the same pack/sled as the sample.

It is also necessary to determine the average snow depth of the site. Measure 8-10 snow depths in a circle around the collector and average these measurements. Make notes of the visit. Write down names of the collectors, time of arrival, weather, average snow depth, time of collection, and appearance/problems associated with collector. Also note any possible contamination. Bring the snow sample out of the mountains to the lab.

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At the lab

Get out a cleaned bulk snow garbage can. Before dumping the snow sample into the can, rinse the garbage can tree times with d.i. water and shake out all excess water. Now, remove the outer bag and brush any snow off the pleats and outside of the inner sample bag. With a pair of scissors, cut the sample bag between the two taped places on the neck. Carefully shake off any little bits of plastic that may be loose here, without touching the edge. Remove the last piece of duct tape. Two people are needed to lift up the bag and dump the sample into the garbage can, trying not to let the bag touch the inside of the can. If any snow is accidentally spilled on the floor, scoop it up and weigh it separately. Do not add it to the rest of the sample. Put the cover on the garbage can and weigh the sample. Leave it to melt for a day or two in the can.

Notes

Overflow handling. Occasionally, snow is overflowing out the top of the collector bag at the site. One method to deal with this is to put the overflow snow in a separate bag using the lab gloves to scoop the snow into the bag.

It is useful to have an extra cable clamp or two on the guy lines since they are easily dropped and lost in the snow during adjustments.

If the sample is a mixture of water and ice (common in Spring), it is easier to measure the water part of the sample at the site rather than risk transporting it and possibly spilling it. This can be accomplished by bringing in a 2 liter and a 1 liter bottle (or 2 widemouth 1-liter bottles). At the site, the liquid part of the sample can be measured and dumped out. With 2 people holding the bag, pour the water into the 2 liter bottle to the top, then dump it. Repeat this, counting the number of bottles filled and discarded. In the middle of this procedure, pour a sample into the 1 liter bottle from the bag—this is the sample for the lab. The last liquid should be poured into the 2 liter bottle and NOT DUMPED—it must be taken to the lab and weighed since it is an unknown quantity. Inevitably, with this method, some water is spilled. Try to estimate the amount spilled as closely as possible.

Other techniques for dealing with a mixture of liquid and solid include melting the ice or freezing the water.

Questions on procedures should be directed to Gary Stensland. He is with the:

Atmospheric Sciences DivisionIllinois State Water Survey2204 Griffith DriveChampaign, IL 61820 Phone: (217) 244-2522

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Bulk Rain CollectionEquipment and supplies

The following are necessary for regular visits:

1. 1 liter of deionized water2. Tubing brush3. Extra 2 liter sample bottle per stand, decontaminated and capped (the round bottles)4. Duct tape5. Spare parts—hose clamps, tubing, connectors, wire6. Screwdriver/pliers7. Waterproof field notebook/pencil8. 4.9 check solution (if a blank is to be taken)

The following are needed for each Hubbard Brook collector initial set up

1. 1 10” Nalgene lab funnel, heavy-duty LDPE2. Laboratory quality clear plastic bubble tubing for funnel—bottle and bottle—bottle/connections3. 1 2-liter Bel-Art poly bottle, widemouth4. 1 2-liter poly bottle for overflow, widemouth5. 2 pierced caps for above bottles6. 4 tubing connectors to attach inlet and overflow tubes to bottle caps7. 4 hose clamps for securing tubing to bottle caps8. Duct tape to hold the inlet hose in a circular configuration9. 1 standard lab ringstand modified with 36” upright (3/8” steel rod)10. 2 large (5” diameter) rings with thumbscrew attachment11. 1 burette clamp to hold funnel neck12. Wire to secure HB set up to stand and steel fencepost13. 1 rain gauge.

Time

Summer collections can be completed in a day, at both Hobbs Lake and Blake Joe Lake. The hikes are round trips of about 14 miles.

Preparations

At the beginning of the rain season, the parts for the Hubbard Brook collectors need to be assembled and checked over in the lab. In off season and in between uses, the 2 liter bottles need to be stored full of deionized water. They should be full of di water for a minimum of 24 hours. This water can be dumped out just prior to hiking into the site (shake out as much moisture as you can).

At the beginning of the season, order 4 bottles of 4.3 check solution from CAL. These are for blank samples.

Before each trip, check to see if there is a blank/split/dup on the schedule for this time.

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Procedures

Setting up for the season

Bring all parts to the Hubbard Brook site—be sure to bring 2 complete set-ups, as there are 2 collectors per site. The site has 2 permanent sawed off steel fenceposts driven into the ground. These are for securing the stands against winds, etc. They must be located and dug out of the snow. The Hobbs Lake posts are located 3 feet from the winter collector, in a SW direction. The Black Joe posts are located 127 feet from the snow collector, in a W direction as 260 degrees.

Assemble the funnel, tubing, and sample bottle caps and connect them to the ring stand. Wire the ring stand to the fencepost (Note: there are permanent clamps on one of the Hobbs Lake posts that attach to the ringstand). Scrub the tubing, funnel and cap with the tubing brush, if this hasn’t been done in town, and flush the system with three rinses of d.i. water. Connect the sample bottle to the perforated lid and curl the tubing so it has a loop. Tape/wire the loop to the stand. Finally, attach the overflow bottle and vent tube and make sure all is secure. The rain gauge can be wired to the back of one of the fenceposts.

Biweekly visit

Approach the site from downwind and get out supplies away from the collectors in order to minimize potential contamination. Look at the tubes and note all forms and amounts of contamination in the tubes as well as in the sample bottle you are to collect. Collect the sample: if it is a regular sample, select the highest volume and cleanest of the 2 HB’s. Loosen the lower lab ring and unscrew the sample bottle while holding the cap stationary. Immediately cap the sample bottle with the cap from the replacement sample bottle. If there is overflow and that bottle is graduated, you may measure and document the amount of overflow and then discard that portion of the sample. If the overflow bottle is not graduated you must bring this water out to be weighed, so find a bottle to decant this water into (deionized water bottle, the second sample bottle, or a spare overflow bottle). Make a note if the overflow bottle has overflowed. The sample in the second HB can be dumped if it is a regular or split sample.

Clean out the funnel and tubing of both HB’s: Undo the duct tape/wire from the tubing loop and untwist the loop. Use the brush to scrub out the tubing (it may be necessary to disconnect tubing from the bottle cap if insects, etc., are stuck at the cap connector). Rinse the funnel and tubing 3 times with a total of a half liter of d.i. water per stand; be sure to also rinse the bottle cap. Let as much waster as possible drain out of the tubing and then reassemble the setup, attaching the new sample bottle in the process. Reattach the overflow bottle.

Check the rain gauge: note the amount of precipitation in the rain gauge. To dump the water out, pull the top off and take out the inner measuring tube. If more than one inch of precipitation has fallen, dump the contents of the inner tube, then measure the rest of the water from the outer cylinder with the inner tube. The outer cylinder of the rain gauge can be slid upward off its mounting bracket if it needs to be removed.

Make notes of the visit in the field log, including: Sampler(s) name(s), time of arrival, weather, amount of precipitation, time of collection, appearance/problems of collector. Note any possible contamination or interference.

Bring the sample out of the mountains to the lab. Refrigerate the sample until ready for lab work (should be done within 24 hours if possible).

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Notes

Blanks:There are 2 kinds of blanks-the scheduled blanks and dry deposition blanks, which are to be planned if you suspect there has been no precipitation in the last sampling period. For both types, bring an extra 2 liter bottle and 250 ml of 4.9 check solution to the field. For a scheduled blank, first obtain the regular field sample and then rinse the funnel and tubing. Next, attach the blank bottle to the setup, as you would normally, and then pour the 4.3 check solution into the funnel. Make sure the liquid is poured over all of the inside funnel surface. After the solution has drained into the blank bottle, unscrew this bottle and cap it. Make sure it is labeled so as not to be confused with the regular sample! Wash the system again before attaching the new sample bottle.For a dry blank, pour the 4.9 check solution down the funnel and let it drain into the sample bottle that has been in place for the past sampling period (the sample bottle should have no liquid in it before this). You are thus gathering the dry deposition that has accumulated in the last two weeks. Make a note of this in the field log.

Duplicates:These are easily accomplished by bringing out samples from both HB’s rather than just one. Each sample is treated separately from here on.

Splits: See the lab section.

Composites:If there is less than 70 ml in each sample bottle the samples can be combined and called a composite. This should be reflected in the labeling.Low volume samples: See Composites (above). Remember, if the combined sample is still under 70 ml, you won’t do lab work other than weight, but will ship the sample directly to the lab. Use your judgment if there is a dup or split scheduled—you may reschedule them. No precipitation during sampling period: You still change the bottles. Remember to do a dry deposition blank.Frozen funnel/tubing: This is a problem on occasion. If you can thaw the funnel or tubing by cupping your hands on the outside or coming back later, those are better options than dumping the ice.Marmots chew on various pieces of plastic. Check these parts regularly for wear. Willows grow around the collectors. Occasionally, they must be trimmed back so as not to interfere with sample transfers.

21

Hobbs Lake Bulk Deposition Site (Bridger Lakes)

22

Black Joe Bulk Deposition Site (Temple Peak)

23

Bulk Deposition Sampling Record

24

Modified Hubbard Brook Rain Collector

25

Hubbard Brook Rain Modified Collector with Overflow Bottle

26

Bulk Snow Collector

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2001 BLANK, DUPLICATE, AND SPLIT SAMPLE SCHEDULESNOW SAMPLES

HOBBS BLACK JOE

November Regular RegularDecember Regular RegularJanuary Split SplitFebruary Regular BlankMarch Split RegularApril Blank SplitMay Regular RegularJune Regular Regular

HUBBARD-BROOK SAMPLES

HOBBS BLACK JOE

1 Regular Duplicate2 Duplicate Split3 Split Regular4 Split Split5 Regular Blank6 Duplicate Split7 Blank Duplicate8 Blank Regular9 Regular Blank10 Regular Regular

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LAKES AND AQUATIC INVERTEBRATE MONITORING PROGRAMIntroduction

Hobbs, Black Joe, and Deep Lakes are all visited by the field technician and an assistant. There are several collections made during the visit: the inlet, outlet, and lake waters are sampled, zooplankton and macro invertebrate samples are taken, and air and water measurements are recorded.

Schedule

In the past, three lakes were sampled in the Spring, right after the Spring overturn; in mid to late Summer when the lake was stratified; and after Fall overturn, just before freeze-up. In 1995, this schedule was reduced: in the Spring and Fall, only the inlet and outlet water samples are taken along with their corresponding air and water temperatures. The full lake sampling takes place just once, in late summer when the lakes are most likely to be fully stratified.

Equipment and supplies

1. raftoarspumppatch kitlife jackets

OR2. float tube

pumpdry suitflippersneoprene gloveslife jacketbooties

3. clipboarddata sheets (rite in rain)pens/pencilslabeling tape/waterproof penfield notebookbathometric map

4. thermograph (includes thermocouple thermometer and the line)spare 9 volt battery

5. Van Dorn bottle (vertical alpha bottle)brass messenger100 ft yellow cable

6. Plankton netethyl alcohol (small jar for plankton & macros)yellow cable (same as 5)

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7. Macroinvertebrate equipmentneoprene gloves and bootiesmodified Surber netstiff bristle brush2 bread panstable salt250 micron sieve2 pair tweezers1 labeled jar per sitesquirt bottleethyl alcoholtape measurewatch1 California orange or 1 Pepsi can (full)(orange is preferred)hand thermometerSample bottles2 large jars for macros (inlet, outlet)4 + 250 ml brown Nalgene bottles (hypo, epi, inlet, outlet, + dups)1 small plankton jar

8. Generalsmall cooler for water samplesmesh/duffle gear bagsrepair kit with leatherman and duct tapeextra safety clips and carabiners

Time

The entire lake sampling procedure takes about 4-6 hours per lake, with 2 people sharing the tasks. This is weather dependent, as anything other than calm conditions can make things slower or impossible!.

Preparations

Order any new equipment parts needed well before the season starts. Also, order enough 250 ml brown Nalgene bottles and the companion 60 ml clear Nalgene bottles for the entire season. Count one bottle per site per visit and add on dups and blanks. These are obtained from Louise O’Deen at the Rocky Mountain Experiment Station (see address below).

The 250 ml brown bottles are the bottles that are brought into the field; the 60 ml bottles are left in the lab. Both should be kept full of the d.i. water that they were shipped with until use.Check the float tube and the Avon raft for leaks. In order to pump up the float tube, you need to insert a valve into the stem; these are kept in a film canister in a pocket of the tube. The stems in the raft have a little cross-shaped piece of plastic inside; this piece can be rotated until it pops up-this creates a one-way valve. To deflate, simply push in and rotate the piece. There is a patch kit in the locker.Pick a dry suit that fits. The gaskets should be rubbed with Armorall before and after the season.Check the thermograph to see that it’s working and is calibrated. Make sure the readout end is in a plastic bag with only the plug exposed (or else it gets damp and malfunctions).

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Look over the other sampling equipment; make sure it’s all there and that it works! If you haven’t used the lake equipment before, it’s a good idea to become familiar with it and practice beforehand, so when it’s time for the real thing you can be efficient.Count out correct number of bottles, including blanks and dups. Label bottles like so:

BRIDGER WILDERNESSDEEP LAKE/DUPLICATEHYPOLIMNION8/25/95 17:00T.PORWOLL

Get out 2 macro jars (larger white jars) and 1 zooplankton jar (smaller) per lake. Make sure the lids have the cardboard seals in them or they’ll leak. Label the jars:

BRIDGER WILDERNESSHOBBS LAKE OUTLET8/18/95 13:00T.PORWOLL

Watch the macroinvertebrate training video. It was put together by Fred Mangum and should answer any questions you may have.If you are planning on packing in with animals, arrange horse/llama use ahead of time along with the corresponding trailer. The raft weighs 40 lbs, so it would be possible to hire human porters instead.

Procedures.

There are 2 parts to the procedures, the actual lake sampling and the inlet/outlet sampling. The lake part includes measuring temperatures, obtaining epilimnion (surface) and hypolimnion (deep water) water samples , and towing for zooplankton. Inlet/outlet duties include macroinvertebrate sampling, water sampling, and calculating CFS. It doesn’t matter whether lake or inlet/outlet sampling is performed first.

Inlet/outlet procedures: First, obtain a water sample using the 250 ml brown nalgene bottle. Pick an area of good stream flow, away from any aquatic vegetation, and where the bottle dipping won’t disturb the bottom sediments. Pour out the d.i. water in the bottle downstream of the sampling location. Submerse the bottle in the stream and fill it half full, then cap and shake. Dump this rinse and then repeat rinse procedure twice more. On the fourth dip, fill the bottle up completely so that no air bubbles remain and cap while submersed. This is the sample. Be sure not to touch the threads inside of the cap, etc., or get surface film in the bottle or the sample will be contaminated. Also, obtain air and water temperatures.

Determining CFS involves taking several measurements. First, pick an area where it is safe to wade around and where all water flows in one channel if possible. If there is more than one channel (as is often the case at Hobbs Lake’s outlet), measure each channel’s CFS and add them together. Measure the stream width. Along that same line, walk heel to toe and measure stream depth every left big toe, on the downstream side. Write each measurement down for the entire width. Now measure a ten foot length of stream, in an area of average flow. Get out your orange/Pepsi can and a watch. Have your partner stand at the downstream end of the 10’ section while you stand at the upper end. You will time the seconds it takes our little “boat” to pass the 10 feet. There are a total of three boat races; vary the starting zones for each boat so you get a cross section of flows. So start-set the first boat in and time it, then the second and third. Write each time down.

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Later, when you’re back at camp or in the office, you can calculate the CFS:

Average the depths in inches and divide by 12 for feet.

1”+1.5”+2”+8”+9”+4”+5”+2”+1”+1”+2”+=36.5”

36.5÷11=3.32” 3.32÷12=.28 feet=(D)

2. Average the time: 8+12+25=45 45÷3=15 seconds = (T)

3. Width is already measured: 42 feet=(W)

4. CFS = (W)(D)(10) = 42 x .28 x 10 = 7.84

(T) 15

Now, do the macro invertebrate sampling: you will sample 3 sites in the lake inlet and 3 more in the outlet. The site should be in a riffle and you should pick a relatively shallow area (less than 2 feet deep) that doesn’t have too much current.

Approach the most downstream site from downstream, bringing the modified Surber net and brush. Place the foot square metal frame of the net over the stream bed with the net end floating downstream between your legs. Pick up and scrub each rock found within the frame. Scrub a rock to dislodge all macros, algae, etc. in a manner such that everything drains downstream into the net. When done with a rock, put it down outside the frame. When all the rocks in the frame have been scrubbed, stir up the bottom substrate with a finger to a depth of no more the 3-4 inches. Inspect the brush for any clinging bugs.

Pick up the net from the water, holding the metal frame so that the contents fall to the bottom. Shake it and splash water against the sides to wash macros to the bottom. With a spare hand or foot, put the pile of scrubbed rocks back into the hole.

Go over to the bank and the rest of the equipment. Now, turn the net inside out and carefully dump the contents into the sample jar. Rinse the net if any macros are still clinging to the sides or use tweezers to pick them off. Next scoop the contents into a sample jar with your fingers. Use the squire bottle to wash down any remaining objects and pick the net clean with tweezers. Finally, fill the sample jar with ethyl alcohol to preserve the sample.

Samples will be shipped to the Buglab at Utah State University. Visit the following web site for more information on sampling, shipping, and handling of samples. This web site should be visited at least once at the beginning of the field season to be sure that protocols and handling procedures have not changed or been updated.

http://www.usu.edu/buglab/

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Lake Sampling: Assemble the raft/float tube on shore and arrange the sampling equipment-it can be stored in a mesh zip bag (raft) or clipped to the sides (float tube) with biners. Batten down the hatches and row out to the deepest spot on the lake! The deepest spot can be found by using the bathometric maps or the marked maps in this manual

First, measure the temperatures. Take the air, then surface water temperatures with the regular thermometer. Record the time. Plug the thermograph into the cable and lower the cable, obtaining and recording water temperatures every 5 feet (the cable is marked for this). Be sure to keep the digital readout end dry. Measure until past the thermocline (the area of transition between the upper warm water and the lower cold water where the temperature {C} drops at a rate of about 1 degree per meter). Deep in the lake, where the temperatures become constant, is the hypolimnion. From the temperature profile, determine the thermocline and the hypolimnion (approximately 10’ below thermocline) depth. Roll up the thermograph.

Next, take the lake samples. The epilimnion is taken right below the surface. Follow the same procedures as for the inlet/outlet using a 250 ml brown Nalgene bottle. The hypolimnion will be taken at the depth you have determined from the temperature profile. The van Dorn bottle is used to bring up water from this depth. Clip the 100’ yellow cable to the van Dorn bottle (this can be done on the shore to expedite matters). Open the 2 ends of the bottle and secure their cables to the metal assembly on the side. Watch out for your thumbs! Lower the bottle to the correct depth, attach the brass messenger to the cable, and let the messenger drop. You can feel when it hits the bottle; you can also feel if the ends have snapped shut. Pull the bottle up; if the ends have closed, you have a sample. If not try again. To get the sample into a brown bottle, set the van Dorn bottle on the side of the raft/float tube. Dump the d.i. water out of the 250 ml bottle and squirt water into this bottle from the van Dorn by pushing in on the black valve on the side and adjusting the yellow air valve open. Follow the protocol of 3 rinses, then a final bottle filling. This can all be done from 1 van Dorn bottle’s worth of water. It IS a bit tricky to keep from contaminating the bottle, dropping the lid, etc., so practice beforehand.

The last procedure is collection of zooplankton. Attach the plankton net to the 100’ yellow cable with a safety clip, put the brass messenger (from the van Dorn) on the cable for added weight, and lower the net 5’ deeper than hypolimnion sample depth. Be sure that you are staying relatively still with little or no drift. If the net does not remain directly below the raft/float tube you are not achieving a true verticle tow of the epilimnion. Pull the net back up slowly and steadily. Let the water drain from the net and out of the small dolphin bucket attached to the bottom of the net (this is slower), until the bucket is 1/3 full or less. Open the plankton jar, put the bucket over it, and release the plastic clip, on the outlet hose to release the plankton into the jar. Use the squirt bottle to wash down any remaining plankton, then close jar, close the plastic clip on the outlet hose and repeat the above procedure twice more. This is a total of 3 plankton tows, all emptied into the same plankton jar. The plankton need to be covered with ½” of ethyl alcohol when you return to shore, more preservative can be added to the sample jars when they are returned to the field lab. The plankton net needs to be cleaned thoroughly afterwards so that plankton that were collected in one lake do not end up in the sample for another lake. This will also prevent possible introduction of species or disease from one lake to another

Finish up any incomplete sections on the data sheet and store the water samples in a cool spot until you can get them to the lab.

Synoptic Sampling: Another type of lake sampling performed by the technicians or properly trained contractors is Synoptic Lake Sampling. This procedure is simple and straight forward. Samples are collected from running outlets, or surface samples are taken in the event that there is no running outlet. If the samples are collected from somewhere other than the outlet it needs to be recorded on the field form. The same 250 ml. brown HDPE bottles are used for these samples. Samples must be kept cool until they reach the Rocky Mountain Research Station lab in Fort Collins, CO.. They are usually packed in snow or kept in mesh bags submersed in a lake or stream. In the event that there is no snow to pack them in for transport out of the field, instant cold packs can be used, these can be purchased at most pharmacies and work well for short periods,(less than 24 hours). There is no field chemistry required for Synoptic Samples, but they need to be shipped as soon as possible after they arrive at the field lab. Try to avoid shipping them over the weekend as they may not make it to the lab before warming up.

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Notes

Blanks: Leave a brown bottle full of the d.i. water it was shipped with. This water is the blank and is run through the lab work.

Duplicates: If one is required, take a second sample from that location. Label bottles as “X” and “Y”.

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Hobbs Lake Long Term Sampling Sites (Bridger Lakes)

35

BLACK JOE LAKE and DEEP LAKE SAMPLING LOCATIONS (Temple Peak)

36

LAKE MONITORING RECORD

37

38

LAB PROCEDURESIntroduction

The chemistry lab is shared with the Pinedale BLM. Duties in the lab include weighing samples and taking conductivity and pH measurements of samples. Lake samples are also filtered. In addition, the Forest Service keeps the lab stocked with supplies (vials, pH buffers, etc.); stock should be checked periodically for quantities and expiration dates.

Review up to date lab procedures on the NADP videos before your first lab run. It is key to be methodical and thorough with each lab procedure. This way we can assure correct measurements and prevention of sample contamination. Visit the NADP web site periodically to ensure you are following the most up to date protocol. This information can be found at: http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/

Schedule

The pH and conductance meters should be used once a week; regular use keeps the instruments well calibrated.

Bulk samples and lake samples should have the chemistry done within 24 hours after melting/arrival.

NADP samples are run on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

Equipment and supplies

The following are on the lab counters:

Water DeionizerpH meter: Beckman model #32, with a Broadley James electrode, Rainprobe modelConductance meter: VWR TraceableScaleAdding machineSquirt bottlesKimwipesLab glovesNADP lab procedure directions

Under the sink counter:

Sample vialsSample vial block and coverpH 7.00 buffer & pH 4.00 bufferSpecific conductance standardQuality control check samplepH electrode KCI fill solutionNADP 1 liter bottles in ziploc bags

In the drawers:

Bulk deposition sample record formsNADP/NTN pH calibration and measurement formsPensRubber mallet (for dryside NADP buckets)

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Items for bulk program:

1 liter widemouth bottles (in box on top of refrigerator-don’t use NADP bottles)Large plastic bags for collector (under the counter in left hand cupboard)Garbage cans Llabel tape and pens, scissors (in drawer)Directions for bottle labels, blank-dup-split schedule (on bulletin board)Scrub brush (above sink)

Items for lakes program:

Gast vacuum pump Oil for pump Glassware for filtration assembly, 3 pieces + extra setMetal clamp for above glass beaker0.45uM millipore filters and tweezers 60 ml clear Nalgene bottles (from Louise O’Deen)

Bring to lab:

KeysBulk program field notebook/other notesNADP sample bucket/sample bottlesBrain

Estimated timeOnce familiar with lab, a single sample run takes about an hour. Lake samples

can take 3-8 hours.

Preparations

If any chemistry supplies are getting low, request more from CAL on the weekly NADP form. Keep checking the order box on the form until you receive them. They sometimes take a while to send them-if it’s needed soon, call them.

Masters for the forms are in the office.

Procedures -winter BULK

The first thing to do upon entering the lab is to turn on the pH meter, the conductance meter, and the adding machine. Get out the supplies from the cupboard under the sink counter-set them on the counter to warm up a bit.

Check to see if there is adequate deionized water in the squirt bottles by the pH and conductance meters. If there isn’t, turn on the water deionizer by means of a knob under the sink. Rinse out each squirt bottle 3 times with the deionized water before filling it. Be sure to turn off the knob under the sink when done-it leaks.

Get out a bulk deposition form and a pH calibration & measurement form from the desk. Using the field notebook for reference, fill out all the appropriate information, including Samplers, Location, Time/Date of sample on/off, Type of sample, Average snow depth, Weather, and Deviation from protocol.

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Put the garbage can up on the scale and weigh the sample on the to the nearest tenth of a gram. Subtract the weight of the garbage can and lid. Write the result on the bulk form.

Get out a 1 liter bottle from the store of bulk bottles. Tape a label on it and write the following information on the label:

SAMPLE # ____ (next 8 are our letters - see below)

BRIDGER WILDERNESSHOBBS or BLACK JOE BLANK/SPLIT/DUPSNOW or HB

OFF DATE/TIME Ph=

COLLECTOR’S NAME COND.=

Our letters:

(1) (2) (3) (4) +HOBB or BLAC

R-regular A O-always S-snow

B-blank X-1st split/dup H-hubbard brook

S-split Y-2nd C-core

D-duplicate Z-3rd

C-composite

Example label:

SAMPLE # RAOSHOBBBRIDGER WILDERNESSHOBBSSNOW3/14/01 10:30 pH=5.11T.PORWOLL cond=9.19240 g.

Take the lid off the garbage can and look into it from the side (don’t lean over the can and risk possible contamination). Make sure the sample is completely melted and note any contaminants. The sample can now be poured into the 1 liter bottle. The bottle can easily tip over unless it is propped up-one method is to prop the bottle in a corner of a small cooler or box, where it can’t tip. Position the garbage can and pour some of the water into the bottle-it helps to put your foot under the bottom of the can. Don’t touch the lip of the bottle with the can and pour until the bottle is full. Don’t worry about spilling; in fact, it is good to flood any visible contaminants out of the top of the bottle. Cap the bottle immediately. Save the rest of the sample in the covered garbage can for now, as a backup in case of disaster!

Open the NADP instruction manual to “Sample Chemistry.” From now on, their protocols should be followed. Start with getting out 4 vials (be careful not to touch them near the rim) and rinse, then fill them with sample from the 1 liter bottle. Set all 4 in the support block. Cap the bottle and put it aside. Put the cover over the vials.

Now you are ready to run the conductance test. The conductance meter has an electrode and a temperature probe. First, set the function knob to “conductance” and the range knob to 200 (this means the range is from 20-200 microseimens per centimeter). Following NADP protocol, measure conductance of the specific conductance standard liquid: rinse the electrode 3 times with the deionized water in the squirt bottle, rinse once with the s.c. standard, then pour a second aliquot of standard in the cell. Watch the readout on the meter and at about 10 seconds, the reading is the closest to being accurate. After 10 seconds, the meter may continue to fluctuate, but disregard this.

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Now, turn the function knob to “temperature” and insert the thermometer in the top of the cell-do NOT touch it to the electrode wire in the cell. You can lean it against the side so you don’t have to hold it. Watch the readout until you have a stable reading-be patient as this reading takes a few minutes to stabilize. Generally, the lowest reading is accurate, as the solutions are colder than room temperature. Use the conductance factor chart to find your temperature and enter the corresponding number on the adding machine. Multiply this number by the conductance to get the temperature-corrected conductance. THIS number is “standard measured” to be entered on the bulk sample chemistry box.

Follow the NADP protocol for the rest of the steps at the conductance meter, rinsing the electrode 3 times with distilled water after every measurement. Write down all appropriate numbers on the bulk sheet-you should also have an accurate record on the adding machine tape. Keep the vials/liquids covered/capped when not in use. Store the conductance meter by filling it with DI and capping it with a vial.

Prepare the pH electrode: unscrew the soaker bottle from the cap on the electrode tip and CAREFULLY remove it by gently pulling it down with a twisting motion. Push down the black sleeve to expose the fill hole on the side of the electrode. This hole must be open during measurements. Add fill solution to the electrode if needed. Rinse the electrode with deionized water thoroughly. Put the electrode in the clamp and, using a Kimwipe, BLOT the electrode dry-wiping causes static electricity build-up.

Calibrate the meter, starting with pH 7.00 buffer. Open the buffer squirt top with the vial, not your finger. Pour the buffer in the vial, immerse the electrode in the vial, and gently swirl. Let is sit a minimum of 30 seconds, then dump the liquid, refill the vial from the buffer bottle, immerse the electrode, and press “pH”, “standard.” Be sure not to jostle the electrode or bump the table as this will mess up the reading. Obtain the initial reading and the final reading (the one after the eye “locks on”). Dump that vial and rinse the electrode and blot it dry. Continue with the NADP steps for pH 4.00 buffer, pH 7.00 buffer, quality control check sample, and finally the sample. Store the pH electrode by putting the soaker bottle back on and covering the fill hole with the black sleeve. Clear and turn off the meter. Put all solutions away and put covers back on the meters.

Finish up the paperwork and write pH and conductance values obtained on the sample bottle label. Make sure there is 1” of air space in the bottle in case it freezes in the mail. If the sample bottle is not to be mailed today, put it in the refrigerator. Pour out the rest of the sample from the garbage can.

Wash the garbage can: turn on the deionizer, rinse the scrub brush 3 times, and then scrub the entre inner surface on the garbage can. Pour this out and put the scrub brush away. Now, rinse the can with deionized water 3 times. Invert the can on the drying rack. Follow the same procedure with the lid. Turn the water off! Set lid to dry and tape a note on the top as to the date/person cleaned.

Mailing. Make a copy of the bulk form. Send the original and the sample bottle via UPS to:

Rocky Mountain Experiment StationBiogeochemistry Labattn: Louise O’Deen240 W. ProspectFort Collins, CO 80526

File the copy in the Bulk Sample Copies binder.

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Notes

Procedures for Blank/Split samples: If a blank is on the schedule for this month, prepare one either right before or right after the sample trip. In doing this, it is important to mimic normal field procedures as closely as possible. Swirl about 500 ml of check solution in one of the bulk snow collection bags, then hang and label it in the locker at the lab. Make a note of your actions on the lab desk. One month later, get out the bag, duct tape it in 2 places on the neck, then use scissors to cut the bag between the tapes. Shake out any little bits of plastic, then untape the other tape, and pour the liquid into a bulk program 1 liter bottle. From here, perform the lab work as usual.

If a split is required, simply fill 2 separate bottles with liquid sample from the garbage can. Run each of these bottles through the lab work - one designated “X” and the other as “Y.”

1 liter widemouth bottles can be ordered through the lab. The RMRS contact for bulk shipping and supply is:

Louise O’Deen(970) 498-1293 (office)(970) 498-1337 (lab)

Summer BULK

Lab procedures are really the same as winter bulk, with the exception that you are weighing and decanting the sample from a 2 liter bottle rather than a garbage can. When done with the chemistry, scrub the 2 liter sample bottles with the brush over the sink, rinse, and shake 3 times with d.i., then fill them with deionized water so they’re ready for the next trip.

Notes

Split samples: Simply fill 2 separate bottles with the sample. Run each of these bottles through the lab work - one designated “X” and the other as “Y”.

Low volumes: Remember no chemistry is done in the field lab if the volume is under 70 m. Ship you sample no matter how small it is!

Mailing: Refrigerate samples until ready to be mailed. If it’s late in the week, keep them in the fridge until Monday. Mail within one week of collection.

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Procedures - NADP

Follow the NADP instruction manual for the entire procedure. The manual can be found on the web at: http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu.

NotesDecant any sample, no matter how small, into the bottle. Use gloves when pouring from the bucket into the bottle. Label the bag that the bottle is put in. Our site # is WY98.There is no lab work other than weighing and decanting the sample if the sample weight is under 70 grams. If the sample is under 125 grams, don’t refill vials if there is a spill.Reading the rain chart takes some practice. Each line going across the chart equals .05” of precipitation. You can measure amounts down to .01”; below this is a trace amount. The vertical lines represent hours; Mt equals midnight. The precip. pen should be set at the correct time of day while the event pen is 4 hours early. Be sure to take this into account when marking the days.

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Procedures - Lakes Program

Label the 60 ml bottles: each bottle should correspond with a brown 250 ml bottle, so write the same info on the label. In addition, write “filtered” on the 60 ml bottles and “unfiltered” on the 250 ml bottles.

Get out the Gast pump and the filtering glassware. Test run the pump by flipping the switch on the cord - this is broken so be careful not to get shocked! If the pump is running properly, the psi dial on the right reads about “20” when under pressure. Turn off after test.

The 3 pieces of glassware need to be rinsed 3 times with d.i. water. If possible, don’t get water in the flask nozzle that attaches to the pump - moisture can harm the pump. Drain and shake off excess water, then set up the filtration assembly (see diagram). Insert the corked stopper in the flask. The millipore filters are WHITE; they are covered on each side by a bluish paper. Throw away the bluish papers and place the white one on the stopper glass with tweezers. The funnel is clamped on top.

Pour about 60 ml of sample from a 250 ml brown bottle into the glass funnel. Turn on the pump long enough to let the water suction into the flask. Take the 60 ml bottle to the sink and empty the d.i. water. Take apart the filtration assembly, discard the white filter, then pour the filtered sample from the flask into the 60 ml bottle. Cap and refrigerate this bottle.

This procedure is followed for all of the water samples. The glassware is rinsed 3 times with d.i. water after every sample run.

The pump needs to be run open for 5 minutes and then run closed for 5 minutes and the oil checked before storage. Read the instructions taped to the pump storage area. Now all the brown Nalgene bottle samples need to be measured for conductivity and pH. Follow standard procedures. Write measurements on the lakes data sheet and on the bottles (as is done on bulk bottles). Store the bottles in the refrigerator until shipment.

There is no lab work for macro invertebrates/zooplankton.

Mailing. Make copies of the lakes data sheets. Brown 250 ml bottles and clear 60 ml bottles should be packed in a cooler with a freezer pack or two added. Include a copy of the data sheet(s). Mail to:

Rocky Mountain Experiment StationBiogeochemistry Labattn: Louise O’Deen240 West ProspectFort Collins, CO 80526

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FILTRATION ASSEMBLY FOR LAKE SAMPLES

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Zooplankton and macro invertebrates can be mailed in a box with data sheets to:

Bug LabDepartment of Fisheries and WildlifeUtah State UniversityLogan, UT. 84332-5210

The e-mail address for the Bug Lab is:

aqua@cc.usu.edu

The web site for the Bug Lab is:

http://www.usu.edu/~buglab

Associated forms for zooplankton and macro invertibrate samples can be found at the Bug Labs web site. There are several forms which will need to be submitted with these samples, make sure to complete all of them for new sampling locations.

The first samples sent to the Bug Lab should also include the “Physical Habitat and Water Chemistry Support Data” sheets for all 3 lakes. These can be found in the field forms folder; only the date needs to be changed to the current year.File the other copy of data sheets in current year’s lake sampling folder.

NotesSplit samples. There are no splits with the lake samples.The sample volumes are lower, so there is little room for error.

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Equipment Suppliers

Bulk snow collector bags:

Associated Bag Company

PO Box 7120

Milwaukee, WI. 53207

(800) 926-6100

Lake and Stream Sampling Supplies:

Wildlife Supply Company

301 Cass Street

Saginaw, MI. 48602

Lab Conductance Meter/Cell:

Yelow Springs Instrument Co.

Yellow Springs, OH. 45387

(513) 767-7241

Waterproof field notebooks:

JL Darling Corporation

2212 Port of Tacoma Road

Tacoma, WA. 98421

(206) 383-1714

Lab pH Electrode, 4.9 Check Solution:

Central Analytical Lab

2204 Griffith Drive

Champaign, IL. 61820

(217) 244-0624

Weather Instruments:

Weatherama

7395 162nd Street West

Rosemount, MN. 55068

(612) 4324315

Label Tape, Kimwipes, general lab equipment:

VWR Scientific

(800) 932-5000

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