A.6.a. Sampling Types Covered by this General QAPP Select all that apply. The type of sample information that can be collected under this General QAPP includes: Water depth of the whole water column / sample site; and depth of sample location Temperature to determine the suitability of habitat for aquatic life and to determine if stratification occurs (e.g., when collected along depth profiles) Salinity to gauge its influence on coastal plant and animal communities and to determine stratification (e.g., when collected along depth profiles) Dissolved oxygen concentration and percent saturation to determine the amount of oxygen available for aquatic life and to determine if stratification occurs (e.g., when collected along depth profiles) Alkalinity to determine if the waterbody is affected by acid deposition pH to determine if the waterbody is affected by acid deposition Secchi disk measurements for water clarity / transparency Light intensity at the location and depth of interest Chlorophyll-a concentrations as an estimate of algal populations (filtered water sample) Chlorophyll-a concentrations as an estimate of algal populations (in situ fluorescence) Total suspended solids (TSS) to evaluate the presence of suspended materials in the water column Turbidity to evaluate water clarity / transparency Nitrogen forms to measure nutrient levels Phosphorus forms to measure nutrient levels Bacteria to evaluate health risks associated with recreation or shellfish consumption Presence of nonindigenous plants/animals to track the existence, spread, and/or success of removal efforts for invasive species Dinoflagellates and their toxic products to evaluate health risks associated with recreation or shellfish consumption (e.g. during Harmful Algal Blooms) Detection of detergents to indicate the presence of sewage Detection of optical brighteners / fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) to indicate the presence of sewage Detection of caffeine to indicate the presence of sewage Detection of pharmaceutical and personal care product (PPCP) metabolites to indicate the presence of sewage Biological monitoring to determine the nature of plant and/or animal communities and their response to any changes in water quality or habitat condition.
UWS Methods Training (i.e. may include field methods, analytical methods, data entry) UWS Program Coordinator when a group joins the UWS; and upon request of the UWS Coordinator or the Monitoring Group Monitoring Program Coordinators and/or field teams; depending on the nature of the training office of the UWS Program Coordinator & the Monitoring Program Coordinator; digital record of attendees and training agenda stored on computer Methods Training (may include filtering samples for chlorophyll a and field use of refractometer) Monitoring Program Field Coordinator before the start of every field season, typically in April or early May all members of field teams with Monitoring Program Coordinator; digital record of attendees and training agenda stored on computer Analytical Methods Training (may include calibration of sonde, calibration and use of turbidimeter, calibration and use of refractometer, filtering samples for chlorophyll a) Monitoring Program Field Coordinator before the of every field season, typically in April or early May all members of field teams with Monitoring Program Coordinator; digital record of attendees and training agenda stored on computer
B. Data Generation and Acquisition B.1. Select all safety measures incorporated in the plan. Typical sampling design principles for watershed/waterbody health assessments, impact assessments and marine introduced species assessments are listed in the table included in section B.1. of The General QAPP for Long Island Sound Volunteer Coastal Monitoring. Specific design considerations incorporated into this project must be included in Table 5. To add or delete rows to Table 5, click in the table near where you would like to insert a row. Click on the “Layout” tab. In the “Rows and Columns” group, select the desired action. Specify the design considerations for this Monitoring Program in the text box and Table 5. In 6, separate tables are provided for different types of assessments. See the table in section B.1. of The General QAPP for Long Island Sound Volunteer Coastal Monitoring for information on these assessments. Delete the and associated header for any assessment types not included in this monitoring program in Table 5. SAMPLING SAFETY - To comply with The General QAPP for Long Island Sound Volunteer Coastal Monitoring, the following sampling safety and design principles shall be followed (select all that apply): Personal safety shall be a primary consideration in selection of sampling sites and dates. No sampling shall occur when personal safety is thought to be compromised. The Monitoring Coordinator and Field Coordinator shall confer before each sampling event to decide whether conditions pose a threat to safety of field volunteers, and will cancel/postpone sampling when necessary. Sampling shall take place in teams of two or more when sampling from a boat. Land sampling may be conducted by a single person if a cell phone is kept within reach at all times. Samplers shall wear life vests when sampling from boats or wading in waters under difficult conditions. Samplers wear proper clothing to protect against the elements as applicable, especially footwear and raingear.
turbidity (if not sampling Secchi depth) take readings twice at the last station sampled; calibration per SOPs Assessment Type: Secchi Depth. Sampling sites will be chosen to be representative of the embayment. Indicators Number of sample locations Frequency, duration, special conditions Field survey QC GPS coordinates every Secchi Depth station (refer to Station Selection SOP) - every sample date, - between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., - note the time reference land site, 1 / d station depth once per field day, take readings twice at the last station sampled Secchi three replicates per station Assessment Type: Macrophyte Abundance. Sampling sites will be targeted to areas where macrophytes collect or are in high biomass. Indicators Number of sample locations Frequency, duration, special conditions survey QC GPS coordinates reference land site, 1 / d
Table 6: Overview of Sample Collection Methods Assessment Type: Quality Parameters NA indicates the category is not applicable for that parameter. In situ indicates the sample is read directly from the water column, a discrete water sample is not collected. Parameter(s) Container Type(s) and Preparation Minimum Sample Quantity per Sample Depth (unless otherwise noted) Sample Preservation Maximum Holding Time GPS coordinates in situ 1 / station transfer to digital format, maintain back-up copies of digital data NA station depth in situ 1 / station transfer to digital format, maintain back-up copies of digital data NA sample depth in situ 1 transfer to digital format, maintain back-up copies of digital data NA multiparameter or single parameter sonde for: depth temperature salinity dissolved oxygen turbidity chlorophyll a in situ 1 / sample + a second reading for each depth at the last station of the day transfer to digital format, maintain back-up copies of digital data NA temperature (thermometer) any container is acceptable, as long as it does not change the temperature of the water 1 / sample depth + a second reading for each depth at the last station of the day transfer to digital format, maintain back-up copies of digital data must be sampled immediately upon collection of water sample salinity (refractometer) if saving for later: opaque or transparent 60 mL or larger bottle (HDPE, HDPC, or glass), rinsed 3 with surface water collect 50 mL; only a few drops are required note – this same sample may also be used for turbidity read immediately or store on ice, warm to ambient air temperature before analyzing indefinite dissolved oxygen (Winkler titration) LaMotte Water Sampling Bottle, 60 mL, glass rinsed 3 times with surface water 60 mL chemically fix the sample immediately following collection 72 hours
chlorophyll a (extracted, fluorometric analysis) if filtering later (within 4 hours): opaque 500 mL or larger bottle (HDPE, HDPC, or rinsed 3 with surface water; stored on ice filtered volume must be sufficient to provide “color” on the filter pad; 10 mL to 180 mL GF/F filter is blown dry with a 60mL syringe and stored in the dark (foil wrapped), on ice; transferred to -20°C freezer within 12 hours 28 days turbidity (turbidimeter) if saving for later: opaque or transparent 60 mL or larger bottle (HDPE, HDPC, or rinsed 3 times with surface water collect 50 mL; only a few drops are required note – this same sample may also be used for salinity read immediately or store on ice, warm to ambient air temperature before analyzing do not freeze 48 hours HDPE: plastic bottle, high density polyethylene HDPC: plastic bottle, high density polycarbonate Assessment Type: Secchi Depth (NA = not applicable) Parameter(s) Container Type(s) and Preparation Minimum Sample Quantity Sample Preservation Maximum Holding Time GPS coordinates in situ 1 / station transfer to digital format, maintain back-up copies of digital data NA station depth in situ 1 / station transfer to digital format, maintain back-up copies of digital data NA Secchi depth in situ 3 / station transfer to digital format, maintain back-up copies of digital data NA Assessment Type: Macrophyte Abundance (NA = not applicable) Parameter(s) Container Type(s) and Preparation Minimum Sample Quantity Sample Preservation Maximum Holding Time GPS coordinates in situ 1 / station transfer to digital format, maintain back-up copies of digital data NA macrophyte abundance digital photos 1 / sample transfer to a computer, upload to online datasheet NA
Verify statements by selecting check boxes, as appropriate. Provide details on the Quality Control (QC) steps employed by the Monitoring Program in sections B.5.a. and B.5.b. of The General QAPP Adoption Form. Provide details on how intercomparisons will be conducted by the Monitoring Program in sections B.5.a. and B.5.b. of The General QAPP Adoption Form. Table 9: Quality Control Measures Note that 5% of samples equates to one station per field day sampled in duplicate. Sample Type Instrument/ Parameter Accuracy Checks Precision Checks % Field QC Samples (blanks and field duplicates) in situ GPS or Phone app / GPS coordinates compare location of reference site to Google Earth coordinates readings at a reference point and duplicate readings at one station 1 / field day in situ metered line / depth re-measure line duplicate readings at one station 5% in situ depth sounder / depth compare to a metered line duplicate readings at one station 5% in situ multiparameter or single parameter sonde / depth, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, chlorophyll a Pre-survey calibration and checks duplicate profiles at one station and readings recorded only when values are stable 5% grab samples - i.e. collection of a water sample thermometer / temperature none, NIST certified duplicate readings 5%
grab samples - i.e. collection of a water sample refractometer / salinity 0 ppt blank, standard duplicate reading 5% grab samples - i.e. collection of a sample Winkler titration kit / dissolved oxygen none two field duplicates 100% (≥80% is acceptable) grab samples - i.e. collection of a water sample fluorometric determination of extracted chlorophyll a acetone blank, standard two duplicates 100% (≥80% is acceptable) grab samples - i.e. collection of a water sample turbidimeter / turbidity 0 NTU blank, standard duplicate reading 5% in situ Secchi disk / Secchi depth re-measure line triplicate readings 100% (≥80% is acceptable) in situ observation / macrophyte abundance photos of all assessments photos of all assessments 100% photos are required for inclusion of the data in the UWS Confirm the following statements are true by selecting the boxes: If an external lab facility or contractor will be analyzing samples, lab Quality Control (QC) protocols be discussed with the lab prior to sampling to ensure acceptability.
As specified in The General QAPP for Long Island Sound Volunteer Coastal Monitoring, the following instrument/equipment testing, inspection, and maintenance procedures shall be followed by the Monitoring Program (check all that apply): We do not utilize any equipment or instruments. Maintenance shall occur as required. Records of equipment inspection, maintenance, repair and replacement be kept in a logbook (hard copy or digital, with back-ups). A summary of testing, inspection, and maintenance procedures for instruments and equipment is provided in Table 10. Detailed testing, inspection, and maintenance procedures are described in SOPs contained in Appendices A and C. Table 10: Instrument / Equipment Inspection and Testing Procedures Equipment Type Inspection Frequency Type Inspection Maintenance, Corrective Action GPS unit before each sampling date battery life change batteries, bring spare batteries line annually, or when a potential problem is noted check the calibrated line against a meter tape wipe tape after each use, if line has stretched or is damaged, replace immediately and note recent data as questionable sounder before each sampling date battery life change batteries, bring spare batteries quality meters before each sampling date battery life, electrical connections, membrane condition spare membranes as appropriate, batteries water sampling device before each sampling run visual for integrity repair, replace as necessary thermometer before each sampling date visual, breakage/ integrity of column keep spares on hand refractometer before each use visually for integrity keep clean, replace as necessary dissolved oxygen titration kit before each sampling date check bottles visually for integrity check expiration dates on chemicals replace as needed dissolved oxygen titration kit before each use check bottles visually for as needed turbidity before each sampling date battery life spare batteries filtering apparatus (chlorophyll) before each use proper functioning, clean storage spare filters Secchi disk before each use visual for integrity, cleanliness spare disk, spare line