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Stream and Lake Monitoring Protocol SOP 12 – Field Trip Demobilization, v. 1.0, Page 1 of 5

Stream and Lake Monitoring Protocol

Arctic Network National Parks and Preserves, Alaska

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) # 12

Field Trip Demobilization

Version 1.0 (November, 2007)

I Revision History Log:

Prev. Revision Author Changes Made Reason for Change New Version # Version # Date

This SOP provides step-by-step instructions for closing out the sampling trip once returned to home base.

II General

1. Clean and inventory all gear and restock non-perishable supplies, including forms, for next field trip. Set batteries and power equipment to recharge. Store all equipment and gear appropriately. 2. Assemble, photocopy, and file all field data sheets and log books (SOP 25). 3. Provide PDA to the Data Manager for downloading of all field data (SOP 25). 4. Download and label all photos from the digital camera (SOP 14). 5. File a trip report with the data manager. This report should outline the number of hours worked, field crew members and their responsibilities on the project, method of access, unique situations encountered on trip. This information will be incorporated into the database by the data manager and be used to trouble shoot discrepancies and inconsistencies

Arctic Network November, 2007 Stream and Lake Monitoring Protocol SOP 12 – Field Trip Demobilization, v. 1.0, Page 2 of 5

in the data. This information will also be used for future planning and access to the sampled sites and will be the basis for revisiting the site.

III Water Chemistry

Laboratory samples

1. Check that all samples on sample tracking sheets are accounted for and that water volumes have not changed. 2. Send water quality samples requiring laboratory processing off to the analytical laboratory. Complete and include chain-of-custody forms. Record dates for each sample sent on Water Quality Sample Tracking form. 3. Adhere to the following holding times: Nitrate/Nitrite – Store below 4C for no more than 28 days. Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen - Store below 4C for no more than 28 days. Phosphorous - Store below 4C for no more than 28 days. Chlorophyll a – Store frozen; unlimited time. Dissolved Organic Carbon – Store below 4C for no more than 28 days.

4. Specify the following laboratory analytical methods: It is beyond the scope of these SOPs to detail the specific procedures of these well documented methods. However, we have included the references and a brief description of each analytical method so continuity in analysis is assured.

Metals – EPA 200.7

Description: Except for the determination of dissolved analytes, aqueous samples are acid preserved prior to sample processing. For the analysis of dissolved analytes, an acidified portion of the filtrate is analyzed directly. For the determination of total recoverable analytes in aqueous samples containing particulate material as well as solid wastes, samples are subjected to acid pretreatment with nitric and hydrochloric acids and gentle refluxing prior to analysis. The method involves multi-element determination using sequential or simultaneous instruments. The instruments measure characteristic atomic-line emission spectra by optical spectrometry. Sample solutions are nebulized and the resulting aerosol is transported to the plasma torch. Element specific emission spectra are produced by a radio-frequency inductively coupled plasma. The spectra are dispersed by a grating spectrometer and the intensities of the lines are monitored at specific wavelengths by a photosensitive device. Photocurrents Arctic Network November, 2007 Stream and Lake Monitoring Protocol SOP 12 – Field Trip Demobilization, v. 1.0, Page 3 of 5

from the photosensitive device are processed and controlled by a computer system. A background correction technique is required to compensate for variable background contribution to the determination of the analytes. Background must be measured adjacent to analyte lines on samples during analysis. Various interferences are discussed and must be considered and addressed appropriately. Nitrate/Nitrite – EPA 353.2

Description: Nitrate and nitrite: A filtered sample is passed through a column containing granulated copper-cadmium to reduce nitrate to nitrite. The nitrite (originally in the sample and reduced nitrate) is determined by diazotizing with sulfanilamide and coupling with N-(1-naphthyl)-ethylenediamine dihydrochloride to form a highly colored azo dye, which is measured with a spectrometer. Nitrite alone: The procedure is the same except that the cadmium column is bypassed. Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen – EPA 351.4

Description: A sample is digested according to one of three procedures (macro-Kjeldahl, micro-Kjeldahl, or Block Digestion) to convert total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) into ammonia. Following digestion and cooling, distilled water is added to the digestion flask and the pH adjusted to between 3 and 4.4 by the addition of NaOH. The sample is cooled and transferred to a 100 mL beaker. NaOH-NaI- EDTA is added to the beaker, and the ammonia concentration is measured using an ion selective electrode (EDTA prevents precipitation of hydroxides, thereby preventing deposition on the electrode membrane). Phosphorous – EPA 353.2

Description: A sample is appropriately treated to convert all phosphorus of interest to reactive orthophosphate. Ammonium molybdate and antimony potassium tartrate are added to the treated sample reacting with orthophosphate in an acidic medium to form an antimony-phospho-molybdate complex. This complex is reduced to an intensely blue-colored complex by ascorbic acid. The concentration of the orthophosphate is measured by detecting the absorbance of the complex with a spectrophotometer. Chlorophyll a – Std Methods 10200H

Description: Chlorophyll-containing phytoplankton in a measured volume of sample water are concentrated by filtration at low vacuum through a glass fiber filter. The pigments are extracted from the phytoplankton in 90% acetone with the aid of a mechanical tissue grinder and are allowed to steep 2-24 hours. The resulting slurry is centrifuged to clarify the solution, and the absorbance of the supernatant liquid is measured at 4 wavelengths to determine turbidity, and chlorophylls a, b, and c1 + c2. Pheopigment-correct chl a can be determined by using absorbance measurements from an acidified and non-acidified sample.

Absorbance values are entered into a set of equations to that utilize the extinction coefficients of the pure pigments in 90% acetone to simultaneously calculate the concentrations of the pigments in a mixed solution. Alkalinity – EPA 310.1 Description: An unaltered sample is titrated to an electrometrically determined end point of pH 4.5. The sample must not be filtered, diluted, concentrated, or altered in any way.

Dissolved Organic Carbon – EPA 415.1 Description: Chlorophyll-containing phytoplankton in a measured volume of sample water are concentrated by filtration at low vacuum through a glass fiber filter. The pigments are extracted from the phytoplankton in 90% acetone with the aid of a mechanical tissue grinder and are allowed to steep 2-24 hours. The resulting slurry is centrifuged to clarify the solution, and the absorbance of the supernatant liquid is measured at 4 wavelengths to determine turbidity, and chlorophylls a, b, and c1 + c2. Pheopigment-correct chl a can be determined by using absorbance measurements from an acidified and non-acidified sample. Absorbance values are entered into a set of equations to that utilize the extinction coefficients of the pure pigments in 90% acetone to simultaneously calculate the concentrations of the pigments in a mixed solution.

Conventional Water Quality Parameters

1. Enter data into computer database. 2. Recharge instruments.

IV Algae

1. Check all samples in as “received at station” on sample tracking form. 2. Prepare samples to be identified by outside specialists for mailing (SOP 15) and store until end of season. 3. Prepare all other samples for storage and record date and storage location on sample tracking form (SOP 15).

V Vegetation, Macrophytes, Bryophytes

4. Check all samples in as “received at station” on sample tracking form.

5. Prepare samples to be identified by outside specialists for mailing (SOP 15) and store until end of season. 6. Prepare all other samples for storage and record date and storage location on sample tracking form (SOP 15). 7. Scan maps of vegetation beds and store in the GIS database for reference over time. If needed, polygons of each vegetation type or at least vegetation bed locations can be attributed for analysis.

VI Aquatic Macroinvertebrates and Zooplankton

1. Check all samples in as “received at station” on sample tracking form. 2. Check all macroinvertebrate samples for adequate preservative volume, and re-preserve with 80% alcohol as necessary. For samples that need additional alcohol, tighten or replace lid in order to prevent further evaporation. 3. Fill out lab chain of custody form and store samples appropriately until they can be sent to lab at end of field season.

VII Quality Control

a. Check that all samples on sample tracking sheets are accounted for and that water volumes have not changed. b. Record results of all quality control (QC) samples. Evaluate differences and record on QC tracking charts (to be developed) to assess trends or out-of-control situations that may need to be rectified or data flagging. c. Adjust procedures and/or crew training to alleviate future control problems when possible. d. If any deviations in SOPs have been necessary, or additional sampling conventions practiced, document these in a memo to the program manager for discussion and dissemination to other field crews. Any such field modifications or extensions of SOPs, with the concurrence of program management, must be instituted immediately and consistently by all field crews. Any such modifications must be documented in revisions to the appropriate SOPs (see SOP 16).

Arctic Network November, 2007