2012 National Lakes Assessment Field Operations Manual
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
DRAFT United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water Office of Environmental Information Washington, DC EPA 841-B-11-004 2012 National Lakes Assessment Field Operations Manual 2012 National Lakes Assessment Field Operations Manual ii 2012 National Lakes Assessment Field Operations Manual NOTICE The intention of the 2012 National Lakes Assessment (NLA 2012) project is to provide a comprehensive “State of the Lakes” assessment for lakes, ponds, and reservoirs across the United States. The complete documentation of overall project management, design, methods, and standards is contained in companion documents, including: 2012 National Lakes Assessment: Quality Assurance Project Plan (EPA 841-B-11-006) 2012 National Lakes Assessment: Site Evaluation Guidelines (EPA 841-B-11-005) 2012 National Lakes Assessment: Laboratory Operations Manual (EPA 841-B-11-004) This document (Field Operations Manual) contains a brief introduction and procedures to follow at the base location and on-site, including methods for sampling water chemistry (grabs and in situ), phytoplankton, zooplankton, sediment (diatoms and mercury), algal toxins, benthic macroinvertebrates, and physical habitat. These methods are based on both the guidelines developed and followed in the Western Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (Baker, et. al., 1997) and methods employed by several key states that were involved in the planning phase of this project. Methods described in this document are to be used specifically in work relating to the NLA 2012. All Project Cooperators should follow these guidelines. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this document does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. Details on specific methods for site evaluation and sample processing can be found in the appropriate companion document. The suggested citation for this document is: USEPA. 2011. 2012 National Lakes Assessment. Field Operations Manual. EPA 841-B-11-003. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. NOTICE iii 2012 National Lakes Assessment Field Operations Manual iv 2012 National Lakes Assessment Field Operations Manual TABLE OF CONTENTS NOTICE ................................................................................................................................................................. III TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................................. V LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................................................................... X LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................................................... X ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS .............................................................................................................................. XII 1.0 BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 SELECTION OF SAMPLING LOCATIONS .................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 SELECTION AND DESCRIPTION OF SURVEY INDICATORS .............................................................................................. 2 1.2.1 Trophic Status and Water Quality Indicators ........................................................................................... 2 1.2.1.1 Chlorophyll-a ................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.2.1.2 Secchi Disk Transparency ................................................................................................................................ 3 1.2.1.3 Vertical Profile Measurements ....................................................................................................................... 3 1.2.1.4 Water Chemistry and Associated Measurements ........................................................................................... 3 1.2.2 Ecological Integrity Indicators .................................................................................................................. 3 1.2.2.1 Littoral and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Assemblage ..................................................................................... 3 1.2.2.2 Macrophyte Assemblage ................................................................................................................................ 3 1.2.2.3 Physical Habitat Characterization ................................................................................................................... 3 1.2.2.4 Phytoplankton Assemblage ............................................................................................................................. 4 1.2.2.5 Sediment Diatom Assemblage ........................................................................................................................ 4 1.2.2.6 Sediment Mercury .......................................................................................................................................... 4 1.2.2.7 Zooplankton Assemblage ................................................................................................................................ 4 1.2.3 Human Use Indicators .............................................................................................................................. 5 1.2.3.1 Algal toxins (microcystins) .............................................................................................................................. 5 1.2.3.2 Triazine Pesticide Screen................................................................................................................................. 5 1.2.4 Other Indicators / Lake Characteristics .................................................................................................... 5 2.0 LOGISTICS .................................................................................................................................................. 7 2.1 ROLES AND CONTACT INFORMATION ..................................................................................................................... 7 2.2 KEY INFORMATION AND MATERIALS ..................................................................................................................... 9 2.2.1 Site Maps ................................................................................................................................................. 9 2.2.2 Forms (Paper or Electronic) ...................................................................................................................... 9 2.2.2.1 Field Forms .................................................................................................................................................... 10 2.2.2.2 Tracking Forms .............................................................................................................................................. 10 2.2.3 Equipment and Supplies ......................................................................................................................... 10 2.2.3.1 Request Form ................................................................................................................................................ 10 2.2.3.2 Base Kit ......................................................................................................................................................... 11 2.2.3.3 Site Kit ........................................................................................................................................................... 11 2.2.3.4 Field Crew Supplied Items ............................................................................................................................. 11 2.2.4 Other Resources ..................................................................................................................................... 11 2.2.4.1 Quick Reference Guide ................................................................................................................................. 11 2.2.4.2 Site Evaluation Guidelines ............................................................................................................................. 11 2.2.4.3 Quality Assurance Project Plan ..................................................................................................................... 11 2.2.4.4 Lab Operations Manual ................................................................................................................................. 12 3.0 DAILY FIELD ACTIVITIES SUMMARY ......................................................................................................... 13 3.1 SAFETY AND HEALTH ........................................................................................................................................ 13 3.1.1 General Considerations .......................................................................................................................... 13 3.1.1.1 Recommended Training ................................................................................................................................ 13 3.1.1.2 Communications ..........................................................................................................................................