WQPBWQM-009 Rev#: 02 Date: 9/8/2006 Page 1 of 32 Sample Collection, Sorting, and Taxonomic Identification of Benthic Macroinvertebrates Water Quality Planning Bureau Standard Operation Procedure WQPBWQM-009 Approvals: [Signature on File] [09/08/06] Dave Feldman, Water Quality Specialist, WQ Standards Date [Signature on File] [09/08/06] Mark Bostrom, QA Officer, Water Quality Planning Bureau Date [Signature on File] [09/06/06] Bob Bukantis, Environmental Program Manager, Water Quality Standards Date WQPBWQM-009 Rev#: 02 Date: 9/8/2006 Page 2 of 32 This page left intentionally Blank WQPBWQM-009 Rev#: 02 Date: 9/8/2006 Page 3 of 32 Table of Contents Macroinvertebrates..................................................................................................5 1. Scope and Applicability................................................................................................ 6 1.1. General Considerations ........................................................................................................6 1.1.1. Index Period...........................................................................................................................6 1.1.2. Site Selection..........................................................................................................................6 1.1.3. Sample Collection Methods..................................................................................................7 1.1.4. Checklist of Recommended Field Supplies .........................................................................7 2. Sample Collection Procedures ..................................................................................... 8 2.1. Quantitative Sampling Protocol (Hess Sampler)................................................................8 2.1.1. Protocol Summary ..............................................................................................................8 2.1.2. Equipment ...........................................................................................................................8 2.1.3. Sample Collection...............................................................................................................8 2.1.4. Precautions .........................................................................................................................9 2.1.5. Sample Labeling .................................................................................................................9 2.1.6. Sample Containers and Preservation ................................................................................9 2.1.7. Sampling Quality Control.................................................................................................10 2.2. Semi-Quantitative Sampling Protocols (Traveling Kick Net and Jab Techniques)......10 2.2.1. Sampling Protocol Summaries..........................................................................................10 2.2.2. Equipment .........................................................................................................................10 2.2.3. Sample Collection.............................................................................................................10 2.2.4. Other sampling methods and protocols ............................................................................12 2.2.5. Precautions .......................................................................................................................12 2.2.6. Sample Labeling ...............................................................................................................12 2.2.7. Sample Containers and Preservation ...............................................................................12 2.2.8. Sampling Quality Control.................................................................................................12 2.3. Supporting Field Data.........................................................................................................13 3. Subsampling & Sorting .............................................................................................. 14 3.1. Pre-subsampling methods...................................................................................................14 3.1.1. Picking detritus.................................................................................................................14 3.1.2. Elutriation.........................................................................................................................14 3.2. Sub-sampling and Sorting ..................................................................................................15 3.2.1. Sorting QC ........................................................................................................................15 4. Taxonomy .................................................................................................................... 16 4.1. Taxonomic Identification....................................................................................................16 4.2. Quality Control for Taxonomy ..........................................................................................16 4.2.1. Accuracy ...........................................................................................................................16 4.2.2. Precision ...........................................................................................................................17 4.2.3. Corrections to database....................................................................................................18 5. Data Analysis and Interpretation.............................................................................. 19 5.1. Transfer sample data ..........................................................................................................19 5.2. Reduce sample data.............................................................................................................19 5.2.1. OTUs.................................................................................................................................19 5.2.2. Excluded Taxa...................................................................................................................19 5.2.3. Rarefaction........................................................................................................................20 5.2.4. Re-Sampling......................................................................................................................20 WQPBWQM-009 Rev#: 02 Date: 9/8/2006 Page 4 of 32 5.3. Identify site classes ..............................................................................................................20 5.3.1. Predictor Variables...........................................................................................................20 5.3.2. Determine Site Class.........................................................................................................21 5.4. Calculate the MMI ..............................................................................................................22 5.5. Calculate RIVPACS............................................................................................................22 5.6. Validating Model Outputs..................................................................................................23 5.7. Interpret the Indices ...........................................................................................................23 5.7.1. Reconciling Differences in MMI and RIVPACS Results...................................................24 5.8. Determine degrees of Impairment .....................................................................................26 6. Reporting Results........................................................................................................ 27 7. Glossary of Metrics..................................................................................................... 28 List of Appendices Appendix A Master Taxa List Appendix B Taxa List Template Appendix C Rarefaction Appendix D Example Output for the MMI and RIVPACS List of Attachments Attachment 1 - Montana DEQ Site Visit Form Attachment 2 - Photo Points Form Attachment 3 - Site Sketch Form WQPBWQM-009 Rev#: 02 Date: 9/8/2006 Page 5 of 32 Macroinvertebrates This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) describes methods that have been developed for determining the health of macroinvertebrate communities for use in water quality assessments. This SOP will be reviewed annually. Before using this SOPs, please confirm the revision number that is presently in use by contacting the following individuals (or their replacements): David Feldman Water Quality Standards Section Montana Department of Environmental Quality PO Box 200901 Helena, MT 59620-0901 (406)-444-6764 Mark Bostrom Data Management Section Montana Department of Environmental Quality PO Box 200901 Helena, MT 59620-0901 (406)-444-2680 WQPBWQM-009 Rev#: 02 Date: 9/8/2006 Page 6 of 32 1. Scope and Applicability The methods described herein are used in wadeable streams (2nd order or higher). These methods may be used in a first-order stream but special care needs to be taken in data analysis and interpretation. Benthic macroinvertebrate data collected on large rivers is beyond the scope of this method. 1.1. General Considerations Before conducting a benthic survey, determine specific data quality objectives (DQOs) and clearly define the information