Water 101 -

Water 101Sampling and Sondes

Common Sample Types

Metals-in-Water

Routine Water Chemistry

Sediment Contaminants

Flow Measurement

Field Parameters

Field Measurements

YSI EXO1 and Display

Report data from the sonde:TemperatureSpecific ConductanceSalinity (estuarine/marine only)pHDissolved OxygenDepth of measurement(s)

Sondes and SensorsYSI 6920 and 6600 YSI EXO 1

pHConductivity/TemperatureDissolved Oxygenoptical

Calibration

• General Procedure• Calibrate in a temperature-controlled environment• Calibrate sensors in order

1. Specific conductance2. pH 3. Dissolved oxygen4. Depth (at first site)

Calibration• General Procedure con’t.• Rinse minimum 2x with calibration standard• Rinse minimum 2x with deionized water between

standards

• NEVER override a calibration error message without fully understanding the cause

Calibration• Each sonde has a dedicated

calibration logbook

• Record calibration/post calibration

• Maintenance

Collecting Field Measurements and Water Chemistry Samples

• Freshwater Streams:• Collect samples from centroid of

flow upstream from bridges or road crossings

• Avoid backwater and stagnant pool areas in flowing water

Collecting Field Measurements and Water Chemistry Samples

• Freshwater Streams:• Face upstream when filling containers

• Collect bacteria samples in sterile container

o Avoid contaminating samples with debris from banks

o Label containers clearly

Sample Preservation—Routine

Preservation “kits” should contain safety glasses, gloves, and sodium bicarbonate for

spills

Pre-measured vials of 1:1 H2SO4 are a simple alternative to a

preservation kit

Place an “X” on the container lid and label container “Preserved-

H2SO4” or “H2SO4”

Add ~2mL of 1:1 H2SO4 to the sample container

Secchi Disk

The viewers eye level should be no greater than 2 meters above the surface. Slowly lower the disk vertically and note the depth at which it is no longer visible.

Then slowly raise the disk and note the depth at which it reappears.

Secchi disk transparency (00078) is the mean, in meters, of the two depths

Secchi TubeStep 1. Fill the tube with sample water to the top. The disk should not be visible.

Step 2. Person 1—looks through the top of the tube.

Step 3. Person 2—slowly releases water through the bottom valve

Step 4. Person 1 says “stop” as soon as the disk becomes visible; Person 2 closes the valve

2030

10

Step 5. Record the

depth of the water in meters.

21 cm = 0.21 meters

Secchi Tube With Attached Disk

Field Parameters

Measurement of water quality parameters using a data sonde

Temperature Specific Conductance Salinity pH Dissolved Oxygen Depth of measurement(s)

Sampling With A Bucket

Collecting Field Measurements and Water Chemistry Samples

Field Observations may include:

• Weather• Water color/appearance• Odor• Watershed activities• Recreation• Substrate description• Other conditions that

might affect water quality

Field Observations

After Sampling –Post Calibration Check

• Verifies instrument accuracy • checks for electronic drift • may detect instrument issues that occurred in the field

Questions

LINK TO FORM IN THE CHAT

1. How is the sample bottle containing the acid preservative identified?

2. Which of these is NOT a sensor on most of the sondesused in the SWQM program?

a. pHb. Salinityc. Dissolved oxygend. Temperature/Specific conductivity

3. How many times should a bucket or water collection device be rinsed?

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=pIMah86hekuBVjvNk6CPujOMcd-FkhdKttQ1QJNVwlZUNk1OVEVaUlc4SlY4T1FLUElaUEU1WVdXNi4u

Answers to Review Questions

• 1 – With an X on the lid and the preservative written on the bottle.

• 2 – Salinity

• 3 – Three times