National Water-Quality Project Sampling Methods
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By Water Resources Mission Area
February 24, 2019
USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) studies require analyses of stream and bed-sediment samples for major ions, nutrients, sediments, and organic contaminants that are consistent across time and space. Procedures have been designed specifically to produce information that is comparable among studies in different parts of the Nation.
Find thorough guidance on these and other methods under the Publications tab.
Quality assurance is maintained by strict collecting and processing procedures, replicate sampling, equipment blank samples, and a rigid cleaning procedure using detergent, hydrochloric acid, and methanol.
Field guide for collecting and processing stream-water samples for the National Water-Quality Assessment Program Field guide for collecting and processing stream-water samples for the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
The U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment program includes extensive data- collection efforts to assess the quality of the Nations's streams. These studies require analyses of stream samples for major ions, nutrients, sediments, and organic contaminants. For the information to be comparable among studies in different parts of the Nation, consistent procedures...
Authors
Larry R. Shelton
Filter Total Items: 22
Methods for collecting benthic invertebrate samples as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program Methods for collecting benthic invertebrate samples as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Benthic invertebrate communities are evaluated as part of the ecological survey component of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program. These biological data are collected along with physical and chemical data to assess water-quality conditions and to develop an understanding of the factors that affect water-quality conditions locally, regionally, and...
Authors
Thomas F. Cuffney, Martin E. Gurtz, Michael R. Meador
Guidelines for the processing and quality assurance of benthic invertebrate samples collected as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program Guidelines for the processing and quality assurance of benthic invertebrate samples collected as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Benthic invertebrate samples are collected as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program. This is a perennial, multidisciplinary program that integrates biological, physical, and chemical indicators of water quality to evaluate status and trends and to develop an understanding of the factors controlling observed water quality. The Program examines...
Authors
T. F. Cuffney, M. E. Gurtz, M. R. Meador
Methods for characterizing stream habitat as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program Methods for characterizing stream habitat as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Stream habitat is characterized in the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program as part of an integrated physical, chemical, and biological assessment of the Nation's water quality. The goal of stream habitat characterization is to relate habitat to other physical, chemical, and biological factors to describe water-quality conditions. To accomplish this goal
Authors
Michael R. Meador, Cliff R. Hupp, Thomas F. Cuffney, Martin E. Gurtz
Methods for collecting algal samples as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program Methods for collecting algal samples as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Benthic algae (periphyton) and phytoplankton communities are characterized in the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program as part of an integrated physical, chemical, and biological assessment of the Nation's water quality. This multidisciplinary approach provides multiple lines of evidence for evaluating water-quality status and trends, and for refining an...
Authors
Stephen D. Porter, Thomas F. Cuffney, Martin E. Gurtz, Michael R. Meador
USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) studies require analyses of stream and bed-sediment samples for major ions, nutrients, sediments, and organic contaminants that are consistent across time and space. Procedures have been designed specifically to produce information that is comparable among studies in different parts of the Nation.
Find thorough guidance on these and other methods under the Publications tab.
Quality assurance is maintained by strict collecting and processing procedures, replicate sampling, equipment blank samples, and a rigid cleaning procedure using detergent, hydrochloric acid, and methanol.
Field guide for collecting and processing stream-water samples for the National Water-Quality Assessment Program Field guide for collecting and processing stream-water samples for the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
The U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment program includes extensive data- collection efforts to assess the quality of the Nations's streams. These studies require analyses of stream samples for major ions, nutrients, sediments, and organic contaminants. For the information to be comparable among studies in different parts of the Nation, consistent procedures...
Authors
Larry R. Shelton
Filter Total Items: 22
Methods for collecting benthic invertebrate samples as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program Methods for collecting benthic invertebrate samples as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Benthic invertebrate communities are evaluated as part of the ecological survey component of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program. These biological data are collected along with physical and chemical data to assess water-quality conditions and to develop an understanding of the factors that affect water-quality conditions locally, regionally, and...
Authors
Thomas F. Cuffney, Martin E. Gurtz, Michael R. Meador
Guidelines for the processing and quality assurance of benthic invertebrate samples collected as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program Guidelines for the processing and quality assurance of benthic invertebrate samples collected as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Benthic invertebrate samples are collected as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program. This is a perennial, multidisciplinary program that integrates biological, physical, and chemical indicators of water quality to evaluate status and trends and to develop an understanding of the factors controlling observed water quality. The Program examines...
Authors
T. F. Cuffney, M. E. Gurtz, M. R. Meador
Methods for characterizing stream habitat as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program Methods for characterizing stream habitat as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Stream habitat is characterized in the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program as part of an integrated physical, chemical, and biological assessment of the Nation's water quality. The goal of stream habitat characterization is to relate habitat to other physical, chemical, and biological factors to describe water-quality conditions. To accomplish this goal
Authors
Michael R. Meador, Cliff R. Hupp, Thomas F. Cuffney, Martin E. Gurtz
Methods for collecting algal samples as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program Methods for collecting algal samples as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Benthic algae (periphyton) and phytoplankton communities are characterized in the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program as part of an integrated physical, chemical, and biological assessment of the Nation's water quality. This multidisciplinary approach provides multiple lines of evidence for evaluating water-quality status and trends, and for refining an...
Authors
Stephen D. Porter, Thomas F. Cuffney, Martin E. Gurtz, Michael R. Meador