National Water-Quality Project Sampling Methods
Active
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
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 specifically desi
Authors
Larry R. Shelton
Filter Total Items: 22
National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data. U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, Book 9
The mission of the Water Resources Discipline of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is to provide the information and understanding needed for wise management of the Nation's water resources. Inherent in this mission is the responsibility to collect data that accurately describe the physical, chemical, and biological attributes of water systems. These data are used for environmental and resource as
Protocols for mapping and characterizing land use/land cover in riparian zones
No abstract available.
Authors
Michaela R. Johnson, Ronald B. Zelt
Collection, analysis, and age-dating of sediment cores from 56 U.S. lakes and reservoirs sampled by the U.S. Geological Survey, 1992-2001
The U.S. Geological Survey Reconstructed Trends National Synthesis study collected sediment cores from 56 lakes and reservoirs between 1992 and 2001 across the United States. Most of the sampling was conducted as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. The primary objective of the study was to determine trends in particle-associated contaminants in response to urbanization;
Authors
Peter Van Metre, Jennifer T. Wilson, Christopher C. Fuller, Edward Callender, Barbara Mahler
Revised Protocols for Sampling Algal, Invertebrate, and Fish Communities as Part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Algal, invertebrate, and fish communities are characterized as part of ecological studies in the U.S. Geological Survey.s National Water-Quality Assessment Program. Information from these ecological studies, together with chemical and physical data, provide an integrated assessment of water quality at local, regional, and national scales. Analysis and interpretation of water-quality data at these
Authors
Stephen R. Moulton, Jonathan Kennen, Robert M. Goldstein, Julie A. Hambrook
Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory-Processing, taxonomy, and quality control of benthic macroinvertebrate samples
Qualitative and quantitative methods to
process benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI)
samples have been developed and tested
by the U.S. Geological Survey?s National
Water Quality Laboratory Biological Group.
The qualitative processing method is
based on visually sorting a sample for up to
2 hours. Sorting focuses on attaining organisms
that are likely to result in taxonomic
identifications to
Authors
Stephen R. Moulton, James L. Carter, Scott A. Grotheer, Thomas F. Cuffney, Terry M. Short
Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory-Determination of 86 volatile organic compounds in water by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, including detections less than reporting limits
This report presents precision and accuracy data for volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) in the nanogram-per-liter range, including aromatic hydrocarbons, reformulated
fuel components, and halogenated hydrocarbons using purge and trap capillary-column
gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. One-hundred-four VOCs were initially tested.
Of these, 86 are suitable for determination by this method. Sel
Authors
Brooke F. Connor, Donna L. Rose, Mary C. Noriega, Lucinda K. Murtaugh, Sonja R. Abney
Revised Methods for Characterizing Stream Habitat in the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Stream habitat is characterized in the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) 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 that describe water-quality conditions. To accomplish this goal, en
Authors
Faith A. Fitzpatrick, Ian R. Waite, Patricia J. D'Arconte, Michael R. Meador, Molly A. Maupin, Martin E. Gurtz
Guidelines for quality assurance and quality control of fish taxonomic data collected as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Fish community structure is characterized by the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program as part of a perennial, multidisciplinary approach to evaluating the physical, chemical, and biological conditions of the Nation's water resources. The objective of quality assurance and quality control of fish taxonomic data that are collected as part of the NAWQA Program is
Authors
Stephen Joseph Walsh, Michael R. Meador
Quality-control design for surface-water sampling in the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
The data-quality objectives of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program include estimating the extent to which contamination, matrix effects, and measurement variability affect interpretation of chemical analyses of surface-water samples. The quality-control samples used to make these estimates include field blanks, field matrix spikes, and replicates. This report describes the design for col
Authors
David K. Mueller, Jeffrey D. Martin, Thomas J. Lopes
Field guide for collecting samples for analysis of volatile organic compounds in stream water for the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
For many years, stream samples for analysis of volatile organic compounds have been collected without specific guidelines or a sampler designed to avoid analyte loss. In 1996, the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program began aggressively monitoring urban stream-water for volatile organic compounds. To assure representative samples and consistency in collection procedure
Authors
Larry R. Shelton
Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory-Determination of pesticides in water by Carbopak-B solid-phase extraction and high-preformance liquid chromatography
In accordance with the needs of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA), the U.S. Geological Survey has developed and implemented a graphitized carbon-based solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatographic analytical method. The method is used to determine 41 pesticides and pesticide metabolites that are not readily amenable to gas chromatography or other high-tempe
Authors
Stephen L. Werner, Mark R. Burkhardt, Sabrina N. DeRusseau
Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory-Determination of pesticides in water by C-18 solid-phase extraction and capillary-column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with selected-ion monitoring
A method for the isolation of 41 pesticides and pesticide metabolites in natural-water samples using C-18 solid-phase extraction and determination by capillary-column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with selected-ion monitoring is described. Water samples are filtered to remove suspended particulate matter and then are pumped through disposable solid-phase extraction columns containing octade
Authors
Steven D. Zaugg, Mark W. Sandstrom, Steven G. Smith, Kevin M. Fehlberg
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
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 specifically desi
Authors
Larry R. Shelton
Filter Total Items: 22
National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data. U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, Book 9
The mission of the Water Resources Discipline of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is to provide the information and understanding needed for wise management of the Nation's water resources. Inherent in this mission is the responsibility to collect data that accurately describe the physical, chemical, and biological attributes of water systems. These data are used for environmental and resource as
Protocols for mapping and characterizing land use/land cover in riparian zones
No abstract available.
Authors
Michaela R. Johnson, Ronald B. Zelt
Collection, analysis, and age-dating of sediment cores from 56 U.S. lakes and reservoirs sampled by the U.S. Geological Survey, 1992-2001
The U.S. Geological Survey Reconstructed Trends National Synthesis study collected sediment cores from 56 lakes and reservoirs between 1992 and 2001 across the United States. Most of the sampling was conducted as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. The primary objective of the study was to determine trends in particle-associated contaminants in response to urbanization;
Authors
Peter Van Metre, Jennifer T. Wilson, Christopher C. Fuller, Edward Callender, Barbara Mahler
Revised Protocols for Sampling Algal, Invertebrate, and Fish Communities as Part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Algal, invertebrate, and fish communities are characterized as part of ecological studies in the U.S. Geological Survey.s National Water-Quality Assessment Program. Information from these ecological studies, together with chemical and physical data, provide an integrated assessment of water quality at local, regional, and national scales. Analysis and interpretation of water-quality data at these
Authors
Stephen R. Moulton, Jonathan Kennen, Robert M. Goldstein, Julie A. Hambrook
Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory-Processing, taxonomy, and quality control of benthic macroinvertebrate samples
Qualitative and quantitative methods to
process benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI)
samples have been developed and tested
by the U.S. Geological Survey?s National
Water Quality Laboratory Biological Group.
The qualitative processing method is
based on visually sorting a sample for up to
2 hours. Sorting focuses on attaining organisms
that are likely to result in taxonomic
identifications to
Authors
Stephen R. Moulton, James L. Carter, Scott A. Grotheer, Thomas F. Cuffney, Terry M. Short
Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory-Determination of 86 volatile organic compounds in water by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, including detections less than reporting limits
This report presents precision and accuracy data for volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) in the nanogram-per-liter range, including aromatic hydrocarbons, reformulated
fuel components, and halogenated hydrocarbons using purge and trap capillary-column
gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. One-hundred-four VOCs were initially tested.
Of these, 86 are suitable for determination by this method. Sel
Authors
Brooke F. Connor, Donna L. Rose, Mary C. Noriega, Lucinda K. Murtaugh, Sonja R. Abney
Revised Methods for Characterizing Stream Habitat in the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Stream habitat is characterized in the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) 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 that describe water-quality conditions. To accomplish this goal, en
Authors
Faith A. Fitzpatrick, Ian R. Waite, Patricia J. D'Arconte, Michael R. Meador, Molly A. Maupin, Martin E. Gurtz
Guidelines for quality assurance and quality control of fish taxonomic data collected as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Fish community structure is characterized by the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program as part of a perennial, multidisciplinary approach to evaluating the physical, chemical, and biological conditions of the Nation's water resources. The objective of quality assurance and quality control of fish taxonomic data that are collected as part of the NAWQA Program is
Authors
Stephen Joseph Walsh, Michael R. Meador
Quality-control design for surface-water sampling in the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
The data-quality objectives of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program include estimating the extent to which contamination, matrix effects, and measurement variability affect interpretation of chemical analyses of surface-water samples. The quality-control samples used to make these estimates include field blanks, field matrix spikes, and replicates. This report describes the design for col
Authors
David K. Mueller, Jeffrey D. Martin, Thomas J. Lopes
Field guide for collecting samples for analysis of volatile organic compounds in stream water for the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
For many years, stream samples for analysis of volatile organic compounds have been collected without specific guidelines or a sampler designed to avoid analyte loss. In 1996, the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program began aggressively monitoring urban stream-water for volatile organic compounds. To assure representative samples and consistency in collection procedure
Authors
Larry R. Shelton
Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory-Determination of pesticides in water by Carbopak-B solid-phase extraction and high-preformance liquid chromatography
In accordance with the needs of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA), the U.S. Geological Survey has developed and implemented a graphitized carbon-based solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatographic analytical method. The method is used to determine 41 pesticides and pesticide metabolites that are not readily amenable to gas chromatography or other high-tempe
Authors
Stephen L. Werner, Mark R. Burkhardt, Sabrina N. DeRusseau
Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory-Determination of pesticides in water by C-18 solid-phase extraction and capillary-column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with selected-ion monitoring
A method for the isolation of 41 pesticides and pesticide metabolites in natural-water samples using C-18 solid-phase extraction and determination by capillary-column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with selected-ion monitoring is described. Water samples are filtered to remove suspended particulate matter and then are pumped through disposable solid-phase extraction columns containing octade
Authors
Steven D. Zaugg, Mark W. Sandstrom, Steven G. Smith, Kevin M. Fehlberg