Biological & chemical stream monitoring [2003]

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Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division Spring 2003

Biological & Chemical Stream Monitoring

The publication of this document was supported by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and was financed in part through a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the provisions of section 319(h) of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended at a cost of $2.00 per manual. 6/17/03



Georgia Adopt-A-Stream 4220 International Parkway, Suite 101
Atlanta, Georgia 30354 (404) 675-1636 or 1639 www.riversalive.org/aas.htm
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Macroinvertebrates are present during all kinds of stream conditions from drought to floods. Macroinvertebrates are adaptable to extremes of water flow. Some may burrow when it is raining and flow increases. However, heavy rain in areas with a high percentage of impervious surface (most urban areas) can cause flash floods and carry macroinvertebrates downstream.

Populations of macroinvertebrates may differ in North and South Georgia. For example,

since the Adopt-A-Stream biological index is based on dissolved oxygen, the "sensitive"

organisms that require a lot of oxygen, such as the stonefly, may not be found in warm, slow-moving streams in South Georgia. That does not mean that the stream has bad

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water quality or habitat, just that streams in North and South Georgia support different

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populations of macros.

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Populations of macroinvertebrates may vary from headwater streams to the river mouth.

For more information, please review "The River Continuum Concept," Chapter 1, Visual

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Stream Survey manual.

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Seasonal cycles can also affect the number and kinds of macroinvertebrates collected.

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Organisms such as immature stoneflies and mayflies will gain weight and size primarily

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during the fall and winter. During the spring and summer they may reach maturity and

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begin to metamorphose into their adult (non-aquatic) stage. Therefore, the presence of aquatic macroinvertebrates will tend to be more evident during winter and spring just

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before metamorphosis. After adults emerge, females lay eggs near or in the water.

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Soon after, the larvae and nymphs hatch and begin to grow, feeding on leaf litter,

detritus and other organic matter that might be present. For more information on

macroinvertebrates and their life cycles, please turn to "Some Background On Aquatic

Insects" in Index A.

Georgia Adopt-A-Stream uses a macroinvertebrate identification key and water quality index data form developed by the lzaak Walton League of America. The Izaak Walton League program is a national program used by many organizations. Georgia Adopt-A-Stream has found that this key and water quality index form help obtain accurate information for a majority of Georgia's streams. However, we have found that some high-quality streams in South Georgia do not achieve an excellent water quality index rating during the summer months. This is due to the seasonally warmer temperatures, lower stream flows and finer substrate. This does not necessarily mean that the stream is of lesser quality.
If you are monitoring in South or Coastal Georgia, it is important for you to conduct monitoring each season for several years. Doing this will help you recognize biological trends in your stream so that you can determine which changes are natural and which may be induced by human impact.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgements Water Quality in Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Abstract Introduction Quality Assurance Certification
Chapter 1. Biological Monitoring
Why Monitor for Macroinvertebrates Determining Stream Type and Sampling Location Begin Sampling: Rocky Bottom Method Begin Sampling: Muddy Bottom Method Calculate Your Results
Chapter 2. Physical/Chemical Monitoring
Why are Physical/Chemical Tests Important? Temperature pH Dissolved Oxygen Settleable Solids Nutrients Nitrates Phosphorus Alkalinity Conductivity Salinity Secchi Disk
Chapter 3. Forms Chemical Data Form Macroinvertebrate Count Form Activity Summary One-Year Record of Physical/Chemical and Biological Data
Index A Some Background On Aquatic Insects Macroinvertebrate Identification Key Field Directions for Physical/Chemical Monitoring Biological Testing Equipment.. Physical/Chemical Testing Equipment.. How To Make A Kick Seine
Index B Habitat Enhancement Glossary Of Stream Related Terms
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4 6 8 10
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14 16
17 18 19
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23 23 24 25 26 27 27 28 28 29 29 31
33 35 36 37 38
39 .40 43 .45 51 52 54
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Water Quality in Georgia

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The key issues and challenges to protect water quality include (1). the control of toxic substances, (2) the reduction of nonpoint source pollution, (3) the need to increase

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public involvement in water quality improvement projects, and (4) the continued

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implementation of a comprehensive groundwater management plan. The

implementation of the River Basin Management Planning Program in Georgia provides the framework for addressing each of these key issues.

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The reduction C?f toxic substances in rivers, lakes, sediment and fish tissue is extremely

important in protecti~g both human health an~ aquatic life. The sources are

widespread. The '.

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releases

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rivers

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pollution

prevention, which consists primarily of eliminating or,reducing the use of toxic materials

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or at least reduGing th~ exposure of toxic materials to drinking water, wastewater and

stormwater. It is very expen~ive and difficult to reduce low concentrations of toxins in

wastewaters by treatment technologies. It is virtually impossible to treat large quantities

of stormwater for toxin reductions. Therefore, toxic substances must be controlled at

the source.

The pollution impact on Georgia streams has radically shifted over the last two decades.

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Streams are no longer dominated by untreated or partially treated sewage discharges

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which resulted in little or no dissolved oxygen and little or no aquatic life. The sewage is now treated, oxygen levels.have returned and.fish have followed. However, another

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source of pollution is now affecting Georgia streams. That source is referred to as

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nonpoint and consists of silt, litter, bacteria, pesticides, fertilizers, metals, oils,

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detergents and a variety of other pollutants being washed into rivers and lakes by stormwater. This form of pollution, although somewhat less dramatic than raw sewage,

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must be reduced and controlled to fully protect Georgia's streams. As with toxic

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substance control, nonstructural techniques such as pollution prevention and best

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management practices must be significantly expanded. These include both watershed protection through planning, zoning, buffer zones, and appropriate building densities as well as increased use of stormwater retention ponds, street cleaning and perhaps eventual limitations on pesticide and fertilizer usage. .

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It is clear that local governments and industries, even with well-funded efforts, cannot fully address the challenges of toxics and nonpoint source pollution control. Citizens must individually and collectively be part of the solution to these challenges. The main focus is to achieve full public understanding of the fact that some of everything put on the ground or street ends up in a stream. Individuals are littering, driving cars which drip oils and antifreeze, applying fertilizers and pesticides and participating in a variety of other activities contributing to toxic and nonpoint source pollution. If streams and lakes are to be pollutant-free, then some of the everyday human practices must be modified. The GA EPD will be emphasizing public involvement, not only in decision-making but also in direct programs of stream improvement. The first steps are education and Adopt-A-Stream programs. The foundation or framework of the GAEPD will be to integrate this work in the River Basin Management Program.

The most significant future groundwater issues in Georgia will be management of the resource to further reduce saltwater contamination of coastal drinking water aquifers, development of a strategy for dealing with nonpoint sources of nitrates, and complete implementation of the Recharge Areas and Wellhead Protection Plans.

* Taken From Water Quality In Georgia, 1998-1999, Chapter 1, Executive Summary

Water Resources Atlas

State Population State Surface Area Number of Major River Basins Number of Perennial River Miles Number of Intermittent River Miles Number of Ditches and Canals Total River Miles Number of Lakes Over 500 Acres Acres of Lakes Over 500 Acres Number of Lakes Under 500 Acres Acres of Lakes Under 500 Acres Total Number of Lakes, Reservoirs, Ponds Total Acreage of Lakes, Reservoirs, Ponds Square Miles of Estuaries Miles of Coastline Acres of Freshwater Wetlands - Acres of Tidal Wetlands

7,000,000 59,441 square miles 14 44,056 miles 23,906 miles 603 miles 70,150 miles 48 265,365 acres 11,765 160,017 acres 11,813 425,382 acres 854 square miles 100 4,500,000 acres 384,000 acres

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Acknowledgements

This manual draws on the experience of many wonderful citizen monitoring, stewardship and education programs. Georgia Adopt-A-Stream gratefully acknowledges the following organizations for their advice and use of their materials.

Special Contributions: Environmental Protection Division, Jones Ecological Research Center, Georgia Southwestern State University, Savannah State University, University of Georgia Marine Extension Service, Clayton County Water Authority

WriterslEd itors Georgia Adopt-A-Stream staff

Advice and some of the material in this manual was taken from the following documents:

Volunteer Stream Monitoring: A Methods Manual EPA 841-B-97-003

Hach Company

LaMotte Company .=PA Rapid Bioassessment Protocols

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EPD Rapid Bioassessment Protocols

Save Our Streams, Izaak Walton League of America

TexasWatch

TVA Water Quality Monitoring Network

Aquatic Project Wild

GaineSVille College

University of Georgia's Landscape Architect Students

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Georgia Adopt-A-Stream

Georgia Adopt-A-Stream (AAS) is housed in the NonPoint Source Program in the Water Protection Branch of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division: The program is funded by a Section 319(h) Grant. The goals of Georgia Adopt-A-Stream are to (1) increase public awareness of the State's nonpoint source pollution and water quality issues, (2) provide citizens with the tools and training to evaluate and protect their local waterways, (3) encourage partnerships between citizens and their local government, and (4) collect baseline water quality data.

To accomplish these goals, Georgia Adopt-A-Stream encourages individuals and

communities to monitor and/or improve sections of streams, wetlands, lakes or

estuaries. Manuals, training, and technical support are provided through Georgia EPD,

Adopt-A-Stream Regional Training Centers and more than 40 established CommunitylWatershed Adopt-A-Stream organizers. The Adopt-A-Stream and Wetland

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Regional Training Centers are located at State Universities in Columbus, Milledgeville,

Americus, and Savannah. These centers playa key role in providing training, technical support and organizational support to citizens throughout Georgia.

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There are more than 40 CommunitylWatershed Programs that organize Adopt-A-

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Stream groups in their watershed, county or city. These local Adopt-A-Stream

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programs are funded by counties, cities and nonprofit organizations and use the

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Georgia Adopt-A-Stream model, manuals and workshops to promote nonpoint source

pollution education and data collection in their area. The State office works closely with

these programs to ensure that volunteers are receiving appropriate support and training.

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The Adopt-A-Stream program offers different levels of involvement. At the most basic level, a new group informs their local government about their activities and creates partnerships with local schools, businesses and government agencies. A watershed survey and 4 visual surveys are conducted within a year's time. Volunteers create a 'Who To Call List" so that if something unusual is sighted, the appropriate agencies can be notified. Getting To Know Your Watershed and Visual Stream Survey manuals provide guidance in these activities.

If volunteers wish to learn more about their adopted body of water, they are encouraged to conduct biological or chemical monitoring. The Biological and Chemical Stream Monitoring manual guides volunteers through the monitoring process. Free workshops

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are also provided at regular intervals in the Atlanta region and as needed in other areas of the State. These workshops are listed in our bimonthly newsletter. Volunteers can monitor their waterways without attending a workshop, but those who attend and pass a QAlQC test will then be considered quality data collectors under the Georgia Adopt-AStream Quality Assurance Plan. QAlQC data is posted on the Adopt-A-Stream database.
The title "Adopt-A-Stream" is a little misleading since the program also provides manuals and training for lake and wetland monitoring also. The Wetland Monitoring manual and workshops highlight wetland values and functions and guides volunteers through the monitoring of soils, vegetation and hydrology. A separate Coastal Wetland Monitoring manual provides guidance for volunteers interested in monitoring the biological and chemical parameters specific to salt water conditions. The Adopt-A-Lake program is a collaborative effort between Georgia Adopt-A-Stream and Georgia Lake Society. The Georgia Lake Society provides training workshops and technical advice throughout the state. An Adopt-A-Stream Educator's Guide is also offered. This guide helps teachers put Adopt-A-Stream activities into a lesson plan format.
*As of April 2003, Georgia Adopt-A-Stream has more than 10,000 volunteers with 260 active groups collecting data in Georgia.
Resources Available from Georgia Adopt-A-Stream
~ Website at www.riversalive.org/aas.htm ~ Getting To K.'lOW Your Watershed Manual ~ Visual Stream Survey Manual ~ Biological and Chemical Stream Monitoring Manual ~ Adopt-A-Wetland Manual ~ Coastal Adopt-A-Wetland Manual ~ Adopt-A-Lake Manual ~ Adopt-A-Stream Educator's Guide ~ Georgia Adopt-A-Stream: It All Begins With You video ~ Watershed Walk video ~ Building A Watershed Alliance video ~ Getting Started: Watershed Survey and Map Assessment workshops ~ Biological Monitoring workshops ~ Chemical Monitoring workshops ~ Train - The - Trainer workshops ~ You Are The Solution To Water Pollution Posters and Brochures ~ Database ~ Newsletter ~ Technical and logistical support for volunteers and communities
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Introduction

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BIOLOGI'CAL & CHEMICAL STREAM

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MONITORING ,' '-/

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Welcome to Georgia Adopt-A-Stream, Biological and Chemical Stream Monitoring. This

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manual is intended for Adopt-A-Stream monitoring groups who have already registered

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with the program and are eager to take their monitoring activities to the next level. This manual describes methods for evaluating the physical, chemical, and biological parameters of your adopted stream or river.

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Getting to Know Your Watershed focuses on map assessments and a watershed survey

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as evaluation tools. Visual Stream Monitoring introduces a diversity of low-cost, handson methods for analyzing the physical health of your adopted stream.

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Different levels of involvement offer different levels of activity. At the most basic level,

volunteers register with Georgia Adopt-A-Stream, conduct a watershed assessment and

perform visual surveys of their adopted stream. Optional participation includes biological and/or chemical monitoring, and/or a habitat enhancement project.

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Watershed Assessment Visual Monitoring

Once a year 4 times a year (quarterly)

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Biological Monitoring

4 times a year (quarterly)

Physical/Chemical Monitoring

12 times a year (monthly)

Habitat Enhancement

One time project

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Biological and chemical monitoring requires training. Training workshops are available
at Adopt-A-Stream Regional Training Centers, some community Adopt-A-Stream programs and State O~iGe. Training includes an o~erview of the program, monitoring techniques and quality assurance tests.

These activities ~elp protect water quality and streams because:

Regular monitoring provides specific information about the health of your local stream.

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Both long-term trends and immediate changes in water quality can be

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documented. Biological monitoring will detect changes in water quality and habitat and
provides an indication of overall stream health. Chemical monitoring, however, provides specific information about water quality
parameters that are important to aquatic life--such as dissolved oxygen and pH. Habitat enhancement projects improve streambanks and/or the streambed.
Habitat enhancement projects may stop a streambank from eroding, and therefore decrease the amount of sediment entering a stream or improve an instream habitat for fish to feed, hide and lay eggs.
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Quality Assurance Certification

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If volunteers wish to ensure that their data is of the highest quality, volunteers can become quality assurance quality control (QAlQC) certified. Quality assurance

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certification is part of every chemical and biological training workshop. Data collected

under a quality assured plan is often used by various local and state agencies to

assess water quality conditions. Water quality data collected on streams, rivers and lakes has many informational purposes. However, Georgia Adopt-A-Stream will only

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keep a permanent record of data collected by quality-assured volunteers. To become a

QAlQC volunteer, the following conditions must be met.

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Biological Certification

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1. Volunteers must demonstrate the ability to collect a macroinvertebrate sample

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to a certified Adopt-A-Stream trainer.

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2. Volunteers must identify, with 90% accuracy, no less than 20 macroinvertebrates and correctly calculate the SOS Index for water quality.
3. Volunteers must be QAlQC certified annually.

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4. Volunteers must sample once every three months for one year and send their

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results to Georgia Adopt-A-Stream.

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Chemical Certification

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1. Volunteers' methods and test kits must achieve results within 10% of those obtained by a certified Adopt-A-Stream trainer.
2. Volunteers and their test kits must be QAlQC certified annually. 3. Volunteers must sample once a month for one year and send their results to
Georgia Adopt-A-Stream.

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1 Chapter
BIOLOGICAL MONITORING
Biological Monitoring Why Monitor for Macroinvertebrates Determine Stream Type and Sampling Location Begin Sampling For: Rocky Bottom Streams Begin Sampling For: Muddy Bottom Streams Calculate Your Results
Biological monitoring involves identifying and counting macroinvertebrates. The purpose of biological monitoring is to quickly assess both water quality and habitat. The abundance and diversity of macroinvertebrates found is an indication of overall stream quality. Macroinvertebrates include aquatic insects, crayfish, and snails that live in various stream habitats and derive their oxygen from water. They are used as indicators of stream quality. These insects and crustaceans are impacted by all the stresses that occur in a stream environment, both man-made and naturally occurring.
Aquatic macroinvertebrates are good indicators of stream quality because:
They are affected by the physical, chemical and biological conditions of the stream.
They can't escape pollution and show effects of short- and long-term pollution events.
They are relatively long lived - the life cycles of some sensitive macroinvertebrates range from one to several years.
They are an important part of the food web, representing a broad range of trophic levels.
They are abundant in most streams. Some 1st and 2nd order streams may lack fish, but they generally have macroinvertebrates.
They are a food source for many recreationally and commercially important fish. They are relatively easy to collect and identify with inexpensive materials.
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Why Monitor for Macroinvertebrates
The basic principle behind the study of macroinvertebrates is that some are more sensitive to pollution than others. Therefore, if a stream site IS inhabited by organisms that can tolerate pollution, and the more pollution-sensitive organisms are missing, a pollution problem is likely. For example, stonefly nymphs, which are very sensitive to most pollutants, cannot survive if a stream's dissolved oxygen falls below a certain level. If a biosurvey shows that no stoneflies are present in a stream that used to support them, a hypothesis might be that dissolved oxygen has fallen to a point that keeps stoneflies from reproducing or has killed them outright. This brings up both the advantage and disadvantage of the biosurvey. The advantage of the biosurvey is that it tells us very clearly when the stream ecosystem is impaired, or "sick," due to pollution or habitat loss. It is not difficult to realize that a stream full of many kinds of crawling and swimming "critters" is healthier than one without much life. The disadvantage of the biosurvey, on the other hand, is that it cannot definitively tell us why certain types of creatures are present or absent. In this case, the absence of stoneflies might indeed be due to low dissolved oxygen. But is the stream under-oxygenated because it flows too sluggishly, or because pollutants in the stream are damaging water quality by using up the oxygen? The absence of stoneflies might also be due to other pollutants discharged by factories or run off from farmland, water temperatures that are too high, habitat degradation such as excess sand or silt on the stream bottom that has ruined stonefly sheltering areas, or other conditions. Thus a biosurvey should be accompanied by an assessment of habitat and water quality conditions in order to help explain biosurvey results.
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Determine Stream Type and Sampling Location

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Find a sampling location in your stream. This location should bp. within your stream

reach, which you should have determined during your visual survey. Sample the same

stretch of stream each time, to ensure consistency. Sample every three months,

approximately once each season (spring, summer, fall and winter).

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Macroinvertebrates can be found in many kinds of habitats-places like riffles (where

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shallow water flows quickly over rocks), packs of leaves, roots hanging into the water,

old wood or logs, or the streambed. Based on the types of habitats that characterize

your stream, determine if you have a muddy bottom or rocky bottom stream. Follow

the directions that correspond with your stream type.

Rocky bottom streams are generally found in North Georgia and the Piedmont

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Region. However, there are exceptions-some South Georgia streams possess

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rocky bottom characteristics. Rocky bottom streams are characterized by fast-

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moving water flowing over and between large rocks and boulders, interspersed

with longer, smooth sections where the water forms pools. Muddy bottom streams include most South Georgia streams and many streams
found in urban environments that have been degraded by the introduction of

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sediment. In muddy bottom streams the pool/riffle system is replaced by slow

moving water with little or no disturbances. The substrate is generally composed

of fine silt, sand or coarse gravel.

Equipment List:

Kick seine or D-frame net

Sorting pans or white plastic tub

Tweezers or forceps or plastic spoons Pencils and clipboard

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Handlens

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Biological survey

SOS macroinvertebrate guide

Rubber waders or old tennis shoes

Rubber gloves

Optional: Preservation jars or baby food jars Rubbing alcohol, for preservation Bucket with screen bottom (for muddy bottom sampling)

*Page 53 provides a list of places to purchase equipment

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Begin Sampling: Rocky Bottom Streams
In the "rocky bottom" method, you will sample two different habitats-riffles and leaf packs. The rocky bottom method requires a minimum of two volunteers, one to hold the kick seine and one to "work" the sample area.
First, identify three riffle areas. Collect macroinvertebrates in all three riffles with a kick seine, sampling a 2 x 2 foot area (the kick seines are usually 3 x 3 feet). Look for an area where the water is 3 to 12 inches deep. Place the kick seine downstream and firmly wedge the seine into the streambed, weighting the bottom edge with rocks. Gently rub any loose debris off rocks and sticks so that you catch everything in the seine. When you have "washed otr' all the rocks in a 2 x 2 foot area, kick the streambed with your feet. Push rocks around; shuffle your feet so that you really kick up the streambed. Now gently lift the seine, being careful not to lose any of the macroinvertebrates you have caught. Take the seine to an area where you can look it over or wash the contents into a bucket.
Now look for decayed (old, dead) packs of leaves next to rocks or logs or on the streambed. Leaf packs may be found throughout your designated stream reach, in the riffle or pool systems. Add 4 handfuls of decayed leaves to your sample. The total area of stream you will sample is 16 square feet.
In summary, collect:
3 kick seine samples (4 square feet each) from the riffle area 4 handfuls (1 square foot each) of leaf packs
Riffles Riffle areas constitute shallow areas of a stream or river with a fastmoving current bubbling over rocks. The water in riffle areas is highly oxygenated and provides excellent habitat, shelter, and food for a variety of macroinvertebrates.
Leaf packs This includes decomposing vegetation (leaves and twigs) that is submerged in the water. Leaf packs serve as a food source for organisms and provide shelter from predators.
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- --

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Begin Sampling: Muddy Bottom Streams

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In this method, you will sample three different habitats, using a D-frame (or dip) net. The

habitats are: vegetated margins, woody debris with organic matter, and

sand/rock/gravel streambed (or substrate). With this method you will sample the

stream a total of 14 times or 14 square feet. Each scoop involves a quick forward

motion of one foot, thus covering a sample area of one square foot. To maintain

consistency, collect the following numbers of scoops from each habitat each time you

sample:

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7 scoops from vegetated margins 4 scoops from woody debris with organic matter

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3 scoops from sand/rock/gravel or coarsest area of the stream bed

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As you collect your scoops, place the contents of the net into a bucket. Separate the samples collected from the streambed and vegetated margin or woody debris samples.

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Keep water in the bucket to keep the organisms alive. Note descriptions below of each

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muddy bottom habitat and collection tips:

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Vegetated margins

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This habitat is the area along the bank and the edge of the waterbody consisting

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of overhanging bank vegetation, plants living along the shoreline, and submerged

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root mats. Vegetated margins may be home to a diverse assemblage of

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dragonflies, damselflies, and other organisms. Move the dip-net quickly in a bottom-to-surface motion (scoop towards the stream bank), jabbing at the bank to loosen organisms. Each scoop of the net should cover one foot of submerged

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(under water) area.

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Woody debris with organic matter

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Woody debris consists of dead or living trees, roots, limbs, sticks, leaf packs,

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cypress knees, and other submerged organic matter. It is a very important

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habitat in slow moving streams and rivers. The wood helps trap organic particles that serve as a food source for the organisms and provides shelter from predators such as fish.

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To collect woody debris, approach the area from downstream and hold the net under the section of wood you wish to sample, such as a submerged log. Rub the surface of the log for a total surface area of one square foot. It is also good to

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dislodge some of the bark as organisms may be hiding underneath. You can

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also collect sticks, leaf litter, and rub roots attached to submerged logs. Be sure

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to thoroughly examine any small sticks you collect before discarding them. There may be caddisflies, stoneflies, riffle beetles, and midges attached to the bark.

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Sand/rock/gravel streambed In slow moving streams, the substrate is generally composed of only sand or mud because the velocity of the water is not fast enough to transport large rocks.

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Sample the coarsest area of the streambed-gravel or sand may be all you can find. Sometimes, you may find a gravel bar located at a bend in the river. The streambed can be sampled by moving the net forward (upstream) with a jabbing motion to dislodge the first few inches of gravel, sand, or rocks. You may want to gently wash the gravel in your screen bottom bucket and then discard gravel in the water. If you have large rocks (greater than two inches in diameter) you should also kick the substrate upstream of the net to dislodge any burrowing organisms. Remember to disturb only one square foot of upstream sample area. Each time you sample you should sweep the mesh bottom of the D-Frame net back and forth through the water (not allowing water to run over the top of the net) to rinse fine silt from the net. This will prevent a large amount of sediment and silt from collecting in the pan and clouding your sample. Elutriation Some substrate samples are composed almost entirely of fine silt and mud. To separate aquatic organisms, place sample in a bucket with water and stir. Pour off water in D-frame net and repeat 3 times. Any macroinvertebrates present will separate from the collected mud and be caught in the net. Before dumping remaining substrate, inspect bucket for snails or mollusks. This process is called elutriation.
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Calculate Your Results
Place your macroinvertebrates in a white sorting pan or plastic tray. Separate creatures that look similar into groups. Use the identification guide (found in the forms section) to

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record the types and numbers of each kind of insect. As you sort through your

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collection, remember that each stream will have different types and numbers of macroinvertebrates. Calculate a score for your stream using the index on the Adopt-AStream Survey form. Use the table below to interpret your results.

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If you find:

You may have:

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Variety of macroinvertebrates, lots of each kind Little variety, with many of each kind

Healthy stream
Water enrich~d with organic matter

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A variety of macroinvertebrates, but a few of each kind. or NO macroinvertebrates, but the stream appears clean

Toxic pollution

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Few macroinvertebrates and the streambed is covered with sediment

Poor habitat from sedimentation

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Chapter2
Physical/Chemical Monitoring
Physical/Chemical Monitoring Why Are Physical/Chemical Tests Important? Temperature pH Dissolved Oxygen Settleable Solids Nutrients Nitrates Phosphorus Alkalinity Conductivity Salinity Secchi Disk
Physical/Chemical testing allows information to be gathered about specific water quality characteristics. A variety of water quality tests can be run on fresh water .including temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, settleable solids, water clarity, phosphorus, nitrogen, chlorine, total dissolved solids, fecal coliform levels and many others. Adopt-A-Stream recommends that four core measurements be taken when doing physical/chemical testing - temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and settleable solids. Phosphorus, nitrogen, and alkalinity may be added to your list as interest and equipment allows. On coastal waters, we suggest testing salinity.
If you choose to conduct chemical testing as an activity, plan on sampling regularly - at least once a month at the same time and the same location. Regular monitoring helps ensure that your information can be compared over time. Water quality and environmental conditions can change throughout the day, so monitoring at approximately the same time of day is important. Also, chemical testing during or immediately after a rain may produce very different results than during dry conditions. Therefore, it is very important to record weather conditions. If conditions are unsafe for any reason, including high water or slippery rocks, DO NOT SAMPLE.
Equipment List: Water testing kit with dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and settleable solids tests (may also include alkalinity, phosphate, and nitrate)
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Rubber gloves Safety glasses Container to bring back waste chemicals (old milk jug) Bucket with rope (if sampling off a bridge or in deep water) Physical/Chemical Stream Survey
Pencil First aid kit

Detailed instructions on each chemical test are available with the kit; however, a few

recommendations are listed below.

1. Measure air and water temperature in the shade. Avoid direct sunlight.

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2. Rinse glass tubes or containers twice with stream water b~fore running a test.

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3. Collect water for tests approximately midstream, one foot below surface. If water is less than one foot deep, collect approximately one-third of the way below surface. Collect samples at stream base flow.
4. Read values on titrators (small syringe) at the plunger tip.

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5. Always run two (2) test for each parameter. If the test are not within 10% of each other, run another test to ensure accuracy.
Safety Notes: Read all instructions before you begin and note all precautions. Keep all equipment and chemicals out of the reach of small children. In the event of an accident

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o

or suspected poisoning, immediately call the Poison Control Center (listed on the inside

o

cover of most telephone books). Avoid contact between chemicals and skin, eyes, nose, or mouth. Wear safety goggles or glasses and rubber gloves when handling chemicals. After use, tightly close all chemical containers. Be careful not to switch

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o

caps.

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Why Are Physical/Chemical Tests Important?
(based on the Citizen Monitoring Handbook, published by the LaMotte Company)
This section describes some chemical and physical tests you can conduct and why they are important. Physical/Chemical testing should be conducted at least once a month because this type of testing measures the exact sample of water taken, which can vary weekly, daily or even hourly. A basic set of tests includes temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and settleable solids. Test kits that measure these four parameters will cost approximately $150.00. Replacement chemicals are inexpensive and will be needed after one year. Advanced tests include total alkalinity, ortho-phosphate and nitrate. A test kit that includes both basic and advance tests costs approximately $300.00. Some groups may wish to work with a certified laboratory to sample for fecal coliform bacteria or chlorophyll A.
Further information for evaluating your test results can be found in the Getting to Know Your Watershed manual under "Causes and Sources of Water Resource Degradation."
Temperature
Water temperature is one factor in determining which species mayor may not be present in the system. Temperature affects feeding, reproduction, and the metabolism of aquatic animals. A week or two of high temperatures may make a stream unsuitable for sensitive aquatic organisms, even though temperatures are within tolerable levels throughout the rest of the year. Not only do different species have different requirements, optimum habitat temperatures may change for each stage of life. Fish larvae and eggs usually have narrower temperature requirements than adult fish.
Measuring Temperature A thermometer protected by a plastic or metal case should be used to measure temperature in the field. Record air temperature by placing the dry thermometer in the shade until it stabilizes. Record the temperature of the air before measuring water temperature. To measure water temperature, submerge the thermometer in a sample of water large enough that it will not be affected by the temperature of the thermometer itself, or hold it directly in the stream.
Significant Levels Temperature preferences among species vary widely, but all species can tolerate slow, seasonal changes better than rapid changes. Thermal stress and shock can occur when water temperatures change more than 1 to 2 degrees Celsius in 24 hours.
Many biological processes are affected by water temperature. Temperature differences between surface and bottom waters help produce the vertical water currents which move nutrients and oxygen throughout the water column.
23

What Measured Levels May Indicate Water temperature may be increased by discharges of water used for cooling purposes (by industrial or utility plants) or by runoff from heated surfaces such as roads, roofs and parking lots. Cold underground water sources, snow melt, and the shade provided by overhanging vegetation can lower water temperatures.

pH

The pH test is one of the most common analyses in water testing. An indication of the sample's acidity, pH is actually a measurement of the activity of hydrogen ions in the sample. pH measurements are on a scale from 0 to 14, with 7.0 considered neutral. Solutions with a pH below 7.0 are consid~red acids, and those between 7.0 and 14.0 are considered bases.

The pH scale is logarithmic, so every one-unit change in pH actually represents a

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ten-fold change in acidity. In other words, pH 6 is ten times more acidic than pH

7; pH 5 is one hundred times more acidic than pH 7.

Significant Levels A range of pH 6.5 to pH 8.2 is optimal for most aquatic organisms. Rapidly growing algae or submerged aquatic vegetation remove carbon dioxide (C02) from the water during photosynthesis. This can result in a significant increase in pH levels and becomes more basic. Low or high pH can effect egg hatching, kill sources of food for fish and insects, or make water uninhabitable for any aquatic life. In Georgia, Mountain and Piedmont streams will have pH ranges of 6.0 to 8.0. Coastal black water streams will naturally have more acidic conditions, with pH values of 3.5 to 8.0.

pH values of some common substances:
Iili
0.5 battery acid

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2.0 lemon juice

5.9 rainwater 7.0 distilled water 8.0 salt water

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11.2 ammonia

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12.9 bleach

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What Measured Levels May Indicate In South Georgia and in areas with stagnant water such as wetlands, the presence of decomposing organic matter will lead to naturally occurring lower (acidic) pH readings. In other regions of the State, pH readings outside of the acceptable levels may be the result of mine drainage, atmospheric deposition or industrial point discharges.
~ \. '

24



Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Like land organisms, aquatic animals need oxygen to live. Fish, invertebrates, plants, and aerobic bacteria all require oxygen for respiration.
Sources of Dissolved Oxygen Oxygen dissolves readily into water from the atmosphere at the surface until the water is "saturated". Once dissolved in water, the oxygen diffuses very slowly, and distribution depends on the movement of aerated water by turbulence and currents caused by wind, water flow and thermal upwelling. Aquatic plants, algae and phytoplankton produce oxygen. This process is called photosynthesis.
Dissolved Oxygen Capacity of Water The dissolved oxygen capacity of water is limited by the temperature and salinity of the water and by the atmospheric pressure, which corresponds with altitude. These factors determine the highest amount of oxygen that it is possible to dissolve in the water.
Temperature Effect As water temperature changes, the highest potential dissolved oxygen level changes.
= Lower temperature Higher potential dissolved oxygen level = Higher temperature Lower potential dissolved oxygen level
At 0 degrees Celsius the saturation point for dissolved oxygen is 14.6 ppm At 32 degrees Celsius the saturation point for dissolved oxygen is 7.6 ppm
The temperature effect is compounded by the fact that living organisms increase their activity in warm water, requiring more oxygen to support their metabolism. Critically low oxygen levels often occur during the warmer summer months when capacity decreases and oxygen demand increases. This is often caused by respiring algae or decaying organic material.
Significant Levels The amount of oxygen required by an aquatic organism varies according to species and stage of life. DO levels below 3 ppm are stressful to most aquatic organisms. DO levels below 2 or 1 ppm will not support fish; levels of 5 to 6 ppm are usually required for growth and activity. Fish and invertebrates that can move will leave areas with low dissolved oxygen and move to higher level areas.
What Measured Levels May Indicate A low dissolved oxygen level indicates a demand on the oxygen in the system. Pollutants, including inadequately treated sewage or decaying natural organic material, can cause such a demand. Organic materials accumulate in bottom sediments and support microorganisms (including bacteria), which consume
25

---- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------ - - -------

oxygen as they break down the materials. Some wastes and pollutants produce direct chemical demands on any oxygen in the water. In ponds or impoundments, dense populations of active fish can deplete dissolved oxygen levels. In areas of dense algae, DO levels may drop at night or during cloudy weather due to the net consumption of dissolved oxygen by aquatic plant respiration.

High dissolved oxygen levels can be found where stream turbulence or choppy conditions increase natural aeration by increasing the water surface area and trapping air under cascading water. On sunny days, high dissolved oxygen levels occur in areas of dense algae or submerged aquatic vegetation due to photosynthesis. In these areas, the lowest DO levels occur just before sunrise each morning and highest levels just after noon.

Settleable Solids

The settleable solids test is an easy, quantitative method to measure sediment and other particles found in surface water. An Imhoff cone (a plastic or glass 1 liter cone) is filled with one liter of sample water, stirred, and allowed to settle for 45 minutes. Solids will settle in the bottom of the cone and are then measured as a volume of the total, in millimeters per liter. This measurement is a reproducible analogue for turbidity.

A measurement of settleable solids is not the same as a turbidity reading.

Turbidity levels are measured by taking into account all particles suspended in

the water column, including small, colloidal sized particles, like clay. A settleable

solids test only measures those particles large enough to settle out within a given

period of time.

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Excessive solids in water block sunlight and clog fish and macrolnvertebrate gills.

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~

Sediment that settles on the streambed can smother habitat for fish and other aquatic life. Sediment can also carry harmful substances such as bacteria,

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metals, and excess nutrients.

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What Measured Levels May Indicate

Land-disturbing activities contribute to elevated levels of settleable solids in

Georgia's streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands. Possible sources include

cropland, pasture, livestock operations, forestry activities, construction, roads,

and mining operations. Sediment in streams functions much like sandpaper,

scouring stream banks, leading to streambank failure, and ultimately causing

further erosion.

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26



Nutrients
The addition of phosphorus, nitrogen and other nutrients to a body of water may lead to increased plant growth, ultimately resulting in algae blooms. Over time, this living and dead plant material builds up and, combined with sediments, fills in lakes and reservoirs. This is a naturally occurring process called eutrophication. However, when excess nutrients and sediment are added as a result of human activity, the speed of this natural process is increased significantly.
Eutrophic - a body of water with excess nutrients and sediments and organic matter which often causes water quality problems.
Plants, especially algae, are very efficient users of phosphorus and nitrogen. By the time an algae bloom is observed, the nutrients may no longer be measurable but may continue to impact the ecosystem. By sampling upstream from areas of algae blooms, the source of excess nutrients may be identified. Algae blooms will usually be found in lakes and reservoirs. If excessive algae are found in streams, the nutrient content is probably very high. The macroinvertebrate population will reflect a high input of nutrients - you will find little variety of macroinvertebrates but many of one or two kinds.
High flow rates in streams may prevent the establishment of floating aquatic plants and algae despite the presence of high levels of nutrients. As the summer progresses and flow rates drop, once rapidly flowing streams can become choked with algae. Wide, slow moving and tidal areas downstream may exhibit algae blooms weeks earlier.
Sources of Nutrients Nitrogen and phosphorus enter water from human and animal waste, decomposing organic matter and fertilizer runoff. Phosphates also are found in some industrial effluents, detergent wastewater from homes, and natural deposits.
Nitrates
Nitrogen occurs in natural waters as ammonia (NH3), nitrite (N02), nitrate (N03), and organically bound nitrogen. Through a process called nitrification, bacteria convert ammonium to nitrites, which are quickly converted into nitrates. Ammonia test results are expressed as "ammonia as nitrogen". Nitrate test results are expressed as "nitrate nitrogen" (N03-N), meaning "nitrogen that was in the form of nitrate." Some test kits and the literature express levels only as nitrate (N03). Both expressions refer to the same chemical and concentrations, but use different units of measure:
Nitrate Nitrogen ppm x 4.4 = Nitrate ppm
Significant Levels Unpolluted waters generally have a nitrate-nitrogen level below 1 ppm. Nitrate-
27

nitrogen levels above 10 ppm (44 ppm nitrate) are considered unsafe for drinking
water.
What Measured Levels May Indicate Levels of nitrate-nitrogen above 1 ppm may indicate a sewage overflow. High levels may also indicate the presence of fertilizers and animal waste. High levels of ammonia nitrogen generally indicate a more immediate source of pollutants.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus occurs in natural waters in the form of phosphates orthophosphates, polyphosphates and organically bound phosphates. Simple phosphate test kits measure reactive phosphorus (primarily orthophosphate), which is the form of phosphate applied as fertilizer to agricultural and residential lands.

Organically bound phosphates in water come from plant and animal matter and wastes. Organically bound phosphates and polyphosphates cannot be measured directly. They must first be broken down or "digested" by adding an acid and oxidizer and boiling the sample. After the digested sample cools, an orthophosphate test is performed to measure total phosphorus. Results are expressed as phosphate (P04).

Significant Levels

Total phosphorus levels higher than 0.03 ppm contribute to increased plant

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growth (eutrophic conditions), which will lead to oxygen depletion. Total

phosphorus levels above 0.1 ppm may stimulate plant growth sufficiently to

surpass natural eutrophication rates.

What Measured Levels May Indicate

Levels in excess of .1 ppm indicate a potential human source such as industrial soaps, sewage, fertilizers, disturbance of soil, animal waste, or industrial effluent.

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Alkalinity

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o

Alkalinity of water is its acid-neutralizing capacity. It is the sum of all the bases found in a sample, including carbonate, bicarbonate, and hydroxide content. The

o

alkalinity, and therefore buffering capacity, of natural waters will vary with local

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soils.

Significant Levels

The higher the alkalinity, the better the capacity to buffer the fluctuation of pH in

water.

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What Measured Levels May Indicate

Alkalinity levels should not fluctuate much unless a severe industrial problem has

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occurred upstream.

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28

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Conductivity
Conductivity is a measure of the ability of water to pass an electrical current. Conductivity in water is affected by the presence of inorganic, dissolved solids such as chloride, nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate anions (ions that carry a negative charge) or sodium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and aluminum cations (ions that carry a positive charge). Organic compounds like oil, phenol, alcohol, and sugar do not conduct electrical current very well. Conductivity is also affected by temperature: the warmer the water, the higher the conductivity. For this reason, conductivity is reported as conductivity at 25 degrees Celsius (25 C). Conductivity is measured in microsiemens per centimeter (lJs/cm).
Conductivity in natural systems is affected primarily by the geology of the area through which the water flows. Streams that run through areas with granite bedrock such as in North Georgia tend to have lower conductivity because granite is composed of more inert materials that do not ionize (dissolve into ionic components) when washed into the water. On the other hand, streams that run through areas with clay soils tend to have higher conductivity because of the presence of materials that ionize when washed into the water.
Significant Levels Distilled water has conductivity in the range of 0.5 to 3 IJs/cm. The conductivity of rivers in Georgia generally ranges from 50 to 1500 IJs/cm. Studies of inland fresh waters indicate that streams supporting good mixed fisheries have a range between 50 and 500 IJs/cm. Conductivity outside this range could indicate that the water is i10t suitable for certain species of fish or macroinvertebrates. Industrial waters can range as high as 10,000 IJs/cm.
What Measured Levels May Indicate Discharges to streams can change the conductivity depending on their make-up. A failing sewage system would raise the conductivity because of the presence of chloride, phosphate, and nitrate; an oil spill would lower the conductivity. Documented changes in conductivity readings warrant further investigation.
Salinity
Salinity refers to the concentration of dissolved salts in seawater. More specifically, salinity is the number of grams of dissolved salts in a kilogram of seawater, thus the units of salinity are parts per thousand. The salinity of average ocean water is 35 ppt.
Coastal Conditions Coastal and inshore waters such as estuaries, tidal rivers and marsh creeks generally have lower salinity values. These inshore areas also have highly variable salinity conditions. As the tide comes in or rises, seawater is pushed further inshore or inland, and the salinity at a particular location might increase within hours. Similarly, as the tide goes out, the seawater moves seaward and
29

thus the salinity might decrease.
Salinity is a very important feature and parameter of coastal aquatic habitats. Not only does salinity affect the biological community, but It also affects the density of the water itself. The resulting water density has an effect on, and may be the cause of water flow and transport (both speed and even direction). In fact, typical inshore water circulation includes less dense, less salty water moving downstream along the surface while denser, saltier water is actually moving inshore/upstream along the bottom.
In coastal aquatic habitats, it is thus very important to know and record the salinity at any monitoring site. Salinity is one of the most basic chemical parameters for characterizing a coastal aquatic habitat.
Estuary Monitoring Estuaries are semi- or partially enclosed bodies of water where seawater and freshwater (e.g. from a river) mix. With variations in river inflow (due to rainfall, melting, freshwater removal for industries, agriculture, etc.) and the constant tidal action moving seawater in and out, estuaries are water bodies of temporally and spatially variable salinity. Organisms that live in estuaries must be able to withstand variable salinity conditions. Adaptations include: escaping/moving to more favorable conditions, closing up until more favorable conditions return, burrowing/digging into the bottom, using internal water balance metabolic processes such as producing more or less urine, drinking more or less water, or spending more energy to conserve or get rid of excess water and salts. Georgia estuarine animals such as oysters, blue crabs, shrimp, and mullet are capable of surviving in and dealing with the variable salinity conditions of coastal rivers, sounds, and salt marshes.
Methods of Measurement Salinity is most commonly determined by using one of the following three methods or devises.
A salinity refractometer is a hand held device that measures the refraction or bending of light passing through a solution to determine the strength or concentration of that solution.
A conductivity meter measures the electrical conductivity of a solution to determine the concentration of dissolved charged ions (salts) in the solution. Conductivity values can be converted into practical salinity values.
A chemical titration method (Knudsen titration) uses silver nitrate to measure the amount of chloride (the most abundant component of seawater salinity), and from that measurement, the total salinity can be calculated.
o
30



Secchi Disk
The Secchi disk (pronounced sec'-key) is used to measure the clarity of the water. The disk is named after Pietro Angelo Secchi, a papal scientific adviser and head of the Roman Observatory in the 1860s. Secchi lowered a white plate on a rope into the Mediterranean to determine the depth at which he could no longer see it as a relative measure of water clarity. Modern Secchi disks are weighted metal disks. The face of the disc is divided into quarters and painted black and white for contrast. The disk is lowered into the water to the point at which the disk can no longer be seen - this depth is then called the Secchi depth. Secchi depths can then be compared to track changes and compare differences in water clarity within and between bodies of water.
31



3 Chapter
FORMS
Chemical Data Form Macroinvertebrate Count Form Activity Summary One-Year Record of Physical/Chemical and Biological Data
33



GEORGIA ADOPT-A-STREAM
Chemical Data Forms
To be conducted every month

,

"

Return to: GA AAS

4220 In~ernational Parkway

Suite 101

Atlanta, GA 30354

Use this form and the Adopt-A-Stream methods to record important information about the health of your stream. By keeping accurate and consistent records of your physical/chemical tests, you can document current conditions and changes in water quality.

AAS group name:

County:

Group ID number AAS-GSite ID Number AAS-S-

Topo Map Quadrant:

Investigators:

Stream name

Date:

Time:

Picture/Photo Documentation? yes / no

Site/location Description:

B B B B B Rain in last 24 hours

Present conditions

heavy rain

steady rain

heavy rain

steady rain

intermittent rain

intermittent rain

none

overcast

partly cloudy

clear/sunny

Amount of rain, if known?

inches in last

hours/days

BASIC TESTS Air Temperature Water Temperature

Sample 1

Sample 2 (oC)
(0C)

pH

(1-14)

Dissolved Oxygen

(mg/l or ppm)

Settleable Solids

(ml/l)

ADVANCED TESTS

Alkalinity

(mg/l or ppm)

Nitrate Nitrogen

(mg/l or ppm)

Ammonia-Nitrogen

(mg/l or ppm)

Ortho-phosphate

(mg/l or ppm)

ConductiVity OTHER TESTS

(~s/cm)

Fecal Coliform

(cfu /100 ml)

Chlorophyll A

(mg/l or ppm)

Salinity

(ppt)

Special Lab Analysis: Name of lab performing tests: COMMENTS:
35

---- - - - - ---- ----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

, Retu'~ri'to::G~)\~S>, :', .. : ::.. ~' , -. " .."~

GEORGIA ADOPT-A-STREAM
Macroinvertebrate Count Forms
To be conducted quarterly

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.4220 In~ernational Parkway .

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, .'

Suite 101

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".

. . :.Atlanta, GA ,.30354 _~

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(based in part on the Save our Streams Program, Izaak Walton League of America)

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AAS group name: --:-...,---,:----=-

_

County:

_

Group ID number --A'A-S---G-''--'--=----=------------

Site ID Number Investigators:

-AA-S--S

----,---

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Topo Map
Quadrant: - - - - - - -_-

Stream name - - - - - - - - - - - - Date: - - - - Time: - - - - Picture/Photo Documentation? yes / no

Site/location Description:

Rain in last 24 hours

Present conditions

D heavy rain

0 0 0 0 steady rain

heavy rain

steady rain

intermittent rain

D D intermittent rain

none

D D D overcast

partly cloudy

clear/sunny

_~-=--=--A-.:.m...::o..:u...n.:.t=.:o:..:f.:.r.a..:i.:n...,.:.i.:f:..k:.n.=..o.:.w.:.n? -=====~=~:..I:n.c.h.e.:s.i:n:.la~s=t=====_...:..:h.o.u=r.s./d==a_y=s__

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Use letter codes (A=1-9, B=10-99, C=100 or more) to record the numbers

(check all that apply)

Method used:

Habitat selected for sampling:

0 0

of organisms found in a total sample. Then add up the number of letters in

D Muddy Bottom D Rocky Bottom

riffle leaf pack/woody debris

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each column and multiply by the indicated value. The following columns

streambed with silty area (very fine particles)O

streambed with sand or small gravel

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are divided based on the organism's

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vegetated bank

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sensitivity to pollution.

other (specify)

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SENSITIVE

SOMEWHAT-SENSITIVE

TOLERANT

0
1'.

D caddisfly

D beetle larvae

D aquatic worms

'-./

D hellgrammite

D clams

D blackfly larvae

D mayfly nymphs

D crane fly larvae

D leeches

D gilled snails

D crayfish

D midge larvae

D riffle beetle adult

D damselfly nymphs

D pouch snails

,
'-./

D stonefly nymphs

D dragonfly ny~phs

D water p~nny larvae

D scuds

D sowbugs D fishfly larvae D alderfly larvae

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D D D # of letters times 3 =_

# of letters times 2 =_

# of letters times 1 =_

'-..../
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Now add together the three index values =

total index value

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The total index value will give you an indication of the water quality of your stream. Good water quality is

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indicated by a variety of different kinds of organisms, with no one kind making up the majority of the sample.

o Excellent (>22)

WATER QUALITY RATING

o Good (17-22)

0 Fair(11-16)

o Poor 1.1)

36



GEORGIA ADOPT-A-STREAM
Activity Summary

'. AlioS' Return'to';~G.A. ,..y\ ,.~".; '~''''M'''''~':;t.,.~

A'l" ....-

' . .. ' ......:}\... ~~I .. - .. ":;: . . . . . . ~

'.

. 4220 International Parkway

Suite 101

Atlanta, GA 30354

Use this form as a cover leNer for all data submiNed to Georgia Adopt-A-Stream. Send a copy to your local partner, your local government contact, and Georgia Adopt-A-Stream
each quarter. ANach latest results from Physical/Chemical or Biological Monitoring.

AAS group name:

_

County:

_

Group 10 number --.:AA:....=...:.S=----=G=----

_ Topo Map

Site 10 Number Investigators:

-A=A-S=-S:.....:..=..-=-----------

Quadrant: - - - - - - -_-

Stream name - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Date:

Time: - - - - Picture/Photo Documentation? yes / no

Site/location Description:

Rain in last 24 hours

D heavy rain

0 steady rain

D D intermittent rain

none

Amount of rain, if known?

o 0 n Present conditions

heavy rain

steady rain

intermittent rain

D D D overcast

partly cloudy

clear/sunny

Inches in last

hours/days

Activity Watershed Survey/Map Assessment (once a year)

Date Completed

Visual Stream Survey (quarterly)
Physical/Chemical Testing (once each month)
Biological Monitoring (quarterly)
-
Outreach Activity
Habitat Enhancement Project List all QNQC volunteers: Comments:
37

() (J () () () () () () () () () () C) c) C; 0 () G () () C) () () (J () C; 0 (J () () 0 c) () () () () () () () CJ () () (j

GEORGIA ADOPT-A-STREAM
One Year Record of Physical/chemical and Biological Data

Return to: GA AAS 4220 International Parkway
. Suite 101
Atlanta, GA 30354

AAS group name: Group ID number AAS-G
Site ID Number AAS-S Investigators: Stream name Date:
Site/location Description:

Time:

JAN

FEB

MAR

Air Temperature

Water Temperature

Ph

Dissolved Oxygen

Settleable Solids

Nitrate Nitrogen

a-Phosphate

Alkalinity

Conductivity

b Turbidit Meter or
Secchi isk

Salinity

Other

Biological Index

County:
Topo Map Quadrant:

Picture/Photo Documentation? yes / no

APR

MAY

JUNE JULY AUG

38

(d;=~,

-_=(~i!;(==I(?~i;/(~~it;==a

J:

rd;=!(1 ~ I I ,I

~_

SEPT OCT NOV DEC

--
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-- --

- - --- - -- - - ----- - - --- - -- ----- -------- ------- -

- - - - -. _________11



Some Background On AquatiC: I:nsects Macroinvertebrate rcr.eliltificatiblill Key Field Directions for Chemical: Monitoring Where To Order Equipment Biological Testing Equipment Physical/Chemical Testing Kits How To Make A Kick Seine
39

II

-- ----_._-----------~----~---------------

Some Background On Aquatic Insects

To understand and identify aquatic insects, one must start with how all animals are

classified. The most general category is first, with the species level being the most

specific. Volunteers will learn to identify aquatic insects to the order level. A stonefly is

o

classified as an example.

o

Kingdom

Animal (all animals)

C)

Phylum

Arthropoda (all animals with exoskeletons)

c)

Class Order

Insecta (all insects) Plecoptera (all stoneflies)

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Family

Perlidae (Perlid stoneflies)

Genus

Acroneuria

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Species

Acroneuria Iycorias (Golden Stonefly)

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Life Stages of Insects

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Identifying insects is complicated because of the different stages they pass through

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during their development. The changes that occur from the egg stage to the adult are

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often dramatic. The incredible change of a caterpillar into a butterfly is well known;

()

most aquatic insects experience similar changes. The process of changing form during

'---

the life cycle is called metamorphosis, of which three types are possible: ametabolous,

incomplete, and complete.

Ametabolous Metamorphosis This type of metamorphosis means "without change" and refers to the lack of change between the immature and adult stages. It's found in only a few very primitive orders of insects that have no wings as adults. Some species are semiaquatic.

Incomplete Metamorphosis Insects with incomplete metamorphosis pass through three distinct stages: egg, nymph, and adult. The time required to complete each stage varies widely, with the greatest amount of time usually spent in the nymphal stage. In most cases, the entire cycle requires one year to complete, although this also varies with different species. Nymphs often look similar to their adult stage. As nymphs mature, the adult wings begin developing in stiff pouch-like structures on the thorax called wing pads. This is an obvious and unique characteristic of insects with incomplete metamorphosis. The wing pads on fully mature nymphs will be quite dark, almost black, in color. The orders of aquatic insects with incomplete metamorphosis include:

\
Emergence '-3_ka

*
Young nymph

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40



., Mayflies (0rder Ephemeroptera) ., Drag.onflies: ancl! Damselflies (Order Odonata) StonefJies (Ordero-Plecoptera) Water. Bu!;),s (9r:der. Hemipt~ra)

Complete Metamowp.bQsis.
lnsocts with complete; metaliTWl1J!'nosis pass
through four disti'net stages: egg,~ lar:va, pupa, and adult. The addition ot the pupal, stage separates insects with complete metamorphosis from those with incomplete metamorphosis. While the length of time needed to complete each stage again varies widely, the entire cycle usually takes one year. Most of the cycle is generally spent in the larval stage. Unlike nymphs, larvae bear little resemblance to the adults and show no development of wing pads. It is during the pupal stage that the wing pads and other adult features develop. The orders of aquatic insects

1-4 _ks

~~emale t~

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.Mat'

leylng eggs
.~

~

2-4 weeIa

~
\

y~.. "N~A''RJI'l

Emergence
2-5 weeks
\

Developing larva

Dobsonflies and Alderflies (Order Megaloptera)
Caddisflies (Order Trichoptera) Aquatic Moths (Order Lepidoptera) Aquatic Flies (Order Diptera) Aquatic Beetles (Order Coleoptera)

Growth And Development The growth of insects occurs in a series of stages called instars. The exoskeleton of insects must be periodically shed in order for growth to continue. The process of shedding the old exoskeleton is called molting. When the old exoskeleton is cast aside, a new, slightly larger one is present underneath. The old empty exoskeleton is often referred to as a shuck. Except for mayflies, molting stops once the insect reaches the winged adult stage. Most insects molt five or six times during their development. Mayflies, stoneflies, dragonflies, and damselflies, however, may molt 15-30 times before reaching their adult stage.
Recognizing the insect's stage and degree of development can help the angler determine what insect to imitate. Mature nymphs and larvae often become more active in the water as they move to emergence or pupation sites. This increased activity makes them more available to fish and thus makes them more important to imitate. Looking for and imitating the most mature insects will normally produce the best fishing.

41

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One of the most vulnerable periods in the, insect~s.life .ycle is during.emergence from the immature to the adult st~ge. At th!3.time of e,m~rgeAce" mature nymphs or pupae

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typically crawl out of the water or swim to the ;,!"a1.f;~.s: surfay'~. ,Those, that emerge in the

o

surface film must break through the surface t~nsioJ1, al1q. th~t- can take from several seconds to over a minute. Thus, during emergence the insects are no longer protected by the shelter of the lake or stream bottom. Fish readily take advantage of the insects'

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vulnerability and often feed selectively on emerging nymph~:Q! pupae. ~t).e an.gler,who

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_ .>' recognizes- this activity will find fast fishing by imitpting th~ shqpe"and action of the

natural prey.

-

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Adult insects often rest on the water's surface after emerging from ~he nymphal or pupal

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shuck. Then, after mating, most aquatic insects return to the wai~r to lay their eggs.

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Insects resting or layintJ:-eggs on the surface provide fish with many.easy meals.

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Source: An Angler's Guide to Aquatic Insects and their Imitations, Hafele and Roederer,

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1987.

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.. ';0~Iide

3
I

bottom 7

top
4 8
Bar lines Indicate relative size

6
I

I I

Stream Insects
&
Crustaceans
GROUP ONE TAXA
Pollution sensitive organisms found in goodQuality water.
1 Stonefly: OrderPlecoplera. 112" -1112", 6 legs with hooked tips, antennae, 2tBir-like tails. Smooth (no gills) on lower half of body. (See arrow.)
2 Caddisffy: Order Trichoptera. Up to 1",6
hooked legs on upper third of body, 2 hooks at
back eoo. May be in astick, rock or leaf case with its head sticking out. May have fluffy gill tufts on lower half.
3 ~ter Penny: Order Coleoptera. 1/4", flat saucer-shaped lxldy with araised bump on one side and 6tiny legs on the other side. Immature beetle.
4 Riffle Beetle: Order Coleoptera. 1/4", oval body covered with tiny tBirs, 6 legs, antennae. Walks slowly underwater. Does not swim on surface.
5 Mayfly: Order Ephemeroptera. 1/4" -1", brown, moving, plate-like or feathery gills on sides of lower body (see arrow), 6large hooked legs, antennae, 2or 3 long, hair-like tails. Tails may be 'Mlbbed together.
6 Gil/edSnail: Class Gastropoda. Shell opening covered by thin plate called operculum. Shell usually opens on right.
7 Dobsonfly (Hellgrammite): Family Corydalidae. 3/4" - 4", dark-colored, 6legs, large pinching jaws, eight pairs feelers on 10'Mlr han of body with paired collon-Iike gill tufts along underside, short antennae, 2tails and 2pairs of hooks at back end.
GROUP TWO TAXA
Somewhat pollution tolerant organisms can be in goodorfair Quality water.
8 Crayfish: OrderDecapoda. Up to 6", 2large claws, 8legs, resembles small lobster.
9 SowlJug: Order Isopoda. 1/4" - 3/4", gray oblong lxldy wider than it is high, more than 6 legs, long antennae.
Save Our Streams Izaak Walton League of America 1401 Wilson Blvd. Level B Arlington, VA 22209

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22
~
Bar lines Indicate relative size

GROUP TWO TAXA continued

,f"'.,
'-../

f"\,

10 Scud: OrderAmphipoda. 1/4", YAlite 10 grey, lxldy '-...--1

higher than Ris wide, swims sidevays, more than 6,:)

legs, resembles small shrimp.

0

11 Alderflylarva: FamiIySialidae.1" long. looks like 0
small hellgrammite but has 1long, thin, branched f"'.,
tail at mck end (no hooks). No gill tufts undemP41h.0

0 12 FlShfly larva: FamilyCorydaJid3e. Up to 11/2" C long. looks like small hellgrammite but often a

lighter reddish-tan color, or with ~lIowish streaks. !')

No gill tufls urderreath.

v

13 Damselfly: SuborderZYrPptera. 1/2ft -1", large 0
0 eyes, 6lhin hooked legs, 3broad oar-shaped tails,

positioned like of lower half of

atripod. Smoolh (no body. (see arrow.)

gills)

on

sidesO../

14 watersnipe Fly Larva: FamilyAthericidae (Alrorix). 0

1/4" -1", pale 10 green, tapered body, many

0

0 caterpillar-like legs, conical head, feathery "horns"

allBckend.
o 15 Crane Fly: SUborderNematocera. 1fJ" -2", milky,
o green, or lighl brown, plump caterpillar-like

segmented body, 4finger-like lobes at mck end. (')

\.../

16 Beetle Larva: Order Coleoptera. 1/4"1", Iighl-
colored, 6 legs on upper han of body, feelers.
antennae.

o c

0 17 Dragon Fly: SuborderAnisoplera. 1(2" - 2", large
C eyes, 6hooked legs. Wide oval 10 round abdomen.

18 Clam: Glass Bivalvia.

0

GROUP THREE TAXA

C

Pollution tolerant organisms can be in anyqlBlity of 0

water.

0

19 Aquatic Worm: Class Oligochaeta. 1/4" - 2", can be 0

very liny; Ihin worm-like body.

0

20 Midge Fly Larva: SUborder Nemalocera. Up 10 1/4".n

dark head, worm-like segmented body. 21iny legs '---../

on each side.

0

0 21 BIw:k1ly LNva.' Family Simulidae. Up 101/4", one

end of body wider. Black head, suclion pad on end. (\,

\..../

22 Leech: Order Hirudinea. 1/4" - 2", brown, slimy !')

body, ends with suction pads.

~

23 Pouch Snail and Pond Snails: Glass Gastropoda. \..../

No operculum Breathe air. Shell usually opens on 0

lefl.

0

24 Othersnails: Class GaslIOpOcB. No operculum. 0

Breathe air. Snail shell ooils in one plane.

C

C
C
o
(\ '-../
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Field Directions for Chemical Monitoring
Settleable Solids
1. Fill Imhoff cone to 1 liter mark. Set aside and wait 45 minutes. 2. Take direct reading in ppm (mgtl) from scale on side of cone.
Dissolved Oxygen
1. Carefully collect the water sample into the glass water sampling bottle, avoiding trapping air bubbles or bubbling air into the sample (which may add dissolved oxygen). *ADD THE REAGENTS WHILE HOLDING THE BOTTLES VERTICAL*
2. Add the next two reagents in quick succession. Add 8 drops of Manganous Sulfate Solution and 8 drops of Alkaline Potassium Iodide Azide to the sample. Cap the sample and invert several times. Wait until the precipitate settles below the neck of the bottle before proceeding.
3. Next, add 8 drops of Sulfuric Acid 1:1. Cap and gently shake until the precipitate dissolves. The solution is now "fixed" and may range in color from yellow to orange brown. *Fixed Solution - Contact between the water sample and the atmosphere will not affect the test result because the dissolved oxygen has been bound into solution and no more oxygen will dissolve into the sample and no dissolved oxygen can be lost from the sample.
4. Place 20 mL of the fixed sample into the glass titration tube.
TITRATION STEPS * SWIRL AFTER EACH DROP IS ADDED *
5. Fill the titrator (small syringe) with Sodium Thiosulfate. Make sure no bubbles are in the titrator. Place the titrator into the hole in the cap of the glass titration vial, or, depending on which kit is used, hold the eye dropper above the fixed sample.
6. Slowly add Sodium Thiosulfate from the titrator into the sample. Continue one drop at a time until the solution turns a pale straw color. *Hint-High light intensity degrades Sodium Thiosulfate - do not allow bottle to be exposed to the sun for long periods of time.
7. Remove the titrator cap and syringe CAREFULLY so as not to lose any of the Sodium Thiosulfate (you will continue titrating in step 9).
8. Add 8 drops of Starch Solution to the titration vial that is holding the sample. The sample will turn dark blue.
9. Continue titrating with Sodium Thiosulfate ONE DROP AT A TIME until the solution turns from blue to clear.
10. Read the amount of dissolved oxygen in your sample directly from the syringe (direct reading titrator). Tick marks measure 0.2 ppm. Use the tip of the syringe plunger for dissolved oxygen value.
Temperature
1. Air temperature - place thermometer in shady area and record temperature after reading stabilizes. Record temperature in degrees Celsius.
2. Water temperature - take the temperature reading of the water in the shade. It is best to take the temperature reading directly in the stream, but if you cannot, place thermometer directly into a bucket of sample water (in the shade) and record temperature. Take reading after temperature has stabilized (about 2 minutes). Record temperature in degrees Celsius.
45

pH
1. 2.
3.

Fill test tube to the 5 mL line of the glass tube. Add 10 drops of the pH wide range indicator (holding indicator bottle vertical). gently invert the sample several times to ensure mixing. Use the color comparator box to determine pH.

Cap and

Alkalinity

1. Fill titration tube to 5 mL line with water sample.

2. Add one Phenolphthalein indicator tablet/pillow into the sample. If the sample doesn't

turn red, the phenolphthalein alkalinity is zero (Skip to step 4). If sample turns red,

proceed to step 3.

3. Add Sulfuric Acid Standard Solution (or the Alkalinity Titration Reagent B) drop wise,

counting drops, until the water becomes colorless. Test result is read where plunger tip

is located at the Titrator scale (on the syringe) in ppm.

.

4. Add one Bromcresol Green-Methyl Red (BCG-MR) tablet to the sample and swirl to mix.

5. Using syringe, begin titrating Sulfuric Acid Standard Solution (or Alkalinity Titration

Reagent B) drop wise, counting drops and swirling the sample, until the solution flashes

pink and holds purple color for at least 30 seconds (the end point). If no color change

occurs after the titrator is emptied, refill and continue the titration, keeping track of the

amount added.

6. Once this endpoint is reached, the alkalinity is calculated. The test result is read in ppm

where plunger tip is located at the titrator scale (on the syringe).

Nitrate Nitrogen

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Low Range (0-1 mg/L) 1. Fill viewing tube A, rinse and dump. Refill the tube to just below the frosted mark or the
bottom line (5 ml) with the sample water.

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2. Add the contents of one NitraVer 6 Nitrate Reagent Powder Pillow to tube A.

3. Cap the tube and shake vigorously for three minutes. Allow this sample to sit undisturbed

for thirty seconds. Unoxidized particles of cadium metal will remain in the sample and settle

at the bottom of the viewing tube.

4. Rinse tube B with distilled water.

5. Pour the prepared sample into tube B carefully so that the cadmium particles remain in

the tube A.

6. Add the contents of one NitraVer 3 Nitrate Reagent Powder Pillow to the tube B.

Stopper tube B and shake for thirty seconds. A red color will develop if nitrate is

present. Allow at least 10 minutes, but no more than 20 minutes,

before completing steps 7 through 9.

7. Place the nitrogen color comparator disc in the color comparator unit. 8. Place tube B (prepared sample) in the top right opening of the color

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comparator.

(\ \...-/

9. Rinse the unoxidized cadmium from tube A used in step 1. Then fill

tube A to the frosted (5 ml) mark with the original sample water. Place the untreated sample into the top left opening of the color

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comparator.

10. Hold the comparator up to a light source such as the sky, a window or a lamp.

Look through the openings in front. Rotate the color disc until the color matches in

the two openings.

11. Read the mg/L nitrate nitrogen in the scale window. Note: Multiply the mg/L

nitrate nitrogen value by 4.4 to obtain the mg/L nitrate.

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Medium Range (1-10 mg/L) 1. Fill tube A with distilled or demineralized water. Stopper the tube and shake vigorously.
Empty the tube and repeat this procedure. 2. Rinse the plastic dropper with the sample. Fill dropper to the 0.5-mL mark. Add
contents of the dropper to tube A. 3. Then add distilled or demineralized water to the frosted mark (5 ml) on tube A 4. Add one NitraVer 6 Nitrate Reagent Powder Pillow to the sample. Stopper the tube
and shake for 3 minutes. Let sample stand undisturbed for an additional 30 seconds. Unoxidized particles of cadmium metal will remain in the sample and settle to the bottom of the viewing tube. 5. Pour the prepared sample into tube 8, carefully so that the cadmium particles remain in tube A. 6. Add the contents of one NitraVer 3 Nitrate Reagent Powder Pillow tube 8. Stopper the tube and shake for thirty seconds. A red color will develop if nitrate is present. Allow at least 10 minutes, but no more than 20 minutes, before completing steps 7 through 9. 7. Place tube 8 (prepared sample) in the top right opening of the color comparator. 8. Rinse the unoxidized cadmium from tube A used in step 2. Fill to the frosted mark (5 ml) with the original sample water. Place the untreated sample into the top left opening of the color comparator. 9. Hold the comparator up to a light source such as the sky, a window or a lamp. Look through the openings in front. Rotate the color disc until the color matches in the two openings. 10. Read the mg/L nitrate nitrogen in the scale window. Multiply that reading by 10 to obtain the mg/L nitrate nitrogen present in the sample. To obtain the results as mg/L nitrate (N03) multiply by 4.4.
Ammonia Nitrogen (Range: 0-3.0 mg/L)
1. Rinse two glass sample tubes with the sample water to be tested and dump. 2. Fill both tubes with sample water to 5 ml mark 3. Add Ammonia Salicylate Reagent Powder Pillow to Tube A. Cap and shake until all the
powder is dissolved. Wait three minutes 4. Add the contents of Ammonia Cyanurate Reagent Powder Pillow to Tube A. Cap the
tube and shake until all the powder is dissolved. Allow at least 15 minutes for the color to fully develop. 5. Clean the outsides of both tubes and insert Tube A (color developed tube) into the righthand opening of color comparator. Insert the untreated sample water (tube 8) into left hand opening. 6. Hold comparator up to the light such as the sky, a window or a lamp and view the samples through the two openings on the front. Rotate the color disc until a color match is obtained. 7. Read the concentration of ammonia nitrogen in mg/L (N)
Phosphate
Low Range 0-1 mg/L Phosphate 1. Fill the square mixing bottle to the 20 mL mark with the water to be tested. 2. Add one PhosVer 3 Phosphate Reagent Powder Pillow to the sample and swirl to mix.
Allow at least 2, but no more than 10 minutes for color development. If phosphate is present, a blue violet color will develop. 3. Insert the lengthwise viewing adapter into the comparator. 4. Fill one sample tube to the line underlining "Cat. 1730-00" with the prepared sample. If not using 1730-00 tubes, this line will be found approximately 1 inch below the top of the tube.
47

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - -

5. Place the tube into the comparator opening.

6. Fill the other sample tube with untreated water to the mark and insert it into the

comparator opening.

0,

7. Rotate disc to obtain a color match. Read the concentration of the measured parameter

'-----'I

through the scale window.

8. Divide the reading from the scale window by 50 to obtain the mg/L phosphate (P04). To

obtain the value as mg/L phosphorus (P). divide by 3.

Medium Range, 05 mg/L Phosphate 1. Perform steps 1 and 2 of the Low Range Procedure. 2. Fill one of the color viewing tubes to the lowest mark with the prepared sample. Insert it into the top right opening of the color comparator. 3. Fill the other tube to the lowest mark with the untreated sample. Insert this tube into the top left opening of the color comparator. 4. Rotate the disc to get a color match. Divide the value by 3 to obtain the mg/L of Phosphorus.

High Range, 050 mg/L Phosphate 1. Rinse the square mixing bottle with demineralized water. Add 2.0 mL of the water to be

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tested by twice filling the dropper to the 1.0 mL mark with the sample and discharging it

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into the mixing bottle. 2. Add demineralized water to the mixing bottle to the 20 mL mark. Swirl to mix.

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3. Add one PhosVer 3 Phosphate Reagent Powder Pillow to the sample and swirl to mix.

Allow at least 2 minutes, but no more than 10 minutes for color development. If phosphate is present a blue violet color will develop.

4. Fill one of the color viewing tubes to the lowest mark with the prepared sample. Insert it

into the top right opening of the color comparator.

5. Fill the other tube to the lowest mark with the untreated sample. Insert this tube into the

top left opening of the color comparator.

6. Rotate the disc to get a color match. Divide the value by 3 to obtain the mg/L of

Phosphorus.

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Conductivity

1. Press the on/off switch once to turn the tester on. 2. Remove protective cap from the bottom. 3. Check LCD to see which unit of measure you are in. Press the mode key

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4. Immerse the bottom into the sample 1.0 to 3.5 inches.

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5. Using the tester, gently stir the sample for several seconds. Readings could take up to 2

',----",

minutes.

6. When the digital display stabilizes, read the conductivity value.

7. Rinse the sensor tip with distilled water. Blot tip to remove excess water.

CALIBRA TION

1. Press the on/off switch once to turn the tester on.

2. Remove protective cap from the bottom.

3. Check LCD to see which unit of measure you are in. Make sure you are in IlS. Press the

mode key to change. Also check if reading is manual or automatic. You want it set on

automatic

4. Immerse the bottom of the meter into a known Calibration Standard 1.0 to 3.5 inches.

5. Press the CAL key. A beep will sound and the CAL icon will flash to indicate that

calibration is in progress.

6. Once calibrated, the display will freeze and you should here a beep if set as auto read.

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48

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The CAL icon will also stop flashing. 7. Compare your result with the known. If necessary, adjust the Calibration Trimmer using
the supplied trimmer tool until the reading corresponds to the concentration of the known calibration standard. 8. Rinse sensor tips with distilled water and blot tip. ** Please note - for new meters repeat steps 1-6 at least three times to get the meter calibrated to the known standard.
SA TTERY INSTALUREPLA CEMENT 1. Unscrew the screws from the back plate of the meter and remove cover. 2. Flip the top tab inside the battery compartment up to slip the battery underneath. 3. Ensuring that the positive (+) is up, slide the two batteries into the compartment. Push
the tab back down on the battery. 4. Replace the cover and replace. Assure that the seal gasket on the cover is properly
positioned to prevent leaking.
AUTO-READ or MANUAL The meter offers two ways to take reading. In Manual mode, the meter will continue to take reading until the READ key is pressed again. In Auto-Read Mode, the endpoint detection software in the meter will automatically take the reading once the sensor is stable.
To select between the two modes: Press and hold the READ key for three (3) seconds. This will switch you form AutoRead which is indicated by letter A circle to manual and vice a versa.
Salinity
To conduct the salinity titration, only a small amount of sample water is actually needed.
1. Fill the titration vial to the line with Demineralized water from the Demineralizer bottle. Be as precise as you can.
2. Using the pipette that ranges from 0 to 1.0, fill the pipette with sample water to the zero
= mark (volume 1.0 mL). Wipe off any excess sample water from the pipette tip. Insert
pipette into titration vial. 3. Add only 0.5mL of the sample water from the pipette (from the zero mark to the 0.5
mark). Remove pipette from vial and lay pipette aside. 4. Remove top from titration vial, and add 3 drops of the yellow-colored chromate indicator
reagent; replace titration vial cap, and mix well. 5. Fill the other pipette (that ranges from 0-20) with Silver Nitrate titration reagent. (NOTE:
Silver nitrate is clear, but when it dries, it leaves a dark brown or black stain. You might notice such spots on your hands and fingers and possibly clothes if not wearing gloves). 6. Place pipette in top of titration vial. Add silver nitrate solution one drop at a time, with plenty of swirl mixing after each drop. The end-point will be when the yellow solution turns orange and stays orange. 7. When the end point is reached, read the pipette to determine the volume of silver nitrate added. NOTE that the pipette "numbers" are in twos, and thus each small hash-mark between numbers represent 0.4. The volume of silver nitrate added equals the numerical value of the salinity (in ppt).
49

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Secchi Disk

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The Secchi disk is a disk 20 centimeters in diameter with black and white quadrants (or solid

o

white).

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1. Attached to a calibrated line, lower disc into the water until it just disappears from sight.

o

2. Note the depth (distance from disk to the surface of the water).
3. Slowly raise the disc until it reappears. Note !tie depth again.
4. Take the average of'the two reading's. This is known'as""Secchi Depth," and it is usually

o
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measured in meters. If the Secchi'disk reaches the bottom before disappearing, the

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Secchi Depth is g-reater than ttie water depth and cannot be accurately measured. When this occurs, a notation must be added to the Secchi Depth reading in your data.

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.~

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. 50

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Biological Testing Equipment - Prices as of 6/5/03

BioQuip Products 17803 LaSalle Ave. Gardena, CA 90248-3602 ph 310-324-0620 fax 310-324-7931

Heavy Duty Aquatic Nets D-frame net (code # 74120)

$52.25 - 1 x 1 feet

Screen Barrier Net kick seine net (code #7436)

$46.35 - 3 x 3 feet

macroinvertebrate sorting tray (code # 1426B)

$9.50 for 1-11 trays $8.70 for 12 or more

Forceps (code # 4734)

$2.65 for 1-11 forceps $ 2.4 for 12 or more

Nichols Net and Twine/lzaak Walton League's SOS kick seine 2200 Highway 111 Granite City, IL 62040 618-797-0211

Kick seine (poles not included) ask for SOS net.

$24.65 1/16 mesh $27.70 1/32 mesh

Remember-You Can Also Make Your Own Kick Seine!

Ward's Natural Science 5100 W. Henrietta Road P.O. Box 92912 Rochester, New York 14692-9012 1-800-962-2660

Forceps (code 14W0520) Glass Vials with Plastic Screw Caps
7.4 ml (17W0163) 22 ml (17W0189)

$3.25 each
$ 4.68 per dozen $ 10.49 per dozen

Note: Sorting trays can usually be found at your local Kmart, Wal-Mart or Target for a much lower price. Plastic syringes with large (or cut) openings are great for sucking up larvae to transport to other trays. Plastic spoons are handy tools for moving bugs from one tray to another.

If you have further questions, call Georgia Adopt-A-Stream at 404-675-1636 or 1639.

51

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Physical/Chemical Testing Equipment. - Prices as'of 6/5/03

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LaMotte Company

PO Box 329

Chestertown, MD 21620

1-800-344-31 00

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Shallow Water Outfit

$173.65

measures temp., DO, pH and Turbidity*

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(code 5854-01/CMS)

*MS does not use the LaMotte turbidity test

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Alkalinity (code 4533-DR)

$34.40

measures 0-200 ppm in 4ppm increments

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Dissolved Oxygen (code 5860) $39.95

measures 0-10ppm in ..2ppm increments

A.....,.;

-all liquid reagents

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pH (code 5858)

$52.90

measures 3.0-10.5ppm in .5ppm increments

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Thermometer (code 1066)

$18.95

non-hazardous biodegradable, filled with

o

10 or more:

$13.27

white oil, citrus oil and dark green dye

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Titrator - Syringe (code 0377) $4.95

measures 0-10ppm

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Salinity titration (code 7459-01) $43.65

measures 0-40ppt in .4ppt increments

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t""'\ '-"

Secchi Disk (code 0171) (code 0171-cl)

$34.95 $65.00

no line with calibrated line (20 meters)

r"\
'-"
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The shelf life for LaMotte chemicals is 2 to 3 years. To determine the date the chemical

a

was produced, find the lot number and look at the first 3 digits. The first two numbers

o

refer to the week the chemical was produced, the third number refers to the year. Fo'r example if the lot number is 285726, the reagent was produce in the 28th week of 1995 (July, 1995).

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If your test kit is outdated and you need replacements, here are the costs:

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Shallow Water Outfit Replacement Reagents (code R-5854-01) $38.20

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-includes DO, pH and Turbidity*

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Dissolved Oxygen (code R-5860) pH (code ~218-G), Alkalinity (code R-4533-DR)

$25.95 $ 4.70 $16.00

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Hach Company PO Box 389 Loveland, Colorado 80539-0389 1-800-227-4224

Nitrogen-Nitrate kit (code: 1416100) $53.00 measures 0-1 and 0-10 mg/L Reagent replacement
Nitriver 3 (code 1407899) $14.85 - 100 packets Nitriver 6 (code 1412099 ) $23.70 - 100 packets

Nitrogen-Ammonia (code: 2428700) $54.60 measures 0-2.5 mg/L Reagent replacement
Ammonia Salicylate (code 23952-66) $20.95 - 50 packets Ammonia Cyanurate (code 23954-66) $13.10 - 50 packets

Phosphates (code: 224800) Reagent Replacement
Phosver 3 (220999)

$64.95 measures 0-1,0-5,0-50 mg/L $16.50 - 100 packets

VWR International 1050 Satellite Blvd Suwanee GA 30024 800-932-5000

Conductivity Meter (code: 77776-762) $50.55 chek~mite CD-30 conductivity meter

Forestry Supplier, Inc PO Box 8397 Jackson, MS 39284-8397 800-647-5368

Imhoff Cone and Stand (code: 76917) $78.75

General Lab and Field Supplies:
Action Products International 344 Cypress Rd. Ocala, FL 34472-3108 800-772-2846 - bug magnifying cubes (large $0.78 each, packs of 25 only/small $0.32 each, packs of 100 only)
Rubber boots - Georgia Rubber Company, Forestry Supply, Ben Meadows Company, Grainger Industrial Supply are some stores that carry boots and waders.
Silicon Grease (for lubricating old syringes) - found in local hardware stores
53

How To Make A Kick Seine
For collecting macroinvertebrates (courtesy of the Tennessee Valley Authority)
Materials:
3 foot by 3 foot piece of nylon or metal window screening 4 strips of heavy canvas (6 inches by 36 inches) 2 broom handles or wooden dowels (5 or 6 feet long) finishing nails thread sewing machine hammer iron and ironing board
Procedure:
1. Fold edges of canvas strips under, 1/2 inch, and press with iron. 2. Sew 2 strips at top and bottom and then use other 2 strips to make casings
for broom handles or dowels on left and right sides. Sew bottom of ca~ings shut. 3. Insert broom handles or dowels into casings and nail into place with finishing nails.
Speed method~
1. Lay 3 foot by 3 foot piece of screening over broom handles.
2. Staple or nail screen to broom handles.

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B Index
l7ia.b:itat EA~e.lJt GlossallY' Qt Sir-earn lR.el~e.cdl Terms
Habitat Enhancement
(from Protecting Community Streams: A Guidebook for Local Governments in Georgia, Atlanta Regional Commission, 1994) Stream habitat enhancement projects directly improve the health of streams by improving the adjacent (riparian) area, stream bank, or streambed habitat. All three of these areas function together to make up a stream ecosystem. Stream habitat enhancement projects can be complicated. Check with your local Soil and Water Conservation Service, Cooperative Extension Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, or a private consultant to be sure your efforts will yield the results you seek. Also, a Corps of Engineers permit may be needed before any material is placed in a stream or adjacent wetlands. Small projects are usually exempt. Call the Corps' office in Savannah at 1-800-448-2402 for more information on Georgia streams. Stream habitat enhancement projects may occur on private property with permission of landowners or on public property in cooperation with the local or state agency responsible for property management. Habitat enhancement projects involve three major activities:
o riparian reforestation o streambank stabilization o streambed restoration
55

o

(\

Riparian Reforestation

~j

The contribution of trees and woody understory vegetation to the maintenance of

stream health cannot be overstated. Streamside forested areas not only provide

habitat, shade, and forage for both aquatic and land-based species, but their ability to filter pollutants and rainfall provides a buffer - a last line of defense - from watershed

o

runoff. Restoring streamside areas is one of the most cost-effective steps a community

or Adopt-A-Stream program can take to protect stream health. The objective should be

to replicate or mimic the natural ecosystem as much as possible; therefore, a mix of

young and older native plant and tree species are preferred. Follow these steps to

conduct a riparian reforestation project:

1. Evaluate current water quality conditions - take "before" pictures and/or

conduct physical/chemical, biological or visual assessments. 2. Choose a site(s) that needs additional vegetation to protect water quality from
stormwater runoff.

o
o

3. Purchase a variety of plants that will tolerate wet conditions.

o

4. Plant trees, shrubs and grasses in the area immediately adjacent to your

()

stream. Plant enough so that the vegetation will actually protect the stream filter pollutants from stormwater, stop sediment from entering water, etc.

\..../
o

5. Water after planting and as needed.

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6. Check each week for four to six weeks to ensure that plants are healthy. 7. Once plants are well established, evaluate water quality improvement - take
"after" photograph and/or compare with initial water quality tests.

o o

o

Streambank Stabilization

o
o

If you have an eroding or collapsing streambank, you need to first determine the cause

C'

of the problem. Streambank erosion occurs for a number of reasons, including

o

increased stream velocity, obstacles in the stream, floating debris, wave action, and direct rainfall. Streambank failure occurs when a large section of streambank collapses

o
r---.,

into the stream channel. Among the causes of streambank failure are downcutting of

\...-/

the streambed and undercutting of the bank, increased load on the top of the bank, and

internal pressure from uneven water absorption.

Selection of an appropriate bank stabilization method requires careful analysis of each site. No single method is appropriate in all situations. Technical advice will often be needed. Consult the Soil and Water Conservation Commission's "Guidelines for Streambank Restoration".

One technique to stabilize streambanks is called "soil bioengineering", which involves

using vegetation as the structural control to stabilize banks. Planting of woody

o

vegetation, such as willows (either as individual live cuttings or in bundles of cuttings), grow into a dense network of protective vegetation. See Figures 1 and 2. The

o

vegetation's root structure provides resistance to the sliding and shear displacement

C

forces involved in slope erosion.

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56

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Figure 1 - Willow plantings

Figure 2

In some cases, a solely vegetative approach may be all that is needed. In others, conditions such as excessive stream velocities or poor soil conditions may require a combination of vegetative and structural elements (such as stone walls or bulkheads). See figure 3

Figure 3
57

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Streambed Restoration

()

. C)

Prior to any streambed restoration, upstream conditions should be assessed. Without

t, 'J\

corrective measures or retrofitting upstream, stormwater flows could quickly destroy any

()

streambed restoration work. If the stream is in equilibrium, or if appropriate corrective measures are in place, streambed restoration can recreate the habitat conditions needed to support aquatic life. Several goals may be accomplished when restoring a

o
o

streambed, including:

o

o

< Replacement of pools and riffles (in north Georgia and Piedmont areas) < Velocity control

o

< Restoration of the stream gradient and normal flow channel

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'--/

< Removal of major stream obstructions

<

Restoration of suitable channel patterns such as:

o

./ Meandering - repetitive bends ./ Irregular - more or less straight

o o

./ Braided - stream separates and rejoins around islands

o

< Restoration of substrate (removal of sediment and replacement with gravel and cobbles, as appropriate)

o
o

o

Some of these techniques permit the stream water flows to work to restore healthier

o

streambed conditions; others require excavation and physical realignment of the stream channel. Three basic techniques include deflectors, in-stream boulders and drop

o

structures.

n
\.......-'

Deflectors can easily be constructed from common, local materials such as cobbles,

boulders and logs and are adaptable to a variety of conditions and stream sizes. They

are sited in the channel with the intent of deflecting the current into a narrower channel.

Deflectors can use the streamflow for a variety of purposes, including deepening

channels, developing downstream pools, enhancing pool/riffle ratios and assisting in the

restoration of meander patterns with channeled reaches. There are several deflector designs. Figure 4 (left) shows a simple double "wing deflector" that consists of rock structures on each bank deflecting the streamflow to a central channel. Single

o o

deflectors along one bank are also used as shown in Figure 4 (center). Deflectors can be offset on opposite banks of a stream to imitate meanders, as shown in Figure 4 (right). (Pennsylvania DER, 1986).

o
o

A third type of deflector is the V-type, which is placed in the middle of the channel with

the point of the "V" pointing upstream deflecting water towards both banks. This type of deflector helps re-establish riffles and pools downstream. An underpass deflector is a log placed across a small stream several inches off the bottom. Water is deflected

o
o

under the log, which helps remove sediment deposits and restore pools. (Gore, Ed.

o

1985) (Kumble, 1990).

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58

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Figure 4 - wing deflector (left), single deflector (center) and double deflector (right)
Drop structures include a number of variations such as weirs, check dams, sills and plunges. They can serve a variety of functions in streambed restoration depending upon their design, including: slowing stream flow; deepening existing pools; and creating new pools upstream and downstream. Structures with notches can be used to control heavy stormwater flows and can help re-establish deep pools immediately downstream. Drop structures can be made of concrete, logs or boulders. Log or boulder structures can be used to replicate small falls or rapids. Single log dams across a stream bed are simple and effective in restoring plunge pools (figure 5). The K-dam is a variant of the single log dam, so named by adding downstream bracing. In some areas, especially headwater areas, reintroducing beavers has been effective in restoring the habitat. Their dams function as drop structures in headwaters and on small streams.
Figure 5
Boulder placement is a third in-channel treatment that can assist streambed restoration. Boulders can be used to reduce velocity, restore pools and riffles, restore meanders, provide cover and protect eroded banks by deflecting flow. Boulders can be placed randomly or in a pattern. Placing them in a "V" pointed upstream produces eddies that replicate riffles as well as restores downstream pools (Figure 6). Combined with placement of cobbles and gravel, boulder placement can also help restore the stream substrate.
Figure 6
59

()

Excavation and fill may also be necessary to restore the stream gradient, the normal

o

flow channel and the stream channel pattern, including meanders and braids, where

()

appropriate. Channel pattern restoration should be combined with streambank

C)

restoration and re-vegetation.

Streams that have been severely degraded by large amounts of sediment or heavy

()

stormwater flows may require greater restoration work. Sediment may have to be

removed mechanically and replaced with gravel and cobbles to replicate the original

streambed. Major debris accumulation that is obstructing flows may also need removal.

()

Additional references:

()

Guidelines for Streambank Restoration. Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. 1994.
A Georgia Guide to Controlling EROSION with Vegetation. Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. 1994.

o
o o

Protecting Community Streams: A Guidebook for Local Governments in Georgia.

o

Atlanta Regional Commission. 1994. Gore, James A., editor. The Restoration of Rivers and Streams. 1985. Barnett, John L. Stream Restoration Along the Greenways in Boulder, Colorado.

(3
o

1991.

("':

'-'

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Resources. A

Streambank Stabilization and Management Guide for Pennsylvania Landowners. 1986.

o

C~

o

o

rv

o

o

60

Q

o



Glossary Of Stream Related Terms
Accuracy - a measure of how close repeated trials are to the desired target.
Acid rain - rain with a pH of less than 5.6; results from atmospheric moisture mixing with sulfur and nitrogen oxides emitted from burning fossil fuels; causes damage to buildings, car finishes, crops, forests, and aquatic life.
Acidity - a measure of the number of free hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution that can chemically react with other substances.
Algae - simple plants which do not grow true roots, stems, or leaves and live mainly in water, providing a base for the food chain.
Algal bloom - a heavy growth of algae in and on a body of water as a result of high nitrate and phosphate concentrations from farm fertilizers and detergents.
Alkalinity - a measure of the negative ions available to react and neutralize free hydrogen ions. Some of most common of these include hydroxide (OH), sulfate (S04), phosphate (P04), bicarbonate (HC03) and carbonate (C03)
Ambient - pertaining to the current environmental condition.
Assemblage - the set of related organisms that represent a portion of a biological community (e.g., benthic macroinvertebrates).
Benthic - pertaining to the bottom (bed) of a water body.
Best management practices - an engineered structure or management activity, or combination of these, that eliminates or reduces an adverse environmental effect of pollutants.
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) - the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms as they decompose organic materials in water.
Biological criteria - numerical values or narrative descriptions that depict the biological integrity of aquatic communities in that state. May be listed in state water quality standards.
Channel - the section of the stream that contains the main flow.
Channelization - the straightening of a stream; this is often a result of human activity.
Chemical constituents - chemical components that are part of a whole.
Clear cutting - felling and removing all trees in a forest area.
61

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --------- --- --

()

Cobble stone -Stones 2-10 inches in diameter, among which aquatic insects are

o

commonly found.

Combined sewer overflow (CSO) - sewer systems in which sanitary waste and stormwater are combined in heavy rains; this is especially common in older cities. The discharge from CSOs is typically untreated.

()
o

Community - the whole of the plant and animal population inhabiting a given area.

Culvert - a man-made closed passageway (such as a pipe) under roadways and

o

embankments, which drains surface water and diverts the natural flow.

Designated uses - state-established desirable uses that waters should support, such as fishing, swimming, and aquatic life. Listed in state water quality standards.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) - oxygen dissolved in water and available for living organisms

o

to use for respiration.

Distilled water - water that has had most of its impurities removed.

Dredge - to remove sediments from the stream bed to deepen or widen the channel.

Effluent - an out-flowing branch of a main stream or lake; waste material (i.e. liquid industrial refuse, sewage) discharged into the environment.

Ecoregion - geographic areas that are distinguished from others by ecological characteristics such as climate, soils, geology, and vegetation.

Embeddedness - the degree to which rocks in the streambed are surrounded by sediment.

Emergent plants - plants rooted underwater, but with their tops extending above the water.

Erosion - the wearing away of land by wind or water.

Eutrophication - the natural and artificial addition of nutrients to a waterbody, which may lead to depleted oxygen concentrations. Eutrophication is a natural process that is frequently accelerated and intensified by human activities.

Floating plants - plants that grow free-floating, rather than being attached to the stream bed.

Flocculent (floc) - a mass of particles that form into a clump as a result of a chemical reaction.

o

'r---/

Glide/run - section of a stream with a relatively high velocity and with little or no

G

turbulence on the surface of the water.

o

o

62

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o



F.isl;l~ kill; - the: $.u<:Iden: death,otfish;due to the introduction of pollutants or the reduction of dissoJv.edi OX~ger.t1 (i)IlGe.OtI:atiOO' il1l a water body.
FloodraJ'aitl!- a! 10vwareal Qf;laool sl:lr:r,ounding streams or rivers which holds the overflow of water dlUriflg a f100di..
Flow - the diliectiom o.f.liTit(j)N~ 0.ff a stream or river.
Groundwater - a supply of fresh water under the earth's surface which forms a natural reservoir,
Headwaters - the origins of a stream.
Hypoxia - depletion of dissolved oxygen in an aquatic system.
Impairment - degradation.
Impoundment - a body of water contained by a barrier, such as a dam.
Land uses - activities that take place on the land, such as construction, farming, or tree clearing.
Leaching - the process in which material in the soil (such as nutrients, pesticides, chemicals) are washed into lower layers of soil or are dissolved and carried away by water.
Macroinvertebrate - organisms that lack a backbone and can be seen with the naked eye.
Nonpoint source pollution - pollution that cannot be traced to a specific point, but rather from many individual places (e.g., urban and agricultural runoff).
NPDES - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, a national program in which pollution dischargers such as factories and sewage treatment plants are given permits to discharge. These permits contain limits on the pollutants they are allowed to discharge.
Nutrient - substance which is necessary for growth of all living things (Le. phosphorous, nitrogen and carbon).
Orthophosphate - inorganic phosphorus dissolved in water.
Outfall - the pipe through which industrial facilities and wastewater treatment plants discharge their effluent (wastewater) into a waterbody.
Permeable - porous; having openings through which liquid or gaseous substances can penetrate.
63

o o o

Pesticide - a chemical that kills insects and rodents. Pesticides can poison aquatic life

(,
'-...../

when they reach surface waters through runoff.

o

pH - a numerical measure of the hydrogen ion concentration used to indicate the alkalinity or acidity of a substance. Measured on a scale of 1.0 (acidic) to 14.0 (basic);

o o

7.0 is neutral.

o

Phosphorus - a nutrient that is essential for plants and animals.

o c

Photosynthesis - the chemical reaction in plants that utilizes light energy from the sun

o

to convert water and carbon dioxide into simple sugars. This reaction is facilitated by

o

chlorophyll.

o

Point source pollution - a type of pollution that can be tracked down to a specific source

o

such as a factory discharge pipe.

n

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Pollutant - something that makes land, water or air dirty and unhealthful.

o

C

Pool - deeper portion of a stream where water flows more slowly than in neighboring,

o

shallower portions.

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Precision - a measure of how close the results of repeated trials are to each other.

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o

Protocol - defined procedure.

o

Reagent - a substance or chemical used to indicate the presence of a chemical or to

o

induce a chemical reaction to determine the chemical characteristics of a solution.

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\..... J

o

Riffle - a shallow area of a stream or river with a fast-moving current bubbling over rocks.

o o

Riparian - of or pertaining to the banks of a body of water.

1\ \....J

o

Riparian zone - the vegetated area on each bank of a body of water.

o

Riprap - rocks used on an embankment to protect against bank erosion.

o

o

Runoff - water, including rain and snow, which is not absorbed into the ground but instead flows across the land and eventually runs into streams and rivers. Runoff can pick up pollutants from the air and land, carrying them into the stream.

c
o

o

Saturated -: inundated; filled to the point of capacity or beyond.

o

Sediment - soil, sand, and materials washed from land into waterways. Other pollutants may attach to sediment and be carried into the stream.

o o

1\

Sedimentation - when soil particles (sediment) settle to the bottom of a waterway.

\....J
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o

64

o

o



Septic tank - a domestic wastewater treatment system into which wastes are piped directly from the home; bacteria decompose the organic waste, sludge settles to the bottom of the tank, and the treated effluent flows out into the ground through drainage pipes.
Sheen - the glimmering effect that oil has on water as light is reflected more sharply off the surface.
Silviculture - forestry and the commercial farming of trees.
Slumping - sections of soil on a streambank that have come loose and slipped into the stream.
Stagnation - when there is little water movement and pollutants are trapped in the same area for a long period of time.
Submergent plants - plants that live and grow fully submerged under the water.
Substrate - refers to a surface. This includes the material comprising the stream bed or the surfaces to which plants or animals may attach or upon which they live.
Surface water - precipitation which does not soak into the ground or return to the atmosphere by evaporation or transpiration and is stored in streams, lakes, wetlands, and reservoirs.
Taxon (plural taxa) - a level of classification within a scientific system that categorizes living organisms based on their physical characteristics.
Taxonomic key - a quick reference guide used to identify organisms. They are available in varying degrees of complexity and detail.
Tolerance - the dbility to withstand a particular condition, e.g., pollution-tolerant indicates the ability to live in polluted waters.
Toxic substances - poisonous matter (either chemical or natural) which causes sickness, disease and/or death to plants or animals.
Tributaries - a body of water that drains into another, typically larger, body of water.
Turbidity - murkiness or cloudiness of water, indicating the presence of some suspended sediments, dissolved solids, natural or man-made chemicals, algae, etc.
Undercutting - a type of erosion which occurs when fine soils are swept away by the action of the stream, especially around curves. The result is an unstable overhanging bank.
Water cycle - the cycle of the earth's water supply from the atmosphere to the earth and
65

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- ----- - - - - - - - _ . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

c

o

back which includes precipitation, transpiration, evaporation, runoff, infiltration, and storage in water bodies and groundwater.

o
o

o

Water quality criteria - maximum concentrations of pollutants that are acceptable, jf those waters are to meet water quality standards. Listed in state water quality standards.

o
o o

Water quality standards - written goals for state waters, established by each state and

o

approved by EPA.

o

Watershed - land area from which water drains to a particular water body.

o

o

Water table - the upper level of groundwater.

o

Waterway - a natural or man-made route for water to run through (such as a river,

o

stream, creek, or channel).

o

Wetland - an area of land that is regularly wet or flooded, such as a marsh or swamp.

o o

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