Procedure for Taking Water Quality Samples in the Fens

Materials:

• All the materials needed can be found on the "Equipment List for water sampling in the Fens"

Procedure:

• Because of the differences in recovery rates, the fens need to be sampled in a specific order
• *NEED RECOVERY RATES (look in the binder for recovery rates)
• The fens that need to sampled are: Bartlette #5, Savadge #1, Taylor Shrub #1, Taylor Fen #1, and Taylor Seep #1.
• During the first visit of each well, take the well heights, even take the heights of the wells that you do not take water samples from.
• Take pH and temperature using the Orion probe.
• Bail out each of the 5 wells until it is almost empty. Be sure not to touch the bottom as to disturb sediment.
• After all the wells have been bailed. Wait for their recovery.
• During the second visit, take the well heights again. On the second bail take the bailed water and pour it into a 125 mL bottle.
• Take pH and temperature of the water in the bottle.
• Take the bottle of water back to the lab for analysis.
• With the water from the next bails, fill up a liter bottle to take back to the lab for testing and analysis.
• Put all water samples on ice.