Frequently Asked Questions

SAMPLING INFORMATION

What tests are absolutely required when sampling?
Temperature, pH, TDS, Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrate-Nitrogen, Phosphates, Alkalinity, Turbidity, and observations about weather, creek appearance, and relative depth and flow rate. The following parameters are encouraged at least once during the year: stage, flow rate, discharge, Riparian, Channel, Environment (RCE) Inventory, and Pollution Tolerance Index (macroinvertebrates). There are other chemical tests performed by some schools.

What tests need to be done in the field right away?
Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, pH, and Total Dissolved Solids because they are either temperature or time dependent. The rest can be done back at the classroom that day or the sample bottles can be refrigerated for 24 hours and the tests conducted the next day.

What do we do with the chemical test waste?
While at the stream, empty all test waste into a waste container, take it back to the classroom, and flush it all down the sink with plenty of water. This is for all waste EXCEPT for the nitrate's cadmium particles and the barium from the sulfates test. These should be kept in a specially marked container and this "toxic" waste can be given to Allegheny at the end of the school year. Discourage the dumping of test waste on the ground while outside.

Any suggestions for the first sampling trip?
Have someone from Allegheny there. And practice! Consider doing the chemical tests inside in the lab first, possibly using fish tank water (higher in nutrients). Make sure YOU feel somewhat comfortable with the test procedures. The first time out, don't worry if you don't finish all the tests; your students will become more efficient as the year continues. Make sure you go through a checklist of all the equipment you will need. And once again, ask Allegheny College staff and students to help. An extra voice and pair of hands may come in handy.

Any suggestions for how to set up a routine sampling adventure to the stream?
There are eight trips and eight parameters tested. However, each test does not take an equal amount of time. Taking the temperature is about 13 minutes faster than the nitrate test. So you need to find ways to balance responsibilities out among students. Some suggestions follow:
 

LENGTH OF TIME IT TAKES TO DO EACH TEST 
          FROM  Shortest to LONGEST
Temperature                                                                  shortest 
pH
TDS
Turbidity
Alkalinity
Sulfates (optional tests)
Ferrous Iron  (optional tests)
Stage / Flow Rate
Phosphates  (some down time while waiting)
Dissolved Oxygen 
Nitrates  (some down time while waiting)
RCE                                                                               longest
 

POSSIBLE WAYS TO GROUP TOGETHER TESTS
DEPENDING ON HOW MANY GROUPS YOU DIVIDE YOUR STUDENTS INTO 

Temperature / pH / TDS
Temperature / Stage and Flow Rate
Temperature / RCE
Temperature / Dissolved Oxygen (topically related tests)
Temperature / Research Project

pH and TDS meters
pH and Alkalinity (topically related tests)

TDS and pH meters
TDS and Turbidity (topically related tests)

Other tests should probably be done solo.
 

THINGS YOU COULD DO IF YOU HAVE EXTRA TIME 
or if a student finishes their test early and is without something to do. 
 - Make them do another trial of their test for better accuracy (only if you have enough sample water though).
 - Fill out RCE
 - Fill out Site Information Survey
 - Take pictures of the waterway / site
 - List all things that can be seen that influence / affect water quality
 - Write an article about the sampling trip for Creek Connections newsletter
 - Independent Research Project work
 - Litter pick up (make sure they have gloves and are safe)
 - Read the handbook