PARAMETER NAME: DO METHOD SUMMARY:A profile of dissolved oxygen is obtained from the water column from 1 meter above the bottom to 1 meter below the surface in 2 meter increments utilizing an air calibrated, membrane electrode attached to a multi-probe sonde (Hydrolab). The Hydrolab cord is marked with duct tape, which is replaced as needed. Hydrolab readings are allowed to equilibrate prior to recording a value (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). CHANGES IN COLLECTION PROCESS: Prior to 1986 a YSI 58 DO meter was utilized to obtain readings and meters without an attached stirrer were moved up and down slightly in the water column to ensure accurate readings. After 1986 water temperature profiles were obtained utilizing Hydrolab units. EXCEPTIONS: At the Fall Line Stations (CIMS station designations TF5.0J, TF5.0A, TF4.0P, TF4.0M, and TF3.0) sampling occured from a bridge and consisted of 5 equidistant measurements that are averaged. Depth of sample is always listed as 1 meter even though there may not be enough depth to sample at a depth of one meter. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: F01 PROCESS DATE: July 1984 - present
PARAMETER: EPAR_S METHOD SUMMARY: Par light attenuation profiles are recorded utilizing a LICOR meter. The EPARU_S is obtained from the deck sensor while the EPAR_Z is obtained from the water column. Readings are obtained from the deck sensor prior to obtaining the water column values. The water probe is lowered into the water column and initial readings are obtained from just below the surface (approximately 0.1 m) and 0.5 m. The profile continues in 0.5 m increments until the bottom is reached or a value of approximately 10 um/m**2/s is obtained (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). EXCEPTIONS: While the initial readings are obtained just below the surface, the depth is recorded as 0.1 meters in the database. Due to the shallow nature of the Fall Line Stations (CIMS station designations TF5.0J, TF5.0A, TF4.0P, TF4.0M, and TF3.0) the Licor parameter EPAR_S is not collected. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: UM/M**2/S METHOD: F01 PROCESS DATE: January 1994 - present
PARAMETER: EPARU_Z METHOD SUMMARY: Par light attenuation profiles are recorded utilizing a LICOR meter. The EPARU_S is obtained from the deck sensor while the EPAR_Z is obtained from the water column. Readings are obtained from the deck sensor prior to obtaining the water column values. The water probe is lowered into the water column and initial readings are obtained from just below the surface and 0.5 m. The profile continues in 0.5 m increments until the bottom is reached or a value of approximately 10 um/m**2/s is obtained (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). EXCEPTIONS: While the initial readings are obtained just below the surface, the depth is recorded as 0.1 meters in the database. Due to the shallow nature of the Fall Line Stations (CIMS station designations TF5.0J, TF5.0A, TF4.0P, TF4.0M, and TF3.0) the Licor parameter EPARU_Z is not collected. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: UM/M**2/S METHOD: F01 PROCESS DATE: January 1994 - present
PARAMETER NAME: PH METHOD SUMMARY: A calibrated pH electrode(correcting for temperature) attached to a multi-probe sonde, is lowered into the water column and readings are obtained from one meter above the bottom to 1 meter below the surface in 2 meter increments. The electrode readings are allowed to stabilize prior to taking the meter readings (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999)for further information). CHANGES IN COLLECTION PROCESS: Prior to 1986 a Beckman Model PHI21 portable meter as utilized to obtain readings. After 1986 water temperature profiles were obtained utilizing Hydrolab units. Prior to April 2002 pH was only obtained a depth 1 meter above the bottom and 1 meter below the surface.
EXCEPTIONS: At the Fall Line Stations (CIMS station designations TF5.0J, TF5.0A, TF4.0P, TF4.0M, and TF3.0) sampling occured from a bridge via a bucket or alpha bottle and consisted of a composite sample obtained from 4-5 equidistant sampling sites. The subsamples were placed in a churn splitter and well mixed prior to obtaining the pH. Depth of sample was always listed as 1 meter even though there may be sampling events where there is not sufficient depth to sample from 1 meter. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: Standard METHOD: F01 PROCESS DATE: July 1984 - present
PARAMETER NAME: Salinity METHOD SUMMARY:A profile of salinity is obtained from the water column from 1 meter above the bottom to 1 meter below the surface in 2 meter increments utilizing a Hydrolab. The Hydrolab calculates salinity from conductivity based on the equation SALINITY = 20 + 0.69608*((COND/1000)- 32.188) + 0.001309499*COND/1000)-32.188)**2)-0.000011918*(((COND/1000)-32.188**3) + 0.00000017392*(((COND/1000)-32.188)**4)-0.0000000031112*(((COND/1000)-32.188)**5). The Hydrolab cord is marked in meters with duct tape, which is replaced as needed. Hydrolab readings are allowed to equilibrate prior to recording a value (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). CHANGES IN COLLECTION PROCESS: Prior to 1986 a YSI model 33 S-C-T meter was utilized to obtain readings. After 1986 salinity profiles were obtained utilizing Hydrolab units. EXCEPTIONS: At the Fall Line Stations (CIMS station designations TF5.0J, TF5.0A, TF4.0P, TF4.0M, and TF3.0) sampling occured from a bridge and consisted of 4-5 equidistant measurements that were averaged. Depth of sample was always listed as 1 meter even though there often was not enough water to sample at a depth of one meter. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: ppt METHOD: F01 PROCESS DATE: July 1984 - present
PARAMETER NAME: Secchi METHOD SUMMARY: Lines calibrated in 0.1 m are tied to 20 in diameter Secchi disks. The disk is lowered into the water in a shaded location and the depth at which the disk disappears is recorded. The disk is then raised until it reappears and that depth is recorded. The average of the depths at which the disk appears and reappears is calculated and used as Secchi depth (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). CHANGES IN COLLECTION PROCESS: Some regions initially utilized a 30 cm diameter Secchi disk and then changed to a 20 cm disk early in the program. EXCEPTIONS: Because of the shallow depths at the Fall Line Stations (CIMS station designations TF5.0J, TF5.0A, TF4.0P, TF4.0M, and TF3.0) secchi depth was not collected. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: meters METHOD: F01 PROCESS DATE: July 1984 - present
PARAMETER NAME: SPCOND METHOD SUMMARY: A profile of conductivity is obtained from the water column from 1 meter above the bottom to 1 meter below the surface in 2 meter increments utilizing a calibrated conductivity sensor attached to a multi-probe. The Hydrolab cord is marked with duct tape, which is replaced as needed. Hydrolab readings are allowed to equilibrate prior to recording a value (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). CHANGES IN COLLECTION PROCESS: Prior to 1986 a YSI model 33 S-C-T meter was utilized to obtain readings. After 1986 conductivity profiles were obtained utilizing Hydrolab units. EXCEPTIONS: At the Fall Line Stations (CIMS station designations TF5.0J, TF5.0A, TF4.0P, TF4.0M, and TF3.0) sampling occured from a bridge and consisted of 4-5 equidistant measurements that are averaged. Depth of sample was always listed as 1 meter even though there may not be enough depth to sample at a depth of one meter. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: umhos/cm METHOD: F01 PROCESS DATE: July 1984 - present
PARAMETER NAME: Water Temperature METHOD SUMMARY: A profile of water temperature is obtained from the water column from 1 meter above the bottom to 1 meter below the surface in 2 meter increments utilizing a temperature probe (thermistor) attached to a multi-probe sonde (Hydrolab). The Hydrolab cord is marked with duct tape, which is replaced as needed. Hydrolab readings are allowed to equilibrate prior to recording a value (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). CHANGES IN COLLECTION PROCESS: Prior to 1986 a YSI model 33 S-C-T meter was utilized to obtain readings. After 1986 water temperature profiles were obtained utilizing Hydrolab units. EXCEPTIONS: At the Fall Line Stations (CIMS stations TF5.0J, TF5.0A, TF4.0P, TF4.0M, and TF3.0) sampling occured from a bridge and consisted of 5 equidistant measurements that are averaged. Depth of sample was always listed as 1 meter even though there often may not have been enough water to sample at a depth of one meter. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: Degrees Celsius METHOD: F01 PROCESS DATE: July 1984 - present
PARAMETER NAME: BIOSI METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in 1/2 gallon plastic containers from 1 meter above the bottom and 1 meter below the surface utilizing a pump and hose apparatus. The sample well mixed by shaking and approximately 50 - 100 mls are filtered through a 47 mm Nucleopore (0.7um pore size) filter in a filtration tower pre-rinsed with NaOH . The filter is then placed in a plastic petri dish labeled with Green tape and marked with Station ID, date, time and depth of collection. The petri dish is placed in a Ziplock bag and stored on ice (or frozen if not analyzed within 24 hours) and delivered to VIMS for analysis (See the 1994 Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program) . The filter is digested using 0.2 N NaOH and silicon is calorimetrically determined using a silicomolybdate method at a wavelength of 660 or 810 (See the 1994 VIMS SOP and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: February 1994 - December 1994
PARAMETER NAME: BOD5W METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in 1/2 gallon plastic containers from 1 meter above the bottom and 1 meter below the surface utilizing a pump and hose apparatus. The bottle is marked with station ID, date, time and depth of collection, placed in a cooler of ice and delivered to lab for analysis (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program). The laboratory analysis consists of incubating an undiluted, whole sample for 5 days at 20 +/- 1 degree Celsius. Dissolved oxygen is measured by an oxygen meter both before and after incubation. The difference in the dissolved oxygen (per liter of sample) is the 5-day biological oxygen demand. Nitrification is not inhibited in this method (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: October 1985-present
PARAMETER NAME: CHLA METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in a 2 liter brown plastic bottle from 1 meter below the surface utilizing a pump and hose. The sample is thoroughly mixed and 300 mls are filtered through a 47 mm diameter (0.7 um pore size) Whatman GF/F filter and placed in a petri dish marked with station ID, date, time and depth of collection. The petri dish is placed in a Ziplock bag and placed on ice for delivery to the lab (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). Analysis consists of a monochromatic, spectrophotometric determination, correcting for pheophytin and turbidity. The filters are placed in 90% aqueous acetone and ground to a uniform consistency with a tissue grinder. Samples are steeped overnight at 4 degrees Celsius in the dark. The extract is clarified by centrifugation. Spectrophotometric optical density readings are taken before and after acidification using 2 drops of 1 N HCL. Chlorophyll A is calculated from optical density readings using Lorenzen's equation: CHLA=(26.7*((OD664B-OD750B)-(OD665A-OD750A))*EXVOL_ML)/(SAMVOL_L*LIPAT_CM) (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). CHANGES IN COLLECTION PROCESS: Initial samples for chlorophyll analyses were collected in 2 Liter brown plastic containers containing 3 mls of MgCO3. The whole water samples were immediately iced to 4 degrees Celsius and delivered to VCU for filtration and analysis within 24 hours of collection. In September of 1998 VADCLS began to perform the chlorophyll analyses for VADEQ. Sample collection and preservation remained the same, except the samples were picked up at the regional offices by a courier contracted by VADCLS and delivered to the lab by 7:00 am for analysis. May 1999 VADEQ began field filtration. Samples are obtained in a plastic container and between 300 ml - 1000 ml were filtered on GF/F filters. The filters are then sealed in aluminum, placed in a Ziplock bag and iced to 4 degrees Celsius for pickup by courier. Optical density data reported by DCLS between Sept 1998 and February 2001 were only reported to 3 decimal places. Chlorophyll a values were calculated utilizing optical densities to the 4th place. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: ug/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: June 1985 -present
PARAMETER: COD METHOD SUMMARY: Sample, blanks and standards in sealed tubes are heated in an oven or block digester in the presence of dichromate at 150 degrees centigrade. After two hours, the tubes are removed from the oven or digester, cooled and measured spectrophotometrically at 600 NM (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information).
PARAMETER: DOC METHOD SUMMARY: Filtered samples (0.7 um filter) are purged with nitrogen under acidic conditions to remove inorganic carbon. The organic carbon is converted to carbon dioxide by catalytic combustion. The carbon dioxide formed is measured directly by an infrared detector (See the 1994 VIMS SOP and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: January 1994 - December 1994.
PARAMETER: FCOLI METHOD SUMMARY: A 1 qt. cubitainer of water sample is collected from 1 meter below the surface via a pump and hose apparatus and labeled for date, time, depth, collector and station. Once the label is applied, the sample is immediately placed on ice to preserve it for courier delivery to VADCLS (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). In the laboratory, a suspected fecal coliform colony from a positive total coliform test is inoculated on five tubes of EC medium. They are incubated at 44.5 +/- 0.2 degrees Celsius for 24 +/- hours. Gas production indicates a positive test. The most probable number (MPN) or an estimate of bacterial density is derived from a probability function based on the number of positive tests (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mpn/100 mls METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: November 1985, January 1988 - present
PARAMETER: FCOLI METHOD SUMMARY: A 1 qt. cubitainer of water sample is collected from 1 meter below the surface via a pump and hose apparatus and labeled for date, time, depth, collector and station. Once the label is applied, the sample is immediately placed on ice to preserve it for courier delivery to VADCLS (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). In the laboratory, several different volumes of sample are filtered through sterile membrane filters, which are placed in M-FC medium and incubated at 44.5 +/- 0.2 degrees Celsius for 24 +/-2 hours. Fecal colonies are identified by their blue color (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: colonies/100 mls METHOD: L02 PROCESS DATE: - present
PARAMETER NAME: FS METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in a gallon cubitainer from 1 meter below the surface via a pump and hose container and labeled for date, time, depth, collector and station. Once the label is applied, the sample is immediately placed on ice to preserve it for courier delivery to VADCLS (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). In the laboratory, the sample is evaporated in a weighing dish and dried to a constant weight at 103-105 degrees Celsius (TS). The total solids are then combusted at 550 +/- degrees centigrade for 20 minutes in a muffle furnace. The final weight of the residue in mg/l is the fixed solids (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: January 1998 - present
PARAMETER NAME: FSS METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected into quart cubitainers from 1 meter above the bottom and 1 meter below the surface via a pump and hose apparatus and labeled for date, time, depth, collector and station. Once the label is applied, the sample is immediately placed on ice to preserve it for courier delivery to the VADCLS (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). In the laboratory, the sample is filtered through a pre-weighed filter and dried to a constant weight at 103-105 degrees Celsius (TSS). The total suspended solids (TSS) are then combusted at 550 +/- degrees centigrade for 20 minutes in a muffle furnace. The final weight of the residue in mg/l is the fixed suspended solids (FSS) (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: August 1984 - present
PARAMETER NAME: HARDNESS METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in a gallon cubitainer from 1 meter below the surface via a pump and hose container and labeled for date, time, depth, collector and station. Once the label is applied, the sample is immediately placed on ice to preserve it for courier delivery to the VADCLS (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). In the laboratory, MgEDTA is added to the sample, which exchanges magnesium on an equivalent basis for any calcium and/or other cations to form a more stable EDTA chelate. The free magnesium reacts with calmagite at a pH of 10 to give a red-violet complex, which is measured colorimetrically at 520 nm (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information).
UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L02 PROCESS DATE: April 1992 - present
PARAMETER NAME:NH4 METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected from 1 meter below the surface and 1 meter above the bottom in 1/2 gallon plastic containers via a pump and hose apparatus. The sample is mixed thoroughly and immediately filtered through a 47 mm diameter (0.7 um pore size) Whatman glass fiber filter. The filtrate is collected into a 250 ml bottle, labeled with station, date, time, depth and collector and place on ice for transportation to VADCLS (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). In the laboratory, sample is exposed to alkaline phenol and hypochlorite and forms indophenol blue. The absorbency of which is proportional to ammonia concentrations. The solution's color is intensified by sodium nitroprusside, heated and read colorimetrically using an autoanalyzer (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). CHANGES IN COLLECTION PROCESS: Initial filtration utilized 50 mm diameter filters. In January 1994 VADCLS began using a Skalar analyzer for nutrient series instead of the Technicon Auto Analyzer II. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: June 1984 - present
PARAMETER NAME: NO2F METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in a 1/2 gallon plastic container and immediately filtered through a 47 mm diameter (0.7 um pore size) Whatman glass fiber filter. The filtrate is collected into a 250 ml bottle, labeled with station, date, time, depth and collector and place on ice for transportation to VADCLS (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). In the laboratory, the filtered sample is passed through a granulated copper-cadmium column and nitrite is determined by diozotizing with sulfanilamide and coupling with N-(1-napthyl)ethylenediamine dihydrochloride to form a highly colored azo dye which is measured colorimetrically (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). CHANGES IN COLLECTION PROCESS: Initial filtration utilized 50 mm filters. In January 1994 VADCLS began using a Skalar analyzer for nutrient series instead of the Technicon Auto Analyzer II. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: July 1984 - present
PARAMETER NAME: NO23F METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in a 1/2 gallon plastic container and immediately filtered through a 47 mm diameter (0.7 um pore size) Whatman glass fiber filter. The filtrate is collected into a 250 ml bottle, labeled with station, date, time, depth and collector and place on ice for transportation to VADCLS (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). In the laboratory, the filtered sample is passed through a granulated copper-cadmium column to reduce nitrate to nitrite. The nitrite (originally present plus reduced nitrate) is determined by diozotizing with sulfanilamide and coupling with N-(1-napthyl)ethylenediamine dihydrochloride to form a highly colored azo dye which is measured colorimetrically. Nitrate and nitrite are determined separately by conducting the analysis with and without the reduction step. Nitrate maybe obtained by subtracting the concentration of nitrite from the concentration of nitrite plus nitrate (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). CHANGES IN COLLECTION/REPORTING PROCESS: Initial filtration utilized 50 mm filters. In January 1994 VADCLS began using a Skalar analyzer for nutrient series instead of the Technicon Auto Analyzer II. Also, while this parameter was analyzed by VADCLS on behalf of DEQ. DEQ reported the calculated parameter of NO3F instead of NO23F until July 1986 for all stations and from May 97 - Dec 97 for stations TF3.1B, TF3.2, and TF3.1E. DAITS ISSUES: 032 UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01(C01 1984-1986 and May 97 - Dec 97 for stations TF3.1B, TF3.2, and TF3.1E). PROCESS DATE: July 1986 - present
PARAMETER NAME: NO3F METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in a 1/2 gallon plastic container and immediately filtered through a 47 mm diameter (0.7 um pore size) Whatman glass fiber filter. The filtrate is collected into a 250 ml bottle, labeled with station, date, time, depth and collector and place on ice for transportation to VADCLS (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). In the laboratory, the filtered sample is passed through a granulated copper-cadmium column to reduce nitrate to nitrite.The nitrite (originally present plus reduced nitrate) is determined by diozotizing with sulfanilamide and coupling with N-(1-napthyl)ethylenediamine dihydrochloride to form a gighly colored azo dye which is measured colorimetrically. Nitrate and nitrite are determined separately by conducting the analysis with and without the reduction step. Nitrate maybe obtained by subtracting the concentration of nitrite from the concentration of nitrite plus nitrate (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). CHANGES IN COLLECTION/REPORTING PROCESS: Initial filtration utilized 50 mm filters. In January 1994 VADCLS began using a Skalar analyzer for nutrient series instead of the Technicon Auto Analyzer II. DEQ reported this calculated parameter instead of NO23F until July 1986. This parameter continues to be collected by DEQ but is no longer reported to CIMS. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: C01 PROCESS DATE: July 1986 - December 1997
PARAMETER NAME: PC METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in a 1/2 gallon plastic container from 1 meter above the bottom and 1 meter below the surface. The sample is thoroughly mixed and filtered through a 25 mm Gelman glass fiber filter (0.7 um pore size). The filter is placed in a Petri dish labeled with station id, date, time, depth and collector. The petri dish is placed inside a Ziplock bag and stored on ice for transport to VADCLS (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). At the laboratory the filter is combusted at 975 - 1050 degrees Celsius using an elemental analyzer. Organic and inorganic carbons form carbon dioxide gas, which passes through a series of thermal conductivity detectors (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information).
CHANGES IN COLLECTION/REPORTING PROCESS: Initially PC was collected on a 13 mm filter. DEQ changed to 25 mm in March 1985. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: January 1994 - present
PARAMETER NAME: PHEO METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in a 2 liter brown plastic bottle from 1 meter below the surface utilizing a pump and hose. The sample is thoroughly mixed and 300 mls are filtered through a 47 mm diameter (0.7 um pore size) Whatman GF/F filter and placed in a petri dish marked with station ID, date, time and depth of collection. The petri dish is placed in a Ziplock bag and placed on ice for delivery to the lab (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). Analysis consists of a monochromatic, spectrophotometric determination, correcting for pheophytin and turbidity. The filters are placed in 90% aqueous acetone and ground to a uniform consistency with a tissue grinder. Samples are steeped overnight at 4 degrees Celsius in the dark. The extract is clarified by centrifugation. Spectrophotometric optical density readings are taken before and after acidification using 2 drops of 1 N HCL. Pheophytin is calculated from optical density readings using Lorenzen's equation: PHEO=(26.7*((1.7*(OD665A-OD750A)-(OD664B-OD750B))*EXVOL_ML)/(SAMVOL_L*LIPAT_CM)(See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). CHANGES IN COLLECTION PROCESS: Initially the 2 Liter brown plastic containers containing 3 mls of MgCO3 were immediately iced to 4 degrees Celsius and delivered to VCU for filtration and analysis within 24 hours of collection. In September of 1998 VADCLS began to perform the analyses used to calculate pheophytin for VADEQ. Sample collection and preservation remained the same, except the samples were picked up at the regional offices by a courier contracted by VADCLS and delivered to the lab by 7:00 am for analysis. May 1999 VADEQ began field filtration. Samples are obtained in a plastic container and between 300 ml - 1000 ml are filtered on GFF filters. The filters are then sealed in aluminum, placed in a Ziplock bag and iced to 4 degrees Celsius for pickup by courier. From Sept 1998 thorugh February 2001 DCLS reported optical densities to 3 decimal places. Pheophytin values were determined with 4 decimal places.UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: June 1985 - present
PARAMETER NAME: PIP METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected via a pump and hose apparatus in a plastic container from 1 meter above the bottom and 1 meter below the surface and kept at 4 degrees Celsius and analyzed within 48 hours or frozen until it can be analyzed by VIMS. A known volume of sample is filtered through a Whatman GF/F glass fiber filter. The phosphorus is extracted overnight with 1 N HCL. Ammonium molybdate and antimony potassium tartrate are added in acid medium to from an antimony-phospho-molybdate complex. This is reduced to a blue-colored complex by ascorbic acid, which is then determined with a spectrophotometer (See the Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: February 1994 through December 1994
PARAMETER NAME: PN METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in 1/2 gallon plastic containers from 1 meter above the bottom and 1 meter below the surface. The sample is thoroughly mixed and filtered through a 25 mm Gelman glass fiber filter (0.7 um pore size). The filter is placed in a petri dish labeled with station id, date, time, depth and collector. The petri dish is placed inside a Ziplock bag and stored on ice for transport to VADCLS (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). At the laboratory the filter is combusted at 975 - 1050 degrees Celsius using an elemental analyzer. Organic and inorganic carbons form carbon dioxide gas which passes through a series of thermal conductivity detectors (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). CHANGES IN COLLECTION/REPORTING PROCESS: Initially PN was collected on a 13 mm filter. DEQ changed to 25 mm in March 1985. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: January 1994 - present
PARAMETER NAME: P04F METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in 1/2 gallon plastic containers from 1 meter above the bottom and 1 meter below the surface. The sample is thoroughly mixed and filtered through a 47 mm glass (0.7 um pore size) Whatman fiber filter. The filtrate is collected into a 250 ml bottle, labeled with station, date, time, depth and collector and place on ice for transportation to VADCLS (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). Ammonium molybdate and antimony potassium tartrate in an acid medium are added to sample to form an antimony-phospho-molybdate complex. This complex is reduced to an intensely blue-colored complex by ascorbic acid and is measured colorimetrically using an auto-analyzer. A salinity correction is applied as necessary (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). CHANGES IN COLLECTION/REPORTING PROCESS: Initial filtration utilized 50 mm filters. In January 1994 VADCLS began using a Skalar analyzer for nutrient series instead of the Technicon Auto Analyzer II. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: July 1984 - present
PARAMETER NAME: PP METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in 1/2 gallon plastic containers from 1 meter above the bottom and 1 meter below the surface. The sample is thoroughly mixed and filtered through a 47 mm Whatman glass (0.7 um pore size) fiber filter. The filter is placed in a petri dish labeled with station, date, time, depth and collector. The petri dish is then placed in a Ziploc bag and placed on ice for transportation to VADCLS (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). The particulates on the 0.7 um filter are weighed, then combusted at 550 degrees Celsius to convert organically bound phosphorus to phosphate. Phosphate is extracted with HCL and measured by the automated ascorbic acid method for PO4 (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). CHANGES IN COLLECTION/REPORTING PROCESS: Initial filtration utilized 50 mm filters. In January 1994 VADCLS began using a Skalar analyzer for nutrient series instead of the Technicon Auto Analyzer II. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: July 1984 - present
PARAMETER NAME: SIF METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in 1/2 gallon plastic containers from 1 meter above the bottom and 1 meter below the surface. The sample is thoroughly mixed and filtered through a 47 mm Whatman glass (0.7 um pore size) fiber filter. The filtrate is collected into a 250 ml bottle, labeled with station, date, time, depth and collector and place on ice for transportation to VADCLS (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). An automated colorimetric method based on the reduction of silicomolybdate in acidic solution to 'Molybdenum blue' (herteropoly blue) by ascorbic acid. Oxalic acid is introduced to the sample stream before addition of ascorbic acid to eliminate interference from phosphates. The absorbance is determined at 660 or 815 nm (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). CHANGES IN COLLECTION/REPORTING PROCESS: Initial filtration utilized 50 mm filters. In January 1994 VADCLS began using a Skalar analyzer for nutrient series instead of the Technicon Auto Analyzer II. DAITS ISSUE: 032 UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L03 PROCESS DATE: July 1984-July 1991 January 1994-present
PARAMETER NAME: TALK METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in a gallon cubitainer from 1 meter below the surface via a pump and hose container and labeled for date, time, depth, collector and station. Once the label is applied, the sample is immediately placed on ice to preserve it for courier delivery to the lab (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). In the laboratory, alkalinity is determined by titrating the unfiltered sample with a standard solution of sulfuric or hydrochloric acid (~ 0.02N). The end point of the titration is pH 4.5 (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: March 1992 - present
PARAMETER NAME: TDN METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in 1/2 gallon plastic containers from 1 meter above the bottom and 1 meter below the surface. The sample is thoroughly mixed and filtered through a 47 mm Whatman glass (0.7 um pore size) fiber filter. The filtrate is collected into a 250 ml bottle, labeled with station, date, time, depth and collector and place on ice for transportation to VADCLS (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). The filter sample is run through an alkaline persulfate wet oxidation to change all N- containing compounds into nitrate. Nitrate concentration is determined using an auto analyzer equipped with a cadmium reduction column (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). CHANGES IN COLLECTION/REPORTING PROCESS: Initial filtration utilized 50 mm filters. In January 1994 VADCLS began using a Skalar analyzer for nutrient series instead of the Technicon Auto Analyzer II. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: January 1994 - present
PARAMETER NAME: TDP METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in 1/2 gallon plastic containers from 1 meter above the bottom and 1 meter below the surface. The sample is thoroughly mixed and filtered through a 47 mm Whatman glass (0.7 um pore size) fiber filter. The filtrate is collected into a 250 ml bottle, labeled with station, date, time, depth and collector and place on ice for transportation to VADCLS (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). The filter sample is run through an alkaline persulfate wet oxidation, which turns acidic and changes all P-containing compounds into phosphate. Phosphorus is measured as PO4 using EPA 365.1, an automated spectrophotometric method (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). CHANGES IN COLLECTION/REPORTING PROCESS: Initial filtration utilized 50 mm filters. In January 1994 VADCLS began using a Skalar analyzer for nutrient series instead of the Technicon Auto Analyzer II. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: July 1984 - present
PARAMETER NAME: TKNW METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected into a 1 liter cubitainer from 1 meter above the bottom and 1 meter below the surface via a pump and hose apparatus and labeled for date, time, depth, collector and station. Once the label is applied, the sample is immediately placed on ice to preserve it for delivery to the lab (See the 1993 Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). The whole water sample is heated in the presence of sulfuric acid, potassium sulfate, and mercuric sulfate in a block digester. The residue is cooled, diluted and placed on an auto analyzer for ammonium determination in which an emerald-green color is formed by the reaction of ammonia, sodium salicylate, sodium nitroprusside and sodium hypochlorite in a buffered alkaline medium at a pH of 12.8 - 13.0. The ammonia - salicylate complex is read at 660 nm (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L02 PROCESS DATE: July 1984 - November 1995
PARAMETER NAME: TOC METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in a quart plastic cubitainer via pump and hose apparatus from 1 meter above the bottom and 1 meter below the surface. The sample is labeled for station, date, time, depth and collector and placed on ice for delivery to the lab. The unfiltered sample is acidified, purged of dissolved inorganic carbon and subjected to a heated acid persulfate digestion in an autoclave at 116-130 degrees Celsius. Detection of carbon dioxide produced is by non-dispersive infrared detector. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: July 1984 - August 1996
PARAMETER NAME: TP METHOD SUMMARY: This method is utilized for fresh water samples. Sample water is collected in quart plastic cubitainers from 1 meter above the bottom and 1 meter below the surface via a pump and hose apparatus and labeled for date, time, depth, collector and station. Once the label is applied, the sample is immediately placed on ice to preserve it for delivery to the lab (See the 1990 Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). A whole water sample is heated in the presence of sulfuric acid, potassium sulfate and mercuric sulfate in a block digestor. The residue is cooled, diluted to 25 ml and placed on an auto analyzer for phosphorus determination. Ammonium molybdate and antimony are added for color development which is measured at 660 nm (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: July 1984 - November 1993 for all stations and January 1995 - November 1995 at stations TF3.1A, TF3.1D and TF4.4A
PARAMETER NAME: TP METHOD SUMMARY: This method is utilized for saltwater samples. Sample water is collected in quart plastic cubitainers from 1 meter above the bottom and 1 meter below the surface via a pump and hose apparatus and labeled for date, time, depth, collector and station. Once the label is applied, the sample is immediately placed on ice to preserve it for delivery to the lab (See the 1990 Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). A heated acid persulfate digestion converts organic P to PO4. The digestate is analyzed in an autoanalyzer where ammonium molybdate and antimony potassium tartrate react in an acid medium with dilute solutions of phosphorus to form an antimony-phospho-molybdate complex. This complex is reduced to an intensely blue-colored complex by ascorbic acid. The color is proportional to the phosphorus concentration. Color is measured at 650, 660 or 880 nm (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: July 1984 - November 1993
PARAMETER NAME: TS METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in a gallon cubitainer from 1 meter below the surface via a pump and hose container and labeled for date, time, depth, collector and station. Once the label is applied, the sample is immediately placed on ice to preserve it for courier delivery to the lab (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). In the laboratory, the sample is evaporated in a weighed dish, dried to a constant weight in an oven at 103 to 105 degrees Celsius. The increase in weight of the weighing dish in mg/l is the total solids (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: January 1998 - present
PARAMETER NAME: TSS METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected into a quart cubitainer (or larger container) from 1 meter above the bottom and 1 meter below the surface via a pump and hose apparatus and labeled for date, time, depth, collector and station. Once the label is applied, the sample is immediately placed on ice to preserve it for courier delivery to the lab (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). In the laboratory, the sample is filtered through a pre-weighed filter and dried to a constant weight at 103-105 degrees Celsius. The final weight of the residue in mg/l is the total suspended solids (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: August 1984 - present
PARAMETER NAME: TURB_NTU METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in a gallon cubitainer from 1 meter below the surface via a pump and hose container and labeled for date, time, depth, collector and station. Once the label is applied, the sample is immediately placed on ice to preserve it for courier delivery to the lab (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). A comparison of the intensity of light scattered by the sample with the intensity of light scattered by a standard reference suspension of formazin. Readings, in NTUs are considered comparable to FTUs. (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: NTU METHOD: L01 PROCESS DATE: January 1993 - present.
PARAMETER NAME: VS METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected in a gallon cubitainer from 1 meter below the surface via a pump and hose container and labeled for date, time, depth, collector and station. Once the label is applied, the sample is immediately placed on ice to preserve it for courier delivery to the lab (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). In the laboratory, the sample is evaporated in a weighing dish and dried to a constant weight at 103-105 degrees Celsius (TS). The total solids are then combusted at 550 +/- degrees centigrade for 20 minutes in a muffle furnace. The final weight of the residue in mg/l is the fixed solids (FS). The difference between the fixed solids and the total solids represents the volatile solids (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). This is a calculated parameter that continues to be collected by DEQ but is not reported to CIMS. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: C01 PROCESS DATE: - present
PARAMETER NAME: VSS METHOD SUMMARY: Sample water is collected into a quart cubitainer from 1 meter above the bottom and 1 meter below the surface via a pump and hose apparatus and labeled for date, time, depth, collector and station. Once the label is applied, the sample is immediately placed on ice to preserve it for courier delivery to the lab (See the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Project Plan for the Virginia Monitoring Program for further information). In the laboratory, the sample is filtered through a preweighted filter and dried to a constant weight at 103-105 degrees Celsius (TSS). The total suspended solids (TSS) are then combusted at 550 +/- degrees centigrade for 20 minutes in a muffle furnace. The final weight of the residue in mg/l is the fixed suspended solids (FSS). The difference between the total suspended solids and the fixed suspended solids represents the volatile suspended solids (See the SOP for the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and Chesapeake Bay Program methods paper (March 3, 1999) for further information). This is a calculated parameter that continues to be collected by DEQ but is not reported to CIMS. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: mg/l METHOD: C01 PROCESS DATE: August 1984 - July 1991