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USDA Forest Service national protocols for sampling air pollution-sensitive waters

Informally Refereed

Abstract

The first step in designing a surface water sampling program is identifying one or more problems or questions that require information on water quality. Common water quality problems include nutrient enrichment (from a variety of causes), effects of atmospheric deposition (acidification, eutrophication, toxicity), and effects of major disturbances such as fire or pest infestations. Once the problems or questions have been clearly defined, a sampling program can be designed that addresses where to sample, what to measure, and when and how to conduct the sampling. The selection of measurements should be tailored to specific study objectives and to the study design, which guides the specifics of field, laboratory, and data analysis protocols.

Keywords

water sampling, pollution

Citation

Sullivan, T. J., ed. 2012. USDA Forest Service national protocols for sampling air pollution-sensitive waters. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-278WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 334 p.
Citations