Ambient Water Quality Monitoring - Conventional Parameters

Conventional physical parameters (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and salinity, and turbidity) and fecal coliform bacteria concentration are measured at 26 stations as part of the ambient monitoring program. Conventional parameters are measured twice a month at all stations and fecal coliform once a month.

Field monitoring, sample collection, laboratory analyses, and data analyses are conducted according to methods outlined in the SITC Water Quality Monitoring Plan, which includes an EPA approved Quality Assurance Project Plan and the SITC Water Quality Program Manual.

Water quality data is collected using a Hydrolab Minisonde 4 and Surveyor 4 (pH, temp, DO, conductivity, salinity), secchi disk (marine water clarity) and Hach 2100P portable turbidimeter (turbidity). Avocet Environmental Laboratory in Bellingham, WA analyzes bacteria samples using the membrane filter method. A VanDorn sampling bottle is used to collect marine water samples from a depth of 1-2m below the water surface for fecal coliform and turbidity analyses.