Data from Selected U.S. Geological Survey National Stream Water-Quality Monitoring Networks (WQN) on CD-ROM
Open-File Report 96-337

By Richard B. Alexander, Amy S. Ludtke, Kathleen K. Fitzgerald, and Terry L. Schertz

Table 5. U.S. Geological Survey memoranda describing National Stream Quality Accounting Network and Hydrologic Benchmark Network protocols and changes in network field and laboratory methods

[NASQAN, National Stream Quality Accounting Network; HBN, Hydrologic Benchmark Network; NWQSS, National Water Quality Surveillance System, NWIS, National Water Information System; WATSTORE, National Water Data Storage and Retrieval System. The memoranda are organized chronologically from the most recent to the earliest date for six topical areas, and are identified by the originating office and a unique number QWyy_nn (Office of Water Quality) or NLyy_nn (National Water Quality Laboratory), where yy gives the year of the document and nn is a sequential number of the year's memoranda. The text for the memoranda are presented on the CD-ROMs in separate ASCII files identified by the name QWyy_nn.TXT or NLyy_nn.TXT]

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Memorandum  Date           Contents
  Number
_____________________________________________________________________________

           National network implementation memoranda
_____________________________________________________________________________

QW96_02  12-04-95  National Hydrologic Benchmark Network:  Fiscal Year
                    1996-October 1, 1995 to September 30, 1996.
                   Outlines program status and protocol for operation of
                    HBN for FY 1996.

QW95_01  10-28-94  National Water-Quality Networks: Fiscal Year
                    1995-October 1, 1994 to September 30, 1995.
                   Outlines Program status and protocol for operation
                    of NASQAN and HBN for FY 1995.

QW93_14  09-21-93  National Water-Quality Networks:  Fiscal Year
                    1994-October 1, 1993 to September 30, 1994.
                   Outlines program status and protocol for
                    operation of NASQAN and HBN for FY 1994.

QW93_01  10-05-92  National Water-Quality Networks: Fiscal Year
                    1993-October 1, 1992 to September 30, 1993.
                   Outlines program status and protocol for
                    operation of NASQAN and HBN for FY 1993.

QW91_11  09-30-91  National Water-Quality Networks: Fiscal Year
                    1992-October 1, 1991 to September 30, 1992.
                   Program status and protocol for NASQAN and
                    HBN for FY 1992 are outlined.  Personnel
                    responsible for collecting NASQAN and HBN
                    samples should read this memo.

QW90_13  09-27-90  National Water-Quality Networks: Fiscal Year
                    1991-October 1, 1990 to September 30, 1991.
                   Program status and protocol for operation
                    of the National Stream Quality Accounting
                    Network (NASQAN) and the Hydrologic Benchmark
                    Network (HBN) for FY 1991 are outlined.
                    Personnel responsible for collecting NASQAN
                    or HBN samples should read this memorandum.

QW90_02  10-04-89  National Water-Quality Networks:  Fiscal Year
                    1990-October 1, 1989 to September 30, 1990.
                   Program status and protocol for operation of the
                    National Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN)
                    and the Hydrologic Benchmark Network (HBN) for FY
                    1990 are outlined.  Personnel responsible for collecting
                    NASQAN or HBN samples should read this memorandum.

QW88_10  09-26-88  National Water-Quality Networks: Fiscal Year 1989-
                    October 1, 1988 to September 30, 1989.
                   Program status and protocol for operation of the National
                    Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN) and the
                    Hydrologic Benchmark Network (HBN) are outlined.


QW88_01  10-09-87  National Water-Quality Networks: Fiscal Year 1988-
                    October 1, 1987 to September 30, 1988.
                   This memorandum contains an outline of Program status and
                    protocol for operation of the National Stream Quality
                    Accounting Network (NASQAN) and the Hydrologic Benchmark
                    Network (HBN) for FY 1988.

QW86_10  09-30-86  National Water-Quality Networks: Fiscal Year 1987-
                    October 1, 1986, to September 30, 1987.
                   Program status and protocol for operation of the National
                    Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN) and the
                    Hydrologic Benchmark Network (HBN) in FY 1987
                    are outlined in this memorandum.

QW86_01  03-10-86  Revisions to Field Operations for NASQAN and the HBN
                    for FY 1986.
                   Due to a slight budget reduction, listed are moderate
                    changes in field and project operations for the NASQAN
                    and HBN networks in FY 1986.

QW85_19  09-18-85  National Water-Quality Networks:  Fiscal Year 1986-
                    October 1, 1985, to September 30, 1986.
                   Program status and protocol for operation of the National
                    Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN) and the
                    Hydrologic Benchmark Network (HBN) in FY 1986
                    are outlined in this memorandum.

QW84_16  09-13-84  National Water-Quality Networks; Fiscal Year 1985-
                    October 1, 1984 to September 30, 1985.
                   Program status and protocol for operation of
                    NASQAN and HBN in FY 1985 are outlined.

QW83_18  10-03-83  National Water-Quality Networks; FY 1984-
                    October 1, 1983 to September 30, 1984.
                   Program status and protocol for operation of
                    NASQAN and HBN in FY 1984 are outlined.

QW82_18  09-28-82  National Water-Quality Networks; FY 1983.
                   Protocol for NASQAN and HBN in FY 1983 are
                    outlined.

QW82_03  11-27-81  National Water-Quality Networks; FY 1982.
                   Protocol for NASQAN and HBN in FY 1982
                    are outlined.

QW81_01  10-02-80  National Water Quality Networks; FY 1981.
                   Protocol for NWQSS program and changes in
                    NASQAN and HBN in FY 1981 are outlined.

QW80_01  10-18-79  National Water-Quality Networks:  Modification
                    to NWQSS, NASQAN, and HBN programs and
                    subsequent modifications to the assigned
                    unique numbers.
                   Important changes to the programs are discussed.

QW77_11  09-15-77  Data Networks:  HBN and NASQAN:
                    water-quality program components, FY 1978.
                   New laboratory schedule numbers have been
                    established for NASQAN and HBN.

QW74_11  02-28-74  Data Networks, NASQAN.
                   General field instructions for the national
                    stream-quality accounting network for FY 1974.

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                        Biological methods
_____________________________________________________________________________
QW91_FS  04-15-91  Results of analysis of fecal streptococcal bacteria
                    data collected using 0.45- and 0.7-micrometer pore-size
                    filters. (correspondance from national network's
                    coordinator to District and Regional water-quality 
                    specialists)  Also includes a re-analysis of the 
                    the raw data.


QW77_12  09-15-77  Phytoplankton sampling for NASQAN.
                   Data-collection plans for NASQAN have been
                    revised to take advantage of the opportunity
                    for increased efficiency of operation
                    suggested by results described herein.


QW76_25T 09-01-76  Analytical methods--microbiological (fecal bacteria).
                   Describes changes in fecal coliform and fecal
                    streptococci bacteria methods effective
                    October 1, 1976.

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                          Nutrient methods
_____________________________________________________________________________

QW94_16  08-05-94  New Preservation Techniques for Nutrient Samples.
                   Beginning October 1, 1994, the Water Resources
                    Division of the USGS will preserve ambient water 
                    samples to be analyzed for nutrients by chilling
                    only, with mailing to the National Water Quality
                    Laboratory within 3 days.

QW93_04  12-02-92  Discontinuation of the National Water Quality
                    Laboratory determinations for "total" nitrite,
                    "total" nitrite plus nitrate, "total" ammonia,
                    and "total" orthophosphate (using the four-
                    channel analyzer).
                   Effective immediately, project personnel are to
                    discontinue requests for the listed determinations.

QW92_10  07-13-92  Phosphorus Methods and the Quality of Phosphorus
                    Data.
                   Describes two changes implemented at the National
                    Water Quality Laboratory for the analysis of phosphorus 
                    and the history of total phosphorus analytical
                    methods since 1973.

QW92_08  03-27-92  Nutrient Sample Size Reduction.
                   Notification that the USGS National Water Quality 
                    Laboratory will begin replacing 250 milliliter brown
                    nutrient bottles and 1 milliliter mercuric chloride 
                    ampoules with 125 milliliter brown nutrient bottles 
                    and 0.5 milliliter mercuric chloride ampoules for the 
                    purpose of reducing the amount of mercuric chloride 
                    that is being used in the field and that must be 
                    disposed of by the laboratory.

QW86_06  06-16-86  Reporting Nutrient Data.
                   The minimum reporting level for the total Kjeldahl
                    nitrogen analysis, nitrogen, dissolved, ammonia plus
                    organic (mg/L as N) is 0.2 mg/L.

QW86_02  04-21-86  Evaluation of Central Laboratories Nutrient Data.
                   Nutrient data from the Atlanta and Denver Central
                    Laboratories was evaluated, and a special nutrient
                    analysis study was conducted to determine whether 
                    WATSTORE files contain inaccurate nutrient analysis
                    data and what corrective action might be taken.  The
                    evaluations prompted reconsideration of the reporting 
                    level for ammonia and total Kjeldahl nitrogen analysis.
                   
QW85_07  01-23-85  Preservation of Nutrient Samples for Nutrient Analysis--
                    An Update on Two Issues.
                   An attached memorandum describes the results of tests
                    conducted in the Denver Central Laboratory for
                    effectiveness of five popular preservation treatments over
                    a 16-day period.  The combination of the HgCL2/NaCl tablet
                    with chilling at 4o C is the best of the treatments tested
                    to date.  A second memorandum describes studies conducted
                    to determine the levels of NH3-N contamination in samples
                    stored at the Central Laboratories.

QW80_26  09-19-80  Preservation of nutrient samples by addition of mercuric 
                    chloride.  Rationale for using mercuric chloride and
                    chilling for sample preservation is summarized.

QW72_09  01-05-72  Preservation of water samples for chemical analysis.
                   All Water Resources Division offices should stop using 
                    mercuric chloride as a preservative for water samples.
_____________________________________________________________________________
                       Trace element methods
_____________________________________________________________________________
QW94_10  02-15-94  Sample Collection, Analytical Methods, and Data
                    Interpretation for Mercury Analyses.
                   Informs Division personnel that determinations
                    of aqueous mercury should be carefully evaluated
                    prior to interpretation and publication.

QW94_09  01-28-94  Revision of New Division Protocol for Collecting
                    and Processing Surface-Water Samples for Low-Level
                    Inorganic Analyses.
                   The implementation date is February 1, 1994.

QW94_05  12-23-93  New Division Protocol for Collecting and
                    Processing Surface-Water Samples for Low-Level
                    Inorganic Analyses (Superseded by QW94_09).
                   The implementation date for the protocol is
                    January 1, 1994.

QW93_11  07-15-93  Implementation of the Protocol for Collecting and
                    Processing Surface-Water Samples for Low-Level
                    Inorganic Analyses.
                   This memo announces the implementation date for
                    the protocol and addresses issues of concern to
                    WRD personnel.

QW93_06  02-19-93  Trace-Element Contamination--Findings of Study
                    on the Cleaning of Sampler Caps, Nozzles,
                    Bottles, and Bags for Trace-Element Work at
                    the Part-Per-Billion Level.
                   Describes the major findings of the study.

QW93_05  01-21-93  Evaluation of Capsule Filters.
                   Evaluation of trace-element and nutrient
                    contamination associated with capsule filters.

QW93_03  10-29-92  Dissolved Trace-Element Data.
                   Are dissolved trace elements lost during filtration
                    and storage in a part-per-trillion protocol?

QW92_13  07-17-92  Trace Element Contamination: Findings of
                    Studies on the Cleaning of Membrane Filters
                    and Filtration Systems.
                   Provides background for decisions the Office of
                    Water Quality is making to provide a supportable
                    parts-per-billion protocol for dissolved trace elements.
                   
QW92_12  07-17-92  Trace Element Concentrations in Deionized
                    Water Processed Through Selected Surface-
                    Water Samplers: Study Results and Implications.
                   The Office of Water Quality is conducting a
                    series of studies to identify equipment, supplies,
                    and cleaning procedures suitable for a part-per-
                    billion protocol for dissolved trace elements.

QW92_05  03-20-92  Quality of Existing Dissolved Trace-Element Data.
                   Discribes how a number of dissolved trace
                    elements reported in the Water Resources
                    Division data base include contamination, and
                    how the Division can deal with issues of
                    uncertainty in the validity and usefulness of
                    existing dissolved trace-element data.

QW91_10  09-30-91  Dissolved Trace Element Data.
                   Distributes report "Contamination of Dissolved
                    Trace-Element Data: Present Understanding,
                    Ramifications, and Issues that Require
                    Resolution"

QW81_12  05-12-81  Trace Metals; Questionable Values for
                    Dissolved and Total Selenium.
                   Discusses anomalously high values of
                    selenium in streams in the Southeast.

QW79_12  04-11-79  Questionable analytical values for lead and
                    cadmium.
                   Lead and cadmium concentrations reported for
                    samples collected from April 1978 to February
                    1979 are questionable because of a contamination
                    problem with the nitric acid ampoules supplied
                    by the Central Laboratories.

_____________________________________________________________________________
                         Alkalinity methods
_____________________________________________________________________________
QW88_05  10-01-88  National Water Information System (NWIS)-
                    Global Updates to Water-Quality File.
                   (DRAFT) Background information and detailed specifications
                    for global updates to alkalinity, and carbonate species
                    data in the NWIS Water-Quality File are provided.

QW87_01  11-14-86  Changes to Parameter Codes for Alkalinity and the
                    Carbonate Species.
                   Alkalinity and carbonate species parameter codes are being
                    consolidated by implementing the new Method Code System
                    for these constituents.  The Method Code System combines
                    the use of a single alphanumeric character with the five
                    digit parameter code to produce a combination code which
                    identifies both the constituent being analyzed and the
                    analytical methodology used to determine its value.

QW82_05  12-11-81  Provisional Method for Carbonate, Dissolved;
                    Bicarbonate, Dissolved; and Carbonate Alkalinity,
                    Dissolved; Electrometric Tritration,
                    Incremental, Field.
                   Describes a provisional method for incremental
                    field tritrations.

QW81_04  11-12-80  Assignment of parameter codes for pH, alkalinity,
                    specific conductance and hydroxide/carbonate/
                    bicarbonate data.
                   Field specific conductance and field alkalinity
                    will be recorded in WATSTORE under parameter codes
                    00095 and 00410.  Lab values will be recorded
                    under 90095 and 90410.

QW80_27  09-19-80  New Parameter Codes for pH, Alkalinity,
                    Specific Conductance, and Carbonate/Bicarbonate.
                   Field and lab values for subject constituents
                    will be entered into WATSTORE under separate
                    parameter codes, with a more careful
                    distinction made of methods used.

_____________________________________________________________________________
      Miscellaneous processing, analytical, and reporting methods 
_____________________________________________________________________________
QW94_13  04-21-94  Evaluation of the Churn Splitter for Inclusion
                    in the Division Protocol for the Collection and
                    Processing of Surface-Water Samples for
                    Subsequent Determination of Trace Elements,
                    Nutrients, and Major Ions in Filtered Water.
                   This memo provides the justifying data and
                    certifies the churn splitter for use with the
                    new inorganic protocol (see QW 94_09).

NL94_03  12-22-93  Change in method for determining chloride, sulfate,
                    and fluoride.

NL93_03  12-28-92  Change in method for determination of chloride in
                    water due to data quality problems.

QW90_04  12-28-89  Turbidimetric Sulfate Method.
                   A positive bias in the turbidimetric method
                    for sulfate analysis discovered by the National
                    Water-Quality Laboratory in early March 1989 is
                    discussed.  The Office of Water Quality and the
                    Branch of Quality Assurance are determining what
                    adjustments can or should be made to the affected
                    sulfate data.

QW81_22  09-08-81  WATSTORE, Remark Coded Data.
                   Defines the 'less than' and ND remarks, reviews
                    implications of remark codes, outlines options.

QW81_18  06-29-81  Data Handling, corrections to the WATSTORE
                    Water-Quality File.
                   Discusses action as a result of a memo dated
                    April 24, 1981, same subject.

QW77_04  02-07-77  Filtering of water samples.
                   A new method for filtering water samples
                    utilizes a backflushing plate filter which
                    provides a 94% larger filtering area than the
                    102 millimeter filter used in most barrel filters.

QW77_02  12-28-76  Analytical methods for organic carbon.
                   Describes procedures to insure that organic
                    carbon data in the water quality file are
                    as nearly correct as possible.

QW76_24T 08-16-76  Sample Splitter for Water-Sediment Samples--
                    Introduction of new sample splitter ("churn" splitter)
                    for use in the NASQAN program.

QW73_07  10-26-72  Teflon sediment sample splitters and plastic sieves.
                    Method of splitting samples in the field recommended
                    for use for NASQAN program.
_____________________________________________________________________________

revised 01/15/97


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