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Guidelines for the Use of Automatic Samplers in Collecting Surface-Water Quality and Sediment Data

Techniques and Methods 1-D12
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/tm1D12

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Abstract

The importance of fluvial systems in the transport of sediment, dissolved and suspended contaminants, nutrients, and bacteria through the environment is well established. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies sediment as the single most widespread water contaminant affecting the beneficial uses of the Nation’s rivers and streams. The evaluation of water-quality as it relates to agriculture, urbanization, highway and residential construction, mining, industrial and human wastes, and other activities requires an extensive data and sample-collection effort. This is especially the case when studying urbanized river basins, where during hydrologic events, concentration of suspended sediment and contaminants can vary rapidly and over large ranges. Where synoptic studies of watersheds are called for, sampling may be needed at many sites throughout the basin; a complicated and difficult task in some settings. Automatic pumping samplers (autosamplers) are one method for conducting intensive time-varying sampling throughout watersheds.

This report presents guidelines for the use of autosamplers for collecting surface-water samples by the U.S. Geological Survey. An autosampler is an automatic, pump-based sampler that collects a prescribed volume of water from streams, lakes, reservoirs, storm drains, or other bodies of water after receiving a command from an internal or external control unit. It deposits this sample into a specified container for later analysis of physical, chemical, or biological constituents. This report provides a general background on types of autosamplers and how they work; guidance for designing, selecting, installing, servicing, and calibrating autosamplers; guidance on standardized operating procedures, and guidance on quality-assurance and quality-control efforts when using an autosampler.

Suggested Citation

Wilson, T.P., Miller, C.V., and Lechner, E.A., 2024, Guidelines for the use of automatic samplers in collecting surface-water quality and sediment data: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods 1–D12, 89 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/tm1D12

ISSN: 2328-7055 (online)

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Design and Installation of Stations, Sampling Equipment, and Intakes
  • Standard Operating Procedures and Quality Assurance Plans
  • Autosampler Deployment Schemes
  • Troubleshooting
  • Additional Resources
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. Definition of Terms Commonly Used in Autosampler Standard Operating Procedure Documentation
  • Appendix 2. Example of a Standard Operating Procedure for Deploying Autosamplers
  • Appendix 3. Example of a Station Analysis Using Box Coefficients
  • Appendix 4. River Condition Data for a Hypothetical Storm
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Guidelines for the use of automatic samplers in collecting surface-water quality and sediment data
Series title Techniques and Methods
Series number 1-D12
DOI 10.3133/tm1D12
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) New Jersey Water Science Center
Description ix, 89 p.
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details