Procedures for taking and analysing water samples
Jordan recommends that we sample water only at the surface at the following times:
Spring turnover (April?),
Summer when stratified (July)
Fall turnover (September?)
Analysis is carried out by:
Maxxam Analytics
8577 Commerce Court
Burnaby, BC V5A 4N5
ph: (604) 444-4808
fax: (604) 444-4511
Email: Rob.MacArthur@maxxamanalytics.com
(turn N on Gaglardi Way from Hwy #1, then left on Lougheed Highway, take first right off Lougheed Highway, then first right is Commerce Court. Maxxam Analytics is at the end of Commerce Court on the left)
Rob MacArthur is our contact at PSC. His number is 604-444-4808 ext 253.
(an alternate company we haven't tried yet is Cantest Environmental, contact: Lee Card, Lcard@cantest.com, tel: 604-638-5017)
Preparation and general instructions:
- Order sampling bottles and preservative (sulphuric acid for total P) from Maxxam Analytics
- Bring labels for sample bottles
- Bring a cooler with ice to the lake to keep samples at 4-10 degrees (transfer samples to lab fridge when returned from field)
- Obtain samples from 6" below surface
- Obtain two sets of samples, one from each end of lake
- On return to lab, fill out chain-of-custody record and analysis request for PSC Analytical Services
- Pack labelled bottles in cooler with ice and ship to Maxxam Analytics using Flash Courier (forms available at Stores; call Flash for pick-up 604-822-2686; use Rush for same day delivery)
Sampling:
- 1 x 1 L (or 2 x 500 mL) for: alkalinity, pH, turbidity, total N, conductivity
- 1 x 250 mL (add sulphuric acid to preserve) for: total P
- 1 x 1 L glass bottle (no head space, wrapped with foil) for: chlorophyll a