NADP/NTN SAMPLE COLLECTION PROCEDURES

Keep this sheet for future use
If you have questions contact CAL at 800/952-7353 or ntn@sws.uiuc.edu

Numbers in parenthesis are page numbers in the National Trends Network Site Operation Manual (1999)¹  

     Step 1

PREPARE TO SERVICE FIELD SITE (3-1 to 3-2)

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL OF THESE SUPPLIES:
1) black mailer (to carry field bucket, lid, supplies)
2) clean bagged field bucket and snap-on lid
3) permanent ink marker, notebook, and pen
4) raingage chart and ink
5) deionized water and Kimwipes
NOTE: Leave the 1 liter sample bottle at your lab / Never use it in the field .

     Step 2

INITIAL COLLECTOR CHECKS (3-3 to 3-4)

1) Approach collector with wind in face and inspect for problems, 2) Feel sensor (in dry weather, COOL is OK, but HOT is a problem (C-13), 3) Look into dry-side bucket. Precip in dry bucket indicates a problem; however, sensor may miss light rain or snow (C-24), and 4) Record problems in notebook.

CHANGING THE FIELD BUCKET (3-4 to 3-5)

1) Wet sensor and watch collector open, 2) Look for contaminants (bird droppings, bugs, leaves) in wet-side bucket but don't put face over bucket, 3) Snap lid on bucket, using its bag as a glove, 4) Lift bucket from collector, place in bag, seal bag with twist-tie, and place in mailer, 5) Label bag with site ID, date and time off, and contaminants.

INSTALL "NEW" WET-SIDE BUCKET AND FINAL COLLECTOR CHECKS (3-5)

1) Install "new" bucket, using its bag as a glove, 2) Feel sensor (HOT is OK, but COOL is a problem (C-19), 3) Blow remaining water from sensor and watch collector close, and 4) Make sure lid moves smoothly onto wet-side bucket, stops, and seals the bucket (if it doesn't seal, there is a problem )(C-14).

SERVICE RAINGAGE (3-8 to 3-10)

1) Move pens up and down to mark time off, then lift them from the chart, 2) Remove & scan chart to see if collector opened and closed for precip (possible problem if it didn't open or close)(C-19 to C-24), 3) Wind clock, 4) Empty raingage bucket (if it contains no antifreeze), 5) Install new chart and add ink to pens (as needed), and 6) Lower pens to chart, set precip pen on current time, and move pens up and down to mark time on.

TRANSPORT SAMPLE TO YOUR LABORATORY (3-5 to 3-6)

1) Record any additional problems in notebook, 2) Place notebook and chart in mailer with bucket, 3) Secure mailer top with straps, and 4) Handle carefully so sample doesn't spill.

TURN OVER FOR FIELD LAB INSTRUCTIONS

     ¹The National Trends Network Site Operation Manual is available online at http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/lib/manuals/opman.pdf

NADP/NTN FIELD LAB PROCEDURES

Keep this sheet for future use
If you have questions contact CAL at 800/952-7353 or ntn@sws.uiuc.edu

Numbers in parenthesis are page numbers in the National Trends Network Site Operation Manual (1999) ¹
"Block numbers"and blue text refer to the NADP/NTN FIELD OBSERVER REPORT FORM (FORF)

WEIGH THE SAMPLE (3-14 to 3-17 & Block 6)

1) Remove bucket from mailer and inspect bag for leakage, (leakage must be included in sample weight).2) Leaving lid on bucket, remove bucket from bag and quantify leakage, if any, 3) Wipe outside of bucket clean and dry, 4) Weigh ALL samples (wet or dry), 5) Record Bucket+Lid+Sample weight (include leakage weight, if any), 6) Record Bucket+Lid weight, and 7) Calculate and record Sample Weight and Sample Depth.

INTERPRET THE RAINGAGE CHART (3-15 to 3-22 & Blocks 4 & 7)

1) Compare top and bottom pen traces to ensure that collector was open for precip and closed at all other times (if not, possible problem)(C-19 to C-24), 2) Record daily precipitation Type (R, S, M, or U) and precipitation Amount to the nearest .01 inches in Block 7, 3) Record Total Raingage Depth, 4) If gage and sample depths differ by > 5%, weigh sample again, and 5) Answer YES or NO questions for raingage operation in Block 4.

MEASURE CONDUCTIVITY AND pH (3-24 to 3-29 & Block 8)

1) Pour sample from bottle, rinse and fill 2 vials for pH & 2 for conductance, 2) Put cap on bottle, 3) Carefully follow NADP/NTN and manufacturers' instructions for instrument calibration and sample measurements, 4) For conductance, record Standard Measured, Check Sample Measured, and Precipitation Sample Measured and complete all calculations, and 5) For pH, record Check Sample pH and Precipitation Sample pH measurements.

     Step 5

PREPARE BUCKET and SAMPLE BOTTLE FOR SHIPPING (3-30 to 3-31)

1) Empty any excess precip from bucket, snap on lid, place in bag, and seal bag with twist-tie, 2) Ensure bottle cap is tight and wipe bottle dry, 3) Record info on bottle bag, and 4) Place bottle in bag and seal.

PACK MAILER AND SHIP TO THE CAL (3-31 to 3-32 & Block 4)

1) Place bucket in mailer, 2) Place sample bottle and bag in corner of mailer, 3) Review FORF to make sure all necessary info has been recorded (including Block 4 collector operation YES or NO questions), 4) Keep pink copy of FORF and photocopy of raingage chart and put white and yellow copies of FORF and original raingage chart in mailer, 5) Turn mailing card over, close mailer and tighten straps, and 6) Send mailer to the CAL via First Class mail, UPS ground, or Fed Express.