Evaluation of Storage and Filtration Protocols for Alpine/Subalpine Lake Water Quality Samples |
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Authors: | John L Korfmacher Robert C Musselman |
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Institution: | (1) USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 240 W. Prospect Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA |
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Abstract: | Many government agencies and other organizations sample natural alpine and subalpine surface waters using varying protocols
for sample storage and filtration. Simplification of protocols would be beneficial if it could be shown that sample quality
is unaffected. In this study, samples collected from low ionic strength waters in alpine and subalpine lake inlets and outlets
in the western United States were used to evaluate (1) effects of refrigerated storage time on the chemistry of unfiltered
samples, and (2) differences in sample filtration protocols. No analytes exhibited significant changes when stored less than
48 h. Six analytes (pH, sodium, ammonium, potassium, chloride, sulfate) exhibited statistically significant (but small) changes
when storage time exceeded 48 h. Two analytes (calcium, nitrate) were significantly higher when samples were field filtered
than when filtered in the laboratory, but the differences were also small. For waters similar to those in this test, unfiltered
refrigerated samples may be stored up to 48 h without compromising sample quality. The small differences between field and
lab filtration do not justify the expense, training, and contamination risk of field filtration. |
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Keywords: | Alpine Lakes Protocol Sampling Subalpine Water quality Wilderness |
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