National Water-Quality Project Sampling Methods
USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) studies require analyses of stream and bed-sediment samples for major ions, nutrients, sediments, and organic contaminants that are consistent across time and space. Procedures have been designed specifically to produce information that is comparable among studies in different parts of the Nation.
Find thorough guidance on these and other methods under the Publications tab.
Quality assurance is maintained by strict collecting and processing procedures, replicate sampling, equipment blank samples, and a rigid cleaning procedure using detergent, hydrochloric acid, and methanol.
Field guide for collecting and processing stream-water samples for the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Design of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program; occurrence and distribution of water-quality conditions
Ground-Water Data-Collection Protocols and Procedures for the National Water-Quality Assessment Program: Selection, Installation, and Documentation of Wells, and Collection of Related Data
Ground-Water Data-Collection Protocols and Procedures for the National Water-Quality Assessment Program: Collection and Documentation of Water-Quality Samples and Related Data
Guidelines for collecting and processing samples of stream bed sediment for analysis of trace elements and organic contaminants for the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Methods for sampling fish communities as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Guidelines for studies of contaminants in biological tissues for the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Methods for collecting benthic invertebrate samples as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Guidelines for the processing and quality assurance of benthic invertebrate samples collected as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Methods for characterizing stream habitat as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Methods for collecting algal samples as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) studies require analyses of stream and bed-sediment samples for major ions, nutrients, sediments, and organic contaminants that are consistent across time and space. Procedures have been designed specifically to produce information that is comparable among studies in different parts of the Nation.
Find thorough guidance on these and other methods under the Publications tab.
Quality assurance is maintained by strict collecting and processing procedures, replicate sampling, equipment blank samples, and a rigid cleaning procedure using detergent, hydrochloric acid, and methanol.