Aquatic Environment Sampling
Aquatic Environment Sampling - Related Videos
05:31
Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
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Cited by 5 •
2018
Most microplastic research to date has occurred in marine systems where suspended solid levels are relatively low. Focus is now shifting to freshwater systems, which may feature high sediment loads and floating debris. This protocol addresses collecting and analyzing microplastic samples from aquatic environments that contain high suspended solid loads.
10:48
Nutrients in Aquatic Ecosystems
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2023
Source: Laboratories of Margaret Workman and Kimberly Frye - Depaul University Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential plant nutrients found in aquatic ecosystems and both are monitored as a part of water quality testing because in excess amounts they can cause significant water quality problems. Nitrogen in water is measured as the common form nitrate (NO3-) that is dissolved in water and readily absorbed by photosynthesizers such as algae. The common form of phosphorus measured is phosphate...
08:30
Characterization of Aquatic Biofilms with Flow Cytometry
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Cited by 8 •
2018
Flow cytometry in combination with visual clustering offers an easy-to-use and fast method for studying aquatic biofilms. It can be used for biofilm characterization, detection of changes in biofilm community structure, and detection of abiotic particles embedded in the biofilm.
05:46
Identification of Pharmaceuticals in The Aquatic Environment Using HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS and Elimination of Erythromycin Through Photo-Induced Degradation
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Cited by 12 •
2018
We present a protocol for non-targeted analysis using time of flight mass spectrometry as a perfect tool to identify pharmaceuticals in waters. We demonstrate the application of UV irradiation for their elimination. Analysis involving irradiation, compound isolation, identification and kinetic modelling of the degradation profiles is illustrated.
10:49
Estimating Virus Production Rates in Aquatic Systems
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Cited by 8 •
2010
The turnover rate of viruses in marine and freshwater systems can be estimated by a reduction and reoccurrence technique. The data allow researchers to infer rates of virus-mediated microbial mortality in aquatic systems.
FAQs
These choices determine whether collected material represents the conditions researchers intend to study. Sampling locations can capture differences among rivers, lakes, wetlands, and coastal systems, while depth and timing help account for spatial or temporal variation. Consistent selection criteria make comparisons more meaningful and improve the ability to detect environmental change across sites or sampling periods.
Quality control helps distinguish genuine environmental signals from changes introduced during collection, handling, or analysis. Preventing contamination is especially important when measuring nutrients, contaminants, microbial communities, or other sensitive indicators. Consistent procedures and controlled handling support reliable comparisons among locations and over time, allowing observed differences to be interpreted as environmental patterns rather than sampling artifacts.
Each material provides a different perspective on environmental conditions. Water can support measurements of properties such as nutrients, temperature, and dissolved oxygen, while sediment or biological material can contribute information about contaminants, microbial communities, or ecological health. Selecting the appropriate material connects the sampling design with the chemical, physical, or biological question being investigated.
Researchers collect the planned water, sediment, or biological material using suitable sampling equipment, then preserve and transport specimens under controlled conditions. The workflow must maintain sample integrity from collection through laboratory analysis. Careful coordination of collection, preservation, and transport reduces unwanted changes in the material and helps ensure that subsequent measurements reflect field conditions.
It supports pollution monitoring, regulatory assessment, habitat management, and investigations of climate-related impacts. By combining measurements of environmental conditions with biological or chemical indicators, researchers can evaluate ecological health and identify changes that may require further attention. The approach is useful whenever decisions depend on evidence from rivers, lakes, wetlands, or coastal systems.
Repeated sampling applies comparable site selection, collection practices, preservation, and analysis across sampling periods. This consistency allows researchers to evaluate whether measured conditions, contaminant levels, nutrient indicators, microbial communities, or ecological health are changing. In environmental studies, comparable observations over time can support assessment of pollution patterns, habitat conditions, and climate-related impacts.