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Monitoring and Assessing Water Quality
Begin Hierarchical Links EPA Home > Water > Wetlands, Oceans, & Watersheds > Monitoring and Assessing Water Quality > Volunteer Stream Monitoring: A Methods Manual > Chapter 4 > 4.2 Streamside Biosurvey > 4.3 Intensive Stream Biosurvey > Figure 4.9 Procedures for Collecting a Macroinvertebrate Sample in a Rocky-bottom Stream End Hierarchical Links

 

Figure 4.9 Procedures for Collecting a Macroinvertebrate Sample in a Rocky-bottom Stream

1. Approach the sample site from the downstream end.
Approach sample
4. Disturb the substrate thoroughly with your feet.
Disturb substrate
Figure 4.9

Procedures for collecting a macroinvertebrate sample in a rocky-bottom stream

Volunteers must follow set protocol to collect an unbiased sample.
2. Position the net at a 45° angle with the bottom tight against the substrate.
Position net
5. Remove the net with a forward scooping motion.
Remove net
3. Dislodge macroinvertebrates by rubbing rocks thoroughly.
Dislodge
6. Flush out the net with clean stream water.
Flush net


 

 
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