Laserfiche WebLink
Systems Laboratory within SMAST conducted the training sessions and took part in the field <br /> sampling,both to assist the effort, as part of QA/QC procedures,and to insure proper transport and <br /> delivery of samples to the Coastal Systems Analytical Facility. <br /> As in previous years, sampling focused on the warmer summer period when nutrient related <br /> water quality conditions are the poorest. Sampling of both bays was completed on the same days <br /> in 2016: July6, July 22, August 5, and August 22. Samples were collected at each station at raid <br /> water depth on an ebbing tide for nutrients and surface,mid and bottom for physical parameters <br /> including temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen (depending on the station depth). <br /> The Water Quality Monitoring Program occupied the same sampling sites as in previous <br /> sampling years to allow for direct comparisons and track any changes in nutrient related water <br /> quality within each of the different basins of each bay. The major change in the 2010-2016 <br /> program from the prior effort that was implemented to support the MEP analysis, is the reduction <br /> in the overall sampling effort (number of dates/year) while providing the same spatial coverage. <br /> This approach allows for incorporation of all historical data,provides the necessary spatial <br /> distribution required for management analysis,while also providing a continuing solid <br /> assessment of the current nutrient related water quality within the Town's estuaries. Monitoring <br /> locations for water-quality sample collection were established in order to generate a well <br /> distributed network of sampling stations that would yield data at a high enough density with <br /> sufficient spatial distribution to ultimately resolve estuarine gradients(Station Maps, Figure 4, <br /> 5). Stations were confirmed by GPS prior to sampling. <br /> The monitoring approaches and parameters assayed are fully consistent with the Quality <br /> Assurance Project Plan(QAPP)5 of the Massachusetts Estuaries Project. Samples and field data <br /> were collected at 16 locations within the Popponesset Bay system (inclusive of offshore <br /> boundary station) and 19 locations within the Waquoit Bay system. <br /> Stations are of 3 types: (1) embayment stations (2) offshore-boundary condition station and <br /> freshwater inflow stations. A total of 37 water samples for nutrients(includes 2 QA samples) <br /> were collected in 2015 and 2016 field seasons per each combined (both systems) sampling event: <br /> 20 in the Waquoit Bay system and 17 in the Popponesset Bay system. The offshore station is <br /> used as one gauge of the boundary conditions in nearshore Nantucket Sound(Table 2 and 3). <br /> n The Coastal Systems Analytical Facility is sited within the School for Marine Science and Technology,UMASS- <br /> Dartmouth at 706 S.Rodney French Blvd,New Bedford,MA. 02744(Sara Salnpieri, 508-910-6325; <br /> ssampieri@umassd.edu). The laboratory supports a full range of environmental assays,with detection limits suited <br /> for natural waters. The laboratory data is accepted for both research and regulatory(USEPA,MassDEP,MCZM, <br /> NOAA)projects. <br /> s Quality Assurance Project Plan is reviewed and must be accepted by MassDEP and USEPA for the information <br /> generated by a study to be seamlessly incorporated into regulatory planning or proof of compliance studies under the <br /> Clean Water Act. All of the approaches,protocols and analytical methods are part of the MEP's QAPP as well as <br /> other QAPP's for water quality monitoring in southeastern Massachusetts. <br /> I1 <br />