FortWhyte Alive Watershed Project

Provide any additional information about how data were collected such as sampling methods, equipment, calibration, QA/QC samples collected. Data is collected once monthly, throughout the year. Summer samples are completed by canoe, winter samples are completed through the ice. A YSI probe (YSI ProODO) is used to collect data on dissolved oxygen, temperature, and conductivity at a single point in each of 5 lakes, at 1-metre intervals from surface (0 metres) to maximum depth (range 5.5 m - 8.5 m). In open water season, a Secchi disc is also used to measure transparency at a single point in each lake. To assess additional chemical parameters in the lakes, two sample bottles are obtained from the single sample site in each lake - one at surface and one at maximum depth. Periodic profiles at 1-metre intervals are also available. Bottles provided by ALS Environmental and contain Sulfuric Acid fixative. They are then analyzed by ALS Environmental Ltd. for total phosphorus (mg/l) using procedures adapted from APHA Method 4500-P "Phosphorus". Total Phosphorus is determined colorimetrically after persulphate digestion of the sample. Certain Total Phosphorus (mg/l) tests when indicated were performed by Maxxam, using Laboratory Method: BBY6SOP-00013 and Analytical Method: SM 4500 PE. Certain samples have been analyzed for Phosphorus - Total Reactive, by ALS Environmental, carried out using procedures adapted from APHA Method 4500-P "Phosphorus". Total Reactive Phosphorus is determined colourimetrically. Certain samples have also been analyzed by ALS Environmental for ammonia- total as N, ammonia in water samples forms indophenol when reacted with hypochlorite and phenol. The intensity is amplified by the addition of sodium nitroprusside and measured colourmetrically. Chlorophyll-a and pheophytin analysis is undertaken by FortWhyte Alive staff using lab space at the University of Manitoba. Water samples (150-400 ml) are filtered through Whatman GF/C filter paper immediately post sampling and frozen. Samples are extracted with 90% methanol for 24 hours then analysed via spectrophotometry at 665nm and 750nm for chlorophyll a. 100 μL of 0.04M HCl are then added to each sample and they are analyzed at 665nm and 750nm for pheophytin. The procedure is adapted from Marker AFH, Crowther CA, Gunn RJM. 1980. Methanol and acetone solvents for estimating chlorophyll and phaeopigments by spectrophotometry. Archiv für Hydrobiologie Beihefte 14: 52-69. Ice thickness in winter is measured monthly at each sample site with a ruler to the nearest centimetre. Snow thickness is measured with a ruler at 3 random sites near each sample site and averaged to the nearest centimetre.