Appendix A Standard Operating Procedures - University of Rhode ...

Equipment is maintained by the University of Rhode Island Watershed Watch (URIWW)
Laboratory and the Natural Resources Science department. Temporary replacement of large
equipment such as incubators is available through arrangement with other scientists in the
department maintaining similar equipment.
4.0 SAMPLE STORAGE, PRESERVATION AND DISPOSAL
Matrix Sample Container Preservation Volume Holding
Time
Water Autoclavable white plastic bottle - 250 mL Kept at 4 °C in
Sterile Bottles
100 mL 6 Hours
Disposal
Samples are archived for approximately 48 hours. Aqueous samples may only be disposed of
after final quality assurance checks are completed and the data found to be acceptable using
criteria found in Section 5.2 of this SOP. Aqueous samples are considered a potential biological
hazard. Samples may be rinsed down the drain with running water. Personnel will wear gloves,
eye protection and a laboratory coat when disposing of samples.
Disposal of used plates should be completed in accordance with SOP 006 - Waste Autoclaving
Procedure. Plates are not archived and may be disposed of immediately after counting.
Bottles are cleaned in accordance with SOP 003 - General Labware Cleaning Procedure and
SOP 005 - Bottle Autoclaving Procedure.
5.0 METHOD DESCRIPTION
5.1 Scheduling Considerations
Preparation of materials including plates should occur at least one week prior to the sampling
day. If it is necessary to prepare additional plates then a Quality Assurance/ Quality Control
(QA/QC) check should be completed on the new plates. This procedure is described in Section
5.2.5 of this document. A check of the operation of the UV light box should also be completed
at this time.
At least 48 hours (2 days) prior to the sampling event, sampling bottles and sterile phosphate
buffered saline solution (PBS) should be prepared.
The day before a sampling event (24 hours) data sheets, QC samples and a final check of
equipment should be completed (refer to Section 5.3 for specific details)
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Ambient Waters Microbiological Procedure SOP 007
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