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Science of Water : Concepts and Applications

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242 The <strong>Science</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Water</strong>: <strong>Concepts</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Applications</strong><br />

FIGURE 8.11 Secchi disk.<br />

After towing <strong>and</strong> removal from the stream, the sides <strong>of</strong> the net are rinsed to dislodge the collected<br />

plankton. If a quantitative sample is desired, a certain quantity <strong>of</strong> water is collected. If the<br />

plankton density is low, then the sample may be concentrated using a low-speed centrifuge or some<br />

other fi ltering device. A defi nite volume <strong>of</strong> the sample is studied under the compound microscope<br />

for counting <strong>and</strong> identifi cation <strong>of</strong> plankton.<br />

Secchi Disk<br />

A Secchi disk (Figure 8.11) is <strong>of</strong>ten used to determine water turbidity or the degree <strong>of</strong> visibility in a<br />

stream. The Secchi disk originated with Father Pietro Secchi, an astrophysicist <strong>and</strong> scientifi c advisor<br />

to the Pope, who was requested to measure transparency in the Mediterranean Sea by the head<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Papal Navy. In April 1865, Secchi used some white disks to measure the clarity <strong>of</strong> water in the<br />

Mediterranean. Various sizes <strong>of</strong> disks have been used since that time, but the most frequently used<br />

disk is an 8-in.-diameter metal disk painted in alternate black <strong>and</strong> white quadrants.<br />

The disk shown in Figure 8.11 is 20 cm in diameter; it is lowered into the stream using the calibrated<br />

line. To use the Secchi disk properly, it should be lowered into the stream water until it is no<br />

longer visible. At the point where it is no longer visible, a measurement <strong>of</strong> the depth is taken. This<br />

depth is called the Secchi disk transparency light extinction coeffi cient. The best results are usually<br />

obtained after early morning <strong>and</strong> before late afternoon.<br />

Miscellaneous Sampling Equipment<br />

Several other sampling tools/devices are available for use in sampling a stream. For example, consider<br />

the st<strong>and</strong>ard s<strong>and</strong>-mud sieve. Generally made <strong>of</strong> heavy-duty galvanized 1/8-in. mesh screen<br />

supported by a water-sealed 24 × 15 × 3 in. wood frame, this device is useful for collecting burrowing<br />

organisms found in s<strong>of</strong>t bottom sediments. Moreover, no stream sampling kit would be<br />

complete without a collecting tray, collecting jars <strong>of</strong> assorted sizes, heavy-duty plastic bags, small<br />

pipets, large 2-oz pipets, fi ne mesh straining net, <strong>and</strong> black china marking pencil. In addition,

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