Field data sheets and lab data sheets
Methodology document: Conn_BSNE_Collection_Procedure.doc
Plot maps: Maps with the location of each stand within the plots
are found in ConnectivityMicroplotMaps_A-D-G.pdf.
Connectivity BSNE Collection Procedure
Basic Set Up and Location
There are 3 sites for this study: Gravelly Ridges, Aeolian, and
Dona Ana. Within each site, there are 8 plots. The plots are 8x8
meters and have an 8x8 buffer zone on both sides of the plot (up and
down). There are four BSNE stands for each plot, 2 in each of the 2
buffer zones (8 collectors per plot). Each stand contains 2
collectors, 10cm and 30cm. These BSNEs are in a fixed position and
all collectors should be pointing the same direction. The collectors
in the upwind buffer are facing away from the plot and the collectors
in the downwind buffer are facing into the plot. The idea is the
upwind BSNEs measure the amount of dust entering the plot, and the
downwind BSNEs measure the amount of dust moving off the plot. This
provides a measure of the effectiveness of the plot obstructions to
wind blown dust. It is important the BSNEs are fixed in an orientation
that points across the full length of the plot. Maps of the location
of each stand within the plots are found in
ConnectivityMicroplotMaps_A-D-G.pdf.
Collection Guidelines
1. The Connectivity BSNEs are collected quarterly in
February, May, August, and November. They should be collected in the
last week of the month and if not able, then the first week of the
next month.
2. Use 6x4 inch, 4-mil Ziploc-style bags to collect samples.
(When ordering bags, make sure you order 6x4 NOT 4x6 since the width
is 6 inches and the length is 4 inches. Vender: National Bag Company,
Inc., 800-247-6000, Part #90-760C6, 1000 bags/box)
3. The bags need to be preweighed before going to field. It
is best to do this is as small of numbers as possible to get a better
average. 10 at a time is appropriate.
4. Individual collection bags should be labeled as follows:
Site (A, D, or G), Plot # (1-8), Stand # (1-4), and Height (10 or 30).
So Aeolian site, Plot 3, Stand 1, 10 cm collector would be labeled:
A3-1-10.
5. All bags from one site should be placed in a larger bag
that is labeled with the site name, date collected, and the average
bag weight.
NOTE: If you need to use multiple large bags to hold a particular
site, make sure that all of the appropriate identifying information is
on each of them. Write a set number on bags when multiple large bags
are used; e.g., "1 of 2" if there are 2 large bags for All
NPP. This will reduce chance of samples being misplaced.
Collection Procedure
1. To collect a sample, slide the cover off of the collector
and put the narrow end of the collector inside the bag. Use a stencil
brush to brush out all dust possible, paying close attention to dust
caught on screws, behind the opening, and in corners. Remove most of
the air and seal the bag shut. Shake out any debris above the screen,
inspect the condition of the collector, slide the cover back on, and
place the collector back on its fin.
2. Record collection dates and times and any sample or
maintenance notes in the LTER V Connectivity Pilot Study LTER study
#308, BSNE Sample Collection Book at time of collection. This is kept
in the filing cabinet in office 211.
3. A "pinch" or about 0.10 g is minimum sample
size to collect. If a collector has less than this, dump the sample
out and do not collect it. Make a note on the datasheet that it was
not collected and why. Collect all others that have the minimum
sample size.
4. Do not collect samples out in the open if it is windy
enough to blow some of the fine dust away, as this will bias the
samples in the particle size analysis.
5. If a collector has water in it, do not collect the
sample.
* Wait until the collector dries out naturally and collect
it then.
* If one or more collectors are wet and others are dry, do
not collect the dry collectors until the wet ones dry out.
* All collectors that will be compared with each other
should be collected on the same day. (All collectors within a sampler
and all samplers within a site should be collected at the same time.
* If many samplers at a site have wet collectors, postpone
collection until they are all dry.
* If some have been collected before you realize that
others are wet, use your best judgment as to whether the remainder of
the site should be collected or postponed. (I.e., What will allow for
the best comparison? If the majority were collected before the wet
ones were discovered, finish the site, and collect the others as soon
as possible.) Do NOT throw out samples that were already collected!
6. If samples are not collected on the expected date(s), a
history log entry should be made explaining the delay so that Greg
knows that he is not missing samples from the expected dates. The
appropriate history log file can be found at connectivity.his.
7. If a collector is completely full with dust (i.e.
potentially overflowing), it should be dumped in the field and not
collected. A note should be made in the appropriate databook.
8. If there are spider webs inside or in the opening of the
collector, remove the spider web and do not put it in the sample bag.
Make a note in the data book and record whether part of the sample
might have been lost (due to sticking to the web) and approximately
how much. (For estimating amounts, don't use "a little" or
"a lot." These are very subjective terms. A
"pinch" or "half a teaspoon" or "~0.5
gram" are better qualitative answers.
9. If there is debris in the sample and the debris is easy
to remove without removing sample along with it, do not include the
debris in the sample. We are only interested in sand and soil, so
leaves, insects, and twigs can be removed. However, if dust is stuck
to the debris or the debris is too small to grab without grabbing dust
too, collect the debris along with the sample.
10. If there is rust or paint flakes in the sample, collect
the sample and make a note in the appropriate data book of the
contamination and amount of contamination. These collectors should be
replaced.
11. If there is white mineral crust on the inside of the
collector, make a note of this, too. These collectors should be
replaced and cleaned in the lab. Note: a white, airborne dust
deposition has occurred in the past that is part of the dust sample
and should be collected. A mineral crust is a metallic reaction and
would need cleaning with LimeAway in the lab to remove it. This has
not occurred for many years and the manufacturing process may have
improved that alleviates the potential. Document its occurrence and
notify John Anderson if this occurs.
12. When a collector is replaced, record in the databook when
it was replaced and the reasoning of doing so.
13. It is very important not to stand or kneel in front of
the BSNE collector opening. Stay behind or to the side of the
collectors at all times to minimize soil disturbance in the prevailing
wind direction. When it is necessary to walk near the samplers (i.e.,
during maintenance or collection) minimize disturbance by walking
flatfooted and smoothing out any disturbances made.
Maintenance
1. Clip to ground level any vegetation growing immediately
in front of the fixed collectors to allow unrestricted dust entrance.
Avoid disturbing the ground in front of the collector.
2. The height of the collectors needs to be checked
periodically, especially during windy periods or following overland
water flow when scouring can remove soil from the ground surface below
them. The height should be measured to the bottom of the opening of
each collector to the ground.
3. To lower the height of the sampler as a whole, hammer
down the sampler stem (center pipe on which the dust collectors are
mounted). A tape measure should be kept in the "Icky Box"
at all times. The angle of the sampler stem must also be checked,
especially after height adjustments are made. The sampler stem should
be vertical, parallel to the plane of gravity.
4. If the distance between the collectors has changed (as
opposed to the whole sampler moving as a unit) or if sampler height
must be increased, loosen the screw on the collars that the fins rest
on. Move the fins to the appropriate height, and re-tighten the
screws.
5. Any collector with excessive mineral crusts developing
inside (caused by rainwater evaporation) should be brought back to the
lab to be cleaned. A few drops of Lime-Away will dissolve the crust
so it can be wiped out easily. The collector should be rinsed
thoroughly when done; the samples may eventually be analyzed for
mineral content and we don't want Lime-Away to be the primary
constituent. Please note any excessive deposition in the data book at
the time of collection and record that it was removed and why it was
removed.
6. If a collector is rusted or has holes in it, it must be
replaced.
Sample and Data Processing
1. The samples are brought back to the lab and individually
weighed (plastic bag + sample).
a. Record data on Connectivity BSNE lab datasheets. Print
these forms from Connectivity_BSNE_sample_weights_lab_datasheet.xls.
b. Weigh and record sample weight to 3 decimal places.
c. When weighing, make sure that no part of the sample bag
is touching anything but the weigh pan it rests on. Do not let the bag
touch the edge of the scale cover or body of scale; this will affect
the weight.
d. It helps to tare a medium sized bolt to hold down the
sample bag when it is folded in half on the scale. This keeps the bag
from moving around and results in a more accurate weight. The weight
will also stabilize more quickly if the bag is not changing shape
during the weigh process.
2. Data entry
a. After weighing all samples, the weights need to be
entered and error checked (verified) into
Connectivity_BSNE_sample_weights.xls.
b. The field data from the databook also needs to be entered
into this same spreadsheet.
3. After all data has been entered and error checked:
a. Dust samples will be retained and archived here at the
Jornada (as of 11/16/2010).
i. Data file: Connectivity_BSNE_sample_weights.xls
ii. History file: Connectivity.his
4. When samples are moved to the archive storage location ,
make sure to log the samples into the Shipping Log, including date and
sample sites. This documentation of when and where the samples went is
important for tracking purposes.
