USGS-NWQL: B-9135-00 (Slide Preparation): Benthic Macroinvertebrate Slide Preparation
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Official Method Name
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Methods of Analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory - Processing, Taxonomy, and Quality Control of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Samples |
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Current Revision
| 2000 |
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Media
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WATER |
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Instrumentation
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Visual Comparison |
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Method Subcategory
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Population/Community |
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Method Source
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Citation
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Moulton II, S.R., Carter, J.L., Grotheer, S.A., Cuffney, T.F., and Short, T.M., 2000, Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory-- Processing, taxonomy, and quality control of benthic macroinvertebrate samples: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 00-212. |
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Brief Method Summary
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Organisms are oriented in mounting media (for example, CMC-10TM) on a microscope slide that is labeled with a unique sample identifier and slide number, covered with a cover slip, and dried overnight at 55oC. |
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Scope and Application
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Some BMI taxa (for example, chironomid larvae and worms) are best identified to the Genus- or Species-level by using a compound microscope after they have been cleared and permanently mounted on microscope slides. |
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Applicable Concentration Range
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Interferences
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Poor slide mounts of organisms often prevent a taxonomist from making identification to the Genus or Species level. Factors contributing to this problem include (1) improper orientation of the organism on the slide, (2) mounting organisms too numerous or large for one cover slip, or (3) complications with the clearing action and viscosity of the mounting media. |
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Quality Control Requirements
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Sample Handling
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Organisms are sorted into morphologically similar groups by using a dissecting microscope. |
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Maximum Holding Time
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Relative Cost
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Unknown |
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Sample Preparation Methods
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