EPA-OW: EPA RBP (Inverts SHAB):  Benthic Macroinvertebrate RBP, single habitat, 1m kick net

  • Summary
  • Analytes
  • Revision
  • Data and Sites
Official Method Name
Benthic Macroinvertebrate Protocols: 7.1, Single Habitat Approach: 1 Meter Kick Net
Current Revision
Second Edition, 1999
Media
WATER  (Waterbody type - Wadeable stream)
Instrumentation
Invertebrate Net (w/ handle)
Method Subcategory
Population/Community
Method Source
  EPA-OW
Citation
  EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for Use in Streams and Wadeable Rivers: Periphyton, Benthic Macroinvertebrates and Fish
Protocol
EPA RBP Protocol - Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for Use in Streams and Wadeable Rivers: Periphyton, Benthic Macroinvertebrates, and Fish - Second Edition
Brief Method Summary
A 100m reach representative of the characteristics of the stream should be selected that is at least 100m from any road, bridge crossing, or major tributary. Prior to sampling, the physical/chemical field sheet should be completed and a map should be drawn showing in-stream attributes and structures. Sampling begins at the downstream portion of the reach and proceeds upstream. Using a 1m kick net (500u), 2 or 3 kicks are sampled at various velocities in riffles (single habitat) and composited. In general, a minimum of 2m2 composited area is sampled for RBP efforts. Larger substrates should be picked up and rubbed by hand to remove attached organisms. The kicks collected from different locations are then composited to form a homogenous sample, labeled (internal and external) and preserved with 95% ethanol for transport.
Scope and Application
This protocol is appropriate for the sampling of wadeable streams and rivers. Programmatic applications of the biological data generated using these methods include, CWA Section 305(b) water quality assesments, CWA Section 319 nonpoint source assessments, watershed protection, CWA Section 303(d) TMDL development, CWA Section 402 NPDES permits and individual control strategies, ecological risk assessment, and development of USEPA water quality criteria and standards
Applicable Concentration Range
Not Applicable
Interferences
None provided
Quality Control Requirements
Proper sample labeling; Net, pan, etc. rinsed thoroughly between samples; Replicate (1 duplicate sample) collected at 10% of sites
Sample Handling
Rinse large debris and place any organisms found into sample container; place all small debris directly into sample container. Preserve in 95% ethanol sufficient to cover the sample. Place a label indicating the sample identification code or lot number, date, stream name, sampling location, and collector name into the sample container. The outside of the container should include the same information and the words "preservative, 95% ethanol". If more than one container is needed for a sample, each container label should contain all of the information for the sample and should be numbered (e.g., 1 of 2, 2 of 2, etc)
Maximum Holding Time
Indefinite with proper preservation.
Relative Cost
Greater than 6 hrs. per site/sample
Sample Preparation Methods
95% ethanol