ASTM_E_1469_-_92_1997.pdf

Designation:E 1469 92(Reapproved 1997)Standard Practice forCollecting Benthic Macroinvertebrates with Multiple-PlateSamplers1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1469;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This practice covers the procedures for obtaining quali-tative and quantitative samples of macroinvertebrates on anartificial substrate sampler in rivers,streams,lakes,and reser-voirs.The device can be used in areas where no other methodis feasible.1.2 Multiple-plate samplers are usually colonized by a widevariety of macroinvertebrates that actively and passively enterthe current or the water column.1.3 This practice facilitates standardization of collectionprocedures at sampling sites and is excellent for water qualitypurposes.Standardized sampling is especially desirable whenthe results from different investigators and from differentenvironments are to be compared.1.4 Multiple-plate samplers are devices of standard compo-sition and configuration placed in the water for a predeterminedexposure period and depth for colonization by macroinverte-brates.1.5 The multiple-plate sampler can be used either alone orcan effectively augment bottom substrate sampling becausemany of the physical variables encountered in bottom samplingare minimized(for example,variable depth and light penetra-tion,temperature differences,and substrate types).1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.For specificprecautions,see Section 7.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water2E 1468 Practice for Collecting Benthic Macroinvertebrateswith the Basket Sampler33.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of terms used in this prac-tice,see Terminology D 1129.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 benthosthe community of organisms living in or onthe bottom of other substrate in an aquatic environment.3.2.2 habitatthe place where an organism lives,for ex-ample,mud,rocks,shoreline,twigs,riffle,pool,and so forth.3.2.3 macroinvertebratesbenthic or substrate dwelling or-ganisms visible to the unaided eye and retained on a U.S.Standard No.30(0.595-mm mesh openings)sieve.The stan-dard sieve opening for marine benthic fauna is also 0.595 mm(U.S.Standard No.30 sieve).To accommodate some historicaldata bases,a 1.0 mm,U.S.Standard No.18 sieve may be used.Examples of macroinvertebrates are aquatic insects,macro-crustaceans,mollusks,annelids,nematodes,and echinoderms.3.2.4 microhabitata smaller and more restricted habitat,for example,certain positions on a rock,certain particle sizesediment,and so forth.3.2.5 multiple-plate samplerconstructed of 8 or moretempered hardboard or ceramic material cut in 76 mm(3 in.)square or circular plates and separated by a specific arrange-ment of spacers.The plates and spacers are placed on a14incheyebolt.3.2.6 substrate samplerany collecting device that is madeof natural or artificial substrate materials for the colonization ofmacroinvertebrates.4.Summary of Practice4.1 Multiple-plate samplers consist of standardized,repro-ducible artificial substrate surfaces(tempered hardboard orceramic plates)for colonization by indigenous aquatic organ-isms.Their uniform shape and texture compared to naturalsubstrates greatly simplifies the problem of sampling.Thesampler can be purchased or constructed from readily availablematerials.4.2 Total surface area of the 8 plate sampler is approxi-mately 939 cm2(0.09 m2),and the 14 plate sampler is 1160cm2(0.116 m2).The 14 plate,tempered hardboard,multiple-plate sampler weighs about 1 lb(0.45 kg).4.3 The recommended exposure period for multiple-platesampler is six weeks,and the time of exposure may be criticalto development of a relatively abundant and diverse commu-nity of organisms.Three replicate samples at each station arean absolute minimum.Collecting five replicate samples at eachstation will increase statistical precision and accuracy.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-47 on BiologicalEffects and Environmental Fateand is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeE47.08on Biological Field Testing.Current edition approved March 15,1992.Published May 1992.2Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 11.01.3Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 11.05.1Copyright ASTM,100 Barr Harbor Drive,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.5.Significance and Use5.1 The multiple-plate sampler is a highly effective devicefor evaluating the biological integrity of surface waters and forstudying macroinvertebrate commu