ASTM_E_1468_-_92_1997.pdf

Designation:E 1468 92(Reapproved 1997)Standard Practice forCollecting Benthic Macroinvertebrates with the BasketSampler1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1468;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 procedures for obtaining qualitativeand quantitative samples of macroinvertebrates in rivers,streams,lakes,and reservoirs.The device can be used in areasin which no other method is feasible.1.2 Basket samplers are usually colonized by a wide varietyof macroinvertebrates that actively and passively enter thecurrent or the water column.1.3 The method described in this practice facilitates thestandardization of collection procedures at sampling sites andis excellent for water quality monitoring purposes.Standard-ized sampling is especially desirable when the results fromdifferent investigators and environments are to be compared.1.4 The materials used in the basket sampler are natural orartificial materials of various compositions and configurations.The device is placed in water for a predetermined exposureperiod and depth for the colonization of macroinvertebratecommunities.1.5 The basket sampler can be used alone or can effectivelyaugment bottom substrate sampling,because many of thephysical variables encountered in bottom sampling are mini-mized(for example,variable depth and light penetration,temperature differences,and substrate types).1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas the standard.The values given in parentheses are forinformation only.1.7 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.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water2E 1469 Practice for Collecting Benthic Macroinvertebrateswith Multiple-Plate Samplers33.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of terms used in this prac-tice,see Terminology D 1129.4.Significance and Use4.1 The basket sampler is a highly effective device forevaluating the biological integrity of surface waters and forstudying indigenous macroinvertebrate communities(Refs1-26)4.Basket samplers are used to collect qualitative andquantitative samples from lentic and lotic waters containingindigenous benthic macroinvertebrates living on various typesof substrates.4.2 Physical factors such as stream velocity and depth mayvariably affect the degree of colonization.The samplingmethod is selective for drifting organisms(biased for insects)and for those that preferentially attach to or live on hardsurfaces.4.3 Basket samplers are excellent for water quality moni-toring;contain uniform substrate types at each station for bettercomparison;provide quantitatively comparable data;containnegligible amounts of debris,permitting quick laboratoryprocessing;and usually do not require additional weight forstability.4.4 Basket samplers sample a known area at a known depthfor a known exposure period.Basket samples provide nomeasure of the biota and condition of the natural substrate at astation.They record only biota accumulated during the expo-sure period.4.5 The organisms in the sampler are used to define mac-roinvertebrate community characteristics in water quality stud-ies and ecological assessments.5.Description of Sampler5.1 The type of basket sampler normally used(Fig.1)is acylindrical“barbecue”basket 11 in.(28 cm)long and 7 in.(17.8 cm)in diameter that is filled with approximately 17 lb(7.7 kg)of natural rocks varying from 1 to 3 in.(2.5 to 7.6 cm)in diameter(16,17).Ahinged door on the side provides accessto the contents.An estimated 3.2 ft2(0.3 m2)of surface area isprovided for colonization by macroinvertebrates.A18-in.(3.2-mm)wire cable is passed through the long axis of the1This 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 11.05.4The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end ofthis practice.1AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS100 Barr Harbor Dr.,West Conshohocken,PA 19428Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards.Copyright ASTMbasket;one end is fastened with a cable clamp,and the otherend is fixed to the float.A5-gal(19-L)metal container filledwith polyurethane foam can be used as a float.A38-in.(9.5-mm)steel rod threaded at each end is passed through thelong axis of the float and fastened a