LUQ DATA SET METADATA

Long-Term
Ongoing

Data Files and Variables

Data File Identifier Data File Collected
Chla and OM data (2002 to present)
text/plain iconLTERAlgaeData.txt
 06/01/2002 - 06/01/2010

Project

136
Bisley/Prieta Algae Monitoring

Research Sites:

Bisley Watershed 3: 5 pools and 5 riffles
El Verde Field Station area Quebrada Prieta pools and 5 riffles

Abstract

The LTER is conducting annual monitoring of Algae, Chlorophyll a, benthic organic matter, and benthic inorganic matter in order to document baseline stream characteristics. These data may be used to examine effects of disturbances such as hurricanes on stream ecosystems.

Methods:

Field Methods: We sampled 5 pools and 5 riffles in each stream. In each pool and in each riffle, we took 6 haphazardly chosen epilithic samples using a suction device modified from Loeb (1981, An in situ method for measuring the primary productivity and standing crop of the epilithic periphyton community in lentic systems. Limnology and Oceanography 26:394-399). The 6 samples were composited into a nalgene bottle for later analysis. We thus had a single composited sample for each pool and each riffle. Bottles were brought back to the laboratory on ice. Data were collected twice per year (Spring~January and Summer ~June to August) from January 2002 to present. Loeb samples in pools were from rocks/boulders under water that was at least 3 inches deep. No specific depth criteria was used for riffles because they are shallow, but the sampled spot had to be deep enough for the Loeb sampler to work (i.e. the water had to be as deep as the tiny side hole of the Loeb sampler). Riffle Loeb samples were only taken where the water was actually flowing.

Lab methods: Each sample was sub-sampled for filtration onto 2 glass fiber filters. The first filter was a pre-weighed, pre-ashed filter for AFDM/inorganic matter analysis. The second filter was a pre-ashed filter for chlorophyll a analysis. Volumes filtered onto each filter were recorded as well as any volume not filtered. Three drops of 1% MgCO3 were added to the chlorophyll subsample during filtration. Chlorophyll filters were immediately frozen. AFDM/inorganic matter filters were immediately dried at 50 C for at least 24 hours. Later, chlorophyll filters were analyzed fluorometrically according to standard methods [APHA (American Public Health Association). 1985. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 16. American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C.]. The AFDM/inorganic matter filter was later weighed to the nearest 0.001 g, ashed at 500 C for 3 hours, and re-weighed to determine inorganic and ash-free dry mass (AFDM) per unit area.

Owner:

Catherine Pringle

Contact(s):

Catherine Pringle

Associated:

Effie A. Greathouse
Katherine Smith

Researcher's Keywords:

Algae
Fungi algae lichens slime-molds bacteria
chlorophyll a
benthic organic matter
benthic inorganic matter
Natural or anthropogenic materials
Biogeochemistry

LTER Core Area(s):

organic matter
primary production

Complete Metadata:

  • Bisley/Prieta Algae Monitoring

    The basic information about a dataset

    Basic Information

    Program: 
    Luquillo LTER
    Luquillo Investigator Research
    Numeric Dataset ID: 
    136
    Data Set Identifier: 
    Bisley/Prieta Algae Monitoring
    Duration: 
    Long-Term
    Ongoing
    Abstract: 

    The LTER is conducting annual monitoring of Algae, Chlorophyll a, benthic organic matter, and benthic inorganic matter in order to document baseline stream characteristics. These data may be used to examine effects of disturbances such as hurricanes on stream ecosystems.

    Short name: 
    LUQMetadata136
    Project Title: 
    Core Area: 
    organic matter
    primary production
    Researchers´ Keywords: 
    Algae
    Fungi algae lichens slime-molds bacteria
    chlorophyll a
    benthic organic matter
    benthic inorganic matter
    Natural or anthropogenic materials
    Biogeochemistry
    2006 Proposal Classification: 
    Stream ecology
    Table 4 Long-Term Classification: 
    plants
    algae (stream) standing crop
    Data File Structure Reference: 
    Chla and OM data (2002 to present)
    Station Acronym: 
    LUQ
    Data File Structure Referrer: 

    Personnel

    Owner: 
    Catherine Pringle
    Contact: 
    Catherine Pringle
    Associated Person: 
    Effie A. Greathouse
    Katherine Smith
    Data Manager: 
    Eda Melendez-Colom

    Georefs, Dates

    Site: 
    Bisley Watershed 3: 5 pools and 5 riffles
    Site: 
    El Verde Field Station area Quebrada Prieta pools and 5 riffles
    Collected: 
    06/01/2002 - 06/01/2010

    Methods

    Methods: 

    Field Methods: We sampled 5 pools and 5 riffles in each stream. In each pool and in each riffle, we took 6 haphazardly chosen epilithic samples using a suction device modified from Loeb (1981, An in situ method for measuring the primary productivity and standing crop of the epilithic periphyton community in lentic systems. Limnology and Oceanography 26:394-399). The 6 samples were composited into a nalgene bottle for later analysis. We thus had a single composited sample for each pool and each riffle. Bottles were brought back to the laboratory on ice. Data were collected twice per year (Spring~January and Summer ~June to August) from January 2002 to present. Loeb samples in pools were from rocks/boulders under water that was at least 3 inches deep. No specific depth criteria was used for riffles because they are shallow, but the sampled spot had to be deep enough for the Loeb sampler to work (i.e. the water had to be as deep as the tiny side hole of the Loeb sampler). Riffle Loeb samples were only taken where the water was actually flowing.

    Lab methods: Each sample was sub-sampled for filtration onto 2 glass fiber filters. The first filter was a pre-weighed, pre-ashed filter for AFDM/inorganic matter analysis. The second filter was a pre-ashed filter for chlorophyll a analysis. Volumes filtered onto each filter were recorded as well as any volume not filtered. Three drops of 1% MgCO3 were added to the chlorophyll subsample during filtration. Chlorophyll filters were immediately frozen. AFDM/inorganic matter filters were immediately dried at 50 C for at least 24 hours. Later, chlorophyll filters were analyzed fluorometrically according to standard methods [APHA (American Public Health Association). 1985. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 16. American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C.]. The AFDM/inorganic matter filter was later weighed to the nearest 0.001 g, ashed at 500 C for 3 hours, and re-weighed to determine inorganic and ash-free dry mass (AFDM) per unit area.

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