EnvCanada-NWRI: CAB-EC-1-2001: Benthic Invertebrate sample collection; 3 minute kicknet in wadeable streams
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Official Method Name
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CABIN (Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network) benthic invertebrate protocols for streams |
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Current Revision
| 2001 |
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Media
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WATER (Waterbody type - Wadeable stream) |
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Instrumentation
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Invertebrate Net (w/ handle) |
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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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Brief Method Summary
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CABIN provides a national standard protocol for the collection of 1) benthic invertebrate samples and 2) measurements and information describing the environment. Since CABIN promotes the use of the Reference Condition Approach (RCA) for the assessment of ecosystem condition, either reference sites (eg. best available condition, least impacted) or test sites are sampled. A CABIN site is defined as a river reach 6x the bankfull width. Reach measurements, flow, habitat, riparian vegetation, canopy and macrophyte coverage, substrate composition as well as water quality parameters (pH, temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity) are recorded on standardized CABIN field sheets. Water samples are also collected for chemical analysis of nutrients, major ions, and alkalinity. These data are essential for assessment using the RCA. Sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates begins at the downstream portion of the reach and proceeds upstream. Using a triangular kicknet with a 400 micron mesh and removeable cup, the reach is traversed in a zigzag pattern going from bank to bank and always heading upstream for precisely 3 minutes. The net should continuously be in contact with the substrate and should always be directly downstream of the operator. Large rocks or those deeply embedded should be rubbed using your hand to loosen the organisms. At the end of three minutes, the net should be quickly lifted from the current. The complete sample is then washed into a container(s) with a squeeze bottle and the net checked carefully for organisms. |
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Scope and Application
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This protocol is appropriate for the sampling of wadeable streams. CABIN provides a national online database, analysis and reporting tools to trained participants to share data and assess aquatic ecosystem conditions. |
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Applicable Concentration Range
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Interferences
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Quality Control Requirements
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Proper sample labelling; net rinsed thoroughly between samples; Triplicate samples are taken at 10% of sites each year; 10% of sites are revisited each year to assess temporal changes; CABIN implements strict QAQC on sample processing (eg. 95% sorting efficiency) and taxonomic identifications; and a voucher reference collection is held in the EC lab. |
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Sample Handling
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Rinse large debris and place any organisms found into sample container; place all small debris directly into sample container. More than 1 container is usually required. The sample is preserved with 10% phosphate buffered formalin in a ratio of 1:3, formalin to sample. Consult MSDS before handling any chemicals. Place a label indicating the sample location (stream name, site number), date, replicate and collector into the sample container. The outside of the container should include the same information. Samples should be transferred into 70% ethanol in the laboratory no later than 72 hours after sampling. CABIN samples are subsampled using a standard Marchant box sub-sampler for a minimum 300 organism count identified to the lowest possible level. |
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Maximum Holding Time
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Indefinite with proper preservation. |
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Relative Cost
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Less than 3 hrs. per site/sample |
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Sample Preparation Methods
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