Deepwater Horizon Sampling Guidance DRAFT Table of Contents Error! Bookmark not defined.

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1 Deepwater Horizon Sampling Guidance DRAFT Table of Contents I. Objectives and Tasks... 2 II. Overview... 2 III. Methods... 2 a. Site Selection Pre oiling site selection criteria:... 2 b. Water and Sediment Objective General Plan Establish Transects Sediment Sampling Intertidal Water Samples... 5 c. Tissue / Biota Sampling Objective d. Background Levels for Dead and Stranded Wildlife Objective e. Basic Site Characterization Objective Overview Specific Data... 7 f. Detailed Photographic Site Characterization Objective 5... Error! Bookmark not defined. 1. Document the Incident, the Location and the Staff Document the Injury and cause of the injury... 8 Directly Observable Injury... 8 Causation of Injury... 8 Qualitative Approach Method 1 High resolution panoramic photos Method 2 Paired close up/perspective method General Photo Methods g. Sample Naming, Tracking and Chain of Custody IV. References DWH Sampling Guidance NPS DLA_kk.docx ~ 1 ~ 5/4/2010

2 I. Objectives and Tasks Objective 1: Document baseline contamination of water and sediment Task 1A Collect shallow subsurface water samples. Task 1B Collect sediment samples in the intertidal zone. Task1C Collect samples of tar or other forms of oiling that predate arrival of new oil. Objective 2: Document baseline contamination of relevant biota in intertidal or shallow subtidal habitats. Task 2A Collect samples of one to two representative biota for future tissue analysis. Objective 3: Document baseline rates of deposition of dead and stranded wildlife (may also be conducted post incident) Task 3A Conduct systematic surveys of shoreline areas to determine baseline rates of deposition of dead and stranded wildlife. Objective 4: Record baseline conditions of sites using a detailed and systematic photographic technique and detailed notes Task 4A Collect high resolution panoramic photos and build a detailed photographic record using a paired close up/perspective method in key areas that may be oiled Task 4B Record observations of general baseline environmental conditions II. Overview The purpose of this plan is to document baseline environmental conditions at key locations in advance of shoreline oiling caused by the Deepwater Horizon release. The NRDA team will select locations across the potentially affected area. This document describes a 5 stage approach to document the selected sites. For each site, to the extent capability exists, field teams should strive to accomplish the 5 objectives listed above. III. Methods a. Site Selection 1. Pre-oiling site selection criteria: (i) Habitats of greatest concern / sensitivity / critical to species of special concern (ii) Sites that are likely to be oiled soonest (iii) Accessibility (iv) Public access / use? DWH Sampling Guidance NPS DLA_kk.docx ~ 2 ~ 5/4/2010

3 (v) Distances apart b. Water and Sediment Objective 1 1. General Plan The general recommendation regarding beach sampling is to generate a standardized sampling grid consisting of three equally spaced transects perpendicular to the shoreline at each sampling site, with 3 sediment sampling stations and 1 water sampling station located on each of the transect lines. These transects should be approximately 100 meters apart, although this may not be possible on shorter beach segments. If possible, transects should be established in areas with fine sediments (avoid gravel or cobble). To help future re sampling efforts, it is important that the position of each transect (and each sampling station) be established accurately relative to permanent markers or landmarks. This grid may need to be modified based on habitat type, resource and time constraints. 2. Establish Transects Establish the upper end of each transect at a point above the storm wash line or at least the active beach berm (e.g., in the area of weathered logs or on a seawall) above the normal higher high tide line. If practical, this point should be marked with (a) a metal stake or (b) spray paint on a permanent surface (e.g. boulder or seawall) to facilitate re establishing the transect at a later time. Record the GPS coordinates (WGS84, decimal degrees) of these uppermost transect ends using a hand held GPS unit. As a backup to the GPS coordinates (especially if permanent markers were not installed), measure the distance and compass bearing from each transect end to two or more permanent landmarks. Document all measurements, compass bearings and other relevant notes in the field data forms or field notebooks. Take several photographs of each of the landmarks above from the upper end of each transect, as well as photographs up, down and across the beach. Three sample stations will be located along each transect at differing tidal elevations. The High, Medium, and Low locations of these stations should approximately correspond to Mean High Water (MHW), Mean Sea Level (MSL), and Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) intertidal heights. In general, it is recommended that these sample stations be separated vertically by at least 1m. (i) Notes: It may not be possible to establish all three stations on each transect due to the existing tide height. To reduce potential contamination of the samples, avoid walking within one meter of the actual transect lines. The process for establishing sampling stations is as follows: The high station should be located approximately 1 2 horizontal feet below the last high tide mark. This can be determined by finding the upper limit of the wetted area and/or the presence of drift material (i.e. strand line ). Mark the station location with a small flag (or something similar) and record its GPS coordinates. The location of this station should be also be documented relative to the end of each transect, using a tape measure DWH Sampling Guidance NPS DLA_kk.docx ~ 3 ~ 5/4/2010

4 The mid and low tide elevations may be estimated based on time of sampling relative to predicted tide levels. In general, the established locations of the different tidal elevations should be separated vertically from one another by at least 1 m. A GPS and/or a tape measure should be used to record the distance from the high tide line to each sampling station on the transect. In addition to the 3 sediment sampling stations located on each transect, a water sample station is established below the lowest sediment station. This process will therefore result in a total of nine sediment samples and three water samples at each sample site. 3. Sediment Sampling (i) Sample Location Samples will be collected at high, medium and locations along the transects established above. (ii) Sample Containers 500 ml, pre cleaned, wide mouth clear glass jars with Teflon cap liners are used for all analysis (iii) Sample Method Process Choose sample location GPS coordinates (take waypoint and write down) Dry and label jar. If in a hurry, collect a sample by removing sample jar lid and inserting and dragging sample jar through sediment. Optional: Set up a 2x2m grid without stepping into it Divide grid into 9 parts Put on fresh nitrile gloves for each sample Using individually wrapped sampling scoop (wrap with foil and dispose foil between samples), scoop top 2cm sample from center of all 9 squares (1/9th of a jar) Work your way across the grid from one side so that you don t step on unsampled sediment. Seal jar and place in cooler. You may want to practice scooping so that you get a feel for what 1/9th of a jar is so you can get as close to even scoops from each location as possible. Fill out forms (chain of custody and sample tracking forms) 2x2 meter sampling grid (iv) Sample Method Detail DWH Sampling Guidance NPS DLA_kk.docx ~ 4 ~ 5/4/2010

5 Try to select an area of the beach with fine sediments, and avoid gravel or cobble beaches, where practical. If coarse material (gravel/cobble) is encountered, remove the cobble/gravel layer and sample the underlying finer-grain sediment. Record the position of each sample using a GPS unit and use a tape measure to record the distance from the high tide line to each sampling station on the transect. Each composite sediment sample should include nine sub-samples collected within a 2m square grid. Collect sediment with a pre-cleaned stainless steel spoon or plastic scoop, removing only the top 2 cm. Place sediment directly into pre-cleaned 500 ml glass jar. Collect enough sediment to fill each container. Avoid rocks and debris that are not representative of the typical sediment type being sampled. All samples need be kept on ice and logged into a chain-ofcustody and sample tracking forms. 4. Tar Ball Sampling If various forms of oil exist on the shoreline prior to the Deepwater Horizon oil arriving at the site, samples should be collected to document type of oil present. Samples should be collected using a wrapped sampling scoop into 100 ml glass jars. Record GPS coordinates. All samples need be kept on ice and logged into a chain-of-custody and sample tracking forms. 5. Intertidal Water Samples (i) Sample Location In addition to the 3 sediment sampling stations located on each transect, a water sample station is established below the lowest sediment station. This process will therefore result in a total of nine sediment samples and three water samples at each sample site. (ii) Sample Containers 1000 ml, pre-cleaned, narrow mouth amber glass jars with Teflon cap liners are used for PAH samples. Clear glass jars can be substituted if the samples are carefully kept in the dark. 40 ml, precleaned, amber VOA vials with Teflon liners and septum cap, preserved with HCl are used for BTEX samples. (iii) Sample Method Process GPS coordinates (take waypoint and write down) Dry jar and apply label Wade in to water Immerse jar (1) 4 liter jar (or (4) 1 liter jars if that what you have) per replicate Uncap jar Cap jar Remove jar from water Dry jar Place in cooler Add ice Fill out forms (coc and sample) Repeat (iv) Sample Method Detail Two 1-liter jars should be filled at the seaward end of each of the three transects established during sediment sampling. (For a total of six 4-liter jars). Wade into water along each of the established transects used for the sediment sampling to approximately the 2-foot depth, provided DWH Sampling Guidance NPS DLA_kk.docx ~ 5 ~ 5/4/2010

6 that it is safe to do so. Avoid disturbing bottom material during sample collection and record the position using a GPS unit. To virtually eliminate the potential for loss of volatile hydrocarbons, collect a sub-surface sample by lowering the jar beneath the surface, removing the lid allowing the jar to fill completely, and replacing the lid while the jar is still under water. Attempt to keep the jar and the lid at least one-foot beneath the surface while collecting the sample to prevent surface oil from entering the jar or VOA vials. All samples need be kept on ice and logged onto a chain-of-custody form. c. Tissue / Biota Sampling Objective 2 (i) Sample location Tissue / biota samples should be collected at all the sites where sediment and water are collected if suitable sample material can be located. (ii) Sample Containers 500 ml, pre cleaned, wide mouth clear glass jars with Teflon cap liners are used for all analysis small items Aluminum wrap in ziplock bags large items (iii) Sample Method Process (mussel example) Take GPS Coordinates and record Pry mussels from substrate using scraper or shovel. Try to collect organisms of the same size. 30 (5 8 cm) 90 (1cm) Rinse organisms in site water Rinse shovel in seawater remove all residue. Dry organisms Wrap individuals in aluminum foil Place in ziplock bag Label bag Place in second ziplock Place in cooler (ice in this cooler must be bagged need to keep water and ice apart) Photos Fill out forms (coc and sample) (iv) Sample Method Details (mussel example) Mussel Watch recommends collecting samples at three different stations to constitute the site composite sample. The optimal size for Mytilus is 5 8 cm (2 3 ¼ inches) Mussels should be wrapped in several layers of aluminum foil, then placed in double layers of plastic bags and kept refrigerated. Separate locations or stations into separate plastic bags and label accordingly (i.e., A, B, C). Note GPS coordinate for each location. The mussels are to be shipped on ice. (v) Modifications The major modification needed when switching to other species is in the volume to collect. For example, for soft shell clams (2 ) you would need to collect about 13 per sample. The wrapping and storing would be the same. If your sample size is compact enough you can use glass jars instead of aluminum and plastic DWH Sampling Guidance NPS DLA_kk.docx ~ 6 ~ 5/4/2010

7 d. Background Levels for Dead and Stranded Wildlife Objective 3 NRDA teams should conduct systematic searches to document the background levels for dead and stranded wildlife on the selected sites. Points of interest for these surveys include birds, mammals, turtles, aggregations of invertebrates, etc. Search methods must include a measure of effort for the data to be meaningful. Examples include timed searches or uniform distances walked. (Don t these need to be paired?). Ricker mentioned approximating the percent of the habitat shoreline that teams surveyed. I am not sure this is easy to do in the field but teams should certainly record what type of habitat they surveyed in addition to the survey length and duration. This section needs detail e. Basic Site Characterization and Detailed Photographic Documentation Objective 4 1. Overview NRDA teams will collect basic data that describes each site. This data will provide the context for the samples and surveys described above. A modified SCAT form might be useful. 2. Specific Data Names of field team leader and team members, date, time Geographic locations these should always be recorded using the divisions and segments specified by the response if they have been determined. Shoreline types, primary and secondary habitats. GPS coordinates (collected in WGS84, degrees/decimal degrees) of each sample station as well as the beginning (high tide end) and end (low tide end) of each transect. Weather observations. The presence of birds and marine mammals within the immediate proximity of the sampling site. The presence or absence of visible oil on the intertidal zone. If oil is present, estimate the length and width of area oiled; thickness of oil patches and proportion of area oiled. Photograph if practical and record number and location of photographs. A sketch (with distances indicated) of the location of each transect and each sample station with reference to a fixed geographic marker (e.g., fence, signpost, boat ramp) where practical as backup to failure of the GPS unit. A description and photo documentation of any cleanup or response activities occurring at the sample location or sample site. 3. Document the Incident, the Location and the Staff As a spill or other field work develops we always need photos to communicate, in broad strokes, what happened. The audience may be upper level management, Congressional hearings, court, the USCG National Pollution Fund Center, public hearings, training talks, outreach events, etc. Try to capture the photos you will need for all these audiences while in the field. You may not get a second chance. The following is a partial list of subjects to always document: How spill happened including source Cleanup / remedial efforts (Response) DWH Sampling Guidance NPS DLA_kk.docx ~ 7 ~ 5/4/2010

8 Staff working / sampling (NRDA) Direct observations of resource injuries Causation of injury Wildlife Survey platforms: boats, planes, trucks Vista, scenery shots Location shots local towns etc. In locations where a time series would be helpful compose the photo so it will be easy to repeat It is easy to repeat photos for a time series by standing in the same spot, centering the view on a permanent object, and using the same focal length ( zoom setting). Take notes and bring a marked print when you return to take subsequent photos. 4. Document the Injury and cause of the injury Photos are an effective way to document injury and causation from the a spill or response effort both qualitatively and quantitatively. Opportunities to capture these data photographically may be short lived, however. The NRDA team must be prepared to act quickly and decisively. This document will not get into specific assessment methods but your approach should be considered carefully before deployment. Haphazard photography will always fail to capture critical information. Directly Observable Injury Photographing direct injury can be very effective. Take photos that clearly show conditions that are or may be caused by the incident, e.g., oil exposure and clean up procedures. Examples of things to look for: Oil on biota Dead animals and plants Aberrant behavior (video good here) Impacts of clean up machinery Ephemeral evidence of injury: necrosis, lesions, erosions bleaching, gaping bivalves, etc. Causation of Injury Photos are good for documenting visible exposure to oil. They are also extremely important for documenting the human use and recreational impacts to resources. Oil on shoreline include perspective shots that show overall level of oiling as oiling occurs. Repeat day to day and tide to tide if possible. Do not rely solely on SCAT to eventually record residual oil. Response actions that impact biota (removing, crushing, re oiling, hazing) Closures: beaches, waterways, access points for fishing or recreation Official closures (e.g., posted closure signs) or simple congestion effects (e.g. Response takes over a boat ramp) Photos of popular use areas showing little or no use are effective DWH Sampling Guidance NPS DLA_kk.docx ~ 8 ~ 5/4/2010

9 Qualitative Approach Using a systematic photographic process to document affected areas, reference areas and the transitions between them can be an effective approach for documenting the both direct injury and causation. 5. Method 1 High resolution panoramic photos Two kinds of panoramic photos should be taken (i) Site Pan A site pan is a high level panoramic shot or series of shots taken from a vantage point depicting the entire site. If possible, photograph entire site and surrounding areas upcoast and downcoast, from a high vantage point (e.g. cliff, high rock outcrop). Ideally this would be done from both the upcoast and downcoast ends of the site. The purpose of these pans is to capture the habitat features of the site and surrounding areas and show that it is representative of the dominant habitat in the segment. Record all photos with number and brief description on photo log (ii) Detailed Pan This is a closer range pans (10 20 m) from fixed points within a site that will be easy to re locate. Photo pans consist of several sequential, overlapping photographs taken in a circular fashion. Pans typically begin facing upcoast and proceed clockwise or counterclockwise in a halfcircle (180 deg.) or full circle (360 deg.), depending on the extent of the intertidal habitat surrounding the photopoint (e.g. it is not necessary to photograph the ocean from the low zone photopoints). When taking a detailed pan: Overlap each sequential photo but ¼ to 1/3. Try to have a unique feature in the overlapping area Minimize the amount of sky in the photos this will ensure that the habitat is exposed properly. 6. Method 2 - Paired close up/perspective method Use the closeup / perspective method for all photos that are not part of your pan shots. The purpose of this method is to ensure that all NRDA photos have been put into perspective. It must be clear how each detailed photo fits into the surrounding habitat. Every close up should be followed by one or more wider angle shots that will show the close up in the context of the rest of the environment. The closer the initial shot the more perspective shots are needed. Every macro needs a close up and a mid level. Every close up needs a mid level. Distant/Landscape shots should be taken frequently but they are not needed for every mid level shot. Macro (field of view 12 or less) Close Up(< 1m2) Mid Level (1 2 m2 angled) Distant/Landscape (> 10m2). M for critical species identification, fine detail or injury documentation. CU General documentation, impacted biota. One for each series for VC. ML Groups of biota and oiling. One for each series of VC or Close. D/L Habitats and spatial patterns of oiling. Sources of oil. Follow context shots. Maybe not every time but always when the broader picture has changed or when it s important to make specific close ups more valuable DWH Sampling Guidance NPS DLA_kk.docx ~ 9 ~ 5/4/2010

10 7. General Photo Methods Photographers should carry a GPS and should be familiar with the methods required to process photos in GPS Photo LINK and the NOAA PhotoLogger database. Using these two tools, all photos will be be georeferenced and appropriately documented. Photos should be chose carefully. More photo detail can be found in the NOAA FAST Photo Guidance Document. f. Sample Naming, Tracking and Chain of Custody See General Field Sampling Guidance_ document and other sampling protocol documents. Standard Chain of Custody procedures should be followed for all samples and photos collected. IV. References 2010 Washington DFW Ephemeral Data Collection Plan Tesoro Port Angeles Terminal 2009 NOAA ARD Background & Rationale for Rocky Intertidal Oil Spill Damage Assessment Protocol Draft NOAA RAP Sampling Guidance Water, Sediment, Tissue 2010 NOAA ARD FAST Field Photography Guidance DWH Sampling Guidance NPS DLA_kk.docx ~ 10 ~ 5/4/2010