Taum Sauk Area Water Quality

Collecting and Testing Water Samples

Collecting Samples | West Channel | Upstream | Downstream | Capturing Samples |
Finding Macroinvertebrates | Hess Sampler | River Life | Filtering Samples | Drying Samples | Weighing Samples | Analyzing Metals | Preparing Samples | Documenting Samples

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Services Program collected and tested water samples following the Taum Sauk reservoir failure.  Water quality testing is conducted at the department's laboratory in Jefferson City.

Total suspended solids analysis was conducted to determine the amount of fine material suspended in the water column as a result of the collapse of the upper reservoir. This information compliments measurements of turbidity (cloudiness in the water), which were conducted in the field.

The metals analysis conducted was for total and dissolved aluminum. This was to determine the levels in the Black River resulting from flocculation (releases of alum and sodium aluminate) into the lower Taum Sauk reservoir, which was used to settle the suspended material in the lake.

Water samples being taken in the Taum Sauk area following the reservoir failure.
Water samples are collected in the Taum Sauk area following the reservoir failure.
Walking along the west channel, the channel that used to be the main conveyance of the east fork of the Black River.
Walking along the west channel, the channel that used to be the main conveyance of the East Fork of the Black River.
(Dec. 20, 2005)
The substrate at the control site upstream of any flood influence.
The substrate (river bottom) at the control site upstream of any flood influence. (Dec. 21, 2005)
What the river bottom within the flood zone looked like downstream following the reservoir failure.
The river bottom within the flood zone downstream following the reservoir failure. (Dec. 21, 2005)
Using a Hess sampler and a net to capture macroinvertebrate samples to test water quality.
Using a Hess sampler and a net to capture macroinvertebrate samples to test water quality. (Dec. 21, 2005)
Using a Hess sampler and a garden claw to sample the macroinvertebate community as an indicator of water quality.
Using a Hess sampler and a garden claw to sample the macroinvertebate community as an indicator of water quality.
(Dec. 20, 2005)
Using a Hess sampler to capture macroinvertebrate samples to test water quality
Using a Hess sampler to capture macroinvertebrate samples to test water quality. (Dec. 19, 2005)
Transferring samples of macroinvertebrate life from the sampler to containers for lab analysis.
Transferring samples of macroinvertebrate life from the sampler to containers for lab analysis. (Dec. 19, 2005)
Pouring the sample into the Gooch crucible and filter paper.
Total suspended solids analysis was conducted to determine the amount of fine material suspended in the water. To test for non-filterable residue, water samples are poured into the Gooch crucible and filter paper.

Preparing to dry the residue remaining on the filter paper.
The residue on the filter paper is dried in an oven.
Preparing to weigh the crucible and filter paper to determine the non-filterable residue (the amount of residue that did not pass through the filter).
Preparing to weigh the crucible and filter paper to determine the non-filterable residue (the amount of residue that did not pass through the filter).
The Varian Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) is used to analyze metals.
The Varian Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) is used to analyze metals.
Preparing samples for metal analysis using the Varian Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer.
Preparing samples for metal analysis to be conducted in the Varian Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer.
Scientific documentation is conducted in the department's Environmental Services Program.
Biologists are documenting the macroinvertebrate community.

Back to Photo Index | Back to the Main Page