Water Quality

Estuaries — where fresh water from the rivers mixes with salt water from the ocean — are often called the nurseries of the sea. From 70% to 90% of all commercial fish and shellfish spend part of their life cycle within the protection of estuaries; in among the shallower water, eel grass, marshes, mudflats, seaweeds, and rocks.

Great Bay Coast Watch has 21 water quality and 5 phytoplankton testing sites for monitoring our coastal waters.

Testing

It is very important that the data collected by GBCW volunteers be accurate and consistent for the data to be scientifically valid. To achieve this, GBCW provides each volunteer with the necessary training, equipment, and procedures needed to do the job. In return GBCW expects each volunteer to make a minimum two-year (and hopefully much longer) commitment to the monitoring program.

To maximize the accuracy and consistency of the data, GBCW protocols incorporate some essential elements of the scientific method. The goal is to remove any biases or prejudices which could influence the validity of the data. To achieve this, GBCW does the following:

Develops and maintains EPA accepted procedures.
Trains volunteers in these procedures.
Calibrates equipment periodically.
Provides educational meetings, which offer a forum for volunteers to communicate, discuss issues and share information about special projects.
Conducts twice-per-year Quality Assurance Quality Control (QAQC) testing of all volunteers.
Incorporates QC into the monitoring program.

The semi-annual QAQC testing is mandatory and comprises a full exercise of all tests by each volunteer under the supervision of expert water quality personnel. Certification of each volunteer is important for validating our program in accordance with organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The goal of QAQC testing is also to ensure that volunteers are using the proper methodology. If not, GBCW provides corrective instruction. Any confusing aspects of these procedures will be corrected on a continuing basis.