Autonomous underwater vehicle provides high-resolution observations of water quality and much more. Photo (c) Peter Berrini, HDR, Inc., used by permission.

Noteworthy

National & Regional Science:

• Fact Sheet: Integrated Synoptic Surveys Using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle and Manned Boats
• Press Release: Decades-old Nitrate Found to Affect Stream Water Quality
• Circular 1383-G: USGS Water Science Strategy – Observing, Understanding, Predicting, and Delivering Water Science to the Nation
• OFR 2013-1054: User's Manual for the National Water Information System of the USGS
• Press Release: New water-quality test for preventing unnecessary beach closures

Local Science Features:

• New Hampshire: Concentrations of Chloride and Sodium in Groundwater in New Hampshire From 1960 Through 2011
• Arkansas:
  • –Press Release: No Contamination from Fayetteville Shale Exploration Found in Sampled Wells
  • –USGS Report: Shallow Groundwater Quality and Geochemistry in the Fayetteville Shale Gas-Production Area, North-Central Arkansas, 2011
  • –Journal Article: Geochemical and isotopic variations in shallow groundwater in areas of the Fayetteville shale development, north-central Arkansas 

Past listings...

Water Quality Data

National Water Information System (NWIS)

NWIS provides current and historical water-quality data.

Today's Water Conditions

Water-Quality Watch provides continuous real-time water-quality measurements.

Water-Quality Web Services

Web services automate the sharing of USGS and USEPA water-quality monitoring data.

For More Data

Additional water-quality data resources are available.

USGS in Your Area

USGS Water Science Centers are located in each state.

Chapter A7. Biological Indicators

National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (TWRI Book 9)

7.3 Protozoan Pathogens (11/2003) [1.2 MB PDF]

By R.N. Bushon and D.S. Francy

Download a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader for free.

Abstract

Protozoan pathogens are widely distributed in the aquatic environment. Cryptosporidium and Giardia are the principal protozoan pathogens that are known to affect the acceptability of water supplies for public use within the United States. A sampling program for protozoan pathogens should be conducted over an extended period of time because of cyclical and seasonal variations in their concentrations in the environment. This report provides information on the equipment, sampling protocols, and laboratory method that are in standard use by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) personnel for the collection of data on protozoan pathogens.

Contents

7.3 Protozoan pathogens

7.3.1 - Sterilization procedures for sampling equipment

7.3.2 - Sample collection, preservation, transport, and holding times

7.3.3 - Laboratory method: USEPA Method 1623

7.3.4 - Calculation and reporting of protozoan pathogens

Comments/Errata page

Return to Chapter A7 Biological Indicators Table of Contents

Return to Field Manual Table of Contents

Citation for Section 7.3

Bushon, R.N., and Francy, D.S., 2003, Protozoan pathogens: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chap. A7, section 7.3, November, accessed __ list date __ from http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A/.