AISC members,
Our "usual" monthly water sampling would be Wednesday August 7, 2024. However, this will be delayed / modified for a couple of reasons. First, I had some elective surgery July 22 and won't get "clearance" until August 12. Second, Emily Floore has ordered 2 sets of water chemistry / quality meters for AISC, and the first shipment was received Tuesday (two - pH, salinity, total dissolved solids, temperature), and the dissolved oxygen (DO) meters are scheduled to be delivered next Tuesday (August 6).
Today I ordered the calibration solutions for the pH / salinity measurements, also expected to arrive August 6. Once I receive the DO meters, I can order the calibrations solutions for those, likely with a 1 or 2 day delivery. When we received all calibration solutions for the 2 sets of meters, Tom Maguire and I will re-acquaint ourselves with their operation, run calibrations, and a run a couple of test samples. At that point, we should be ready to make a test run at our AISC sample locations, taking real-time measurements for all 10 sites. A reminder... for water chemistry samplings, we are not wed to the first Wednesday of each month; what will be important is to take readings on any outgoing tide during a week or so of potential dates. This gives us some flexibility on outings, and the 2 sets of meters will allow two sampling boats for each outing.
We expect to include some "training" on these meters at the August 24 SMRK Water Quality training session at Peck Center for those who are register to attend.
Regarding bacterial sampling, given the current high E. coli counts in Alligator Creek, I will take samples from 8th Street and Escambia Street and submit them for processing on August 7. Questions or comments, send them to me at richardbrenner1770@comcast.net, or call me at 410.980.1943.
