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Next Sampling Event Scheduled for April 6, 2025!

The sampling date is set for April 6, 2025, continuing our long-term commitment to water quality monitoring and acid deposition assessment. This effort helps track environmental changes, inform conservation strategies, and support policy decisions.

Volunteers play a vital role in ensuring the success of this initiative. Sampling Volunteers collect water samples from assigned sites, follow established protocols, document field data, and deliver samples to the assigned lab for analysis. Training and sampling kits are provided. Lab Volunteers assist in processing and analyzing samples, measuring pH and alkalinity, and ensuring data accuracy for long-term water quality assessment.

Interested in volunteering? We welcome your participation! If you are interested in becoming a volunteer sampler, or if you have any questions about ARM, please contact the ARM statewide coordinator Olga Tsvetkova. 

 

Volunteer for the ARM Project. Get Involved! 

Check the WRRC Team webpage and sign up for volunteering by clicking the Google Form. Please ensure all required fields are completed. Your information will be visible only to WRRC personnel and kept confidential. We will reach out as soon as we receive your submission. Select the appropriate form below to sign up.

I. Sampling Sites

There are 150 water monitoring sites across Massachusetts, covering rivers, streams, and ponds. Each site has a unique site ID for easy tracking and reference. These sites play a crucial role in monitoring water quality, acid deposition, and alkalinity levels over time.

A table of sample sites is available for reference in the SAMPLING SITES INFORMATION section. You can also explore site locations using the Online Map Link in Column J of the table. For specific site details, PDF Maps are available in Column L, allowing you to view and download maps for each location.

In addition to these resources, GIS MAPS provide geographic representations of monitoring locations and water quality data, offering a clear visual of site distribution. PDF MAPS BY COUNTY are also available, making it easy to reference site-specific details for navigation. Check the sites, and if you’re interested in sampling, let us know! We always welcome backup volunteers to help ensure continuous monitoring and support the ARM Project’s mission of tracking water quality and acid deposition impacts.

For those participating in sampling, SAMPLING DIRECTIONS provide step-by-step instructions on proper sample collection, handling, and transportation to ensure accurate and consistent water quality analysis. Following these guidelines is essential for maintaining data integrity and reliability.

Additionally, SAMPLING VOLUNTEER FORMS are available, including a chain of custody form and a letter to landowners.

For more details on sampling procedures, site locations, and water quality analysis, visit the MORE INFORMATION section.

II. Laboratory Coordination & Water Analysis

This section provides essential information on the coordination of laboratory sample processing and analysis. It includes details on LABORATORIES 2025, which will be updated upon confirmation to ensure efficient collaboration.

DROP-OFF INSTRUCTIONS will be made available closer to the sampling date, ensuring volunteers and researchers have accurate guidance on submitting their samples.

For those conducting water quality analysis, ANALYSIS GUIDELINES outline procedures for pH and Alkalinity testing and proper electrode maintenance, ensuring precise and reliable measurements.

Additionally, the AQUATIC SENSITIVITY TO ACID DEPOSITION section explains how aquatic environments react to acid inputs based on their buffering capacity, helping to understand long-term impacts on water chemistry.

For further details, use the provided links to explore each topic in depth.