Selected Project Experience

Field Sampling & Bioassessment Services

Palmerton Superfund Site (2006).
In September and October of 2006 water quality, benthic macroinvertebrates, and periphyton were to be sampled at 16 sites on Mill Creek, Buckwha Creek, Aquashicola Creek, and Lehigh River in the vicinity of the Palmerton Zinc Pile Superfund Site in Palmerton , PA. Biologists from EcoAnalysts, Inc. worked with the Trustees Council members in the study design and implementation. Although the collections were complicated by high flows and all sampling was suspended on the mainstem Lehigh River water quality, macroinvertebrate, and periphyton samples were collected, identified, and the data supplied to the Trustees. It is hoped EcoAnalysts, Inc. will complete the sampling in the summer of 2007.

Penns Creek Water Quality, Periphyton, and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Study (2006).
In the fall of 2006 twelve sites were sampled within a 40 mile reach of Penns Creek by an EcoAnalysts, Inc. biologist to determine if a gradient in stream chemistry and ecology exists. This 3 year study is partially funded by the Pennsylvania DEP-Pennsylvania Grower Greener Program and in association with Susquehanna University . The first year of data is in the process of being analyzed, however, a student at the university is presenting preliminary findings at a professional meeting in April 2007. The second year of sampling is planned for the fall of 2007.

Biological Assessment of Orchard Creek Above and Below the Auburn Rancheria Casino Wastewater Treatment Plant (2006).
In January and February 2006 the client, Analytical Environmental Services Sacramento, CA, collected water quality and benthic macroinvertebrate samples upstream and downstream of the wastewater discharge to determine the presence/absence of disturbance effects. EcoAnalysts, Inc. biologists conducted the data analysis using an extensive set of calculated metrics and presented their findings in a final report to the client.

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Bioassessment and Monitoring Report for Jordan Creek LAT Site, Area (B11) (2001-2006).
In 2006 biologists from EcoAnalysts, Inc. collected benthic macroinvertebrate, habitat, and water quality data from Jordan Creek as part of the continuing Kinross-DeLamar monitoring program. A report was produced containing an analysis of the macroinvertebrate data for the 2006 samples as well as a trend analysis on the data from this site for the period 2001-2006.

Kootenai River Field Sampling and Bioassessment (2000 – present).
Each year since 2002 EcoAnalysts has performed monthly field sampling on the Kootenai River from Libby Dam in Montana to Bonners Ferry, Idaho. This project is part of an ongoing international effort to restore the Kootenai River ecosystem and protect the endangered Kootenai River White Sturgeon as well as other declining fisheries. Following construction of Libby Dam, the downriver ecosystem collapsed and native fisheries have been severely reduced. EcoAnalysts samples eight sites per month from April to October. Quantitative periphyton and benthic macroinvertebrate samples and substrate characteristic data are collected at each site. The river discharge ranges from 4,000cfs – 10,000cfs during the sampling period and two of the stations require a jet boat to access. Benthic macroinvertebrate and periphyton samples are identified to genus/species level and community metrics are calculated. Multivariate and multimetric statistics are used to test a variety of hypotheses regarding the river ecosystem.

Biological Assessment of a Mine in Closure (1997 – present).
EcoAnalysts has performed quantitative bioassessment at eleven stations in Jordan Creek in Owyhee County, Idaho since 1997. Sites are stationed above and below small tributaries to detect potential impacts by mining runoff. Field sampling of benthic invertebrates, physical habitat characteristics and stream flow data are collected. Macroinvertebrate samples are sorted and identified in our laboratory and standard community metrics are calculated. The annual bioassessment report discusses the biological condition at each site and compares results to previous years.

Bioassessment of Wadeable Streams for Idaho DEQ (2000).
EcoAnalysts quantitatively sampled 110 wadeable streams throughout Idaho for the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. Field sampling protocols followed the Idaho Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Program. Field crews sampled physical habitat parameters (quantitative and qualitative), benthic macroinvertebrates (quantitative) and fish communities (single pass, backpack electroshocker). Although logistically challenging due to the remoteness of most of the sampling sites, EcoAnalysts met and exceeded DEQ’s expectations.

Field Sampling and Bioassessment in
Constructed Seasonal Wetlands for A. Teichert & Son (2000 – present).
EcoAnalysts is using macroinvertebrate bioassessment to monitor the ecological health and functionality in constructed seasonal wetlands and vernal pools that support federally endangered fairy shrimp in Lincoln, California. This ten-year study is exploring the feasibility of constructed habitat for ecosystem enhancement and as a tool for sustaining endangered crustacean species.