TREATMENT OF SAMPLES
Labeling of Benthic Invertebrate Samples

Place an interior label into each sample jar! Information recorded on the interior label has priority over the exterior label. Include whatever information is needed to positively identify the sample and tie it back to field notes or sample collection forms.

Use Rite-in-the-Rain paper and a soft lead pencil. Include at least this information on the interior label:

Client/Project:	This can be abbreviated, e.g. CLNP for Crater Lake National Park
Waterbody:	e.g. Sun Creek
Site:	e.g. Site 1, 5800'
Replicate:	if applicable
Sample type:	e.g. Erosional Sample
Date:	I prefer month, day, year e.g. 4-28-93. Write out or abbreviate the month if you think there will be any confusion.
Collector initials:	e.g. RWW

Please don't saddle us with byzantine sample identification codes. Keep it simple on the labels.

If a sample is so large, that it must be divided between two or more sample jars, then please use this convention on the label:

e.g. when divided between 3 jars: Site 1 Replicate 1 (1 of 3); S1 R1 (2 of 3); S1 R1 (3 of 3).

Exterior labels are not to be trusted to remain legible. They are used only for basic project inventory purposes in the field and lab. Use a ring of "label tape" around the outside of the sample jar to record abbreviated project/site/rep./date information. Label tape is available from scientific supply houses (see Supplies & Equipment). This tape stays on the jars well, but peels off cleanly, so jars can be recycled. Use permanent ink or "Sharpie" to record sample information on the exterior label.

Do not write directly on sample jars supplied by Aquatic Biology Associates, Inc. and use only label tape on the outside.