Submitting Samples
Using Our Sample Log
When you ship samples to Aquatic Biology Associates, Inc., complete our sample log spreadsheet and email it to us. We need this information about your project to process and analyze your samples.
We will use your sample log when taking inventory of your samples when they arrive at our lab. We will then contact you by email to confirm that they arrived safely and in good condition. Any discrepancies between information on the Sample Log and the sample labels or the number of samples received will be resolved or clarified at that time.
Sample Containers
“You get what you pay for” when it comes to plastic sample containers. Strong, leak-proof bottles with lids that will not vibrate loose during shipment are expensive. However, they can be recycled numerous times, and at Aquatic Biology Associates, we recommend you invest in them. After sample processing, we will return your bottles for use again.
We recommend using 1 liter or 500 ml Nalgene® wide-mouth bottles. They can be made from low or high-density polyethylene or polypropylene (see photo). We can supply a limited number of sample jars (10-30) for your project and add the shipping cost to the fee for our services. Street addresses only; we cannot ship to post office boxes.
Labeling Your Samples
1
Exterior labels do not always remain legible. Exterior jar labels are used only for project inventory purposes in the field and lab. To record label information, use a ring of blue painter’s tape around the outside of the sample jar. To record sample information, use an indelible ink marker pen. However, even indelible ink will bleed and become illegible if alcohol leaks from the jar onto the tape.
2
Place an interior label into each sample jar. The interior label is the most important. In case of discrepancies, the information recorded on the interior label has priority over the exterior label.
3
Make labels from Rite-in-the-Rain paper cut from a field notebook or heavy paper stock and a soft lead pencil (see photo). Do not use ink or marker pens because the alcohol preservative will bleed away the writing completely.
4
Include all information needed to identify the sample and reference it to a sample log for your project.
If a sample is so large that it must be divided among more than one jar, please label the separate jars as, e.g. 1 of 3, 2 of 3, and 3 of 3, and list the number of jars comprising that sample on the sample log sheet.
Example Project Label:
Client/Project: This can be abbreviated, e.g. CLNP for Crater Lake National Park
Water body: e.g. Sun Creek
Site: e.g., Site 1, 5800′ elevation
Replicate: if applicable
Sample type: e.g. Riffle
Date: Write out or abbreviate the month if you think there will be any confusion, e.g. 16 May 2009
Collector initials: e.g. RWW
