What is a Monitoring Location?
A location in a monitoring set may be "synoptic," "red flag," "biological" or "investigative." Locations are sampled by volunteers working in groups and teams. Samples from synoptic monitoring locations are analyzed in CSI's certified lab for such indicators as nutrients, sediment, bacteria, chloride (salt) and minerals." Samples from "red flag" locations are analyzed by volunteers in the field for temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and total hardness." Insects collected from "biological" monitoring locations are analyzed in the CSI lab by volunteers, with technical support from CSI staff as needed. "Investigative" locations are sampled only when seeking to identify the sources of pollutants.