Standard Operating Procedure for Collection, Storage, and Shipment of Filters and Water
Samples for Microcystins, Anatoxin-a, and Cylindrospermopsins Analysis
Version: 2016a
Prepared April 28, 2016
1.0 Scope and Application
1.1 This protocol details a method for the collection, storage, and shipment of samples to
be sent to SUNY-ESF to be analyzed for the algal toxins microcystins, anatoxins, and
cylindrospermopsin. Samples covered by this protocol consist of two types:
1.1.1 Water samples provided “as is” to be filtered upon receipt at SUNY-ESF,
1.1.2 Water samples filtered in the lab at the host institution and shipped as the
“air-dried” filter.
2.0 Summary of Method for Water Samples
2.1 Clean, acid-washed 1 liter polycarbonate bottles1 are labeled with the, time and date
of sample collection, local station name or number, and the latitude and longitude
coordinates of the sampling site.
2.2 A 1-liter water samples are collected in polycarbonate bottles between Monday and
Wednesday during the week. Collection and shipment of samples on a Thursday or
Friday leaves the possibility of samples remaining on the loading dock over the
weekend, which is why collection and shipment earlier in the week is required.
2.3 Raw water samples are kept refrigerated until shipment. Samples must be shipped
within 24 hours of collection. Do not freeze the water sample prior to shipment.
2.4 Samples are shipped in a cooler overnight2 with a blue-ice pack (NOT dry ice, as this
might freeze the sample) to SUNY-ESF. The shipping address is:
Attention: Zachary Smith
Rm 341 Jahn Laboratory
c/o Central Receiving
307 Stadium Place
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Syracuse, NY 13210
Contact phone 315-470-6844
1
For citizen scientists that lack access to acid-washed polycarbonate bottles, new poly-carbonate bottles
purchased from your local camping supply store are a suitable substitution. In extreme cases, you may also use a
disposable water bottle purchased from the local grocery store. You should use a brand new bottle and pour out
the water -do not drink the water by touching your lips to the bottle. These bottles are generally made of
polyethylene terephthalate which may leak phthalates, but they usually do not interfere with the analysis.
2
We suggest using Fedex Priority Overnight® or UPS Next Day Air® delivery (1-day AM) whenever possible to
ensure that the samples arrive in the lab while personnel are still present to be able to process the samples.
Under no circumstances should samples be shipping on a Thursday or Friday if there is a chance that they may sit
on a loading dock over a weekend if the transit is delayed.
3.0 Summary of the Method for Filtered Samples
3.1 Water samples are collected as described above in section 2.1 through 2.3.
3.2 Upon return to the laboratory, a known volume of water3 is filtered through a
membrane filter4. If this is the first time that you are sending us water samples, you
should filter a similar volume of water through a separate new filter and include that
with your samples labeled as a “filter blank”.
3.2.1 The filter should be taken to “air-dryness” on the filter assembly but do
not pull through excess quantities of air as that may lead to degradation of
the material on the filter.
3.3 Using forceps or gloved hands, remove the filter from the assembly and place it face
up in clean square of aluminum foil. Placing the forceps in the middle of the filter or
filters, fold the filter(s) and foil in half so that the “dirty” sides of the filters fold in on
each other. Fold the 3 edges in on the foil packet to seal the edges of the packet.
Filter
1st Fold
2nd Folds
3.4 Using a piece of vinyl tape and a permanent marker, label the aluminum foil packet
with the sample name and volume of water that was passed through the filter. Do not
write on the aluminum foil itself as that may disappear during shipping.
3.5 Store the samples in a ziplock bag in a freezer until shipping.
3.6 Samples may be shipped either on blue ice (see section 2.4) or at room temperature
using a standard Fedex or UPS cardboard envelope. The shipping address is the
same as provided in section 2.4. The same shipping precautions apply, namely do
not ship the samples on a Thursday or Friday.
4.0 Follow-up instructions
4.1 A confirmation email should be sent to zjsmith@syr.edu indicating when samples
were shipped, how many boxes to expect, and the tracking number for the samples
when applicable.
4.2 Make certain to include a sample submission form in all packages.
3
The overall detection limit for the assays is directly related to the volume of water filtered. Ideally the volume
should be approximately 500 ml for toxin analysis, and 200 ml for pigment analysis.
4
Acceptable filter types include polycarbonate (0.4-1.0 µm pore size), glass fiber filter (0.5-1.2 µm pore size) and
mixed cellulose esters (0.4-1.0 µm pore size. If in doubt – please contact us before filtering your samples.