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n7';-~ :"'J 1 (, J:.-..).... and the dissolved-oxygen meter was calibrated to a zero dissolved-oxygen solution, Water samples collected for dissolved-inorganic constituents were filtered onsite using a 0.45-)lm cellu- lose filter and a plastic filtering unit. Samples for anal- yses of dissolved-organic carbon were filtered through a 0.45-)lm silver filter using a stainless-steel filtering unit. Samples for analyses of inorganic constituents, uranium, insecticides, and organic carhon were pro- cessed and preserved for shipment to the NWQL according to procedures described by Pritt and Jones (1989). Water samples for determination of stable iso- topes of hydrogen and oxygen were not filtered and were collected in 60-mL glass bottles and preserved with mercuric chloride. Waler samples for determina- tion of stable isotopes of sulfur and nitrogen were filtered through O,2-)lm filters and preserved with mer- curic chloride, Water samples for selenium-speciation analyses were filtered through 0.2-)lm filters and were acidified with hydrochloric acid to pH 2, Quality-assurance sampling at surface- and ground-water sites included collection of four de-ionized water blanks, eight sequential duplicate samples, and five split samples. Selenium was not detected in the water blanks. Bottom-sediment samples from streams and ponds were collected using a BMH-53 sampler (Ward and Harr. 1990). Eight to twelve cores were collected and composiled in a stain- less-steel bucket using a stainless-steel spoon, Sub- samples were collected in plastic cartons for shipment to the USGS Branch of Geochemistry Laboratory in Lakewood, Colorado. Bottom-sediment samples for determination of selenium species were placed in a plastic carton and frozen, Sediment-core samples were collected during drilling of observation wells at 5-ft intervals using a split-spoon sampler. Sediment-core samples for trace- element analysis were air dried, and samples for sele- nium-speciation analysis were frozen. Bedrock-core samples of Mancos Shale were collected from core archived at the VSGS Core Research Cenler in Lake- wood, Colorado. Biological samples were collected by the FWS using standard equipment and techniques (V,S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1986; 1990). Fish were collected using electroshocking equipment and seine or gill nets. Fish were rinsed, weighed, and measured for length and then frozen on dry ice until stored in a freezer, Whole-body samples were composited by species into groups of three or more fish. Fillet samples were taken from individual fish and were not composited, Fish samples for inorganic analyses were frozen in plastic bags. Fish samples for organic analyses were wrapped in aluminum foil, placed in plastic bags, and frozen. Vascular plants and algae were collected by handpicking, These samples were placed in chemically cleaned jars, weighed, and frozen, Stream inverte- brates were collected using a kick screen. Crayfish were collected when present. PreAedging and adult birds were shot using steel shot, and livers and muscle tissue were removed using stainless-steel dissecting equipment. The dissecting equipment was cleaned prior to removal of each liver, Bird livers and muscle tissue were placed in chemically cleaned jars, weighed, and frozen. Bird eggs collected in 1991 were removed from nests, and the egg volume was determined by water dis- placement. The eggs were cracked open to examine embryos for developmental abnormalities. After examination, the eggs were placed in chemically cleaned jars. weighed, and frozen. Small eggs were composited to provide sufficient biomass for analysis, Shorebird. blackbird, and waterfowl eggs col- lected in 1992 were brought back to the FWS office in Grand Junction because of high predation rates. Some of the eggs from each clutch were opened, and the con- .tents frozen for later trace-element analysis; the remaining eggs from each clutch were incubated in a Humidaire incubator, Eggs were placed in incubator trays with the small end down and incubated at a con- Slant temperature of 990F and about 55 percent relative humidity. Eggs were mechanically turned at4-hour intervals. Eggs were candled and a hatching date was projected, Newly hatched young were examined for external deformities. Eggs that failed to hatch within a few days of their estimated hatching date were opened and examined. All incubated and hatched specimens were frozen and sent to the laboratory for trace-element analysis. Analytical Methods Major constituents, nitrogen and phosphorus species, and trace elements in water samples were ana- lyzed at the NWQL. Analytical methods are described in Fishman and Friedman (1989) and laboratory qual- ity-assurance methods are described by Jones (1987), Analysis of uranium was done using a method described in Thatcher and others (1977). Methods for analysis for insecticides and organic carbon are described in Wershaw and others (1987), The analysis of water samples for stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen are described in Kendall and Coplen (1985) and in Epstein and Mayeda (1953). Selenium-speciation analysis of water samples and extracts of bottom-sediment and aquifer-sediment samples were done by column chromatography and SAMPLE COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS 5