Application of an automatic event-controlled sampler for biological analysis and monitoring: Studies on plume tracking in Milwaukee Harbor, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

An automatic remote-controlled sampling system for biological analysis and monitoring is presented and its functionality described. In order to test the automatic sampler's ability to reproduce standard manual sampling methods, several trials were performed. The automatic sampler allows event-triggered samplings. Time series of these events are presented and interpreted. Significant patterns of bacterial concentrations and sonde parameters are expected during heavy rainfall and CSO events. Comparison of samples from the automatic sampler and the manual samples collected at the south gap in Milwaukee Harbor showed the same results for samples analyzed the day of collection as for those that were stored at the bottom of the lake.