Albany Pine Bush Data Collection

On June 10th, 2014, I went to the Albany Pine Bush, a wildlife reserve, to collect soil and water samples. Data points were collected from 12 water wells and soil next to each well. The wells were tubes between 2-4 inches in diameter. To collect water samples a small cup attached to a string was lowered down until water was collected. Because I went with field technicians who were recording the depth of the water I got data on that as well (varied between 3-27 ft). 

Figure 1. Field Technician lowering tool down to measure water levels. The tool is like a tape measure that beeps the moment the tip hits the water level.

Of the 12 samples, only a small fraction came from what I would call forest preserve. In fact, most samples came from urban development areas or near a landfill. I also managed to collect samples of water from an area that recently had a control fire (control fire being when a preserve chooses to burn down a section of forest to clear out weeds/crowding vegetation. This is actually a good thing.). 

Figure 2. An area away from urban development and not burned generally looked like this. Most of the preserve we were located in contained shrubs.

Figure 3. This is an example of what a control fire looks like at the Albany Pine Bush.

Figure 4. This is the result of a control fire. I collected several water and soil samples from areas that looked like this.

Figure 5. There were also many wetlands within the area. These areas generally had high water levels.

Figure 6. The Albany Pine Bush is located right next to the Albany Landfill. Many samples, if not most, came from locations very close to the landfill.

Samples recorded: Water levels are approximations

Sample #1: Shrub area, near houses, 11ft down

Sample #2: Shrub/wooded area, recent control fire, 15 ft down

Sample #3: In shrubs near highway, recent control fire, 20 ft down

Sample #4: In shrubs near highway, 25 ft down

Sample #5: In woods by old landfill, 27 ft down

Sample #6: In wooded wetland, close to landfill, 5 ft down

Sample #7: In wooded wetlands, close to landfill, 5 ft down

Sample #8: In wooded wetlands, close to landfill, 5 ft down

Sample #9: Very close to landfill, in sandy construction zone, 20ft down

Sample #10: Wetland swamp area, 2 ft down

Sample #11: Wetland swamp area, 2ft down

Sample #12: Next to main offices at Albany Pine Bush Center, 17 ft down

SIDE NOTES:

- Weather was rainy in morning sunny by noon

- Very humid

- Start time around 9:00 am