Trent at Flixborough Sampling

In June this year Exo Environmental carried out sediment sampling along the river Trent at Flixborough, North Lincolnshire. Using our Exo surveyor, we launched from RMS Trent Ports and carried out benthic riverine sediment sampling using our Van Veen sampling grab.

In what was most likely the hottest day of the year, we donned our drysuits and PFD’s to head out on to the water. This was important as the strong currents in the river alongside low water temperature would cause serious issues should someone fall overboard and not be prepared with the appropriate safety equipment. Using Trimble VRS Now RTK corrections we navigated our way to the pre agreed sampling locations. Once in the correct location, we anchored in place, recorded our actual sampling GPS position, and the Van Veen sampler lowered overboard. 

The strong undercurrents in this section of the Trent provided a difficult challenge to obtain a sample, as the grab was often pulled sideways in the water column. 

However, as always Exo had the answer and fitted additional mud weight attachments to the sampler arms to ensure a straight line decent to the bed through the water column. 

Once on the bed the sampler was closed shut by pulling the attached lever and pulled to the surface. The benthic sediment was then emptied and stored in double bagged plastic liners and placed in cold storage, which was very important on this hot day!

In total 12 samples were collected, each weighing roughly 1.5kg. After demobilisation and transport back to the office the samples were sieved at 0.5mm and all organisms and debris collected was stored and sent to our Ecologist for benthic species assessment.

This assessment will help the client determine the health of the water body and sediment in this stretch of the River Trent and inform future management techniques for maintaining or improving the water quality.  

If you need a waterbody, harbour or marina surveying then remember we are now available to conduct in situ sediment sampling, bathymetry and water quality surveys.

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