The Sabine River Authority of Texas monitors water quality in the Sabine River Basin through field sampling and laboratory testing. The intern worked in the laboratory, learning to perform tests like turbidity and BOD. They also went on field sampling trips monthly to collect samples from 27 sites along the river. The intern gained experience in both laboratory and field work, helping them pursue their career goal of working in an environmental laboratory.

1. The Sabine River Authority of Texas has an active role in monitoring and
protecting water quality. The environmental services division provides field and
laboratory services for the Sabine river, governmental entities, industries and
municipalities. The laboratory is an accredited National Environmental Laboratory
Conference member. The Environmental Services Division also monitors water
quality at twenty seven sites of the Sabine River Basin as part as of the Texas
Clean Rivers Program.
Each day in the laboratory I was assigned to work with a different analyst on many
tests. I learned how each test worked and gradually learned how to perform them. I
gained my certification to perform turbidity tests, along with the total and volatile
suspended solids test. I also became a secondary analyst in the biochemical
oxygen demand test (BOD).
Once a month the Sabine River Authority goes out into the field to collect samples
from twenty seven sites along the Sabine River. Tests in the field were performed
and numerous samples were taken from each site to analyze back in the
laboratory.
Sabine River Authority of Texas
Randi Ragan, Bioenvironmental Science, Texas A&M University
Sabine River Authority-Environmental Services Division
Company Description
Relationship to Career Goals
Internship Objectives
References
Description of Experience
My objectives for this internship were to take an active role in the laboratory as
well as in the field. The main objective in the lab was to understand and learn how
to do tests that are offered by the Sabine River Authority, as well as become
familiar with state water laws and regulations. The main objectives in the field were
to learn how to collect and analyze samples in the field.
My career goals are to work in a laboratory doing tests like the ones I learned this
summer. my future goals are to direct and be responsible for the work that comes
out of an environmental lab such as SRA. This internship was perfect in confirming
my interests in laboratory and field work.
Over the course of the summer I was able to take an active role in the laboratory by
learning how to perform many tests including: turbidity, BOD, Total suspended
solids, volatile suspended solids, chlorophyll a, as well as biological tests. I also
learned how to sample successfully and efficiently in the field using government
mandated techniques.
“Environmental Services Division” Environmental Services Division. N.p., n.d. Web.
18 July 2014. <http://www.sratx.org/aboutsra/esd.asp>
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Debra Malus and Pollie Holtham for giving me the opportunity to
experience working at SRA. I would also like to thank the lab analysts and technicians
that patiently walked me through each test and assisted me when I got stumped.
Sponsors for high impact experiences for BESC and the BESC poster
symposium include the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, the
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Office of the Provost and
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Current sampling sites on the Sabine River
Taking water samples off a bridge
on Hwy 62
Performing a daily Winkler check
for BOD analysis
Measuring flow at a sampling point
Samples for the BOD test Calculating BOD results
Measuring dissolvedoxygen in samples
Taking water samples from the Sabine Taking measurements using the hydro lab
Internship Outcomes