HWS Water Quality Research Highlighted
22 October 2019 HWS Water Quality Research Highlighted
TheAuburn Citizenrecently featured the water quality-monitoring work in the Finger Lakes region conducted through theFinger Lakes Instituteby HWS faculty, staff and students.
In July, theCitizenarticleDont mind us: Finger Lakes Institute monitoring Owasco Lake water qualityshadows Professor of Environmental Studies John Halfman and the research heis performing this year onOwasco Lake with environmental studiesand/or geoscience studentsSerena Bradt 18, Dylan Doeblin 18, Kate Homet 19 and Davis Ryan 19 as well as Finger Lakes Institute Director Lisa Cleckner. In addition, Joshua Andrews 20, aphysics major,helped monitor the lake using drone technology under the guidance of Assistant Professor of Physics Ileana Dumitriu and Physics Lab TechnicianPeter SpacherPh.D.
The various strands of the research measured everything from the dissolved oxygen, temperature,pHand alkalinity of the water samples, to the amountand typesof algae and phosphorous in the lake.
Every year, (John) Halfman takes the data collected and creates a report on the health of the lake, theCitizenreports. Last year,Halfman had reported that Owasco Lakes water quality was improving, but harmful blue-green algae blooms were more toxic and more prevalent. This years bill of health remains to be seen.
In April, theCitizenreported ona public discussion hosted by the Partners for Healthy Watersheds, which focused on ways large dairy farms can maximize livestock resources while minimizing nutrient run-off, a leading cause of the phosphorous and nitrogen buildup that causes algal blooms and endangers drinking water supplies. During the discussion, Halfman offered important insights and addressed questions from area farmers and concerned citizens.
The Finger Lakes Institute is dedicated to the promotion of environmental research and education about the Finger Lakes and surrounding environments. In collaboration with regional environmental partners and state and local government offices, the Institute fosters environmentally-sound development practices throughout the region, and disseminates accumulated knowledge to the public.