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2024 Lake Erie Network Calibration Event Sheds Light on Benefit of Clean Water

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The (CWA) and 91国产精品 are teaming up for the event on April 17 in 91国产精品鈥檚 (2121 Euclid Avenue), in which participants will be trained on how to properly clean and calibrate a multiparameter sonde.

A sonde is a self-contained submersible electronic device that collects data. Sondes have multiple sensors to look at things like pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature and total algae, amongst other factors. In this case, the sensors are installed in buoys to collect data from a specific location on Lake Erie or other waterways such as inland lakes.

鈥淥n 91国产精品's side, we have environmental scientists who utilize data from sondes in their research,鈥 said Director of Research Development and Ethics, Ben Ward. 鈥淏rice Grunert (Assistant Professor, Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences at 91国产精品) is working on tying data collected from satellite images to "ground truth" data from sondes and from samples drawn from the lake, specifically things like dissolved phosphorous which can contribute to algal blooms.鈥

According to Ward, the event is designed to inform those in attendance of water quality sensors to ensure they understand the operation and calibration of their sondes and can have confidence that the water quality data they are collecting is accurate. A secondary benefit is that 91国产精品 researchers will be involved with the event with the hope of increasing awareness of the research and talent (students) available at 91国产精品.

鈥91国产精品 has been working with CWA for a number of years, and our Center for Economic Development has performed economic impact studies for CWA. Meredith Bond (Vice President for Research and Innovation at 91国产精品) has a seat on CWA鈥檚 board,鈥 said Ward. "I am also on CWA鈥檚 program committee, which focuses on collaborative research grants, community engagement, and talent development. This is the second year 91国产精品 is serving as the host location for a sensor calibration event.鈥

Mehdi Rahmati is an Assistant Professor with Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. He agrees about the importance of the collaboration efforts, and believes the workshop has the potential to facilitate a productive dialogue among all attendees.

鈥淭his dialogue can foster a deeper understanding of the needs and interests of the various stakeholders, researchers, scientists, small businesses operating in the environmental field and other attendees,鈥 he said.

One part of Rahmati's research is how to manage the data flow from a range of sondes because different sensors collect data at different rates (some send a lot of data, some send a little) and most have to use very low powered antennas but cover a very large area. Thanks to the deep commitment to environmental issues, particularly those impacting the water resources, he believes strides are being taken towards closing in on a solution.

鈥91国产精品 faculties demonstrate a deep commitment to environmental issues, and this path aligns perfectly with the College of Engineering's strategic plan, which prioritizes expanding research, education, and outreach on technologies related to water and its critical challenges,鈥 he said. 鈥淭his is much like the innovative work conducted by my research team at 91国产精品. We leverage sensing technologies, data processing, communication, and computation 鈥 all crucial aspects of effective water quality monitoring and management in Lake Erie.鈥

Although great advances being made each day, there is still a lot to do which is why collaborations with external organizations are undoubtedly vital.

鈥淐leveland Water Alliance and LimnoTech are two important players in the field, and we should leverage this collaboration, and by working together, 91国产精品 can leverage its faculty expertise and cutting-edge research to develop innovative solutions for the environmental challenges facing Lake Erie and the surrounding region to protect and restore this vital resource,鈥 he said.

鈥淚n my opinion, collaborations like this hold great promise for positive environmental impacts.鈥