Vaisala GMP251 Carbon Dioxide Probe - NexSens

Case Studies

Combating Water Insecurity Through Real-Time Systems

Combating Water Insecurity Through Real-Time Systems

Combating Water Insecurity Through Real-Time Systems

In regions impacted by water insecurity, water quality monitoring can be foundational in improving water treatment and informing environmental regulations that protect source water. Helen Baulch, an associate professor at the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan, relies on real-time water quality monitoring systems in her work, focusing on making the region more water secure. Challenge: Worsening Water Quality and Water Insecurity While natural physical properties worsen some of the poor water quality conditions in the region, others are connected to land use. Most of Baulch's work has focused on Buffalo Pound Lake, a source water resource that supplies drinking water to two cities.High nutrient loads and organic carbon in Buffalo Pound Lake have deteriorated its water quality over time. Additionally, the lake is very shallow, so it stratifies periodically, which can influence its chemical and physical properties. The main concern for Baulch is cyanobacterial behavior in the lake, as well as the impacts of dissolved organic carbon on disinfectant byproducts.

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Educational Lake Data Buoy

Educational Lake Data Buoy

Educational Lake Data Buoy

The mission of the Iowa Lakeside Lab is to provide science classes and research opportunities for university students as well as outreach programs and services through Iowa’s state universities. It’s located on West Okoboji Lake, near Little Miller’s Bay in northwest Iowa.For some time, the lab’s professors have taught limnology to students using time-tested techniques and equipment like grab samplers, plankton nets and Secchi disks. But in mid 2015, it became apparent that it was time for the lab to take a step forward with its monitoring programs. In order to best prepare students for their future careers, more high-tech equipment was needed.To make the leap, the lab’s directors obtained a new NexSens Technology monitoring buoy for West Okoboji Lake. The buoy, equipped with multiple sensors for tracking weather and water quality, is yielding valuable data for learning and research at the lab. The Lakeside Lab is also sharing its data with scientists worldwide through the Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network.

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Educational Green Roof Project

Educational Green Roof Project

Educational Green Roof Project

Officials at Muhlenberg College, a small liberal arts school in Pennsylvania, had begun work on a sustainable redesign of the college’s student union building. As part of their planning process, they decided to consult with those who use the facility most - the students.After talking with them, it became clear that students at Muhlenberg wanted to retrofit the old student union building to be less impactful to the environment. But as the students made clear to the administrators, they still wanted the union to retain some of its old-school charm.With those insights in mind, Muhlenberg officials opted to install an educational green roof on top of the building. They garnered support from the PPL Corporation, an energy company headquartered nearby, that awarded them a grant to cover the equipment needed. For setup of the system, they signed up students who arranged plant trays on the roof, installed monitoring equipment and worked with sensor manufacturers to get the whole thing up and running.

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