Lake Research

Conference News: July 2 - Lake Research

Research helps to heal the lakes

The GLOBE Students analysed the lake water in Nuuksio

One of the most innovating stations of the GLOBE Games was the lake game by the lake Liukoi. At the station the students learned to examine the quality of the water and observe the plankton, which was new for most students because they had not experienced these tests before.

"All life is based on oxygen, so it is very important to understand the influence and the amount of it when we are studying water", guided the GLOBE teacher and chemist Marjaana Petäjä.

Samples analysed with electronic equipment

The groups took water samples from different parts and depths of the Liukoi to identify the dissolved oxygen. They analysed the samples with electronic equipment or with chemicals like phosphoric acid and manganese chloride. In addition to dissolved oxygen, the students were able to determine the conductivity, salinity and pH-level by using the electronic meters with the help of the Soile Reponen and Martti Pouru from the Mikkeli Polytechnic. 

The students discovered that there is less dissolved oxygen in the samples the further down you go. "The water forms layers because of the various temperatures. The warmest water is on the surface and carries the most oxygen. Also, the fact that the water is standing causes the lack of oxygen at the bottom", explains researcher and water biologist, Mirja Rosenberg. "Though there is not any oxygen at the bottom, the condition of this lake is quite good. It can be seen by the amount of certain plants."

Microscoping in the Lumme-car

At the lake game station was a mobile laboratory unit called Lumme-car (lumme = water lily). The primary goal for the car is to create wide possibilities to perform various measurements and analyses concerning the environment. In the Lumme-car the GLOBE students could use microscopes to study the plankton samples they had taken from the lake. From the samples the students found water fleas, water striders and copepods, which are very common in Finland.

"The students have been very interested in doing the measurements and analysing the results," says Mirja Rosenberg. "It is important to observe the conditions of the water resources. If we can discover the problems early enough, we might be able to improve the water quality. For example the lack of oxygen can be remedied by increasing the current and thus stop the deterioration."

Conference author: Maria Alahuhta

Water, water, everywhere

Dr. Martha Conklin teaches hydrology with GLOBE participants

Dr. Martha Conklin, one of GLOBE's scientists, was doing water testing with students in Nuuksio National Park. With Dr. Conklin's help students collected data with scientific instruments and looked for trends and consistencies in the water. From this information they can predict the future condition of the water.  Dr. Conklin works in the field of hydrology and water resources. She deals with toxic substances, disease registry, hazardous waste, mobilisation, reoxidation and organic compounds. She graduated from the University of California were she got her M.S. and Ph.D. She continues hydrology and water testing at the University of Arizona.

How clean is your stream?

Both Dr. Martha Conklin and her husband are hydrologists and ares actively involved in the GLOBE program. Her responsibilities are to come up with protocols, collect data, maintaining new data and to look for trends and consistencies. Looking for consistencies is very important. Consistencies mean that you have accurate data that can be used in predicting future water patterns.

Dr. Conklin feels that GLOBE is a wonderful program and is glad to be a part of it. "I want people to understand that by taking measurements students know what to expect in the environment. So look at your data and try to understand your water bodies." According to Martha the lake in Nuuksio that has become the swimming area for GLOBE participants is 50% rainwater. This kind of information is very important when you run other tests to a water quality program. Dr. Conklin feels that all of the data collected from students around the world will help protect the environment. " Having all this knowledge will benefit us all in the future."

Conference author: Chelsey Caldwell