RSC Research Buoys Featured in Environmental Monitor

“The Nearshore buoy is run by the Regional Science Consortium (RSC). During its operating days, the buoy will collect and send hundreds of data points. It should come as no surprise what kind of data the RSC’s Nearshore Buoy collects. But, as in the case with the Great Lakes Piping Plovers, how that data is informing research is where it gets interesting.

“Water and air temperatures, turbidity, wave height, wind speed/direction and pH levels all provide audiences the basics conditions of what to expect off the Lake Erie coast in Pennsylvania. But what about understanding regional bird species or the potential toxicity of this summer’s Blue-green algae bloom? How about answering why fishermen aren’t having as much success when they cast their lures or predicting the precise location where more sand nourishment is needed?

“The longer the Near Shore Buoy collects data, the more researchers are finding clever ways to utilize live data compiled from its on-board weather station.

“’It’s telling all these people different things. The same information that pertains to so many different projects are being used by such a diverse audience,’ said Jeanette Schnars Ph.D., the Executive Director of the consortium.

“From when the Nearshore Buoy is deployed in the spring to its return journey back on land in the fall, it will collect and transmit information every 20 minutes on around 20 different parameters.

“And it’s all free for the public to use.

“’…it offers people information to make informed decisions. Whether to go out on the lake, or not go out on the lake,’ Schnars added.”

Full Article Here: https://www.fondriest.com/news/birds-fish-and-shifting-sediment-how-lake-erie-buoys-measure-it-all.htm