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Spring 2003 Water Quality Survey
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[guard/underway/spring2003/spr2003nav.html] |
The spring survey begins in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the end of
March or early April. We sample Lakes Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario
and Superior, in that order, and end in Milwaukee. The survey lasts
about one month, but can be longer when bad weather or ice force us
to stop for some time. In all, 72 stations are sampled or chemistry
and biology. At least two EPA scientists, and additional biologists
and chemists are aboard at all times, in addition to the crew who
operate the ship. We work 24 hours per day, seven days per week
until we’re finished.
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| R/V
Lake Guardian passes the Milwaukee lighthouse |
Every year since 1983, we have tried to check on the condition of
the waters of the Great Lakes. Two surveys are undertaken each year,
one in the spring and one in late summer. The U.S. EPA, Great Lakes
National Program Office ship, the R/V Lake Guardian, visits each of
the lake, where samples are taken for water chemistry and biology
(plankton and benthos). During the surveys, scientists from
universities and government laboratories often join us, and conduct
sampling and research on one or more of the lakes.
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