Harmful Algal Blooms are so prevalent in Clear Lake, California, that it is one of the most heavily monitored lakes in North America. Temperature and eutrophication are certainly drivers of HABs, but Clear Lake's high structural heterogeneity makes it hard to pinpoint the role of water quality and other environmental factors in favoring the dominant algal species and the size and duration of a bloom. In this case study, we demonstrate the utility of high-resolution, temporally- and spatially-integrated data sets collected with an autonomous underwater vehicle, YSI's i3XO (a.k.a. the EcoMapper) and more traditional methods, for better understanding these factors.
Expand your HAB Horizons: High-Resolution HAB Mapping with YSI’s i3XO AUV
July 28, 3:00pm (EDT)
YSI is proud to host Dr. David Caron of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, to present our collaboration and to share with listeners:
- The unique history and importance of Clear Lake as related to HABs,
- The planning of i3XO missions to support the overall study design,
- The alignment of whole-lake and fine-scale data collected with the i3XO and temperature, toxin, and species data collected with other methods,
- An overview of specific features of the i3XO and how it will be used for ongoing study of the Lake.
Please join us for this deep look at AUV data sets and how they can help in the study of HABs!
Meet the Experts
Dr. David Caron
Professor of Marine Environment Biology at the University of Southern California
Dr. Caron has degrees in Microbiology (B.S.) and Oceanography (M.S.) from URI and in Biological Oceanography (Ph.D.) from MIT/WHOI. His research interests involve marine and freshwater microbial ecology, with an emphasis on the intersection of biological and physical factors that drive HAB formation. He has contributed to over 180 peer-reviewed publications and multiple book chapters.
Adam Willingham
Sales Representative, Systems Specialist for Western USA and all of Canada
Adam has over 20 years of experience in environmental monitoring systems, specializing in ocean/coastal systems. He has served as a vessel captain overseeing benthic surveys, has deployed buoys for continuous water quality monitoring, built and operated water quality monitoring systems for Monterey Bay Aquarium, and as a certified diver, has installed systems in Los Angeles and Long Beach ports. He has a degree in Biological Sciences from California State University, Fullerton
Dr. Stephanie A. Smith
Product Segment Manager for YSI Integrated Systems and Services
Dr. Smith manages YSI's Integrated Systems and Services and has worked in technology development for over 20 years. Her career has been distinguished by her contributions to the field of harmful algal blooms and algal toxins. At YSI, she has been deeply involved in sensor development and oversees product offerings that integrate diverse technologies into water quality monitoring systems. She earned degrees in Biology from Missouri State University (B.S., M.S.) and in Microbiology from The Ohio State University (Ph.D.).