Last Thursday, three Gunpowder Riverkeeper staff members embarked on a boat trip to collect data for the Chesapeake Water Watch Program for the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC). With our gray cards and smartphones in hand, we collected three sets of data along the Tidal Gunpowder at Rumsey Island, Dundee Creek, and the Amtrak line along the Bird.
In addition, we pulled samples that will be tested for microplastics, and samples to work up on the turbidimeter lent to us by SERC. The turbidimeter will measure how much light is reflected off of the suspended particles in the water samples, which lets us know exactly how cloudy and thick the water is. This is a great indicator of water quality-the higher the turbidity, the more suspended particles, the dirtier the water!
Thanks to Dave from Dundee for troubleshooting our cranky motor and the two kind boaters who gave us a tow! We wouldn’t have been able to complete our monitoring efforts without their support. And thank you to Bill Temmink for performing Yeomen’s duty by shuttling us back to the truck!
