Opportunity Title:

Analysis of Water Quality Data for Satellite Validation Efforts

Research Area:

Water

EPA Lab/Center/Office:

National Exposure Research Laboratory

Location:

Durham, NC or Cincinnati, OH

Duration:

12 months

Brief Summary:

Conduct research and analyses to detect cyanobacteria blooms and other water quality parameters using satellites to support the environmental management and public use of lakes and reservoirs. Cyanobacteria Assessment Network (CyAN) Project

Opportunity Description:

A collaborative effort integrates the work of the US EPA, NASA, NOAA, and the USGS to provide an approach for using satellite ocean color capabilities in U.S. fresh and brackish water quality management decisions. The overarching scope of this collaborative project is to detect and quantify cyanobacteria blooms and other water quality parameters using satellite data records in order to support the environmental management and public use of U.S. lakes and reservoirs. Using reference data from the National Aquatic Resources Surveys, National Water Quality Monitoring Council’s Water Quality Portal, and other sources we will compare satellite-derived products with data taken on site, as well as model outputs from multiple satellite instruments.

As an intern, you will learn how to characterize in situ water quality measures from multiple sources to assist in satellite algorithm validation efforts. In-situ validation data will primarily come from federal collaborators and state agencies.  Sources of data will include, but will not be limited to, government agencies, state government agencies, local governments, universities, private research groups, and published peer-reviewed journals that meet or exceed project quality control criteria.  Water quality data reporting include sample station identification, cyanobacteria counts, abundance, or phycocyanin pigment concentration, latitude, longitude, depth and date.  Additional information includes chlorophyll-a concentration, temperature, secchi depth, turbidity, and other available water quality measures.  Data sets will undergo quality review by confirming that all methods used were documented and widely accepted.  These methods include, but are not limited to EPA or USGS approved methods.  Data obtained using other methods will be reviewed, and if found to be appropriate may be included into the database.

There may be an opportunity to participate in field sampling activities targeted at filling gaps on radiometric measures.  Available information does not historically include the radiometric measurements necessary to confirm satellite apparent optical properties, such as remote sensing reflectance.  Targeted field campaigns would characterize the optical properties of freshwater systems along a gradient of optically diverse water bodies. The goal of this effort is to provide evaluation of product and algorithm characteristics, to define confidences and uncertainties.

The intern should have an interest and technical expertise in data mining, programming (i.e. R, Python, etc), statistical packages for analyzing data (i.e. Excel, R, etc), data interpretation and analysis to interpret trends and patterns across multiple data sets.

Opportunities for Professional Development:

The candidate will have an opportunity build on existing programming skills, and gain experience with NASA SeaDAS software.  The candidate will gain exposure to multiple federal agency partners and work closely with colleagues in EPA, USGS, NOAA, and NASA. There is an opportunity to publish in peer-reviewed journals, based on the work completed.

Point of Contact or Mentor:

schaeffer.blake@epa.gov (NC) or Conmy.robyn@epa.gov

 (OH)