Experiential learning
Profiling The Lake Depths
The Floating Classroom offers two options for collecting physical and chemical water quality data at specific depths from Cayuga Lake. For most groups, our manually-operated Van Dorn samplers are perfect to encourage teamwork and direct collection and measurement of water samples. For more advanced classes, we offer the use of a remote sensor (HydroLab sonde). Field parameters may include:
Level 1- Depth, Temperature, pH
Level 2- Dissolved oxygen, specific conductivity,
Level 3- Alkalinity, carbon dioxide & chlorophyll.
Our goal for most cruises, each research team will collect one or more depth-specific samples, and the results will be combined to create a LAKE PROFILE or a range from the surface to the hypolimnion. This information is directly related to the biological (plankton) and clarity/solar energy penetration (Secchi Disk) observations made at other stations during a cruise.
Experiential Learning
HOW TO USE THE VAN DORN SAMPLER
If you want to measure the chemical and physical properties of water at a specific depth under the water’s surface (e.g. pH, temperature, etc), it helps to be able to grab a sample of water at that depth! That’s where the Van Dorn sampler comes in.
Experiential Learning
EXTENSION APPLICATIONS
- Analysis of the thermocline
- Lake turnover
- Heat storage and release from the lake (creating a micro-climate)
- Energy and nutrient distribution as a function of water density
- Generation and interpretation of graphed data.
We’d Love to hear from you!
Connect
with Us
For Cruises & Charters:
booking@discovercayugalake.org
For Educational Programs:
education@discovercayugalake.org
HOME DOCK:
1000 Allan H. Treman Marina Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
OUR OFFICE:
110 N. Tioga St., Suite 303
Center for History & Culture
Ithaca, NY 14850