Waves of Data: One Student’s Mission to Protect Our Beaches

By: Ulusmar Ogumoro
Location: Saipan, CNMI

08/22/2025 - When I go to the beach, I don’t just see sand and surf, I see science waiting to be uncovered. As a student intern, I’ve taken on a mission that means a lot to me and my community: collecting and analyzing water samples from beaches across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota to help keep our ocean safe.Using tools like the YSI Meter (which tests temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen) and a Turbidity Meter (which checks water clarity), I gather data directly from the shoreline and bring it back to the lab. There, we test the samples to determine how much bacteria is present in our ocean water. Whether I’m wading into the waves or recording measurements, every step helps us understand the health of our ocean.

My project focuses on popular beaches and places where families swim and fish. I enjoyed working in the lab with other interns to analyze results and track changes in water quality. Each sample tells us something important about whether the water is safe for public use.This work matters. A 2023 study in the Marine Pollution Bulletin found that consistent beach water monitoring can reduce health risks and raise awareness about pollution. The ocean is a big part of life in the CNMI, and I want to help keep it clean for everyone who depends on it.

Science doesn’t have to be complicated or hidden in a lab; it can be something students like me do with real impact. I hope my work inspires others to care about water safety, marine health, and protecting our environment. If we all take small steps like testing water, picking up trash, or learning more we can make a big difference. Our islands need young voices and fresh ideas to protect what we love.

Through this internship, I’ve learned how much one person can do when they apply science to the world they live in. The ocean gives us so much, it’s only right that we give something back. Along the way, I developed technical skills like inputting and organizing data collected from ocean water samples, as well as soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem solving, all of which helped me contribute more meaningfully to the project and grow both personally and professionally.

Citation:

Mumtaz, B. A., Fengting, L., Zhang, Y., & Yateh, M. (January 2023). Assessment of Industrial Wastewater Discharged into River Nile by Assalaya Sugar Factory — Solution and Strategies. Open Access Library Journal, 10(06), 1–18. DOI:10.4236/oalib.1110313