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What Stories Do Our Data Tell?
What Stories Do Our Data Tell?
Our data have a lot to say, but we don't always know how to listen. The data can tell us if our BOB is functioning correctly, or if the water conditions are unhealthy for important species like oysters.
Over time, our data have the potential to show the impact of climate change on water quality, starting with rising temperatures but also exploring impacts of shifting pH, salinity and other factors. This understanding will require collection over many years and lots of analysis and detective work. We are just getting started!
How Accurate Are Our Sensors?
How Accurate Are Our Sensors?
The graph above compares data collected by our BOB (in red) with those collected by research equipment on the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory pier (in blue). Our readings rise and fall at the about the same time and in similar proportions. However, the graph below shows that our sensors differ from the scientific equipment by several milligrams per liter. After more testing, we hope to same compensate for inexpensive sensors through by adjusting our software programming.
A Peek at Climate Change
A Peek at Climate Change
This graph shows the changing water temperatures and air temperatures that BOB 04 collected from March 18 to August 4, 2023 in Breton Bay, a Chesapeake tributary in Southern Maryland. The red line shows variation in water temperature while the blue line shows changes in air temperature.
As air temperature changes, water follows, but not as dramatically. You've probably experienced this yourself if you've ever swum in the ocean: the water is much colder at the beginning of the summer than at the end. Likewise, the sea water remains significantly warmer than the air in winter. This scientific paper evaluates the relationship: “The majority of streams. . . show an increase in water temperature of about 0.6 to 0.8 degrees for every 1-degree increase in air temperature.”
These data show BOB working as expected. He’s even suggesting something important about the impact of climate change on water temperature: warming air temperatures over long periods are warming the water too – and stressing the ecosystem.
According to The Bay Journal, “In the Chesapeake, the average summer water temperature has increased about 1.8 degrees since 1995 — driven primarily by warming air temperatures.
“Across the watershed, a U.S. Geological Survey analysis found that stream temperatures increased 2.52 degrees on average from 1960 to 2020. That increase stems not only from warming air, but land use changes that warm stream temperatures.”
The linked article also contains an in-depth analysis of the challenges these warming waters pose to aquatic life.
An informational exhibit outside of the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory shows warming temperatures in the region.
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