The PLEON monitoring program is analogous to a medical check up. Routine medical check ups allow your doctor to develop a record of your unique biology. Doctors rely on this medical history to diagnose problems and formulate a treatment plan. Lakes are complex ecosystems, each with their own unique characteristics. Managing them responsibly requires a good “medical history”.
PLEON offers routine monitoring of physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of lakes in the Pocono region. We have a variety of pre-formulated sampling packages as well as a selection of individual variables, allowing lake associations to develop a sampling regimen that best fits the needs of their lake.
For more information on why certain things are monitored, visit our Lake Science page!
Sampling Packages
PLEON offers a variety of pre-formulated sampling packages as well sampling of a selection of individual variables, allowing lake associations to develop a sampling regimen that best fits the needs of their lake.
Some example sampling plans include:
Introductory Package:
PLEON will conduct a single sampling effort providing a “snap shot” of your lake. This is a good option for those who are just starting to monitor their lake or for lakes with no outstanding management challenges. This package includes the following:
- Secchi depth – measurement of lake transparency
- Depth profile – light, dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and conductivity are measured every ½ meter (in shallower lakes) to 1 meter (in deeper lakes) of depth to characterize the physical structure of the water column
- Nutrients – Total nitrogen and total phosphorus concentrations measured from 2 replicate samples at each of 3 depths
- Chlorophyll – Two replicate samples measured at each of 3 depths
- PTOX screening – presence of potentially toxic cyanobacteria assessed in 2 surface samples
Routine Sampling Package:
PLEON will conduct regular sampling on a customizable schedule as determined by the lake association’s needs. Typical routines include once or twice a month during late spring/summer. This package is ideal for lakes with on-going management issues (e. g. toxic algal blooms, nutrient enrichment). This package includes:
- Secchi depth – measurement of lake transparency
- Depth profile – light, dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and conductivity are measured every ½ meter (in shallower lakes) to 1 meter (in deeper lakes) of depth to characterize the physical structure of the water column
- Chlorophyll – Two replicate samples measured at each of 3 depths
- PTOX screening – presence of potentially toxic cyanobacteria assessed in 2 surface samples
PTOX Mini-Analysis Package:
This package is ideal for those concerned about toxic algal blooms who want to monitor for toxic algae in their lake. This package includes:
- Depth profile – light, dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and conductivity are measured every ½ meter (in shallower lakes) to 1 meter (in deeper lakes) of depth to characterize the physical structure of the water column
- PTOX screening – presence of potentially toxic cyanobacteria assessed in 2 surface samples