Data Analysis

We finally got our data!

After long weeks of collecting, running and modifying samples, we now have a data set to work with. This week, we explored possible project ideas while our PI went through the data to make sure that data points that were due to leaky canisters, degrading O-rings and other such snafus were not included. After what seemed like an eternity, we received our data Thursday midday, and--fixing a few data hiccups along the way--we explored the dataset in order to refine our project ideas. This weekend will be crunch time as we do all of our data analysis and put together our presentations to practice delivering them on Monday. We get one more in-depth presentation review Tuesday morning, before the other groups start presenting Tuesday afternoon. Then, Wednesday, the Air Group shows the rest of SARP what we've been doing, as we wrap up the program. It hasn't really sunk in that we have less than a week left, mostly because all of us are so focused on developing a project to be proud of.

We did, however, take a short break Tuesday morning to visit the Hyperion Treatment Plant: Los Angeles's oldest and largest water treatment facility. We took a tour of the grounds and underground....

Around the facility

Chemical containers

Peering at sewage

The view from the lab

Water after different stages of treatment

The Air Group

Learning how one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country treats hundreds of millions of gallons of water each day was not only fascinating, but it also really hit home what humans are doing to the hydrological cycle. Made me think twice about sticking things down the drain, at least.