Dylan Burau
Dylan Burau - California Water Science Center
Dylan Burau helps maintain a water quality monitoring network in the Sac-Joaquin River delta for the Biogeochemistry Group. Dylan also works on targeted studies in the Delta to understand linkages between water quality, nutrients and phytoplankton.
Professional Experience
2017 – Present Hydrological Technician, U.S Geological Survey, Sacramento, CA
Education and Certifications
B.S., Packaging and Logistics, Minor in Industrial Technology, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
A.S., Interdisciplinary Studies: Math and Science, Sacramento City College, Sacramento, CA
Motorboat Operator Certification Course
Science and Products
Biogeochemistry Group
The Biogeochemistry (BGC) Group uses an interdisciplinary approach to address surface water quality issues and food web dynamics throughout California, particularly in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay.
Phytoplankton Species Composition and Abundance in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta: Microscopic Enumeration of USGS Samples, beginning in 2016 (ver. 2.0, December 2025) Phytoplankton Species Composition and Abundance in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta: Microscopic Enumeration of USGS Samples, beginning in 2016 (ver. 2.0, December 2025)
This dataset contains multiple types of data characterizing phytoplankton in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (California, USA). 1) Bright field microscopy was used to identify and enumerate phytoplankton community composition; 2) Epifluorescent microscopy was used to enumerate picophytoplankton (phytoplankton cells less than 2 microns in diameter) and, 3) a categorical visual index...
Water quality and nutrient data from San Joaquin River and Stockton Waterfront, April and August 2024 Water quality and nutrient data from San Joaquin River and Stockton Waterfront, April and August 2024
This dataset records diel changes to water quality parameters, nutrients, and phytoplankton biomass in the south-eastern region of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Sampling occurred in August 2024 in the Stockton Waterfront (City of Stockton, San Joaquin County, California, USA) and San Joaquin River. Data was collected from approximately 6am to 9pm Pacific Standard Time on August 6, 13...
Assessing spatial variability of nutrients, phytoplankton, and related water quality constituents in the California Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta during treated wastewater effluent holds: August and September 2019 high resolution mapping surveys Assessing spatial variability of nutrients, phytoplankton, and related water quality constituents in the California Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta during treated wastewater effluent holds: August and September 2019 high resolution mapping surveys
The study is comprised of daily survey data consisting of high resolution mapping and discrete sample collection of nutrients, phytoplankton, and related water quality constituents conducted in the Sacramento River, Georgiana Slough, and the North and South Forks of the Mokelumne River on August 28 and September 10-12, 2019, coincident with planned holds of treated wastewater effluent...
Phytoplankton Species Composition and Abundance in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta: Microscopic Enumeration of USGS Samples, beginning in 2016 (ver. 1.1, December 2023) Phytoplankton Species Composition and Abundance in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta: Microscopic Enumeration of USGS Samples, beginning in 2016 (ver. 1.1, December 2023)
This dataset contains taxonomy, density (cells/mL), and biovolume (μm3/mL) data for phytoplankton sampled across the Sacramento San Joaquin River Delta and San Francisco Bay (Bay-Delta) beginning in 2016. Whole water phytoplankton samples were collected intermittently during special projects and during routine visits to service continuous monitoring stations. Samples were preserved with...
High resolution and discrete temporal and spatial water-quality measurements in support of modeling mercury and methylmercury concentrations in surface waters of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta High resolution and discrete temporal and spatial water-quality measurements in support of modeling mercury and methylmercury concentrations in surface waters of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta
The Sacramento / San Joaquin River Delta (SSJRD) is contaminated with legacy mercury (Hg) from historical mining and mineral processing activities throughout the watershed, as well as from contemporary atmospheric and industrial inputs. The current project was designed for the purpose of developing high-resolution spatial and temporal models for estimating concentrations of mercury...
Data from the development and testing of a multiparameter standard solution for fluorescent dissolved organic matter (fDOM) and algal fluorescence (fChl) (ver. 2.0, July 2022) Data from the development and testing of a multiparameter standard solution for fluorescent dissolved organic matter (fDOM) and algal fluorescence (fChl) (ver. 2.0, July 2022)
Optical sensors measuring fluorescence of non-biological sources (e.g., dissolved organic matter, wastewater, hydrocarbons, fluorescent dyes, etc.; hereafter referred to as fDOM) are increasingly used in water quality studies because they provide proxy measurements for a variety of contaminants and constituents of concern including metals, wastewater effluent, and DOM (measured in the...
Data from the development and testing of a multiparameter standard solution for fluorescent dissolved organic matter (fDOM) and algal fluorescence (fChl) Data from the development and testing of a multiparameter standard solution for fluorescent dissolved organic matter (fDOM) and algal fluorescence (fChl)
Optical sensors measuring fluorescent dissolved organic matter (fDOM) are increasingly being used in water quality studies because they provide proxy measurements for dissolved organic matter concentrations (DOC). Similarly, chlorophyll-a (chl-a) fluorescence sensors have gained popularity as a means to measure phytoplankton concentration, biomass, and even primary productivity using...
Science and Products
Biogeochemistry Group
The Biogeochemistry (BGC) Group uses an interdisciplinary approach to address surface water quality issues and food web dynamics throughout California, particularly in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay.
Phytoplankton Species Composition and Abundance in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta: Microscopic Enumeration of USGS Samples, beginning in 2016 (ver. 2.0, December 2025) Phytoplankton Species Composition and Abundance in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta: Microscopic Enumeration of USGS Samples, beginning in 2016 (ver. 2.0, December 2025)
This dataset contains multiple types of data characterizing phytoplankton in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (California, USA). 1) Bright field microscopy was used to identify and enumerate phytoplankton community composition; 2) Epifluorescent microscopy was used to enumerate picophytoplankton (phytoplankton cells less than 2 microns in diameter) and, 3) a categorical visual index...
Water quality and nutrient data from San Joaquin River and Stockton Waterfront, April and August 2024 Water quality and nutrient data from San Joaquin River and Stockton Waterfront, April and August 2024
This dataset records diel changes to water quality parameters, nutrients, and phytoplankton biomass in the south-eastern region of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Sampling occurred in August 2024 in the Stockton Waterfront (City of Stockton, San Joaquin County, California, USA) and San Joaquin River. Data was collected from approximately 6am to 9pm Pacific Standard Time on August 6, 13...
Assessing spatial variability of nutrients, phytoplankton, and related water quality constituents in the California Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta during treated wastewater effluent holds: August and September 2019 high resolution mapping surveys Assessing spatial variability of nutrients, phytoplankton, and related water quality constituents in the California Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta during treated wastewater effluent holds: August and September 2019 high resolution mapping surveys
The study is comprised of daily survey data consisting of high resolution mapping and discrete sample collection of nutrients, phytoplankton, and related water quality constituents conducted in the Sacramento River, Georgiana Slough, and the North and South Forks of the Mokelumne River on August 28 and September 10-12, 2019, coincident with planned holds of treated wastewater effluent...
Phytoplankton Species Composition and Abundance in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta: Microscopic Enumeration of USGS Samples, beginning in 2016 (ver. 1.1, December 2023) Phytoplankton Species Composition and Abundance in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta: Microscopic Enumeration of USGS Samples, beginning in 2016 (ver. 1.1, December 2023)
This dataset contains taxonomy, density (cells/mL), and biovolume (μm3/mL) data for phytoplankton sampled across the Sacramento San Joaquin River Delta and San Francisco Bay (Bay-Delta) beginning in 2016. Whole water phytoplankton samples were collected intermittently during special projects and during routine visits to service continuous monitoring stations. Samples were preserved with...
High resolution and discrete temporal and spatial water-quality measurements in support of modeling mercury and methylmercury concentrations in surface waters of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta High resolution and discrete temporal and spatial water-quality measurements in support of modeling mercury and methylmercury concentrations in surface waters of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta
The Sacramento / San Joaquin River Delta (SSJRD) is contaminated with legacy mercury (Hg) from historical mining and mineral processing activities throughout the watershed, as well as from contemporary atmospheric and industrial inputs. The current project was designed for the purpose of developing high-resolution spatial and temporal models for estimating concentrations of mercury...
Data from the development and testing of a multiparameter standard solution for fluorescent dissolved organic matter (fDOM) and algal fluorescence (fChl) (ver. 2.0, July 2022) Data from the development and testing of a multiparameter standard solution for fluorescent dissolved organic matter (fDOM) and algal fluorescence (fChl) (ver. 2.0, July 2022)
Optical sensors measuring fluorescence of non-biological sources (e.g., dissolved organic matter, wastewater, hydrocarbons, fluorescent dyes, etc.; hereafter referred to as fDOM) are increasingly used in water quality studies because they provide proxy measurements for a variety of contaminants and constituents of concern including metals, wastewater effluent, and DOM (measured in the...
Data from the development and testing of a multiparameter standard solution for fluorescent dissolved organic matter (fDOM) and algal fluorescence (fChl) Data from the development and testing of a multiparameter standard solution for fluorescent dissolved organic matter (fDOM) and algal fluorescence (fChl)
Optical sensors measuring fluorescent dissolved organic matter (fDOM) are increasingly being used in water quality studies because they provide proxy measurements for dissolved organic matter concentrations (DOC). Similarly, chlorophyll-a (chl-a) fluorescence sensors have gained popularity as a means to measure phytoplankton concentration, biomass, and even primary productivity using...