Images

Keith A. Loftin, USGS, is the lead scientist for algal and cyanobacterial toxins

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist working on data analysis of cyanotoxins in water samples

USGS) scientist preparing to measure cyanotoxins in water samples using an automated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) instrument

Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory — Lawrence, Kansas. Scientists working on at time-of-flight mass spectrometer

Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory — Lawrence, Kansas. Sample processing laboratory.

Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory — Lawrence, Kansas. Pressurized Fluid Extractor

View of the new (2018) instrument laboratory at the Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL), Lawrence, Kansas. View of a row of instruments in the laboratory.

Harmful algal blooms turn water in Milford Lake emerald green

Photo taken along Indian Creek in Overland Park Kansas. Two people walk along the bank in the center of the photo. Foliage covers both banks.

Water floods over a road in Easton Kansas.

Photo of the Kansas River and boatramp underneath KS-99 highway at Wamego, Kansas. 

Landsat's shortwave infrared (SWIR) band measures reduced moisture content in soil and vegetation. When combined with its near-infrared (NIR) band, which helps reveal actively growing vegetation, Landsat produces highly accurate images and maps of burned areas.

This March 2017 Landsat 8 image shows massive burned scars in Kansas and Oklahoma. More than 730,000 acres of farm and ranchland were scorched by wind-driven wildfires that began March 6 and were finally extinguished on March 22.

John Rosendale installs a pipe to monitor harmful algal blooms at Cheney Reservoir in Kansas. 

A look at the Kansas River from its side. On the other side ofthe river trees and power lines can be seen as well as a bridge crossing the river.

A river in Easton Kansas washes over a road.

Algal blooms occur annually on Milford Lake in the summer and can be harmful to fragile wetland ecosystems. The USGS Kansas Water Science Center uses multispectral sensors on board drones to identify harmful algal blooms and study how they affect local businesses and human and animal health.

A photo of a Johnson County stream flowing through rocks and greenery on both sides of the stream.

Sensors are cleaned with an automatic wiper brush on the continuous water-quality monitors. 

Harmful algal blooms turn water in Milford Lake emerald green

A view of Milford Lake from a timelapse camera installed near the water's edge. In the background the otherside of the lake and a bridge can be seen.