SoMAS Graduate Student Works to Make Long Island Water Cleaner
Growing up in North Sea, a waterfront community on the Peconic Bay in Eastern Long Island, Ian Robinson had a front row seat to see the effects of water pollution. Lake Agawam, in the center of town, is reported to be among the most polluted lakes in New York.
“Lake Agawam was the inspiration for me joining the Gobler Lab,” said Robinson, now a graduate student in Stony Brook’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS).
The Gobler Laboratory, led by Christopher Gobler, distinguished professor and endowed chair of coastal ecology and conservation in SoMAS, focuses on understanding how anthropogenic activities like climate change, eutrophication, and the overharvest of fisheries alter the ecological and biogeochemical functioning of coastal ecosystems, and works to find ways by which impaired functioning of coastal ecosystems may be mitigated.
Robinson’s research examines the impact of pollutants on zooplankton like Daphnia and Cladocera and focuses on water conservation.
“My focus has been working on blue-green algae, cyanobacteria, looking to see how different organisms affect it,” he said. “I’m also working on something called cladocerans. There are small crustaceans, zooplankton called daphnia, and I’m essentially seeing the impact of pollutants on the ability of these zooplankton to eat and control these harmful algae blooms.”
Robinson said much of his interest in clean water came from growing up on Long Island and recognizing the local importance of clean water.
“We’re surrounded by beaches, so the importance of water has always been part of my life,” said Robinson. “And that’s exactly what the Gobler Lab does — focus on the harmful algal blooms of Long Island. It was a perfect place for me.”
Long Island has experienced recurring harmful algal blooms in its bays and estuaries, with some blooms reaching unprecedented levels. These blooms, often caused by excess nitrogen from sources like outdated septic systems and fertilizers, can discolor the water and produce toxins harmful to marine life and potentially humans.
Prior to coming to Stony Brook as an undergraduate, Robinson was fortunate to know Greg Metzger, a marine science teacher at Southampton High School, who works on shark science research with Stony Brook’s Chris Paparo, manager of the Southampton Marine Science Center. Metzger is also the volunteer field coordinator for the South Fork Natural History Museum’s shark program, which contributes to progression in shark conservation and shark research in national marine studies.
“That gave me my first glimpse that I can pursue this as a profession,” said Robinson. “And I’ve followed that path, pursuing marine science to where I was introduced to the Gobler Laboratory. It definitely guided me. I saw immediately that it aligned with my interests and that I could actively work on the local bodies of water that I cared about.”
Robinson began his college career juggling classes between the Stony Brook and Southampton campuses.
“I got a glimpse of what college life was like,” he said. “Unfortunately that was the COVID year. After that I took all my classes at the SoMAS Marine Station in Southampton. It’s a close-knit community and I was able to make friends and connections that I still have today.”
Robinson earned a BS in marine biology, and is now a grad student at the Southampton campus, pursuing his PhD in marine and atmospheric sciences.
Though he is not yet sure which direction his career after graduation will go, Robinson is committed to working to improve water quality, perhaps pursuing a career in coastal management and continuing water quality research.
“Marine sciences seek to understand the conditions affecting our waters and, through them, the functioning of our planet. The purpose of science is to preserve the benefits of today for the future, guided by past knowledge and the actions we take now,” Robinson said, adding that he is also considering teaching to push forward his passion for science onto the next generation. “I believe we should support the environment as well as protect our resources for humans as a follow-up plan. No matter which path I take, water quality is my goal.”
— Robert Emproto