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Allen LaPointe
Allen is currently in his eighth year of work at the John G. Shedd Aquarium, and is presently the Director of Water Systems and Analysis. He began working as a chemist at the Aquarium in 1997, learning the life support systems and working with the instrumentation. Three positions later, he now manages the water quality laboratory, monitoring animal habitats and making adjustments to life support operations. In conjunction with the Shedd and the College of DuPage, Allen has designed and teaches a two-semester course in water chemistry, titled Water Works. The course topics include general water chemistry, water quality parameters, water cycles, water analysis, natural systems, aquarium chemistry, and aquarium life support systems. Before starting his career with Shedd Aquarium, Allen was employed at the Hammond Indiana Sanitary District in a water analysis instrumentation position for three years. He studied chemistry and aquatic zoology at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, receiving a B.S. in 1993. Allen is currently working on an MBA at the University of Phoenix.
ABSTRACT: Water Quality Monitoring and Data Interpretation All organisms require specific environmental conditions in order to sustain optimum health. In an aquatic, captive environment, maintaining proper water quality parameters for the specific types of organisms being housed is undoubtedly the most important aspect of animal care. Whether caring for large public and private displays, aquaculture facilities, koi ponds, or hobby systems at home, an understanding of basic water cycles and how these cycles correlate to measurable water quality parameters is extremely important. Testing products and methods vary with cost and accuracy. Understanding which parameters to measure and how to measure them is the first important step. Being able to interpret the data to understand what is happening chemically and biologically in the water system is the next important step. Lastly, determining corrective action is necessary to maintain good quality water and to quickly react to potentially dangerous situations. Fully understanding all these aspects of water quality takes many years of schooling and experience. Nonetheless, a basic understanding of water quality can be achieved by anyone interested in properly maintaining a water system. This lecture will consist of a basic overview for maintaining proper water quality in aquatic systems. Topics covered will include: • Water systems • Basic life support needs • Water cycles • Water quality parameters • Water testing methods • Data interpretation • Corrective actions • Examples of common water quality issues
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