Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center ( SERC ) is an 11 km² environmental research and educational facility operated by the Smithsonian Institution . It is located in Edgewater, Maryland. The focus of the studies of the Center is on the ecosystems of coastal areas, particularly the wetlands of the Chesapeake Bay .
Overview
The SERC conducts research in many areas that deal with the environmental research of terrestrial ecoregions , the atmosphere and the estuaries . The subjects are: botany , ecology , environmental education , biology , chemistry , mathematics , microbiology , physics and zoology . The center trains interns, graduate students , PhD students , and PhD students . The SERC welcomes over 10,000 students, teachers and families as guests every year.
In addition, it serves as a center for research and education on human impact on land-sea interactions in coastal areas. The laboratory focuses on a model of human interaction with the environment. The center receives $ 2 billion from grants, government contracts, foundations, and industry.
Innovations
The SERC has developed a unique biotelemetry, with which one can observe the migration behavior, the habitat and the development of blue crabs . Blue crabs are marine predators and are very important to the crab fishermen in North America. It is the patent holder for the Spectral Radiometer , the national standard for monitoring solar radiation. The center has also developed a model that can be used in estuaries to test the water quality and the runoff of nutrients in their catchment area.
credentials
Coordinates: 38 ° 53 ′ 11.8 " N , 76 ° 32 ′ 33.5" W.
