Current Projects
Kootenai River
The Kootenai River is an oligotrophic river that runs through northern Idaho, Montana, and southwestern Canada. Elevated nitrate levels, observed over the past decade and linked to surficial mining operations, have led to concerns about the biodiversity and productivity within the river. River ecosystem metabolism and nitrate uptake vary spatially and temporally along the Kootenai River following changes in river management. Ongoing work is aimed at investigating links among river metabolism, nutrients, river management, habitat modifications, algae, and macroinvertebrates. Work in the Kootenai River spans nearly 400 river km including the 135 km long Koocanusa Reservoir. Projects on the Kootenai River are highly collaborative and would not be possible without the support of Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Army Corps of Engineers, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, Idaho Fish and Game, USGS, and many others including the many students, faculty, and research scientists working together to support this precious ecosystem.
Rapid Creek
Due to low flows and high air temperatures in July and August, Rapid Creek exceeds the temperature standards set by the SDDENR 50% of the time in July and August in some locations. Water temperatures in Rapid Creek have been as high as 30° C, which is above the mortality threshold for trout. If a stream becomes too warm or variability in temperature increases, organismal populations can be critically influenced. Cold water thermal refuge is needed to provide protection for fish during the warm summer months. Understanding temperature fluctuations, availability of thermal refuges, fish assemblages, and food resources in Rapid Creek can help us provide a better outlook and suggestions for fisheries management.
PFAS contaminants
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of manmade fluorinated chemicals that are widely used in a variety of products including firefighting foams, cosmetics/personal care industries, packaging industries, paints, cookware, etc. Since 1940, two PFAS chemicals perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were extensively used in the United States and released into the environment. PFAS is an emerging environmental contaminant of concern, and the EPA has established a lifetime health advisory level of 70 nanograms per liter (70 ppt) in drinking water for 2 specific forms of PFAS, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) occurring individually or combined. Our current projects are to develop treatment technologies and support remediation efforts in a variety of ways.
Impoundment and riparian corridor salinity
Soil salinity and impaired hydrologic function have contributed to rangeland degradation in northwestern South Dakota, where thousands of impoundments have been constructed to support livestock. This area is within a priority habitat management area for sage grouse, and it is not clear how the impoundments affect riparian corridors critical to wildlife and livestock. But effects of salinization on rangeland health have been understudied in the United States, where most work has focused on irrigated agricultural lands, riverine systems, and large reservoirs. Therefore, we are investigating how impoundment salinization affects rangeland health, riparian corridors, and the surrounding landscape in northwestern South Dakota. Projects funded by the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management.
Toolkit for sustainable water management practices
Earthen impoundments provide the primary water source for livestock in northwestern South Dakota. As these impoundments age, they are vulnerable to breach and may degrade downstream soil and water quality from increasing salt concentrations. In 2021, the salt build-up was visually apparent on the landscape, both around and along riparian corridors downstream of the impoundments. Understanding the influence of salinity on the potential failure of impoundments and the effects on soil and water quality is critical to the sustainability of water supply for livestock producers and preservation of soil health and downstream riparian areas. Therefore, we are developing a comprehensive decision support toolkit that weighs the cost and effectiveness of maintenance, mitigation, remediation of impoundments to support water quality, water quantity, soil health, thereby reducing negative riparian impacts. Developing the toolkit, we will combine laboratory and field studies with stakeholder feedback. A key component of this project is outreach to increase the use and awareness of the toolkit. Project funded by the United States Department of the Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service.
Past Projects
Didymo in the Northeastern U.S.
Lake sediment samples from Pennsylvania, Vermont and New York were evaluated for the presence and abundance of Didymosphenia geminata, commonly referred to as Didymo or Rock Snot. This project is focused on determining the historic presence or absences of Didymo in the Northeastern states.
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming has provided this lab with several different research opportunities. Didymosphenia geminata is a nuisance alga that has increased presence and abundance in Grand Teton National Park over the last decade. This has triggered change in nutrient availability, presence of macro invertebrates, and overall food web dynamics. Project work included measuring species presence and abundance for different macro invertebrates, whole stream metabolism and presence and abundance of D. geminata.
Rapid Creek
Located right in town, Rapid Creek has been a great resource for students at Mines for decades. The convenience of the creek has allowed for ongoing studies to be monitored thorough out the year and provides a place for practice and validation of methods. Projects have included identifying the gut content of macro invertebrates, nutrient uptake, and learning to use oxygen sensors for metabolism studies.
Lake Kampeska
Nutrient loading has been a problem in Lake Kampeska near Watertown, SD for more than a decade. To manage the nutrient input into Lake Kampeska, we repurposed a retired water treatment facility in Watertown, SD, into an algal growth facility. The goal of this facility was to remove nutrients biologically using algae from the lake and grown within the nutrient removal facility. We examined the proportion of blue green algae (cyanobacteria), green algae, and diatoms in both the lake and the growth chamber within the nutrient removal facility, and we compared this to nutrient removal rates.
