Project Description
Human settlement is reflected in movement and composition of surface and groundwaters of Southeastern Wisconsin. In watershed environments, a multitude of biological and geochemical processes affect concentrations of nutrient and contaminant compounds. Part of the method for identifying processes is to differentiate between concentration changes resulting simply from dilution or evaporation of the aqueous carrier as opposed to chemical and/or biological production/consumption. Chloride is an excellent basis for assessment, as it is one of few truly conservative tracers. With its near absence of both geochemical and biological reactivity, it can be compared to highly reactive compounds like nitrate and phosphate to determine locations of specific biological processes, and also provides a means of tracking harbor plume waters in immediate nearshore environments.
Tasks and Responsibilites
The project has three components: one non-lab aspect approachable under the COVID-19 restrictions; one field and laboratory aspect involving substantial in-lab activity possible after a return to cautious normalcy; and a fall-back option based on data analytics using our 20-year Southwestern Lake Michigan time series. At first, the student will finish his current study of the chromatography workshop material, examine one proposal to a Federal Agency related to the project, assimilate the poster from our Research In The Rotunda work with UW-Whitewater, establish working communication with student collaborator and faculty chemist, and practice with real data from previous research by our laboratories. Upon return to the lab, we will restart the system, run some standards and certified mixtures, then the student will disassemble the major components, completely clean the column and fluid-handling parts, check flow rates and background specs, and reassemble a working system. The student will then begin working through a 2-year backlog focusing on riverine samples, and will participate in collections in the field.
Desired Qualifications
None