Progress 07/15/06 to 07/14/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Groundwater Investigations: collected groundwater and meteorological data from Trans-Pecos sites (17 real time GOES connected sites, 21 other sites with data logging capability); surface water distribution and groundwater recharge model for the Sunny Glen area near Alpine, TX; detailed water chemistry dataset for the igneous aquifer of west Texas (field parameters, major cations/anions and the isotopes of Sr, O and H); baseline data from water chemistry and biological composition of Trans-Pecos springs. Surface Water: collected samples of water, sediment and biofilm from Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico and characterized (585 sites screened for 8 presumptive microbiological pathogens (S. aureus), (E. coli), Atrazine, Arsenic, Mercury, Chromium, Lead and Cadmium); airborne pollutant deposition data and analysis based on CMAQ EPA model; developed and tested the field-deployable testing and treatment equipment using the Nanoband electrochemical system combined with the briefcase electrochemical treatability system for Arsenic, Mercury, Chromium, Lead, Cadmium and Nitrates; water and wastewater membrane filtration technology innovations; developed a working model for theoretical precipitation dosage calculation; conducted lab analysis for Atrazine and E. coli collected from water/sediment field samples; completed monitoring reservoir water quality in Lake Amistad, analysis of nutrient sediments, and developed a functional database from historical data. Watershed: monitored pre and post-land treatment patterns. Biology: biological resources inventoried and characterized relatively undisturbed areas of the Rio Grande drainage basin including invasive plant distribution; conducted field verification of plant/animal species occurrence; performed toxicology analysis of water samples of lower Rio Grande; determined substantial spatial variation in fish Hg across the lower Rio Grande drainage and that fish Hg concentrations are related to specific environmental variables. Database and Clearinghouse: maintained project websites and databases (http://www.rivers.txstate.edu/rg/database.php); launched the RG Publications database (http://rsi-db.its.txstate.edu/rsi/pubsearch/default.aspx); held binational conference and Project Rio Bravo-Grande to assess stakeholders' issues in the Rio Grande basin including an open public session. Wetlands: documented river flow regimes, land use and land cover, and types of riparian and estuarine wetlands in lower Rio Grande corridor; assessed relationships between salinity and surface water flows in this tidal river estuary. Human Factors: conducted stakeholder interviews to investigate attitudes governing water use; conducted a Rio Grande Basin eco-tourism economic impact assessment. Education/Public Outreach: establishment of the Rio Grande Research Center office to represent the administrative and research center for the SAWC project; finalized Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and Strategic Action Plan draft framework documents; finalized outreach and communications strategy and pilot demonstration project documents and Terms of Reference, as PPG input for full-size GEF project on sustainable use of Rio Grande Basin. PARTICIPANTS: Kevin Urbanczyk, Andrew Sansom, Walter Rast. SRSU: Keith Sternes, Karen Little, Chris Ritzi, Ryan Welsh, Leah Duran, Brandi Bell, Isabel Carrillo, David A. Sauerzopf, Raquel Acosta, Lucia De La Rosa, Eric Eckols, Emmalee Sternes, John P Carrillo, Faith Duran, Tammy Quiett, Reesa Ressmann, Sage Wisner, Maria Carrillo, Beatrice Villarreal, Michelle Barrandey, Marie Ericsson, Adriana Gonzales, Sokorro Munoz, Michael Raynaud, Amy Saiz, Bonnie Warnock, Will Juett, Curtis Shell, Dustin Windsor, Adelina Beall, M. Jordon Haubert, Thomas Shiller, Leslie Hopper, Rawles Williams, Guy Falzarano, Stacy Duckett, Amy Brown. TSU-SM: Matthew Uliana, Marshall Jennings, Glenn Longley, Jaimie Maher, Jeff Mitchell, Emily Warren (Armitano), Mary Waters (Vanzant), Jessica Huaman, Kelly McGauhey, Kristina Tower, Jessica Spangler, Lauren Bilbe, Marna Clements, Alan W. Groeger, Jesse Becker, Liz Fulcher, Tom Ryan, Ray Kamps, Bridgit Lewin, Jessica Strickland, Mike Cave, Danny Woodward, Michele Funk, Le Wang, Susan Roberts, Ken Mix, Kathy Alexander, Heidi Moltz, James Kimmel, Warren Pulich Jr., Weston Nowlin, Timothy Bonner, Alexandra Smith, Alisa A. Abuzeineh, Matthew M. Chumchal, Raymond Skiles, Corey L. Pray, C. Brad Caston, Pete Diaz, Megan Bean, Preston Bean, Tom C. Heard, Rebecca Marfurt, Josh Perkin, Dennis Runyan, Michael Abbott. Lamar: Thomas Ho, Jerry Lin, Daniel H Chen, David L. Cocke, Kuyen Li; Helen Lou; H. Randall Yoder; Hsing-wei Chu; Paul Chiou , Wilson Santamaria; Suraj Shetty; Janardhan Dongre; Shoeb Alam, Hector Monero, Eric Peterson, Mallikarjuna M. Gutulla, Appel Mahmud, Kamol K. Das, Daniel Atambo, Sadia Afrin, Md. Sanoar Rahman, Md. Kamrul Islam, Iftikher Haider, Jewel A. Gomes, Xuejun Ye, Manohar Palla, Archana Vaddi, John Mondalbano, Ashley Walthall, Saqib Shirazi; Sumit Agarwal; Alphones Arokiaraj; Prazeeta Shakya; Simit Doshi. SHSU: Justin K. Williams, Mark Leipnik, William I. Lutterschmidt, Kevin Luce, Karen Manges Douglas, Anne Gaillard, Holly Lyke-Ho-Gland, Mona Avalos. ASU: Rod Reed, Katie Plum, Pascual Hernandez, Cody Bundick, John Begnaud. Sul Ross State University, Lamar University, Texas State University-San Marcos, Texas State University River Systems Institute, Sam Houston State University, Angelo State University, National Park Service, Big Bend National Park, The Nature Conservancy, Texas Christian University, Texas AgriLife Extension Service - Tom Green and Sutton Counties, Global Environmental Facility, Municipalidad de Ojinaga, National Autonomous University of Mexico, United Nations Environment Programme, New Mexico State University, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, City of Alpine, Counties of Brewster, Presidio, Ft. Davis, Pecos, Culberson, Hudspeth, Terrell, Trans-Pecos Water Trust, CDRCandD, Lajitas Resort, USGS, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, International Boundary and Water Commission, Brewster County Groundwater District; Region E, Far West Texas Planning Group. TARGET AUDIENCES: Researchers, universities, educators, students, natural resource managers, government agencies at all levels, non-governmental organizations, stakeholders, general public. The vision of the SAWC program is to link managers, planners, funding agencies, and university researchers with projects that provide a positive and cumulative benefit for ecosystem management at all levels within the Rio Grande Basin watershed. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Groundwater Investigations: a growing groundwater and meteorological data set for assessing the impact of atmospheric phenomena on groundwater resources in west Texas; an estimate of recharge for the Sunny Glen area (a water source for the city of Alpine); better understanding of rock water interactions and groundwater flow characteristics for the igneous aquifer of west Texas. Surface Water: all of the presumptive pathogenic bacteria were found to persist in either water or sediment in the Rio Grande basin except S. aureus (sites with the highest consistent levels of contamination were Vado, NM and Brownsville, TX; source of contamination in Vado is agricultural and Brownsville is primarily urban; significant differences were found between regions and sampling dates and research indicated that DNA extracted from samples could be used to detect pathogenic genes in the Rio Grande); electrocoagulation (EC) technique was successful in removing trace metals and azo-dyes from wastewater; rapid onsite water quality analysis in the field is achievable with the briefcase EC system; research results of the membrane filtration project have been incorporated in the teaching of water and wastewater treatment courses at Lamar University; provided a cost estimate for recovering calcium from a typical brine stream in a desalination plant in the basin region; confirmed Atrazine presence in water and sediment samples; determined trend of salinization of waters and mercury concentrations in fish in Lake Amistad. Watershed monitoring: data collected from land treatment patterns allow us to understand the link between shallow ground water, surface vegetation, and watershed management. Biology: provided knowledge to stakeholders about the organic matter sources to fishes and the level of mercury (Hg) contamination of the Lower Rio Grande drainage. Database Management and Clearinghouse: promotes bi-national information sharing and cooperation and information is publicly available via the internet; determined data gaps and potential duplicative efforts by analyzing available data. Wetlands: identified for future research, hydrographic and environmental factors which would maintain wetland ecosystems and potentially control competition with invasive species. Human Factors: research documented the importance of river-based recreation and tourism to the regional economy and that it has a small impact on riverine habitats; identified the motivations and commitments of river-tourism professionals as well as potential cooperative partnerships in the upper river that may help reduce some of the priority conflicts for the Rio Grande's water. The outcomes have been particularly beneficial in identifying the major constraints to the sustainable use of the Rio Grande and its resources on both sides of the border. Noting the differing institutional, legal and financial structures of the two riparian countries, this cooperative draft diagnostic analysis framework marks a major synergistic advance in facilitating the sustainable use of this important transboundary river system.
Publications
- Gomes, J., David Cocke, Hector Moreno, Doanh Tran, Appel Mahmud, Kamol Das, Mallikarjuna Guttula, Green Rust: Its Electrochemical Generation, Characterization, and Implications, Proceedings of TMS Annual Meeting, pp. 211-218, San Francisco, CA, February 15-19, 2009.
- Cocke, D., Eric Peterson, Jewel Gomes, Dan Rutman, Morgan Reed, Mohammad Akhtar Hossain, Characterization of Copper Oxides by EDS-SEM Depth Profiling, EIS and XRD, Proceedings of TMS Annual Meeting, pp. 145-152, San Francisco, CA, February 15-19, 2009.
- Gomes, J.A., Md. Sanoar Rahman, Kamol Das, Srikanth Varma, David L. Cocke, A Comparative Electrochemical Study on Arsenic Removal Using Iron, Aluminum, and Copper Electrodes, Electrochemical Society Transactions, after Vienna meeting issue, 25(28), 59-68 (2010).
- Gomes, J., Daniel Atambo, Manish Rahate, Kamol Das, George Irwin, Hector Moreno, David Cocke, Remediation of Chicken Processing Wastewater using Electrochemically Produced Layered Double Hydroxides, Proceedings of 2010 TMS Annual Meeting and Exhibition, pp. 619-626, Seattle, WA, February 14-18, 2010.
- Cocke, D., Mohammad Islam, Jewel Gomes, Eric Peterson, Morgan Reed, Doanh Tran, Hylton McWhinney, Preparation and Characterization of Microfibrous Entrapped Solid Adsorbents for Desulfurization of Liquid Fuels, Proceedings of 2010 TMS Annual Meeting and Exhibition, pp. 771-778, Seattle, WA, February 14-18, 2010.
- Reed, M., Gary Beall, David Cocke, Jewel Gomes, Particle Size Distribution of Natural Montmorillonite Clay Using Dispersion Analysis, Proceedings of 2010 TMS Annual Meeting and Exhibition, pp. 825-832, Seattle, WA, February 14-18, 2010.
- Gomes, J., Sanoar Rahman, Srikanth Varma, Kamol Das, David Cocke, A Comparative Electrochemical Study of Arsenic Removal from Organic and Inorganic Sources using Various Sacrificial Electrodes, Proceedings of 2010 TMS Annual Meeting and Exhibition, pp. 583-590, Seattle, WA, February 14-18, 2010.
- Beall, Adelina. 2009. Surface Water Distribution and Ground Water Recharge Estimates, For a Portion of the Sunny Glen Watershed. Master's Thesis, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX.
- Brown, Amy. 2010. A Geochemical Study of the Igneous Aquifers of west Texas. Master's Thesis, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX.
- Mollah, M.Y.A., Gomes, J.A., Das, K.K., Cocke, D.L. (2010). Electrochemical Treatment of Orange II Dye Solution─ Use of Aluminum Sacrificial Electrodes and Floc Characterization, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 176: 851-858.
- Moreno C., H.A., Cocke, D.L., Gomes, J.A.G., Morkovsky, P., Parga, J.R., Peterson, E., Garcia, C. (2009). Electrochemical Reactions for Electrocoagulation using Iron Electrodes, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 48(4), 2275-2282.
- Gomes, J.A., David L. Cocke, M. Mirala, Hector Moreno, Eric Peterson, Dan Rutman, and Mallikarjuna M. Gutulla, Field-Deployable Aqueous Lead Analysis using Nanoband Electrode System and Use of Green Rust for Its Removal, Proceedings of TMS Annual Meeting, pp. 11-17, New Orleans, LA, March 9-13, 2008.
- Gomes, J.A., D. Cocke, M. Mahmud, H. Moreno, E. Peterson, M. Mollah, and J. Parga, Treatment Of Orange II Azo Dye Using Electrochemical And Photo-Oxidative Methods, Electrochemical Society Transactions, Physical and Analytical Electrochemistry (General) after Chicago issue, 6(18), 29-41, 2007.
- Moreno C., H.A., D. L. Cocke, J. A. G. Gomes, P. Morkovsky, J. R. Parga, E. Peterson, and C. Garcia, Electrochemistry behind Electrocoagulation using Iron Electrodes, Electrochemical Society Transactions, Industrial Electrolysis and Electrochemical Engineering (General) after Chicago issue, 6(9), 1-15, 2007.
- Moreno, H.A., D. Cocke, J. A. Gomes, P. Morkovsky, J. Parga, E. Peterson, and C. Garcia, Electrochemical Generation of Green Rust, Electrochemical Society Transactions, Industrial and Environmental Electrochemistry after Cancun issue, 3(18), 67-78, 2006.
- Gomes, J.A.G., Praveen Daida, Mehmet Kesmez, Michael Weir, Hector Moreno, Jose R. Parga, George Irwin, Hylton McWhinney, Tony Grady, Eric Peterson, David L. Cocke, , (2007). Arsenic Removal by Electrocoagulation Using Combined Al-Fe Electrode System and Characterization of Products, Journal of Hazardous Materials, B139, 220-231.
- Moreno, H., Cocke, David L., Gomes, Jewel Andrew, Morkovsky, Paul, Peterson, Eric, Parga, J. R., Electrocoagulation Mechanism for COD Removal, Proceedings of AIChE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers) 2006 Annual Meeting, Abstract I.D. 68682, session T1001, San Francisco, November 12-17, 2006.
- Gomes, J.A., D. Cocke, M. Guttula, H. Moreno and E. Peterson, Cadmium Analysis using Field-Deployable Nanoband Electrode System and Its Removal using Electrocoagulation, ECST, after Phoenix issue, 11(15), 21-34, AZ, May 18-22, 2008.
- Gomes, J., David Cocke, Kamol Das, Mallikarjuna Guttula, Doanh Tran, Jim Beckman, Treatment of Produced Water By Electrocoagulation, Proceedings of TMS Annual Meeting, pp. 459-466, San Francisco, CA, February 15-19, 2009.
- Gomes, J., George Irwin, Kamol Das, Manish Rahate, Doanh Tran, David Cocke, Catalytic Reduction of Nitrates Using Modified Double Layered Hydroxides, Proceedings of 2010 TMS Annual Meeting and Exhibition, pp. 541-547, Seattle, WA, February 14-18, 2010.
- Carrillo, Maria Isabel. 2008. Survey of groundwater microbiology of Alpine, TX through sampling of municipal and private water wells. Mini Thesis, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX.
- Quiett, Tammy Hartke. 2005. Microbial pathogen survey of the Rio Grande watershed. Master's Thesis, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX.
- Sternes, Keith L. and Karen Little. 2006. A review of the clinical incidence of antibiotic resistant bacteria along the Texas-Mexico Border. Environmental Threat Collaborative Program Report.
- Welsh, R. 2007. PCR-based identification of Escherichia coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in environmental samples. Master's thesis, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX.
- Smith, Alexandra, Alisa Abuzeineh, Matt M. Chumchal, Timothy H. Bonner, Weston H. Nowlin. Mercury contamination of the fish community of a semi-arid and arid river system: Spatial variation and the influence of environmental gradients. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (in review). 2010.
- Brown, Amy, and Urbanczyk, Kevin, 2010, A Geochemical Study of the Igneous Aquifers of west Texas, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 42, No. 2, p. 104.
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Progress 07/15/08 to 07/14/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Groundwater: Maintained groundwater monitoring equipment, collected water samples for laboratory analysis, collected historical groundwater and isotope data on the Davis Mountains and Rio Grande Basin from existing sources, reviewed current groundwater chemistry databases, filtered and checked data on groundwater in the study area, produced macroinvertebrate species list, analyzed water chemistry of individual springs for possible determination of aquifer representation, collected Guelph permeameter data for aquifer recharge assessment. Surface Water: Completed the monitoring of reservoir water quality in Lake Amistad and analysis of nutrient sediments, developed a functional database from historical data, inventoried and stored samples of water, sediment and bio film from surface sampling sites throughout the entire length of the Rio Grande drainage basin. Watershed monitoring: Continued monitoring of pre and post-land treatment patterns. Remediation: Performed CMAQ and PMF model simulations to generate data for assessment of airborne pollutants, performed membrane filtration experiments to study membrane fouling caused by different fouling salts and cost analysis of calcium recovery, surveyed membrane installations in Texas, developed a working model for theoretical precipitation dosage calculation, conducted lab analysis for atrazine and E. coli collected from water/sediment field samples. Biology: Completed analysis of samples and data compilation to determine diet and supporting organic matter sources within the Rio Grande biotic community, conducted toxicology analysis of water samples of lower Rio Grande, measured fish diversity, continued accuracy assessment of vegetation map of lower Rio Grande, incorporated obligate wetland plants of Mexico in creating a Mexico-Texas wetlands map, collected various biological metrics from sampling sites and analyzed using Principle Components Analysis (PCA). GIS, Database Management: Maintained project websites and databases, created static maps using GIS data gathered in project, analyzed available data to determine data gaps and potential duplicative efforts. Wetlands: Documented river flow regimes, land use and land cover, and types of riparian and estuarine wetlands in lower Rio Grande corridor, assessed relationships between salinity and surface water flows in this tidal river estuary. Human Factors: Completed inventory, analysis, and evaluation of commercial river tourism that depends directly on the Rio Grande, continued stakeholder interviews to investigate attitudes governing water use. Education/Public Outreach: Finalized TDA and SAP draft framework documents and Terms of Reference; finalized outreach and communications strategy and pilot demonstration project documents, as PPG input for full-size GEF project on sustainable use of Rio Grande Basin, evaluated water-use by landscape species commonly found in arid and semiarid regions, coordinated research activities and promoted project to public. All activities are designed to contribute to development of a basin-scale, binational TDA and SAP directed to the sustainable use of the water resources of the Rio Grande Basin. PARTICIPANTS: Kevin Urbanczyk, Andrew Sansom, Walter Rast; SRSU: Keith Sternes, Karen Little, Ryan Welsh, Leah Duran, Brandi Bell, Isabel Carrillo, David A. Sauerzopf, Raquel Acosta, Lucia De La Rosa, Eric Eckols, Emmalee Sternes, Bonnie Warnock, Will Juett, Curtis Shell, Dustin Windsor, Adelina Beall, M. Jordon Haubert, Thomas Shiller, Leslie Hopper, Rawles Williams, Guy Falzarano, Stacy Duckett, Jeff Bennett, Billie Brauch; TSU-SM: Matthew Uliana, Marshall Jennings, Glenn Longley, Jaimie Maher, Jeff Mitchell, Emily Warren (Armitano), Mary Waters, Jessica Huaman, Kelly McGauhey, Kristina Tower, Alan W. Groeger, Jesse Becker, Liz Fulcher, Tom Ryan, Ray Kamps, Bridgit Lewin, Jessica Strickland, Mike Cave, Danny Woodward, Michele Funk, Le Wang, Susan Roberts, Ken Mix, Kathy Alexander, Heidi Moltz, James Kimmel, Warren Pulich Jr., Weston Nowlin, Timothy Bonner, Alexandra Smith, Alisa A. Abuzeineh, Matthew M. Chumchal, Raymond Skiles, Corey L. Pray, C. Brad Caston, Pete Diaz, Megan Bean, Preston Bean, Tom C. Heard, Rebecca Marfurt, Josh Perkin, Dennis Runyan, Michael Abbott; Lamar: Thomas Ho, Jerry Lin, Daniel H Chen, David L. Cocke, Kuyen Li; Helen Lou; H. Randall Yoder; Hsing-wei Chu; Paul Chiou , Wilson Santamaria; Suraj Shetty; Janardhan Dongre; Shoeb Alam, Mallikarjuna M. Gutulla, Appel Mahmud, Kamol K. Das, Xuejun Ye, Manohar Palla, Archana Vaddi, John Mondalbano, Ashley Walthall, Saqib Shirazi; Sumit Agarwal; Alphones Arokiaraj; Prazeeta Shakya; Simit Doshi; SHSU: Justin K. Williams, Mark Leipnik, William I. Lutterschmidt, Kevin Luce, Karen Manges Douglas, Anne Gaillard, Holly Lyke-Ho-Gland, Mona Avalos; ASU: Rod Reed, Katie Plum, Pascual Hernandez, Cody Bundick, John Begnaud; Sul Ross State University, Lamar University, Texas State University-San Marcos, Texas State University River Systems Institute, Sam Houston State University, Angelo State University, National Park Service, Big Bend National Park, The Nature Conservancy, Texas Christian University, Texas AgriLife Extension Service - Tom Green and Sutton Counties, Global Environmental Facility, Municipalidad de Ojinaga, National Autonomous University of Mexico, United Nations Environment Programme, Rio Grande Basin Initiative, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, City of Alpine, Counties of Brewster, Presidio, Ft. Davis, Pecos, Culberson, Hudspeth, Terrell, Trans-Pecos Water Trust, CDRCandD, Lajitas Resort, International Boundary and Water Commission, Brewster County Groundwater District; Region E, Far West Texas Planning Group. TARGET AUDIENCES: Researchers, universities, educators, students, natural resource managers, government agencies at all levels, non-governmental organizations, stakeholders, general public. The vision of the SAWC program is to link managers, planners, funding agencies, and university researchers with projects that provide a positive and cumulative benefit for ecosystem management at all levels within the Rio Grande Basin watershed. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Groundwater: Baseline data from groundwater levels, water chemistry and biological composition of Springs of the Trans-Pecos was gathered and made available. Surface Water: Determined trend of salinization of waters and mercury concentrations in fish, raised awareness of water quality in the basin among professionals and the general public, determined that DNA extracted from samples could be used to detect pathogenic genes in the Rio Grande. Watershed monitoring: Developed understanding of the link between shallow ground water, surface vegetation, and watershed management. Remediation: Identified subroutines and algorithms in CE-QUAL-W2 model which will be used in future research to study impacts of acid deposition, Electrocoagulation (EC) technique was successful in removing trace metals and azo-dyes from wastewater, EC-floc has been characterized using XRD and SEM-EDS, determined that rapid onsite water quality analysis in the field is achievable with the briefcase EC system, determined presence of Atrazine in water and sediment samples, demonstrated the effects of operational parameters on cake formation of calcium sulfate in nanofiltration, compared the fouling characteristics of different fouling salts, provided cost estimate for recovering calcium from a typical brine stream in a desalination plant in the basin region, and incorporated research results in water and wastewater treatment courses. Biology: Provided knowledge to stakeholders about the organic matter sources to fishes and the level of mercury (Hg) contamination of the Lower Rio Grande drainage, toxicology project revealed low survivability rate of D7 yeast cells indicating presence of geno-toxins in water samples. GIS, Database Management and Clearinghouse: Database Clearinghouse promotes bi-national information sharing and cooperation and information is publicly available via the internet. Wetlands: Determined the presence of salinity affects interactions between dominant estuarine marsh vegetation and riparian freshwater communities, identified hydrographic and environmental factors which would maintain wetland ecosystems and potentially control competition with invasive species. Human Factors: River tourism research documented the importance of river-based recreation and tourism to the regional economy and that it has a small impact on riverine habitats, identified the motivations and commitments of river-tourism professionals as well as potential cooperative partnerships in the upper river that may help reduce some of the priority conflicts for the Rio Grande's water. Education/Public Outreach: Determined the effect of plant roots and water absorption on water usage, increased knowledge on nonpoint-source pollution in Rio Grande sub-watershed. Developed agreement by relevant parties (Texas State University, IMTA, CNA, OAS, UNEP) on required documentation for GEF full-size project on sustainable use of Rio Grande Basin water resources. Agreement by IMTA and CNA (SEMARNAT sister agencies) to complete required Mexican inputs for Rio Grande Basin PPG. Completion of US inputs for Rio Grande Basin PPG.
Publications
- Longley, G. 2005. Geochemistry and other characteristics of thirty-five springs in the Trans Pecos of West Texas. Geological Society of America. Proceedings of Annual Meeting. SLC,UT
- Maher, J.E. 2009. Macroinvertebrate relations with ecoregions and aquifers as influenced by the hydrology and water quality of Western Texas Spring Ecosystems. Texas State University-San Marcos, Thesis.
- Fang, X., R. Shrestha, A.W. Groeger, C. Lin, and M. Jao. 2007. Simulation of impacts of streamflow and climate conditions on Amistad Reservoir. Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education 137: 14-20.
- Flores, D. 2006. Using major anions and cations to describe Trans-Pecos Springs. Texas State University-San Marcos, Thesis.
- Kamps, R.H., M. Gault, G. Tatum and A.W. Groeger. 2009. Discharge and Water Quality of the Submerged Goodenough Spring, International Lake Amistad, Texas, USA. Hydrogeology Journal. 17.
- Mix, K., W. Rast and V. Lopes. (2009). Increases in growing degree days in the alpine desert of the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Jour. Water, Air and Soil Pollution. In Press
- Moltz, H. 2009. An Integrated Assessment of Non-point Source Pollution in Large Basins. Ph.D. Dissertation, Aquatic Resources Program, Texas State University, San Marcos, 163 p.
- Moltz, H., W. Rast, V. Lopes and S. Ventura. (2009). Use of geographic information systems for assessing nonpoint-source pollution potential in the Rio Grande Basin. Jour. Environ. Monitoring and Assessment. In Press.
- Smith, A. 2009. Mercury contamination of the Rio Grande fish community: spatial variation and influence of environmental gradients. Texas State University-San Marcos, Thesis.
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Progress 07/15/07 to 07/14/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: SAWC: The Rio Grande Research Center hosted bi-national WWF workshop of diagnostic research; Kokernot Springs Restoration Project; Research Facilitator hired Jan 08. Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis for Sustainable Use of the Rio Grande continues with interdisciplinary coordination to design a matrix for complex resource allocation decisions; active participation with the global Environmental Facility, GEF; presentation on GEF goals at RGBI annual meeting. Groundwater: Finished a review of current groundwater database files, filtered and check data for other researchers benefit; series of research field trips coordinated with Sul Ross State University. Wetlands: GIS data sets for study region will enhance future studies. Rio Grande Data Clearinghouse: Continued gathering of data for the Rio Grande Publications and Institutions Databases; maintained project website, www.rivers.txstate.edu/rg; attended conferences and meetings related to Rio Grande research and management; presentations at RGBI, EPA Region 6; creation of a database for Rio Grande Institutions; www.rivers.txstate.edu/rg; www.rivers.txstate.edu/rg/ESPANOL/inicio.html); 147.26.138.223/ArcGIS/Riogrande/dataviewer/); www.rivers.txstate.edu/rg/database.php; rsi-db.its.txstate.edu/rsi/pubsearch/default.aspx). Wetlands: Delineated native habitats from LULC classification; performed ground verification surveys; compiled data in an ArcGIS database; presentation TX Academy of Sciences Meeting. Surface Water: 15 presentations; Assess the impact of long-range transport of airborne pollutants, including sulfate and nitrate, on water sustainability in the Rio Grande Basin; develop modeling expertise in acid deposition simulations using EPA's Model-3 CMAQ One Atmosphere Model; perform CMAQ simulations; validated model simulations; estimated the impact of emissions reduction or adjustment on acid deposition for the Rio Grande Basin based on the validated model; simulated acid deposition data into a two-dimensional water quality and hydrodynamics model, CE-QUAL-W2. Membrane fouling caused by different fouling salts; cost analysis of calcium recovery; attend the 2007 RGBI Conference and 2006 Conference of Universities Council on Water Resources; a working model for theoretical precipitation dosage calculation; a table showing the membrane installations in Texas. The project is to perform CMAQ and PMF model simulations to generate data for the assessment of the impacts of airborne particulate pollutants on the Rio Grande Basin Watershed. 98 sites were sampled along the Rio Grande; posters presented at three conferences. Human factors: Conducted and analyzed surveys and personal interviews with outfitters on the Rio Grande; information will be disseminated via articles in journals, by teaching, and by workshops with river guides. Fish Assemblages: Negative correlation between plant and fish diversity and increased disturbed land; positive correlation between non-native plants and disturbed land; positive correlation between increased toxicity and non-native plants. Overall the results support human disturbance as a factor driving reduced fish and plant diversity along and within the Rio Grande. PARTICIPANTS: Sul Ross State University: Kevin Urbanczyk; Bonnie Warnock; Keith Sternes; Karen Little; David A. Sauerzopf; Raquel Acosta; Lucia De La Rosa; Eric Eckols; Emmalee Sternes; Brandi Bell; Leah Duran. Texas State University - San Marcos: Andrew Sansom; Walter Rast; James Kimmel; Warren Pulich; Timothy Bonner; Weston Nowlin; Emily Armitano; Al Groeger; Glenn Longley; Michael Abbott; Yongxia Skadberg; 15 students. Sam Houston State University: J. K. Williams; Karen Manges; Mark R. Leipnik; Dr. Anne Gaillard; Dr. William Lutterchmidt; 3 students. Lamar University, Beaumont: Thomas Ho; Jerry Lin; Daniel Chen; David Cocke; Kuyen Li; Helen Lou; Randall Yoder; Hsing-wei Chu; Paul Chiou; Wilson Santamaria; Suraj Shetty; Janardhan Dongre; Shoeb Alam; Saqib Shirazi; Sumit Agarwal; Alphones Arokiaraj; Prazeeta Shakya; 9 students. Angelo State University: Rod Reed; 2 students. Big Bend National Park; Texas Cooperative Extension Services - Tom Green and Sutton Counties; U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Brewster County Groundwater District; Region E, Far West Texas Planning Group. TARGET AUDIENCES: Local drainage districts, water suppliers (municipal and irrigation districts), and concerned citizens; an informal outreach program will mostly occur through university lectures and outreach programs which communicate the environmental water needs of the Rio Grande basin; researchers, scientific communities or public sectors interested in learning the impacts of airborne particulate pollutants on the Rio Grande Basin Watershed; graduate and undergraduate students for education and training including the minority students; technical/research community in membrane filtration for research outreach; stakeholders and people interested in the Rio Grande; river outfitters guides personnel in river management agencies; urban and rural residential and agricultural land users in the Rio Grande Basin; government agencies; and, non-governmental organizations. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: None.
Impacts
SAWC: Rio Grande Research Center: Streamlined agreements for use between Texas State University Schools in lieu of pre-existing contracts; facilitated collaborative efforts for the development of a Texas Department of Education Region 18 middle-high school Continuing Education Program; new web site design. Groundwater: Development of a better characterization of the current water quality and flow systems of the Presidio Bolson, these data will be an integral part of future efforts to determine groundwater availability and conjunctive use strategies in the basin. Baseline inventory of groundwater levels. Wetland Changes: Development of various GIS files showing approximate extent and locations of plant species, soil types, hydrologic features and other environmental parameters provide a new level of understanding ecosystem composition. Veg Mapping: Development of better methods for data preparation and mapping of salt cedar and comparison of the effectiveness of heirarchial veg mapping techniques versus field veg mapping techniques. Data Clearinghouse: Going live with institutions and publications database on the website will provide greater dissemination of information and stimulus additional interest and concern in projects of environmental and sustainability in the Rio Grande Basin watershed; transboundary information sharing and cooperation; international assessment of the institutions working on the Rio Grande issues will enhance bi-national coordination management efforts between Texas and Mexico; researchers are using databases for research. Wetlands: Study demonstrates the environmental need for freshwater inflows that sustain Rio Grande estuary wetlands; isolated data gaps in plant species richness; provide information to water suppliers, drainage utility managers, and concerned citizenry through publications, public lectures, and educational forums. Surface Water: Field measurement data on particulate composition, including sulfate and nitrate, have allowed development of new and essential acid deposition data have been determined. Demonstrated effects of parameters on cake formation of CaSO4 during membrane filtration. Observed trend in salinization of Lake Amistad is overstated. Biology: An increased understanding of avian and plant communities of Terlingua Creek and enhanced knowledge of dynamics of the link between shallow water, surface vegetation and watershed management. Modeling developed for estuarine vegetation have already been accepted and applied in other classroom teaching; Fish Hg concentrations indicate that many cyprinid taxa are above EPA Wildlife Criteria and within the range to cause effects on hormone production and reproduction; comprehensive assessment of fish and invertebrates of the Rio Grande; determination that the organic and inorganic inputs to the Rio Grande has critical implications for the species composition and stability of riverine food webs; completion of cataloguing macroinvertebrate population for NPS. Human Factors: River tourism has a small impact on riparian habitats; outfitters consider interpretation important, but its delivery is uneven.
Publications
- Upadhyay, Jeetendra, S. Chandru, C. J. Lin, and T. C. Ho. Modeling of Long-Range Transport of the Airborne Pollutants on the Rio Grande Basin Watereshed, paper published in the Conference Proceedings of the Internal Symposium on Air Quality and Waste Management for Agriculture held in Broomfield, Colorado, September 16-19, 2007.
- Lin, C. J., P. Pongprueksa, O. R. Bullock, S. E. Lindberg, S. O. Pehkonen, C. Jang, T. Brsaverman, and T. C. Ho, Scientific Uncertainties in Atmospheric Mercury Models II: Sensitivity Analysis in the CONUS Domain, Atmospheric Environment, 41, 6544 (2007).
- Chiou, P., W. Tang, C. J. Lin, H. W. Chu, R. Tadmor, and T. C. Ho, Atmospheric Aerosols over a Southwestern Region of Texas, paper accepted for publication in Environmental Modeling and Assessment (2008).
- Upadhyay, Jeetendra, S. Chandru, C. J. Lin, and T. C. Ho, Modeling of Long-Range Transport of the Airborne Pollutants on the Rio Grande Basin Watereshed, paper published in the Conference Proceedings of the Internal Symposium on Air Quality and Waste Management for Agriculture held in Broomfield, Colorado, September 16-19, 2007.
- Lin, C. J., P. Pongprueksa, O. R. Bullock, S. E. Lindberg, S. O. Pehkonen, C. Jang, T. Brsaverman, and T. C. Ho, Scientific Uncertainties in Atmospheric Mercury Models II: Sensitivity Analysis in the CONUS Domain, Atmospheric Environment, 41, 6544 (2007).
- Chiou, P., W. Tang, C. J. Lin, H. W. Chu, R. Tadmor, and T. C. Ho, Atmospheric Aerosols over a Southwestern Region of Texas, paper accepted for publication in Environmental Modeling and Assessment (2008).
- Shirazi, S., Lin, C.-J., Chen, D. (2007). The Inorganic Fouling of Pressure-Driven Membrane Processes, A Critical Review, submitted to Desalination, 2008.
- Lin, C.-J., Shirazi, S., Shakya, P. (2007). Closure to Mechanistic model for CaSO4 fouling on nanofiltration membrane, by Lin et al., Journal of Environmental Engineering 133, 942-943, 2007.
- Shirazi S., Lin C.-J., Agarwal S., Rao P., Comparison of Fouling Mechanism by CaSO4 and CaHPO4 on Nanofiltration Membranes, Separation Science & Technology, 41, 2861-2882, 2006.
- Lin C.-J., Shirazi S, Rao P., Agarwal S., Effects of Operational Parameters on Cake Formation of CaSO4 in Nanofiltration, Water Research 40, 806-816, 2006.
- Conference Presentations/Abstracts Lin, C.-J., Shrestha-Shakya, P., and Shirazi, S. 2007 Inorganic fouling and sodium recovery from reverse osmosis desalination, the 2007 Rio Grande Basin Initiative Conference, South Padre Island, May 14-17, 2007.
- Lin C.-J., Shirazi S., Agarwal S. A Comparative Study of Inorganic Fouling by Calcium Sulfate and Calcium Phosphate on Nanofiltration Membranes, the 2006 Annual Conference of the Universities Council on Water Resources, Santa Fe, NM, July 17-20, 2006.
- Upadhyay, Jeetendra, S. Chandru, C. J. Lin, and T. C. Ho, Modeling of Long-Range Transport of the Airborne Pollutants on the Rio Grande Basin Watereshed, paper published in the Conference Proceedings of the Internal Symposium on Air Quality and Waste Management for Agriculture held in Broomfield, Colorado, September 16-19, 2007.
- Lin, C. J., P. Pongprueksa, O. R. Bullock, S. E. Lindberg, S. O. Pehkonen, C. Jang, T. Brsaverman, and T. C. Ho, Scientific Uncertainties in Atmospheric Mercury Models II: Sensitivity Analysis in the CONUS Domain, Atmospheric Environment, 41, 6544 (2007).
- Duran, Leah. 2008. PCR-based identification of Legionella. Masters Thesis, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas.
- Chiou, P., W. Tang, C. J. Lin, H. W. Chu, R. Tadmor, and T. C. Ho, Atmospheric Aerosols over a Southwestern Region of Texas, paper accepted for publication in Environmental Modeling and Assessment (2008).
- Bell, Brandi. 2008. The efficacy of polymerase chain reaction based detection of Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium in water and sediment samples from the Rio Grande. Masters Thesis, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas.
- Alexander, K., and T. Chenoweth. (2008). Determining surface water availability. In: Sahs, M.K. (ed.), Texas Law of Water Resources, State Bar Books.
- Alexander, K. (2008). Whose water is it: The evolution of Texas boundary water agreements. To be published in: Griffin, R. (ed.), Water Policy in Texas: Management for a Diverse Land (part of Resources for the Future series).
- Mix, K., W. Rast and V. Lopes. (2008). Increases in growing degree days in the alpien desert of the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Submitted to Jour. Water, Air and Soil Pollution.
- Mix, K., V. Lopes and W. Rast. (2008). Annual and growing season climate changes in the alpine desert of the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Submitted to Jour. Applied Meteorology and Climatology.
- Moltz, H., W. Rast, V. Lopes and S. Ventura. (2008). Use of geographic information systems for assessing nonpoint-source pollution potential in the Rio Grande Basin. Submitted to Jour. Environ. Monitoring and Assessment;
- Moltz, H., W. Rast, V. Lopes and S. Ventura. (2008). A Hydrologic-Economic Analysis of Best Management Practices for Sediment Control in the Rio Grande Basin. Submitted to Jour. Hydrologic Engineer
- Justin K. Williams and Anica Debelica. 2008. Analysis of the completeness of vascular plant records in Florida. J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 2: 1363-1371.
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Progress 07/15/06 to 07/14/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: SAWC: The development of the Southwest Agricultural Water Conservation conceptual reorganizing of research management under an administrative umbrella managed by the Rio Grande Research Center provides a critical focal point for the collaboration of interagency, interdisciplinary research resource allocation within the bi-national, transbasin watersheds of the Rio Grande and Rio Conchos Basins. Year 1 and 2 grants funded through CSREES Award Number 2004-38899-02181 providing the initial funding for initiating research and a majority of the specific projects funded by CSREES Award Number 2006-38899-03586 are intimately interconnected with projects that owe their origination with the initial grant. Rio Grande Research Center: A Research Facilitator was hired in January 2008, initiating a dialogue with researchers, university staff, interagency partners, stakeholders, and concerned members of the general public in an effort to strengthen collaboration; attended Presidio Ojinaga
Rural Task Force meeting as outreach to established bi-national collations concerned with health, water quality, urban reforestation, surface water pollution, airborne particulate pollution, aquifer concerns, and sustainable de-centralized energy production. TDA: The Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis Framework for Sustainable Use of the Rio Grande and its Resources continues with extensive interdisciplinary coordination in designing a workable matrix for making complex resource allocation decisions with the Rio Grande Basin watershed; systematic stakeholder input; active participation with the global Environmental Facility, GEF; refined draft of Project Information Form and Project Program Guide for submission to the GEF Secretariat; drafted initial work program, budget and timeline for GEF project; completion of advancement to candidacy examination by third doctoral student working on specific aspects of TDA; presentation on GEF project goals delivered to interagency partners;
presentation on GEF project goals and elements delivered at RGBI annual meeting; co-chaired Dissertation Committee for student working on analysis of the water environment from headwater to Gulf along the Rio Grande. Groundwater: Finished a review of current groundwater database files, filtered and check data for other researchers benefit; series of research field trips coordinated with Sul Ross State University. Wetland Changes: GIS data sets for study region will enhance future studies. Rio Grande Database and Clearinghouse: Continued gathering of data for the Rio Grande Publications and Institutions Databases; recovery and quality control of Institutions Database; maintained project website, www.rivers.txstate.edu/rg ; began translating web site into Spanish; coordination with partners at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, EPA Region 6 staff, Rio Grande River Navigator, and other international representatives; attended conferences and meetings related to Rio Grande
research and management; presentations at RGBI, EPA Region 6; creation of an excel database with contact information for Rio Grande Institutions on both sides of the river.
PARTICIPANTS: Jerry Lin, Daniel H Chen, H. Randall Yoder, H. Randall Yoder, Keith Sternes, Thomas Ho; Jerry Lin; Hsing-wei Chu; Xing Fang, Jubin Upadhyay; Wilson Santamaria; Suraj Shetty; Pruek Pongprueksa; Janardhan Dongre; Shoeb Alam, Walter Rast, Susan Roberts, Ken Mix, Kathy Alexander, Heidi Moltz, Karen Little, David L. Cocke, Kuyen Li, Helen Lou, Ryan Welsh, Leah Duran, Brandi Bell, Isabel Carrillo, Xuejun Ye, Manohar Palla, Archana Vaddi, John Mondalbano, Ashley Walthall, Kevin Urbanczyk, Bonnie Warnock, Adelina Beall, Jordan Haubert, Thomas Shiller, Curtis Shell, Dustin Windsor, Will Juett, Weston Nowlin, Timothy Bonner,Alan W. Groeger, Jesse Becker, Liz Fulcher, Jessica Strickland, Tom Ryan, James Kimmel, Glenn Longley, Jaimie Maher, Jeff Mitchell, Leslie Hopper, Rawles Williams, Sul Ross State University, Lamar University, Texas State University, Sam Houston State University, University of Texas at Austin, Angelo State University, New Mexico State University, Department of
Defense, Department of Homeland Security, National Park Service, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Offices of Congressional Representatives along the Texas reach of the Rio Grande, City of Alpine, Counties of Brewster, Presidio, Ft. Davis, Pecos, Culberson, Hudspeth, Terrell, Trans-Pecos Water Trust, CDRCandD, Nature Conservancy, Lajitas Resort, Municipalidad de Ojinaga.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Researchers, universities, students, educators, land managers, resource planners, government agencies at all levels, stakeholders, water managers, general public. The vision of the SAWC program is to link managers, planners, funding agencies, and university researchers with projects that provide a positive and cumulative benefit for ecosystem management at all levels within the Rio Grande Basin watershed.
Impacts
SAWC: Formation of the SAWC concept has increased coordination between researchers, land managers and stakeholders. Rio Grande Research Center: The opening of the RGRC office is an important step in facilitating the efficiency of matching on the ground needs with funding and research resources, expediting the process of getting critical needs identified and deliverables generated that solve real issues in real time. TDA: Further development of an ecosystem based TDA, and subsequent Strategic Action Plan, will facilitate the sustainable use of the Rio Grande. Groundwater: Development of a better characterization of the current water quality and flow systems of the Presidio Bolson, these data will be an integral part of future efforts to determine groundwater availability and conjunctive use strategies in the basin. Wetland Changes: Development of various GIS files showing approximate extent and locations of plant species, soil types, hydrologic features and other
environmental parameters provide a new level of understanding ecosystem composition. Rio Grande Database and Clearinghouse: Going live with institutions and publications database on the website will provide greater dissemination of information and stimulus additional interest and concern in projects of environmental and sustainability in the Rio Grande Basin watershed; transboundary information sharing and cooperation; international assessment of the institutions working on the Rio Grande issues will enhance bi-national coordination management efforts between Texas and Mexico.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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