Progress 07/01/15 to 06/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience 1: International and regional research community in agriculture and water management. Judith River Watershed (JRW): Agricultural management practices and water quality. During this reporting period, our efforts have been focused on initiating our NSF EPSCoR funded Consortium for Research in Environmental Water Systems (CREWS) project work in the JRW, along with publishing JRW research in peer-reviewed journals. As of September 30, 2019 two new papers were nearing completion (Sigler et al., in prep) as part of Adam Sigler's dissertation work, to be submitted in early 2020. Results of JRW work were presented at the Montana Chapter of the American Water Resources Association regional meeting (PhD student Paul Hegedus, PhD student/MSU Extension Specialist Adam Sigler), a regional hydrology workshop (Ewing presentation), the SSSA/CSA/ASA national meeting (Clain Jones presentation), and an abstract accepted for oral presentation at the fall American Geophysical Union (Sigler presentation on the Judith River Watershed). In addition, starting PhD students Caitlin Mitchell and Paul Hegedus undertook modeling exercises based on analysis of nitrate and water isotopes in Judith watershed lysimeter samples. A manuscript led by Patrick Wurster and the University of Montana hydrology team on agricultural impacts of climate change was accepted for publication. Gallatin River Watershed: Evaluating water character as a metric of storage across mountain front transitions. We conducted water sampling and analysis, presented at regional meetings (Ewing invited seminars, University of Alberta and University of Montana; Payn presentation American Water Resources Association), and submitted a manuscript using geochemical tracers to elucidate hydrologic storage across mountain catchment to intermountain basin transitions in the Gallatin headwaters. MS student Florence Miller completed her MS thesis on this work in August 2018. Undergraduate and post-graduate researcher Sam Leuthold developed water isotope data, presented results of his work at the American Geophysical Union fall meeting and prepared a manuscript for submission (expected December 2020). Target audience 2: State agencies and federal agency staff within Montana (MSU county extension agents and agricultural research center staff; NRCS soil and water conservationists; Montana Department of Agriculture; Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG); Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC); US Geological Survey (USGS) state office; Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ); US Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)). Ongoing discussion with NRCS staff in the Bozeman, Missoula and Havre offices furthered these research efforts. In the Gallatin project, active and ongoing collaboration with Tom Michalek of MBMG (now RESPEC) strengthened our understanding of groundwater resources and allowed us to sample wells at key points in the Gallatin Valley. In the Powder River area, we furthered collaboration with Liddi Meredith of MBMG regarding approaches to geochemical characterization of groundwater. Our ongoing collaboration with agency staff to evaluate water chemistry and access data (MDA, MBMG) included collaboration with MDA analytical staff in Bozeman, and with DNRC through a University of Montana led grant focused on water for agriculture. These partnerships were furthered through the October 2018 start of the $20M Montana EPSCoR award to the Consortium for Research on Environmental Water Systems (CREWS), for which Dr. Ewing is a co-PI, with a plan to develop a Montana Water Consortium based on working groups across major economic sectors in Montana that influence water quality. Target audience 3: Undergraduates and graduate students seeking analytical training at MSU and regionally. Three undergraduate researchers were extensively involved with this research during the reporting period, and approximately ten were engaged in analytical training in the Environmental Analysis Laboratory. Undergraduate Chelsey Trevino supported soil analysis in the EAL. Seven graduate students (Abebe, Capella, Hegedus, Mitchell, Ocel, Sigler, Wologo) participated in research for the Gallatin and Judith projects, and about 15 received analytical training in the Environmental Analysis Laboratory. MS student Ethan Wologo submitted a paper on biogeochemical effects of permafrost thaw on artic streams, and completed his MS work on geochemical tracers of permafrost thaw in May 2019. Starting MS student Joe Capella led soil inorganic and organic carbon and nitrogen analysis using the solid combustion analyzer in the Environmental Analysis Laboratory. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Dr. Ann Marie Reinhold was appointed to a position of Research Assistant Professor to lead biogeochemical modeling efforts for CREWS starting in October 2019. Her efforts substantially progressed the modelling approach and contributed to a successful NSF proposal in the area of Signals in the Soil.Graduate student Adam Sigler presented at fall AGU in 2019, and defended his dissertation in March 2020, with submission of two manuscripts for publication in late 2019 and 2020. PhD student Caitlin Mitchell initiated field work and worked with the Central Agricultural Research Center and the Montana Climate Office to develop snow monitoring approaches. PhD student Paul Hegedus developed modeling approaches to address questions in data intensive agriculture. Several graduate and undergradutat estudents sharpened their analytical skills in the Environmental Analytical Laboratory. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Adam Sigler continued Extension work in water quality based on his dissertation research, and the CREWS team initiated meetings with the Judith River Watershed Working Group. Multiple presentations at the Montana American Water Resources Association meeting communicated results to the agencies and academics involved with water management in Montana. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The Montana EPSCoR award to the Consortium for Research on Environmental Water Systems (CREWS), for which Dr. Ewing is a co-PI, will continue to be a major focus, with collaborations, community conversations, and publications anticipated. Work under this award is developing collaborations at MSU and across the Montana University System, and is aligned with this MAES project in a number of ways, with a particular focus on agricultural systems in central Montana and building on work with the Crow Tribe in the Little Big Horn River watershed and in the Powder River Basin. In the Gallatin watershed, two manuscripts from the Gallatin Valley data are expected to be published, along with the second and third papers from Adam Sigler's dissertation work.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This project emphasizes a broad assessment of landscapes and watersheds, and work with local communities and stakeholders. Targeted research objectives developed for four focal projects are described below. All four focal projects involve a component of student engagement that contributes to achieving objective 3. Sustainable Agricultural Management for Resilience in Montana Landscapes Three journal articles (one accepted, one submitted, one close to submission) support this goal through observations regarding the effects of management on water quality, specifically nitrate, and community engagement in addressing the issue in the Judith River Watershed (Sigler et al. in prep) and throughout the region (Wurster et al., 2019). Two presentations at international (AGU) and regional (AWRA) meetings have promoted this work. Ongoing discussion with the community including regular Extension presentations Adam Sigler have continued to present the results of this research. The $20M Montana EPSCoR award to the Consortium for Research on Environmental Water Systems (CREWS), in its second year and for which Dr. Ewing is a co-PI, includes a specific focus on this goal. Activities in the JRW included water sampling, snow monitoring, and deployment of sensors for water solutes. Water quality at Plenty Coups spring and Little Big Horn River valley on the Crow (Apsaalooke) Reservation Dr. Ewing participated in a discussion of data and a final report from sites associated with Chief Plenty Coups spring with representatives from the state park, the Crow steering committee, the Montana DEQ, Little Big Horn College, and the Montana State Governor's office. In a field trip during November 2019, CREWS team members toured the LBHR and developed research plans. Hydrologic Storage in the Gallatin Watershed Three manuscripts led by Florence Miller (MS August 2018), Ethan Wologo (MS May 2019), and post-graduate student Sam Leuthold (BS December 2017) were submitted in 2019, and presentations included Paul Hegedus and Adam Sigler at the Montana American Water Resources Association 2019 meeting and Adam Sigler and Stephanie Ewing at the fall AGU conference in 2019. The Miller and Wologo manuscripts were in revision as of the end of this reporting period. Environmental Analytical Laboratory Ten instruments are actively running samples and funding was secured for one new instrument - a fluorometer for characterization of dissolved organic matter. In summer 2019, Dr. Christine Gobrogge left the lab, and the five-member faculty advisory board conducted a search for a new chemist, with Dr. Toby Koffman starting in late 2019. A total of ten undergraduate and 15 graduate students were trained in the lab in 2019, supporting research by about 30 faculty in multiple departments at MSU (LRES, Research Centers, Ecology, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Chemistry, Microbiology). More than 6000 samples were analyzed in FY20. The accounting and data management systems are in place via a web-based system, and the lab continues to bring in invoice income that has supported operations costs and new instrumentation. Two PhD students served as research associates in the lab during spring 2020. Financial support from the Montana Fertilizer Assessment Committee was awarded for FY21.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Wurster, P.M., Maneta, M., Begueria, S., Coburn, K., Maxwell, B., Silverman, N., Ewing, S., Jencso, K., Gardner, P., Kimball, J., Holden, Z., Ji, J., Vicente-Serrano, S.M. (accepted 2019) Characterizing the impact of climatic anomalies on agrosystems in the northwest United States. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Miller, F R, Ewing, S A, Paces, J B, Custer, S, Payn, R A (in revision) Strontium and uranium isotopes suggest changing water storage and groundwater exchange along a mountain stream (Hyalite Canyon, Montana). Submitted to Journal of Hydrology.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Leuthold, S., Ewing, S. A., Payn, R. A., Miller, F., Custer, S., Paces, J. B. (submitted to Hydrological Processes November 2019) Seasonality of proximal-area subsurface flow contributions along a mountain headwater stream (Hyalite Creek, Montana).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Ewing, SA, Wologo, E, ODonnell, JA, Paces, JB, Striegl, RG, Froese, D, Koch, J. (2019) [Invited] Groundwater connection and dissolved organic carbon transport in the Yukon River Basin. Oral Presentation, American Geophysical Union meeting, December 2019.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Sigler, WA, Ewing, SA, Wankel, SD, Jones, CA, Leuthold, S, Brookshire, ENJ, Payn, RA (2019) Denitrification patterns across a dryland agroecosystem in the Northern Great Plains. Oral Presentation, Montana Chapter of the American Water Resources Association meeting, Red Lodge, MT, 9-11 October 2019.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Hegedus, PB, Ewing SA, Payn, RA, Maxwell, BD, Sigler, WA (2019)
Combining data intensive precision agriculture and transport modeling to limit nitrate loss to groundwater from conventional dryland wheat farming. Oral presentation, Montana Chapter of the American Water Resources Association meeting, Red Lodge, MT, 9-11 October 2019.
|
Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience 1: International and regional research community in agriculture and water management. Judith River Watershed (JRW): Agricultural management practices and water quality. During this reporting period, our efforts have been focused on initiating our NSF EPSCoR funded Consortium for Research in Environmental Water Systems (CREWS) project work in the JRW, along with publishing JRW research in peer-reviewed journals. As of September 30, 2019 two new papers were nearing completion (Sigler et al., in prep) as part of Adam Sigler's dissertation work, to be submitted in early 2020. Results of JRW work were presented at the Montana Chapter of the American Water Resources Association regional meeting (PhD student Paul Hegedus, PhD student/MSU Extension Specialist Adam Sigler), a regional hydrology workshop (Ewing presentation), the SSSA/CSA/ASA national meeting (Clain Jones presentation), and an abstract accepted for oral presentation at the fall American Geophysical Union (Sigler presentation on the Judith River Watershed). In addition, starting PhD students Caitlin Mitchell and Paul Hegedus undertook modeling exercises based on analysis of nitrate and water isotopes in Judith watershed lysimeter samples. A manuscript led by Patrick Wurster and the University of Montana hydrology team on agricultural impacts of climate change was accepted for publication. Gallatin River Watershed: Evaluating water character as a metric of storage across mountain front transitions. We conducted water sampling and analysis, presented at regional meetings (Ewing invited seminars, University of Alberta and University of Montana; Payn presentation American Water Resources Association), and submitted a manuscript using geochemical tracers to elucidate hydrologic storage across mountain catchment to intermountain basin transitions in the Gallatin headwaters. MS student Florence Miller completed her MS thesis on this work in August 2018. Undergraduate and post-graduate researcher Sam Leuthold developed water isotope data, presented results of his work at the American Geophysical Union fall meeting and prepared a manuscript for submission (expected December 2020). Target audience 2: State agencies and federal agency staff within Montana (MSU county extension agents and agricultural research center staff; NRCS soil and water conservationists; Montana Department of Agriculture; Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG); Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC); US Geological Survey (USGS) state office; Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ); US Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)). Ongoing discussion with NRCS staff in the Bozeman, Missoula and Havre offices furthered these research efforts. In the Gallatin project, active and ongoing collaboration with Tom Michalek of MBMG (now RESPEC) strengthened our understanding of groundwater resources and allowed us to sample wells at key points in the Gallatin Valley. In the Powder River area, we furthered collaboration with Liddi Meredith of MBMG regarding approaches to geochemical characterization of groundwater. Our ongoing collaboration with agency staff to evaluate water chemistry and access data (MDA, MBMG) included collaboration with MDA analytical staff in Bozeman, and with DNRC through a University of Montana led grant focused on water for agriculture. These partnerships were furthered through the October 2018 start of the $20M Montana EPSCoR award to the Consortium for Research on Environmental Water Systems (CREWS), for which Dr. Ewing is a co-PI, with a plan to develop a Montana Water Consortium based on working groups across major economic sectors in Montana that influence water quality. Target audience 3: Undergraduates and graduate students seeking analytical training at MSU and regionally. Three undergraduate researchers were extensively involved with this research during the reporting period, and approximately ten were engaged in analytical training in the Environmental Analysis Laboratory. Undergraduate Chelsey Trevino supported soil analysis in the EAL. Seven graduate students (Abebe, Capella, Hegedus, Mitchell, Ocel, Sigler, Wologo) participated in research for the Gallatin and Judith projects, and about 15 received analytical training in the Environmental Analysis Laboratory. MS student Ethan Wologo submitted a paper on biogeochemical effects of permafrost thaw on artic streams, and completed his MS work on geochemical tracers of permafrost thaw in May 2019. Starting MS student Joe Capella led soil inorganic and organic carbon and nitrogen analysis using the solid combustion analyzer in the Environmental Analysis Laboratory. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One recent female biogeochemistry PhD (Dr. Ann Marie Reinhold) was appointed to a position of Research Assistant Professor to lead biogeochemical modeling efforts for CREWS starting in October 2019. Graduate student Ethan Wologo completed his MS with submission of a manuscript following sampling, incubation and analysis of water and soils for solutes and carbon character. Undergraduate student Sam Leuthold presented at fall AGU in 2018, with submission of a manuscript for publication expected in late 2019. PhD student Adam Sigler developed modeling and coding skills in collaboration with Dr. Rob Payn at MSU and Dr. Marco Maneta at UM, and is preparing his second and third dissertation manuscripts for submission, expected during late 2019. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?In addition to conference presentations reported above, Dr. Ewing prepared results of JRW work for presentation to a public meeting at the Lewistown public library in fall 2019, and presented results at the CREWS all hands meeting in fall 2018. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The Montana EPSCoR award to the Consortium for Research on Environmental Water Systems (CREWS), for which Dr. Ewing is a co-PI, became a major focus during this reporting period. Work under this award will develop collaborations at MSU and across the Montana University System, and is aligned with this MAES project in a number of ways, with a particular focus on agricultural systems in central Montana and building on work with the Crow Tribe in the Little Big Horn River watershed and in the Powder River Basin. In the Gallatin watershed, model development and preparation of a manuscript for the Gallatin Valley data acquired to date is a priority. A Major Research Instrumentation proposal to NSF, ultimately funded by the MSU VPR's office, will contribute to development of analytical capabilities relevant to this project in terms of research goals and integration of the EAL.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This project emphasizes a broad assessment of landscapes and watersheds, and work with local communities and stakeholders. Targeted research objectives developed for four focal projects are described below. All four focal projects involve a component of student engagement that contributes to achieving objective 3. Sustainable Agricultural Management for Resilience in Montana Landscapes Three journal articles (one accepted, two close to submission) support this goal through observations regarding the effects of management on water quality, specifically nitrate, and community engagement in addressing the issue in the Judith River Watershed (Sigler et al. in prep) and throughout the region (Wurster et al., 2019). Two presentations at international (AGU) and regional (AWRA) meetings have promoted this work. Ongoing discussion with the community including regular Extension presentations by Clain Jones and Adam Sigler have continued to present the results of this research. Most recently, the $20M Montana EPSCoR award to the Consortium for Research on Environmental Water Systems (CREWS), for which Dr. Ewing is a co-PI, includes a specific focus on this goal that will be carried out over the next five years. Water quality at Plenty Coups spring and landscape history research on the Crow (Apsaalooke) Reservation Dr. Ewing participated in a water treatment workshop with Apsaalooke middle school students at Chief Plenty Coups state park. Undergraduate Tennison BigDay began work with Dr. Ewing and collaborators David McWethy (MSU Earth Sciences), John Doyle (Little Big Horn College) and Mari Eggers (MSU Center for Biological Engineering) to undertake analysis of water and sediment samples collected in lakes and streams on the Crow Reservation, following field work in summer 2019. The complete dataset for sites associated with Chief Plenty Coups spring, produced in the Environmental Analytical Lab, and an associated final report, were delivered to Crow tribal members, and an ongoing discussion of these data with the Plenty Coups state park director resulted in followup actions to mitigate groundwater contamination by the park septic system and local residential septic systems. Hydrologic Storage in the Gallatin Watershed Two manuscripts led by Florence Miller (MS August 2018) and post-graduate student Sam Leuthold (BS December 2017) were submitted in 2019, and presentations included Rob Payn and Adam Sigler at the Montana American Water Resources Association 2018 meeting and Sam Leuthold at the fall AGU conference in 2018; Dr. Ewing presented results of this work at the University of Alberta Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences in October 2018, and at the University of Montana in November 2018. Sampling of soils, surface water, and groundwater was completed in fall 2018 with support from MS student Ethan Wologo and post-graduate researcher Joe Capella, and a modeling component was developed, led by co-PI Robert Payn and PhD student Abaye Abebe. Environmental Analytical Laboratory Ten instruments are actively running samples and funding was secured for one new instrument - a fluorometer for characterization of dissolved organic matter. In summer 2019, Dr. Christine Gobrogge left the lab, and the five-member faculty advisory board conducted a search for a new chemist, with Dr. Toby Koffman starting in late 2019. A total of ten undergraduate and 15 graduate students were trained in the lab in 2019, supporting research by about 30 faculty in multiple departments at MSU (LRES, Research Centers, Ecology, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Chemistry, Microbiology). More than 6000 samples were analyzed in FY19. The accounting and data management systems are in place via a web-based system, and the lab continues to bring in invoice income that has supported operations costs and new instrumentation. Dr. Gobrogge held an open house for the start of the fall term. We awarded funding to two PhD students as research associates in the lab during spring 2020. Financial support from the Montana Fertilizer Assessment Committee was awarded for FY20, and the lab received additional support of Dr. Gobrogge from the Montana EPSCoR award to the Consortium for Research on Environmental Water Systems (CREWS).
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Wurster, P.M., Maneta, M., Begueria, S., Coburn, K., Maxwell, B., Silverman, N., Ewing, S., Jencso, K., Gardner, P., Kimball, J., Holden, Z., Ji, J., Vicente-Serrano, S.M. (accepted 2019) Characterizing the impact of climatic anomalies on agrosystems in the northwest United States. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Miller, F R, Ewing, S A, Paces, J B, Custer, S, Payn, R A (in revision) Strontium and uranium isotopes suggest changing water storage and groundwater exchange along a mountain stream (Hyalite Canyon, Montana). Submitted to Journal of Hydrology.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Leuthold, S., Ewing, S. A., Payn, R. A., Miller, F., Custer, S., Paces, J. B. (submitted to Hydrologic Processes November 2019) Seasonality of proximal-area subsurface flow contributions along a mountain headwater stream (Hyalite Creek, Montana).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Leuthold, S.J., Ewing, S.A., Payn, R.A., Miller, F., Custer, S., Paces, J.B. (2018) Longitudinal Patterns in Stream Stable Isotope Chemistry along a Snowmelt Driven Headwater Suggest Seasonally Dynamic Connectivity between Proximal Streamflow Generation Sources. Oral Presentation H22H-05B, Abstract 356084, Fall AGU 10-14 December, Washington DC.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Payn, R.A., Ewing, S.A., Miller, F., Leuthold, S., Paces, J.B., Michalek, T., Custer, S.G. (2018) Using longitudinal synoptics of water quality along Hyalite Creek and the Gallatin Valley to understand the distribution of groundwater sources to stream flow generation in the Gallatin River Watershed, Montana. Montana chapter, American Water Resources Association, West Yellowstone, MT, 18-19 October.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Sigler, W.A., Ewing, S.A., Jones, C.A., Payn, R.A., Maneta, M., Miller, P. (2018) The Big Levers - Management, Soils, and Weather: Interactions controlling soil water and nitrate loss in a non-irrigated cropping system. Montana chapter, American Water Resources Association, West Yellowstone, MT, 18-19 October.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Ewing, S. A., Payn, R. A., Miller F., Leuthold, S., Paces, J. B., Hunt, A., Michalek, T., Gardner, P., Custer, S. G. (2019), Using weathering geochemistry to understand sources of streamflow across mountain-basin transitions of the upper Missouri Watershed. Oral presentation, annual meeting of the Universities Council on Water Resources and the National Institute of Water Resources, Snowbird, Utah, 11-13 June 2019.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Wologo, E., Shakil, S., Zolkos, S., Textor, S., Ewing, S. and 22 co-authors (submitted), No evidence of priming in permafrost river networks: A circumpolar assessment. Submitted to Global Biogeochemical Cycles April 2019.
|
Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience 1: International and regional research community in agriculture and water management. Judith River Watershed: Agricultural management practices and water quality. During this reporting period, our efforts have been focused on publication of this research in peer-reviewed journals. As of September 30, 2018 two new papers were published (Jackson-Smith et al. 2018; Sigler et al., 2018). Results of this work were also presented at the Montana Chapter of the American Water Resources Association regional meeting (PhD student/MSU Extension Specialist Adam Sigler), a regional workshop on soil water (PhD student Adam Sigler presentation), the SSSA/CSA/ASA national meeting (Clain Jones presentation), and the European Geophysical Union (Ewing presentation on the Judith River Watershed). In addition, undergraduate and post graduate researcher Sam Leuthold (LRES Environmental Science/Soil and Water major completed December 2017) completed analysis of water isotopes in Judith watershed lysimeter samples and built a simple model to interpret them, as well as performing statistical analysis of a long-term cropping systems study in the Bozeman area. Gallatin River Watershed: Evaluating water character as a metric of storage across mountain front transitions. We conducted water and soil sampling and analysis, presented at regional and international meetings, and neared completion of two manuscripts with our funding by USGS National Institute of Water Resources to study hydrologic storage and potential responses to changing snowpack and seasonal rainfall across the transition from Hyalite Canyon through the Gallatin Valley from the mountain front to just above the confluence to form the Missouri River. MS student Florence Miller completed U and Sr isotope analysis of surface waters, groundwaters and soils, and presented her work at the fall 2017 AWRA meeting and at the Goldschmidt geochemistry conference in 2018; Dr. Ewing presented results of this work at the spring 2018 European Geophysical Union. Undergraduate and post-graduate researcher Sam Leuthold developed water isotope data and prepared a manuscript for submission with data from Gallatin watershed samples. Target audience 2: State agencies and federal agency staff within Montana (MSU county extension agents and agricultural research center staff; NRCS soil and water conservationists; Montana Department of Agriculture; Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG); Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC); US Geological Survey (USGS) state office; Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ); US Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)). Ongoing discussion with NRCS staff in the Bozeman, Missoula and Havre offices furthered these research efforts. In the Gallatin project, active and ongoing collaboration with Tom Michalek of MBMG (now RESPEC) strengthened our understanding of groundwater resources and allowed us to sample wells at key points in the Gallatin Valley. In the Powder River area, we furthered collaboration with Liddi Meredith of MBMG regarding approaches to geochemical characterization of groundwater. Our ongoing collaboration with agency staff to evaluate water chemistry and access data (MDA, MBMG) included a series of meetings with MDA analytical staff in Bozeman, and collaborative work with DNRC through a UM led grant focused on water for agriculture. These partnerships will be furthered through the recent award of the $20M Montana EPSCoR award to the Consortium for Research on Environmental Water Systems (CREWS), for which Dr. Ewing is a co-PI. Target audience 3: Undergraduates and graduate students seeking analytical training at MSU and regionally. Three undergraduate researchers were extensively involved with this research during the reporting period, and twelve were engaged in analytical training in the Environmental Analysis Laboratory. Undergraduate and post-graduate researcher Sam Leuthold completed water isotope analysis of all rain, groundwater and surface water samples from the Gallatin project, as well as lysimeter samples from the Judith project and related work in the Bangtail mountain range, and surface and groundwater samples on the Crow reservation. Post-graduate researcher Joe Capella led soil inorganic and organic carbon and nitrogen analysis using the solid combustion analyzer in the Environmental Analysis Laboratory. Undergraduate Emma Lathrop supported soil analysis and development of a protocol for soil acidification to remove carbonate for organic carbon analysis. Three graduate students participated in research for the Gallatin and Judith projects, and 15 received analytical training in the Environmental Analysis Laboratory. MS student Ethan Wologo completed extensive analysis of a diverse range of water samples from multiple projects on the Shimadzu combustion analyzer, and supported analyses by ICPOES and ion chromatography. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One recent female chemistry PhD (Dr. Christine Gobrogge) was appointed to a position of Research Associate Professor to oversee activities in the Environmental Analytical Laboratory. Graduate student Florence Miller completed her MS with a manuscript close to ready for submission (expected late 2018) following sampling and analysis of water and soils for uranium and strontium isotopes in collaboration with Dr. Jim Paces at USGS. Undergraduate student Sam Leuthold completed independent research using water isotope measurements in the EAL for presentation at AGU in fall 2018, with submission of a manuscript for publication expected in late 2018; he was awarded a fellowship for graduate study as a result. PhD student Adam Sigler developed modeling and coding skills in collaboration with Dr. Rob Payn at MSU and Dr. Marco Maneta at UM, and is preparing his second dissertation manuscript for submission, expected early 2019. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?In addition to conference presentations reported above, Dr. Ewing presented results of work at Chief Plenty Coups spring to Crow tribal members, students, and collaborators at Little Big Horn College. PhD student/MSU Extension Associate Specialist Adam Sigler presented at a workshop on soil water in fall 2018. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The Montana EPSCoR award to the Consortium for Research on Environmental Water Systems (CREWS), for which Dr. Ewing is a co-PI, will be a major focus in the next reporting period. Work under this award will develop collaborations at MSU and across the Montana University System, and is aligned with this MAES project in a number of ways, with a particular focus on agricultural systems in central Montana and building on work with the Crow Tribe and in the Powder River Basin. In the Gallatin watershed, model development and preparation of a manuscript for the Gallatin Valley data acquired to date will be a priority, and two proposals are planned for submission in early 2019 (USGS and NSF funding). A Major Research Instrumentation proposal to NSF, declined in 2018, has been approved for resubmission in 2019 and will contribute to development of analytical capabilities relevant to this project in terms of research goals and integration of the EAL.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This project emphasizes a broad assessment of landscapes and watersheds, and participatory work with local communities and stakeholders. Targeted research objectives developed for four focal projects are described below. All four focal projects involve a component of student engagement that contributes to achieving objective 3. Sustainable Agricultural Management for Resilience in Montana Landscapes Three journal articles (two published, one close to submission) support this goal through observations regarding the effects of management on water quality, specifically nitrate, and community engagement in addressing the issue in the Judith River Watershed (Sigler et al. 2018; Jackson-Smith et al. 2018). Two presentations at international (EGU) and regional (AWRA) meetings have promoted this work. Ongoing discussion with the community including regular Extension presentations by Clain Jones and Adam Sigler have continued to present the results of this research. Most recently, the $20M Montana EPSCoR award to the Consortium for Research on Environmental Water Systems (CREWS), for which Dr. Ewing is a co-PI, includes a specific focus on this goal that will be carried out over the next five years. Water quality at Plenty Coups spring and Big Horn River on the Crow Reservation Undergraduate Sam Leuthold and graduate student Ethan Wologo worked with Dr. Ewing and collaborators John Doyle (Little Big Horn College) and Mari Eggers (MSU Center for Biological Engineering) to complete analyses of water samples from two locations on the Crow Reservation, where the tribe has focused water quality efforts. The complete dataset produced in the Environmental Analytical Lab and final report were delivered to Crow tribal members, and an ongoing discussion of these data with the Plenty Coups state park director resulted in action to mitigate groundwater contamination by the park septic system. Hydrologic Storage in the Gallatin Watershed MS student Florence Miller completed her degree in August 2018. Two journal articles led by Miller and post-graduate student Sam Leuthold are close to submission (expected late 2018), and presentations included Florence Miller at the Montana American Water Resources Association 2017 meeting and the Goldschmidt geochemistry conference in 2018; Dr. Ewing presented results of this work at the European Geophysical Union in 2018. Sampling of soils, surface water, and groundwater was completed in fall 2018 with support from MS student Ethan Wologo and post-graduate researcher Joe Capella, and a modeling component was developed, led by co-PI Robert Payn and new PhD student Abaye Abebe. Environmental Analytical Laboratory Eight instruments are actively running samples and funding was secured for two new instruments - a microwave digester and an organic carbon analyzer - of which one (microwave digester) was purchased for installation in early December. In early 2018, we transitioned from Dr. Jane Klassen to Dr. Christine Gobrogge as the lead chemist in the lab, and a five-member faculty advisory board was created to advise on lab operations with monthly meetings. A total of eight undergraduate and 12 graduate students were trained in the lab in 2017, supporting research by about 30 faculty in multiple departments at MSU (LRES, Research Centers, Ecology, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Chemistry, Microbiology). More than 6000 samples were analyzed. The accounting and data management systems are in place via a web-based system, and the lab continues to bring in invoice income that has supported operations costs and new instrumentation. Dr. Gobrogge held an open house for the start of the fall term. We awarded funding to two PhD students as research associates in the lab during spring 2019, and one graduate student developed a research project to be completed for graduate credit in fall 2018. Financial support from the Montana Fertilizer Assessment Committee was awarded for the coming year, and the lab received additional support of Dr. Gobrogge from the Montana EPSCoR award to the Consortium for Research on Environmental Water Systems (CREWS).
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Jackson-Smith D, Ewing S A, Jones. C A, Sigler W A and Armstrong A (2018) The road less travelled: Assessing the impacts of in-depth farmer and stakeholder participation in groundwater nitrate pollution research. J. Soil Water Conserv. 73:610-622, doi:10.2489/jswc.73.6.610.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Sigler W A, Ewing S A, Jones C A, Payn R, Brookshire E N J, Klassen J, Jackson-Smith D and Weissmann G S. (2018) Connections among soil, ground, and surface water chemistries characterize nitrogen loss from an agricultural landscape in the upper Missouri River Basin. Journal of Hydrology 556, 247261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2017.10.018.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Miller, F.R., Ewing, S.A. , Payn, R.A., Paces, J.B., Leuthold, S., Michalek, T., Custer, S. (2018) Sr and U isotopes reveal the influence of lithologic structure and weathering on surface-groundwater interaction along a mountain stream (Hyalite Canyon, MT). Oral presentation HS2.3.3, Isotope and Tracer Methods: Flow paths characterization, catchment response and transformation processes, Goldschmidt Conference, Boston MA, August 2018.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Ewing, S. A., F. Miller, R. A. Payn, J. B. Paces, S. G. Custer (2018) Strontium and uranium isotopes reveal surface water-groundwater interaction as a function of lithology along a mountain stream (Hyalite Canyon, Montana). European Geophysical Union conference, Vienna Austria, April 2018.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Ewing, S. A., W. A. Sigler, E.N.J. Brookshire, R.A. Payn, C.Stricker, S. Wankel, C. A. Jones. The source and fate of bioavailable nitrogen with dryland wheat production in the Northern Great Plains. European Geophysical Union conference, Vienna, Austria, April 2018.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Ewing, S. A. [Invited]. Judith River Watershed Nitrogen Project. Oral presentation, MSU College of Ag Connects; January 15, 2018. Picked up on KBZK news: http://www.kbzk.com/clip/14053008/msu-college-of-agriculture-hosts-first-public-forum.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Sigler W A, Ewing S A, Jones C A, Payn R, Fordyce, S, Brookshire E N J (2017). Soil architecture versus management as controls on nitrate leaching. Montana chapter, American Water Resources Association, Helena, MT, 19-20 October.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Miller, F R, Ewing, S A, Paces, J B, Sturn, E, Custer, S, Michalek, T and Payn, R A (2017) Strontium and uranium isotopes suggest changing water storage and groundwater exchange along a mountain stream (Hyalite Canyon, Montana). Montana chapter, American Water Resources Association, Helena, MT, 19-20 October.
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Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience 1: International and regional research community in agriculture and water management. Judith River Watershed: Agricultural management practices and water quality. During this reporting period, our efforts have been focused on publication of this research in peer-reviewed journals. As of September 30, one paper was published (John et al 2017) and two were submitted and in review (Jackson-Smith et al n.d., Sigler et al 2017). Results of this work were also presented by graduate student and MSU Extension Specialist Adam Sigler at the fall 2016 meeting of the American Geophysical Union. As of September 30, Mr. Sigler was planning to present her work at the fall 2017 AWRA meeting. Gallatin River Watershed: Evaluating water character as a metric of storage across mountain front transitions. In August 2016 we were awarded funding by USGS National Institute of Water Resources to study hydrologic storage and potential responses to changing snowpack and seasonal rainfall across the transition from Hyalite Canyon through the Gallatin Valley from the mountain front to just above the confluence to form the Missouri River. This work was initiated by finishing MS student Erika Sturn (fall 2016) and continued by MS student Florence Miller in undertaking U and Sr isotope analysis of surface waters, groundwaters and soils. As of September 30, Ms. Miller was approved to present her work at the fall 2017 AWRA meeting, and at the spring 2017 European Geophysical Union meeting following submission of a first manuscript to Water Resources Research. Target audience 2: State agencies and federal agency staff within Montana (MSU county extension agents and agricultural research center staff; NRCS soil and water conservationists; Montana Department of Agriculture; Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, USGS state office). Meetings with NRCS staff in the Bozeman, Missoula and Havre offices furthered these research efforts. In the Gallatin project, active and ongoing collaboration with Tom Michalek of MBMG strengthened our understanding of groundwater resources and allowed us to sample wells at key points in the Gallatin Valley. In the Powder River area, we initiated collaboration with Liddi Meredith of MBMG regarding approaches to geochemical characterization of groundwater. Target audience 3: Undergraduates and graduate students seeking analytical training at MSU and regionally. Three undergraduate researchers were extensively involved with this research during the reporting period, and twelve were engaged in analytical training in the Environmental Analysis Laboratory. Undergraduate Sam Leuthold developed a rainfall sampler and participated in undertaking water isotope analysis of all rain, groundwater and surface water samples from the Gallatin project. He produced an oral presentation for the MSU Institute on Ecosystems community, and presented a poster at the national EPSCoR conference on the results of this work. Undergraduate Joe Capella undertook soil sampling for two small plot experiments at the MSU Post Farm, and completed sieving and milling of one set, along with total carbon and nitrogen analysis using the combustion analyzer in the Environmental Analysis Laboratory. Undergraduate Emma Lathrop supported development of a protocol for soil acidification to remove carbonate for organic carbon analysis. Three graduate students participated in research for the Gallatin and Judith projects, and 15 received analytical training in the Environmental Analysis Laboratory. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Twenty-seven students have received analytical training through this project, with four completing susbstantial field work prior to undertaking analyses. Analytical experience in our laboratory seems to translate to jobs for many students. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?This project resulted in three journal articles and six presentations at regional to international meetings. Extension presentations incorporated results of the Judith River Watershed work What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue to advance journal articles (four in preparation with two additional planned for next year) and engage in outreach through international conference presentations, extension talks and classroom presentations.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Sustainable Agricultural Management for Resilience in Montana Landscapes Three journal articles (one published, two in review) support this goal through observations regarding the effects of management on water quality, specifically nitrate, and community engagement in addressing the issue in the Judith River Watershed. Two presentations at international (AGU) and regional (AWRA) meetings have promoted this work. Ongoing discussion with the community including regular Extension presentations by Clain Jones and Adam Sigler have continued to present the results of this research. Hydrologic Storage in the Gallatin Watershed This work was initiated this year and promoted through a Gordon Conference presentation (Ewing et al. June 2017), a presentation by graduate student Florence Miller at the Montana American Water Resources Association 2017 meeting, and a presentation by undergraduate Sam Leuthold at the 2017 national EPSCoR meeting. Sampling of baseflow conditions in surface waters, wells, rain, and soil water occurred in 2016-2017 and the results will be incorporated into three manuscripts planned for completion in early 2018. Environmental Analytical Laboratory This facility is designed to build research capability and opportunity for students. Seven of eight instruments are actively running samples. A total of 12 undergraduate and 15 graduate students were trained in the lab in 2016, supporting research by about 30 faculty in multiple departments at MSU (LRES, Research Centers, Ecology, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Chemistry, Microbiology). More than 7000 samples were analyzed. The accounting and data management systems are in place via a web-based system, and the lab continues to bring in invoice income that has supported operations costs and new instrumentation.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
John, A.A., Jones, C.A., Ewing, S. A., Sigler, W.A., Bekkerman, A. and Miller, P.R. (2017), Fallow replacement is more important than nitrogen fertilizer management at reducing nitrate leaching in a semiarid region. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystms 108:279-296. doi: 10.1007/s10705-017-9855-9..
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Sigler W A, Ewing S A, Jones C A, Payn R, Brookshire E N J, Klassen J, Jackson-Smith D and Weissmann G S (in press) Using chemistry of groundwater and surface water to infer sources of groundwater nitrate associated with dryland wheat production in central Montana. Journal of Hydrology.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Jackson-Smith D, Ewing S A, Jones. C A, Sigler W A and Armstrong (in review) A The road less travelled: Assessing the impacts of in-depth farmer and stakeholder participation in groundwater nitrate pollution research. J. Soil Water Conserv.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Sigler W. A., Ewing, S. A., Payn, R. A., Jones, C. A., Brookshire, ENJ, Klassen, J. K., Jackson-Smith, D., Weissmann, G. S. (2016), Connecting Soil Water to Groundwater to Streams: Understanding controls of nitrate losses from a dryland agricultural landscape in the Upper Missouri River Watershed. Presentation H31H-08 at the American Geophysical Union fall meeting, San Francisco, CA 12-16 Dec. 2016.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Sigler W A, Ewing S A, Jones C A, Payn R, Fordyce, SBrookshire E N J (2017). Soil architecture versus management as controls on nitrate leaching. Montana chapter, American Water Resources Association, Helena, MT, 19-20 October.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Miller, F R, Ewing, S A, Paces, J B, Sturn, E, Custer, S, Michalek, T and Payn, R A (2017) Strontium and uranium isotopes suggest changing water storage and groundwater exchange along a mountain stream (Hyalite Canyon, Montana). Montana chapter, American Water Resources Association, Helena, MT, 19-20 October.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Ewing, S. A., Miller, F., Payn, R. A., Leuthold, S., Paces, J. B. (2017), Using weathering and solute geochemistry to understand sources of base flow water supply across mountain-basin transitions in the Upper Missouri Watershed. Poster presentation at the Gordon Research Conference on Catchment Science and Weathering, Bates College, Lewiston, ME, 25-30 June 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Ewing, S. A., ODonnell, J. A., Koch, J. C., Paces, J. B., Aiken, G., Striegl, R. G. (2016) Radiocarbon and uranium isotopes in surface waters reveal enhanced hydrologic connection with permafrost thaw. Presentation B43G-05, American Geophysical Union fall meeting, San Francisco, CA 12-16 Dec. 2016.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Ewing, S. A., ODonnell, J. A., Paces, J. B., Aiken, G. R., Kanevskiy, M., Koch, J., Striegl, R. (2016) [Invited], Tracking the age of ice and the fate of carbon from yedoma thaw. Sixteenth International Conference on Permafrost, Potsdam, Germany, June 2016.
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Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience 1: Judith River Watershed (JRW) farming community and Gallatin River Watershed community Following conclusion of our NIFA funded work in the JRW with advisory group meetings and a final community survey in 2015, we continued limited field sampling in collaboration with staff at the Central Agricultural Research Center in Moccasin. We have continued to meet regularly with the new CARC superintendent to update him on our results and their relevance for the local community. In 2016, we began sampling and producing data for soils and waters within the Gallatin River Watershed, as part of a collaborative effort with Dr. Rob Payn to better understand the hydrology of process domain transitions from high elevation mountain catchments to distributive fluvial systems in intermountain valleys such as the Gallatin Valley. With new funding from the US Geological Survey through the Montana Water Center, we are developing our local watershed community as a target audience. Target audience 2: state agencies and federal agency staff within Montana This target audience includes MSU county extension agents and agricultural research center staff; NRCS soil and water conservationists; Montana Department of Agriculture; Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology: Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Forest Service, and US Geological Survey. During 2016, we worked with agency staff to evaluate soil and water chemistry and access data. Results of the JRW and GRW work will be presented at state and regional meetings in 2017, including the Montana American Water Resources Association meeting. Target audience 3: undergraduates at MSU and regionally Results from this project have been developed into teaching modules in active use for Stephanie Ewing's Landscape Pedology class (ENSC 454), Clain Jones' Environmental Biogeochemistry class (ENSC 353), and Rob Payn's Watershed Hydrology class (ENSC 444). In total, about 100 undergraduate students annually now hear about aspects of the Judith River Watershed work and engage in classroom activities and problem sets related to the project. In addition, three undergraduate students were actively engaged in field and laboratory activities for the project as research assistants during 2016. In 2011-2016, about 18 undergraduate students were involved in research activities for this project, including four independently funded undergraduate research projects. Target audience 4: national and international scientific community Judith River Watershed groundwater nitrate. In 2016, JRW team members presented results at the annual fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union and the annual ASA-CSA-SSSA meetings. One paper was submitted and two are nearing submission to peer-reviewed journals, with four to six additional submissions in preparation or planned for the next year. Alaska methane & permafrost studies. We publicized this project with oral presentations at the American Geophysical Union fall meeting in 2011-2016. Five publications have resulted from this work (Jorgenson et al. 2013; Johnston et al. 2014; Ewing et al. 2015a, 2015b; Jones et al. 2016). Two additional papers are in preparation based on these carbon and geochemical tracer studies. Gallatin River Watershed studies. We anticipate presentation of results from this work at the AGU meetings in 2017, and completion of one to two manuscripts for publication in 2018. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In 2016, this project contributed directly to funding the MS work of Erika Sturn (professional paper completed December 2016) and Ethan Wologo (expected completion spring 2018). One additional graduate student (separately funded) and three undergraduate students (separately funded) gained research experience through activities funded under this project. The Environmental Analysis Laboratory, directed by Dr. Ewing and managed by Dr. Klassen, served approximately 40 undergraduate and graduate students, and 21 faculty, in completing research activities for soil and water research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A series of Extension presentations in January 2016 disseminated results of the JRW project to local farming communities. In addition, results from the Alaska and JRW work were presented at the SSSA and AGU meetings. One JRW paper was submitted for publication, and three others are nearing submission. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period we hope to publish multiple peer-reviewed papers (Sigler et al., in prep.; Ewing et al., in prep.; John et al., in revision; Jackson-Smith et al., in prep.) that present research results in the context of collaborative work and sustainability goals and accomplishments. We will continue to present results to local communities and stakeholders in the JRW and GRW. In the EAL, we will continue to work to acquire and bring online a suite of analytical capabilities that allow students to develop intellectually and professionally as scientists focused on sustainable management ofsoil and water resources.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Agricultural systems & water quality accomplishments A first paper from Adam Sigler's dissertation work in the JRW is nearing submission, and Mr. Sigler presented results of this work at the AGU fall meeting. A first paper from Andrew John's MS work in the JRW was submitted and major revisions were requested. Both papers are strongly grounded in close collaboration with farmers to target sustainable management goals. Water quality in landscape context We initiated sampling and secured additional funding for a three year project investigating controls on base flow hydrology across mountain-basin transitions in the Upper Gallatin River Watershed. Research capability and opportunity for students We secured additional funding for water isotope and elemental analysis of water samples in the Environmental Analytical Laboratory. Three undergraduates undertook water and soil sampling, and were trained in sample analysis in the EAL. Alaska methane & permafrost studies accomplishments A new paper on the peatland chronosequence work at Innoko Flats was published in 2016 (Jones et al. 2016). Two additional papers are in preparation based on carbon and geochemical tracer studies, with results featured in three oral presentations at the fall AGU meeting (Jorgenson, O'Donnell, Ewing).
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
John, A.A., Jones, C.A., Ewing, S. A., Sigler, W.A., Bekkerman, A. and Miller, P.R. (in revision), Fallow reslacement is more important than nitrogen fertilizer management at reducing nitrate leaching in a semiarid region. Submitted to Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystms, September 2016.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Jones, M., Harden, J., ODonnell, J., Manies, K., Jorgenson, M. T., Treat, C., Ewing, S. A (accepted 2016), Permafrost carbon loss and slow recovery following permafrost thaw in boreal peatlands. Global Change Biology, doi: 10.1111/gcb.13403.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Sigler W. A., Ewing, S. A., Payn, R. A., Jones, C. A., Brookshire, ENJ, Klassen, J. K., Jackson-Smith, D., Weissmann, G. S. (2016), Connecting Soil Water to Groundwater to Streams: Understanding controls of nitrate losses from a dryland agricultural landscape in the Upper Missouri River Watershed. Presentation H31H-08 at the American Geophysical Union fall meeting, San Francisco, CA 12-16 Dec. 2016.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Ewing, S. A., ODonnell, J. A., Koch, J. C., Paces, J. B., Aiken, G., Striegl, R. G. Radiocarbon and uranium isotopes in surface waters reveal enhanced hydrologic connection with permafrost thaw. Presentation B43G-05, American Geophysical Union fall meeting, San Francisco, CA 12-16 Dec. 2016.
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Progress 07/01/15 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences are summarized for work in the Judith River Watershed. Target audience 1: Judith River Watershed farming community Efforts. Our project design is set up to facilitate ongoing communication with the farming community in our study area through advisory groups that actively engage participants in research. At project initiation, the research team (Ewing, Jones, Sigler, Jackson-Smith) established an Advisory Council (AC) consisting of five producers and ten other local stakeholders who meet with us annually to provide general guidance and feedback on the project. In addition, we established a Producer Research Advisory Group (PRAG) consisting of six growers; this group is intensively involved with research activities, both through activities on three farms and through quarterly meetings in which research activities, results and interpretations are actively discussed. During the project, we met with the PRAG in November 2012, February 2013, June 2013, November 2013, and March 2014; and with the AC in November 2012 and November 2013 (jointly with PRAG). To further expand our communication network with the local community, the research team presented results of the project at the June 2013 field day of the Central Agricultural Research Center. Jones and Ewing participated in a radio interview on KXLO-KLCM Lewistown on May 28, 2013, and the research team efforts were the subject of news articles led by Jones in the Judith Basin Press and the Lewistown News-Argus. In June 2014 we conducted an independent JBNP Field Day at the farms of two participating producers. Starting in October 2014, we will distribute a series of four research newsletters and two press releases detailing project findings leading into our final farm community survey to evaluate project outcomes in early 2015. Target audience 2: state agencies and federal agency staff within Montana (MSU county extension agents and agricultural research center staff; NRCS soil and water conservationists; Montana Department of Agriculture; Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology). Efforts. In the past year, the research team has engaged agency staff through representation on the Advisory Council (MSU Extension, NRCS, MDA), active collaboration to evaluate water chemistry and access data (MDA, MBMG), and through presentation at regional meetings such as the Montana Chapter of the American Water Resources Association (Sigler, Ewing, Johnson presentations) and national meetings such as the Soil & Water Conservation Association (Ewing presentation) and the SSSA/CSA/ASA meetings (John presentation). In April 2014 we presented research and community engagement results at a meeting on nitrate pollution in Montana hydrologic systems hosted by Montana Department of Environmental Quality and Montana Department of Agriculture, and attended mostly by state agency staff. Target audience 3: undergraduates at MSU and regionally. Efforts. Several teaching modules are in development or active use, including those for Ewing's Landscape Pedology class (ENSC 454; Virtual Judith lab), and Jones' Environmental Biogeochemistry class (ENSC 353; lecture topic). Target audience 4: internationalscientific community seeking improved understanding of nitrogen dynamics in agriculture. Efforts. Four papers are currently in preparation: Jackson-Smith, D., S. Ewing, A. Sigler, C. Jones, and A. Armstrong. Farmers as partners in science: Participatory approaches to solving a groundwater nitrate pollution problem. Manuscript in preparation for submission to the Journal of the Soil and Water Conservation Society. Ewing S A, Brookshire E N J, Miller, C R Sigler W A, Payn, R and Wankel S D. Groundwater nitrate and the fate of native soil fertility with cultivation. In preparation for Biogeochemistry. Sigler W A, Ewing S A, Payn R, Brookshire E N J, John A, Jones. C A and Weissmann G S. Using chemistry of groundwater and surface water to infer sources of groundwater nitrate associated with dryland wheat production in central Montana. In preparation for Journal of Hydrology. John A. A., Jones, C. A., Ewing, S. A., Sigler, W. A., Bekkerman, A., and Miller, P. R. Fallow replacement and alternative fertilizer practices: Grain yield, grain protein, and net revenue responses in a semiarid region. In preparation for Agroecol. Sust. Food Syst. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A finishing MS student took a job with Idaho NRCS, and a finishing BS student was considering possibilities at the Northern Ag Research Center. An undergraduate student became a Pathways student for NRCS and worked on the Glacier Park Soil Survey through summer 2015. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Two newsletters and a community survey summary were distributed or made available to communities of the Judith River Watershed. Class materials derived from this project were used in soil and biogeochemistry classes at MSU. Team members presented results of the project at the annual Montana AWRA meeting, the ASA-CSA-SSSA meetings, and in an invited talk at Oregon State University. A new effort to determine sources of water contamination at Plenty Coups spring on the Crow Reservation resulted in meetings with community members and elders, as well as a presentation at the Montana AWRA meeting. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Four papers in preparation will be submitted in the next reporting period. Additional analysis of soil and water samples will be completed. Outreach presentations will be given based on the JRW work in January 2016 at at summer field days. Followup funding will support additiona soil and water assessment, as well as scientific impact of our participatory approach to the JRW research. Followup water quality work on the Crow Reservation will combine knowledge of soil and groundwater function with a tracer approach to inform that community about sources of contamination and approaches to address the problem.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Under primary objective 1, our team has undertaken collaboration with diverse range of resource managers. We initiated collaborations to use Judith Watershed data to evaluatesatellite data on real-time measures of soil moisture, and to use measures of landscape heterogeneity to optimize nitrogen and water use efficiency. We continued our work exploring soil-groundwater connections driving nitrate contamination in the Judith Watershed. Under objective 2, we conducted a community survey in the Judith River Watershed, and finalized two newsletters on our research findings for distribution. Team member Clain Jones appeared on Montana Ag LIve, viewed by about 5000 people, and Jones and Sigler prepared outreach materialsfor a winter series of Extension presentations. A new effort will use solute and isotopic tracers todetermine sources of water contamination at Plenty Coups spring on the Crow Reservation, following a request from community members for assistance. Under objective 3, we streamlined operations in the Environmental Analysis Laboratory, serving 25 faculty and 30 students with hands-on student experience and data development and assessment tools.
Publications
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
John, A.A. 2015. Fallow replacement and alternative fertilizer practices: Effects on nitrate leaching, grain yield and protein, and net revenue in a semiarid region. M.Sc. Thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman.
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