Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Our mercury research project engaged 3 undergraduate students and faculty and staff from FDTLCC and UMD during the pandemic via virtual sessions focused on literature review and data analysis. Our collaborator Nathan Johnson from UMD was instrumental in engaging students in the science of mercury and GIS and helped facilitate the poster presentation for 2021. Faculty and staff from FDLTCC were also vital participants in the paper discussions and keeping students on task throughout the project. Through the partnerships with UMD we have built a bridge between our students and our local university science departments as well providing our students with skills and experiences that might not otherwise be available to them. Our experience with past student involvement in research projects has shown us how the ability to take on research responsibilities can translate to an increase in knowledge, skills, and confidence in our students in other challenges. The mercury research project connected our tribal college students with tribal environmental divisions to conduct research on a pressing environmental and health issue that faces the Fond du Lac community. Our students presented their research results to both the Fond du Lac Research Management staff and community during the entirety of this project. The data collected contributes an important piece of baseline data to track the changes in mercury in this aquatic ecosystem and will help tribal resource managers in their goal to protect natural resources on tribal lands and provide guidance to tribal members on safe aquatic food consumption. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the 2020-2021 project year there were limited opportunities for training and professional development from outside sources due to the pandemic. Training and professional development did occur with an increased emphasis on literature review and discussion over zoom for our students, faculty and staff, and this time was valuable for developing a deeper understanding of the nature of bioaccumulation and mercury cycling in these systems and other ecological systems around the world. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results were disseminated to the college during a "faculty talks" session given by Andrew Wold on zoom during April of 2021. This zoom talk was attended by several college faculty and staff as well as outside members of the community and FDL natural resources. The St. Louis River Summit poster session, although held virtually, also enabled us to disseminate our research findings to the broader community and generated discussion within the regional mercury research community as well. The 2020 Environmental Institute Report Card featured the mercury research project.The mercury research project is also highlighted on the FDLTCC Environmental Institute Facebook page where members of the local as well as the global community are informed about the research and about how students are engaged in research that is relevant to our local ecosystem and ecosystems ecology. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The purpose of our project was to determine the spatial variability and bioaccumulation of mercury in the St. Louis River watershed through four landscape types typical of northeastern Minnesota. These landscape types included forested, wetland, ditched peatland, and reservoir systems. Our project was designed in conjunction with the efforts of Tribal Resource Managers to protect natural resources vital to tribal members. Mercury contamination is a major concern because of mercury contamination of fish in our region. As a result of high levels of mercury, a consumption advisory has been released in our region that advises the consumption of fewer larger fish and less fish overall. This particularly impacts the Indigenous community because fish are a large component of the traditional diet. Our hypothesis was that there would be differences in total mercury (THg) bioaccumulation in dragonfly larvae (Odonates) in these different landscapes. To help research these questions the research students measured stream water concentrations, and mercury concentration in Odonate tissue. The research design was three sample sites within each landscape type, giving a total number of twelve sites. Total mercury and methylmercury (MeHg) were measured in all collected Odonates. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved oxygen (DO), methylmercury, and sulfate were also tested in the water samples. Species and length of the Odonate larvae were recorded. The Odonate family Gomphidae were focused on for the first analysis because they were the Odonate Family that was found across all the landscape types. Gomphidae was collected from 7 sites in the St. Louis River watershed. The Odonates were freeze dried and weighed before digestion. After digestion, all the mercury in the samples was converted into total mercury that could be analyzed in the cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectroscopy. This analysis was done by the research students with help with University of Minnesota-Duluth laboratory staff as well as outside laboratories. The data shows the Odonate bioaccumulated mercury to surface water mercury ratio is consistent with other studies in the region suggesting mercury found in water does end up in the biota. Our results are consistent with other research connecting dissolved organic carbon with mercury in biota in the upper Midwest. The data support our hypothesis that there are differences in total mercury between landscape types common for this watershed. The mercury in the water samples is higher in forested and wetland compared to the ditched peatland and reservoir systems. Students involved in the research project were involved in two conference poster presentations. Due to the pandemic, the St. Louis River Summit was held virtually for 2021. The St. Louis River Summit is focused on the latest science around Lake Superior, the St. Louis River, and the St. Louis River estuary Area of Concern. The pandemic did not deter our research students from participating in the summit and presenting a poster during the virtual event. The poster was entitled "Landscape Influences on Surface Water and Odonate Methylmercury in the St. Louis River Watershed." The focus of the poster was to fine-tune our GIS analysis of the watersheds and make sure we were sampling areas that truly represented the landcover types we were interested in examining. The analysis led to some slight reclassifications of our field sites and provided a focus for future research for students in this field. The hypothesis was that MeHg concentrations in water and dragonfly larvae (Odonates) do not differ between landscape types. Our organism of comparison for the last poster presentation was from the family Ashnidae and we determined that there were, in fact, slight differences in bioaccumulation between landscape types, but that the differences were not statistically significant. DOC was elevated in the ditched peatland and wetland watershed sites, and far lower downstream of reservoirs. Lower DOC downstream from reservoirs could explain the relatively high BAF at reservoir sites since methylmercury will adsorb to DOC when it is available. Additionally, no relationship was found between Aeshnidae size and MeHg. During on our previous work, we chose three sample sites within each landscape type, giving a total of twelve sites. Total and methylmercury were measured in all water and odonate samples. Additionally, surface water dissolved organic carbon (DOC), alkalinity, and sulfate, were collected from each site. Length and species type of each odonate larvae was recorded. The dragonfly larvae family Aeshnidae was the primary subject for the preliminary analysis of our 2018 study. Odonates were freeze dried and weighed before undergoing an acid digestion. Total mercury and methylmercury in odonates were processed by an outside lab using established protocols. Total and methylmercury in surface water were analyzed in external laboratories using EPA method 1631E and EPA method 1630, respectively. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was calculated for each site by dividing average methylmercury in the tissue of odonates by average methylmercury in surface water. The amount of total mercury in Aeshnidae in ditched peatland and reservoirs in 2018 was two to four times higher than that found in Gomphidae in 2017, while DOC was approximately the same in ditched peatland between the two years. In 2018 DOC in reservoir samples was much lower. Total mercury in Gomphidae and in Aeshnidae showed differences with respect to DOC across all four landscape types. All but one landscape type, wetland, showed the opposite relationship of total mercury compared to DOC when comparing the two families. Our data suggests that there is not a strong correlation between the total mercury in Gomphidae and DOC. The variability of total mercury and DOC also declined in 2018 compared to 2017. The BAF of methylated mercury in Aeshnidae was highest in reservoir locations. Aeshnidae BAF compared to DOC was consistent with prior studies for reservoir and forested locations; while our wetland and ditched peatland suggest that both high BAF and high DOC was possible in some landscapes. Water in ditched peatland landscapes had greater average total mercury than forested and reservoir sites; whereas the other landscape types had similar total mercury concentrations. Water methylated mercury was, on average, similar among all landscapes. Our 2017 and 2018 data seemed to show a difference in bioaccumulation of mercury between Gomphidae and Aeshnidae. We suspected the food web dynamics and predatory habits may play a role in the differences observed among landscape types and between the two families of odonates. Our sampling streams were, in general, of a lower order (smaller scale) compared to those included in other studies. It may be that the DOC-bound methylated mercury in the lower-order streams that we sampled, particularly wetlands and ditched peatlands, may differ from studies due to proximity to areas where methylmercury is generated, allowing for greater BAF even with high DOC in surface water. Methylmercury concentrations in odonates were relatively constant across a range of surface water methylmercury. This suggested variation in bioaccumulation among the sites is important in determining methylmercury in the food web.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Wold, Andy (April 1, 2021) "Mercury and Dragonflies: Bioaccumulation of Mercury in Dragonfly Larvae in the St. Louis River Watershed" FDLTCC Humanities and Science "Why the Liberal Arts Matter: Faculty Talks"
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Lockling, E., Calogero, H., Kowalczak, C., Wold, A., Johnson, N. (2021, March) Landscape Influences on Surface Water and Odonate Methyl Mercury in the St. Louis River Watershed. Virtual Poster Presentation at the St. Louis River Summit, Superior, WI
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Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Our mercury research project engaged 4 undergraduate students from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC) and 2 graduate students from the University of Minnesota - Duluth (UMD). The 4 undergraduate students were responsible for field sampling, laboratory/data analysis, and presentations to our regional community with the graduate student from UMD providing protocol and laboratory analysis assistance. The students on the mercury project were provided with hands-on learning experiences that increased their skills, knowledge, and confidence in conducting a research project. Students were also able to build a network of support in the research community that has helped mentor these students as they consider pursuing further STEM education and research. Our project continued the collaboration between Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) and the Fond du Lac Natural Resources Program. FDLTCC faculty and students work with Nathan Johnson from the University of Minnesota Duluth faculty from the Civil Engineering. Through the partnerships with UMD we have built a bridge between our students and our local university science departments as well providing our students with skills and experiences that might not otherwise be available to them. Our experience with past student involvement in research projects has shown us how the ability to take on research responsibilities can translate to an increase in knowledge, skills, and confidence in our students in other challenges. The mercury research project connected our tribal college students with tribal environmental divisions to conduct research on a pressing environmental and health issue that faces the Fond du Lac community. Our students presented their research results to audiences at scientific conferences and the community during this project year. The data collected contributes to a baseline to track the changes in mercury in the aquatic system and will help tribal resource managers protect natural resources on tribal lands and provide guidance to tribal members on safe aquatic food consumption. Changes/Problems:In March of 2020 the FDLTCC campus was closed to in person attendence and strictsocial distancing protocols were established. This change in policy is ongoing and long distance learning is scheduled to continue until at least January 2020. In concern for the safety of our student researchers the 2020 field season was changed to virtual twice weekly meetings. These meetings were literature review of current research papers and skills sessions. The skills sessions covered database management, Excel data analysis, and ArcGIS mapping. Mercury student research team members continuelooking at 2019 research data and plugging in the new information into our research hypothesis. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the 2019-2020 project year there were multiple conferences that offered professional development for the faculty and staff that are coordinating the mercury project. In November 2019 staff attended the FALCON conference in Denver, Colorado. FALCON addresses the limited human capacity at the 1994 Land Grant Institutions (Tribal Colleges and Universities).It provides a peer-to-peer network that supports 1994 administrators, directors, faculty, extension educators and students in fulfilling their land grant mission.FALCON helps establish connections with partners who share common interests and goals and can leverage resources. There were 200 participants at the 3 day conference. The St. Louis River Summit brings together researchers from regional University, Environmental Pollution Agency, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Army Corp of Engineers, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency. This summit is two days of presentations and networking opportunities that is focused on water quality issues impacting our region. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results were disseminated to the college, surrounding community, and Fond du Lac research staff during the 2019-2020 year. Conferences, community events, and news articles were used to share the research project information. The mercury student research team presented at two conferences in the 2019-2020 project year. In November 2019 our mercury team presented at the First Americans Land Grant Consortium (FALCON) conference held in Denver, Colorado. FALCON had over 200 participants. The St. Louis River Summit had over 300 participants during the two-day research conference that is focused on the latest science around Lake Superior, the St. Louis River, and the St. Louis River estuary Area of Concern. The mercury research team was also involved in community outreach. During the 2019-2020 project year the research team presented during the Sustainability Awareness Week in September 2019. Sustainability Awareness Week is a week in which presentations, activities, and informationals tables are hosted for the whole campus as well as the surrounding community. The topics focus on sustainability issues and activities that are happening on the campus and in our area. The students posted their research poster in the college commons area and hosted an informational table during the week. The research students brought out their sampling equipment and recruited for students to join the mercury team. The Fond du Lac Band's Ganawenjigewin Maawaniji'idiwin community event (Taking Care of Things) is a community event that promotes the protection and sustainable use of natural resources, highlights community programs that take care of the environment and human health, and features garden to table community feast. Our research team did a hands-on lesson on water quality while teaching about stream macroinvertebrates. They also talked about their research project as youth and adults visited their table. Around 225 school kids and community members attended the Taking Care of Things event. The 2019 Environmental Institute Report Card featured an article about the mercury research project. This Environmental Institute Report Card was distributed during community events, to stakeholders, students, and at conferences. Over 200 Report Cards were distributed during the 2019-2020 project year. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Our project team has requested an one year no cost extention on our current research project. It is our intention to have an additional field season during the summer of 2021 to replace the lost sampling time during the pandemic summer of 2020. Our project has returning and is recruiting new students to be a part of the mercury research project. Our plan is participate viruturally and when possible in person in upcoming conferences and community events.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Mercury (Hg) is an element found naturally in ecosystems that is converted to its highly toxic form, methylmercury (MeHg), leading to adverse health effects in humans. Methylmercury's ability to bioaccumulate causes game fish to have higher concentrations of mercury and can prompt consumption advisories. This is particularly important for the Indigenous community because fish is a large component of the traditional diet. In conjunction with Tribal Resource Managers, efforts are being made to understand how mercury cycles through different landscape types, especially those found within reservation boundaries. Our study investigates the spatial variability of mercury in the St. Louis River watershed, located in Northeastern Minnesota, through four distinct landscape types: ditched peatland, forested, wetlands, and reservoirs. We hypothesize there are no notable differences in methylated mercury concentrations between the larvae across landscape types. To test the hypothesis the total and methylated mercury were measured in surface water and odonate tissue. Additionally, other geochemical parameters that can influence the production and bioaccumulation of mercury were measured during the field season. We chose three sample sites within each landscape type, giving a total of twelve sites. Total and methylated mercury was measured in all water and odonate samples. Additionally, surface water dissolved organic carbon (DOC), alkalinity, and sulfate, were collected from each site. Length and species type of each odonate larvae was recorded. The dragonfly larvae family Aeshnidae was the primary subject for the preliminary analysis of our 2018 study. Odonates were freeze dried and weighed before undergoing an acid digestion. Total mercury and methylated mercury in odonates were processed by an outside lab using established protocols. Total and methylated mercury in surface water were analyzed in external laboratories using EPA method 1631E and EPA method 1630, respectively. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was calculated for each site by dividing average methylated mercury in the tissue of odonates by average methylated mercury in surface water. The amount of total mercury in Aeshnidae in ditched peatland and reservoirs in 2018 was two to four times higher than that found in Gomphidae in 2017, while DOC was approximately the same in ditched peatland between the two years. In 2018 DOC in reservoir samples was much lower. Total mercury in Gomphidae and in Aeshnidae show differences with respect to DOC across all four landscape types. All but one landscape type, wetland, show the opposite relationship of total mercury compared to DOC when comparing the two families. Our data suggests that there is not a strong correlation between the total mercury in Gomphidae and DOC. The variability of total mercury and DOC also declined in 2018 compared to 2017. The BAF of methylated mercury in Aeshnidae is highest in reservoir locations. Aeshnidae BAF compared to DOC was consistent with prior studies for reservoir and forested locations; while our wetland and ditched peatland suggest that both high BAF and high DOC is possible in some landscapes. Water in ditched peatland landscapes has greater average total mercury than forested and reservoir sites; whereas the other landscape types had similar total mercury concentrations. Water methylated mercury was, on average, similar among all landscapes. Our 2017 and 2018 data seem to show a difference in bioaccumulation of mercury between Gomphidae and Aeshnidae. We suspect the food web dynamics and predatory habits may play a role in the differences observed among landscape types and between the two families of odonates. Our sampling streams were, in general, of a lower order (smaller scale) compared to those included in other studies. It may be that the DOC-bound methylated mercury in the lower-order streams that we sampled, particularly wetlands and ditched peatlands, may differ from studies due to proximity to areas where methylated mercury is generated, allow for greater BAF even with high DOC in surface water. Methylated mercury concentrations in odonates were relatively constant across a range of surface water methylated mercury. This suggests variation in bioaccumulation among the sites is important in determining methylated mercury in the food web. During the field season of 2020 the pandemic safety social distancing protocol prohibited field season sampling. The students worked on analysis of 2018 field season data. In the summer of 2020, the water samples and odonates were processed by an outside laboratory. The total and methylated mercury concentrations were measured and are ready for analysis. Students involved in the research project were involved in two conference poster presentations. In November 2019 our mercury team presented at the First Americans Land Grant Consortium (FALCON) conference held in Denver, Colorado. FALCON addresses the limited human capacity at the 1994 Land Grant Institutions (Tribal Colleges and Universities).It provides a peer-to-peer network that supports 1994 administrators, directors, faculty, extension educators and students in fulfilling their land grant mission.FALCON helps establish connections with partners who share common interests and goals and can leverage resources. There were 200 participants at the 3 day conference. The St. Louis River Summit held in March 2020 had over 300 participants during the two-day research conference that is focused on the latest science around Lake Superior, the St. Louis River, and the St. Louis River estuary Area of Concern. The mercury research team was also involved in community outreach. During the 2019-2020 project year the research team presented during the Sustainability Awareness Week in September 2019. Sustainability Awareness Week is a week in which presentations, activities, and informationals tables are hosted for the whole campus as well as the surrounding community. The topics focus on sustainability issues and activities that are happening on the campus and in our area.The students posted their research poster in the college commons area and hosted an informational table during the week. The research students brought out their sampling equipment and recruited for students to join the mercury team. The Fond du Lac Band's Ganawenjigewin Maawaniji'idiwin community event (Taking Care of Things) is a community event that promotes the protection and sustainable use of natural resources, highlights community programs that take care of the environment and human health, and features garden to table community feast. Our research team did a hands-on lesson on water quality while teaching about stream macroinvertebrates. They also talked about their research project as youth and adults visited their table. Around 225 school kids and community members attended the Taking Care of Things event.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Calogero, H., Defoe, E., Kenianen, S., Kowalcak,C., Lockling, E., Kowalczak, C., Wold, A., Castro, M., Johnson, N. (2019, October 26-28) Spatial Variability of Mercury in the St. Louis River Watershed Across Four Landscape Types Conference Presentation FALCON Conference, Denver, Co.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Calogero, H., Defoe, E., Kenianen, S., Kowalcak,C., Lockling, E., Kowalczak, C., Wold, A., Castro, M., Johnson, N. (2020, March3-4) Spatial Variability of Mercury in the St. Louis River Watershed Across Four Landscape Types Conference Presentation St. Louis River Summit, Duluth, MN
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Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Our mercury research project engaged 11 undergraduate students from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC). These 11 students were responsible for field sampling, laboratory/data analysis, and presentations to our regional community. The students on the mercury project were provided with hands-on learning experiences that increased their skills, knowledge, and confidence in conducting a research project. Students were also able to build a network of support in the research community that has helped mentor these students as they consider pursuing further STEM education and research. Our project continued the collaboration between Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) and the Fond du Lac Natural Resources Program. FDLTCC faculty and students work with Nathan Johnson from the University of Minnesota Duluth faculty from the Civil Engineering. Through the partnerships with UMD we have built a bridge between our students and our local university science departments as well providing our students with skills and experiences that might not otherwise be available to them. Our experience with past student involvement in research projects has shown us how the ability to take on research responsibilities can translate to an increase in knowledge, skills, and confidence in our students in other challenges. The mercury research projectconnected our tribal college students with tribal environmental divisions to conduct research on a pressing environmental and health issue that faces the Fond du Lac community. Our students presented their research results to both the Fond du Lac Research Management staff and community during this project year. The data collected contributes to a baseline to track the changes in mercury in the aquatic system and will help tribal resource managers protect natural resources on tribal lands and provide guidance to tribal members on safe aquatic food consumption. Changes/Problems:Some difficulties we had with the 2017 field season were accessibility and lack of samples due to high stream levels in August through October. In order to avoid the potential of high water levels negatively impacting field samplingthe protocol will change tomore rigorous sampling, going out each week, during the sampling seaon. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the 2018-2019 project year there were multiple conferences that offered professional development for the faculty and staff that are coordinating the mercury project. The St. Louis River Summit brings together researchers from regional Universites, Environmental Pollution Agency, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Army Corp of Engineers, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency. This summit is two days of presentations and networking opportunities that is focused on water quality issues impacting our region. The Heart of the Continent conference featured research on regional natural resource issues. The poster presentation was a chance to learn about current research being done by local agencies and network with community researchers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results were disseminated to the college, surrounding community, and Fond du Lac research staff during the 2018-2019 year. Conferences, community events, and news articles were used to share the research project information. The St. Louis River Summit had over 300 participants during the two-day research conference that is focused on the latest science around Lake Superior, the St. Louis River, and the St. Louis River estuary Area of Concern. The students won first prize in the student poster session. The Heart of the Continentis a Canadian/American coalition of land managers and local stakeholders working together on cross-border projects that promote the economic, cultural and natural health of the lakes, forests and communities on the Ontario/Minnesota border. The poster session had over 100 participants and our student poster presentation was one of 30 posters. The mercury research team was also involved in community outreach. During the 2018-2019 project year the research team presented during the Sustainability Awareness Week in September 2018. Sustainability Awareness Week is a week in which presentations, activities, and informationals tables are hosted for the whole campus as well as the surrounding community. The topics focus on sustainability issues and activities that are happening on the campus and in our area.The students posted their research poster in the college commons area and hosted an informational table during the week. The research students brought out their sampling equipment and recruited for students to join the mercury team. The Fond du Lac Band's Ganawenjigewin Maawaniji'idiwin community event (Taking Care of Things) is a community event that promotes the protection and sustainable use of natural resources, highlights community programs that take care of the environment and human health, and features garden to table community feast. Our research team did a hands-on lesson on water quality while teaching about stream macroinvertebrates. They also talked about their research project as youth and adults visited their table. Around 200 school kids and community members attended the Taking Care of Things event. In April 2019 the annual FDLTCC Earth Week was held. Each day has a theme with speakers, activities, and events that featured an issue that effects our region. On the Wednesday of Earth Week was student research day. Over 6 research projects did a 10 minute presentations on projects done during the year. The mercury research team presented their research poster to the college community in the FDLTCC Commons. Around 35 college students attended this event. The 2019 Environmental Institute Report Card featured an article about the mercury research project. This Environmental Institute Report Card was distributed during community events, to stakeholders, students, and at conferences. Over 200 Report Cards were distributed during the 2019-2019 project year. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the 2019-2020 research project year the field season will continue in the four landscapes in the St. Louis River watersheds. Some research students will enter their second year on the project and we will be recruiting new students to join the research team. Our partnership with the University of Minnesota - Duluth will continue with a planned collaboration between an UMD graduate student and our FDLTCC students on sample processing as well data analysis throughout the school year. There is more cross laboratory work planned so that the FDLTCC students have an opportunity to work in an University laboratory. Our outreach plans will include the same partners and events as this year while looking at new opportunities for our students to present their work.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The purpose of our project is to determine the spatial variability of mercury in the St. Louis River Watershed through four landscape types. In northeastern Minnesota these four landscape typesareditched peatland, forested, wetland, and reservoir systems. Our project was designed in conjunction with the efforts of Tribal Resource Managers to protect natural resources vital to tribal members. Mercury contamination is a major concern because of mercury contamination of fish in our region.As a result of high levels of mercury, a consumption advisory has been released in our region that advises theconsumption offewer larger fish and less fish overall. This particularly impacts the Indigenous community because fish are a large component of the traditional diet. Our hypothesis was that there would be differences in total mercury (THg) bioaccumulation in dragonfly larvae (Odonates) in these different landscapes. To help research these questions the research students measured mercury atmospheric deposition on land using leaf litter sampling, stream water concentrations,and bioaccumulation in Odonate tissue. The research design wasthree sample sites within each landscape type, giving a total number of twelve sites. Total mercury was measured in all collected samples. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved oxygen (DO), methylmercury (MeHg), and sulfate were also tested in the water samples. Species and length of the Odonate larvae were recorded. The Odonate family Gomphidae were focused on for the first analysis because they were the Odonate Family that was found across all the landscape types. Gomphidae was collected from 7 sites in the St. Louis River watershed. The Odonates were freeze dried and weighed before digestion. After digestion, all the mercury in the samples was converted into total mercury that could be analyzed in the cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectroscopy. This analysis was done by the research students with help with University of Minnesota-Duluth laboratory staff as well as outside laboratories. The data shows the Odonate bioaccumulated mercury to surface water mercury ratio is consistent with other studies in the region suggesting mercury found in water does end up in the biota . Our results are consistent with other research connecting dissolved organic carbon with mercury in biota in the upper Midwest.The preliminary data support our hypothesis that there are differences in total mercury between landscape types common for this watershed. The mercury found in leaf litter is higher in the forested and wetland land coverages compared to the ditched peatland and reservoir, but not as much as expected. The mercury in the water samples are higher in forested and wetland compared to the ditched peatland and reservoir systems. More research is needed to observe the potential connection between the mercury in leaf litter and water. This research and field samplingwill continue in the 2019-2020 project year. Students involved in the research project were involved in two conference poster presentations. The St. Louis River Summit had over 300 participants during the two-day research conference. The St. Louis River Summit is focused on the latest science around Lake Superior, the St. Louis River, and the St. Louis River estuary Area of Concern. The students won first prize in the student poster session. The Heart of the Continentis a Canadian/American coalition of land managers and local stakeholders working together on cross-border projects that promote the economic, cultural and natural health of the lakes, forests and communities on the Ontario/Minnesota border. The poster session had over 100 participants and our student poster presentation was one of 30 posters. The mercury research team was also involved in community outreach. During the 2018-2019 project year the research team presented during the Sustainability Awareness Week in September 2018. Sustainability Awareness Week is a week in which presentations, activities, and informationtables are hosted for the whole campus as well as the surrounding community. The topics focus on sustainability issues and activities that are happening on the campus and in our area.The students displayed their research poster in the college commons area and hosted an informational table during the week. The research students brought out their sampling equipment and recruited students to join the mercury team. The Fond du Lac Band's Ganawenjigewin Maawaniji'idiwin community event (Taking Care of Things) is a community event that promotes the protection and sustainable use of natural resources, highlights community programs that take care of the environment and human health, and features a garden to table community feast. Our research team did a hands-on lesson on water quality while teaching about stream macroinvertebrates. They also talked about their research project as youth and adults visited their table. Around 200 school kids and community members attended the Taking Care of Things event. In April 2019 the annual FDLTCC Earth Week was held. Each day has a theme with speakers, activities, and events that featured an issue that effects our region. The Wednesday of Earth Week was Student Research day. Over 6 research projects did10 minute presentations on projects done during the year. The mercury research team presented their research poster to the college community in the FDLTCC Commons. Around 35 college students attended this event. In August 2019 the research students presented their data to the Fond du Lac Resource Management staff. Eleven Fond du Lac Resource Management staff attended the presentation.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Buttgen, H., Halffrisch, A., Kowalczak, C., Northbird, A., Rybak, S., Kowalczak, C., Wold, A., Johnson, N. (2019, March 5-6). Spatical Variability of Mercury in the St. Louis River Watershed Across Four Landscape Types. Conference presentation St. Louis River Summit, Superior, WI
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Buttgen, H., Halffrisch, A., Kowalczak, C., Northbird, A., Rybak, S., Kowalczak, C., Wold, A., Johnson, N. (2019, April 8-9). Spatical Variability of Mercury in the St. Louis River Watershed Across Four Landscape Types. Conference presentation Heart of the Continent Conference, Duluth, MN
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