Water

The global hydrologic cycle provides connectivity among the aquatic, atmospheric, and terrestrial components of the Earth. The availability of water affects all life processes, and the need for high quality water is a societal concern linking human communities of every size around the globe.

Our research program reflects the complexity of the hydrologic cycle. We address the physical, chemical, and biological influences on the properties of water at multiple spatial scales in the atmosphere where it is directly linked to energy, climate, and weather; watersheds where the interplay between natural ecosystems and human activity affects water quantity and quality; and marine systems where it connects all land masses, mediates the exchange of heat and matter from the Earth's crust, and plays essential roles in global climate.

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Aquatic Microbiology

Aquatic Microbiology

Aquatic microbiology research in the department of Soil, Water, and Climate involves the development of high throughput, robot, molecular methods to determine sources of fecal bacteria and their genes in aquatic systems. Research also seeks to understand, at the molecular and ecosystem levels, environmental factors controlling growth of fecal bacteria in non-host environments, and how these bacteria impact water quality and public health.

Affiliated Faculty

  • Satoshi Ishii
  • Michael Sadowsky

Biogeochemistry

Biogeochemistry

Our research focuses on understanding the biogeochemical cycles governing the fate and behavior of chemicals in the environment and, ultimately, the composition of our soils, atmosphere, and water. We are quantifying how changes in climate, land use, and agricultural management practices affect the cycling of carbon, nutrients, contaminants, and water at local, regional, and global scales. We are addressing such questions as: How can we continue to intensify crop production to meet a growing global demand for food and fiber while preserving the quality of soil, water, and air? How do we grow biofuel crops while maintaining food security and freshwater resources, and minimizing carbon and nitrogen losses from the landscape? How do different land uses and cropping systems affect the net flux of greenhouse gases and the storage or loss of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus from soils?

Affiliated Faculty

  • Brent Dalzell
  • Melinda Erickson
  • Gary Feyereisen
  • Timothy Griffis
  • Satoshi Ishii
  • Ed Nater
  • Kurt Spokas
  • Jeff Strock
  • Brandy Toner
  • Rodney Venterea
  • Kyungsoo Yoo

Contaminant Hydrology and Water Quality

Contaminant Hydrology and Water Quality

Contaminant hydrology is the study of processes that affect both ground and surface water pollution. It draws on the principles of hydrology and chemistry. Contaminant hydrology and water quality research in the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate seeks to understand the role of soil properties and hydrologic processes on ground and surface water pollution and develop strategies to mitigate their impacts. Research is done at all scales varying from soil pore to basin scale and covers both traditional and emerging contaminants. Recent projects include fate and transport of veterinary pharmaceuticals from land-applied manure, pathogen losses from manure application, fate and transport of the new strourlibun fungicides, impacts of tile drainage on sediment and nutrient pollution in the Minnesota and the Mississippi Rivers, sediment-turbidity relationships, water quality modeling, and TMDL and paired watershed studies.

Affiliated Faculty

  • John Baker
  • Adam Birr
  • Brent Dalzell
  • Melinda Erickson
  • Fabián Fernández
  • Gary Feyereisen
  • Satoshi Ishii
  • David Mulla
  • Lindsay Pease
  • Pamela Rice
  • Carl Rosen
  • Michael Sadowsky
  • Kurt Spokas
  • Jeff Strock
  • Melissa Wilson

Environmental Chemistry

Environmental Chemistry

Environmental chemistry research in the department of Soil, Water, and Climate seeks to: identify emerging environmental challenges, and understand the fundamental processes underlying these challenges; provide sound mechanistic information about existing issues; understand natural processes affecting contaminants; and evaluate strategies for solutions to environmental changes.

Affiliated Faculty

  • Ed Nater
  • Peter Neff
  • Pamela Rice
  • Carl Rosen
  • Brandy Toner

Wetlands and Peatlands

Wetlands and Peatlands

We study the extent, type, condition, and function of wetlands and peatlands with a view towards discovering and quantifying their place in our natural landscapes. We address research questions such as: How does wetland carbon sequestration affect climate change? What beneficial effects do wetlands have on the quality of our water resources? How does wetland water retention mitigate the effects of floods? Where should wetland restoration efforts be focused to derive the most benefit? How can wetlands be used in biofuel production? How are wetlands affected by land use change?

Affiliated Faculty

  • Jay Bell
  • Joseph Knight