ResearchTopic: Watershed & Water Quality

Development of a Molecular Biomarker for the Prediction of Toxic Algal Blooms

Background & ObjectivesThe overall objective of the proposed research was to design and validate an innovative biomarker for the rapid and sensitive prediction of toxic algal blooms in Lake Erie area. PCR-based molecular methods have recently raised high interest for the detection of toxic cyanobacteria. Current PCR and qPCR methods for the detection of bloom-forming […]

Predictive Modeling of Harmful Algal Blooms in Presque Isle Bay

Blooms of so-called ‘harmful algae’ have occurred in Presque Isle Bay, Erie, PA, and around the Great Lakes, causing concern by environmental, public health, and water supply officials. Due to the threat posed by harmful algal blooms in the Bay, a study funded by the Pennsylvania Sea Grant Program was conducted to determine the factors […]

Evaluation of Exposure to and Human Health Risks from PCPPs in Drinking Water from Lake Erie

The overall goal of this research project was to evaluate the exposure to and human health risks associated with pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in drinking water originating from Lake Erie. Three specific research objectives were identified and completed as part of this project including: To achieve the first objective, raw and treated water […]

Keystone Microtrack: Mapping Microbes and Pathogens in the Susquehanna River Basin

This project sought to characterize Salmonella in the Susquehanna River Basin, with a focus on both prevalence and which serovars were present. Additionally, we wanted to examine basic physical characteristics, as well as the bacterial communities, of those streams. Lastly, we collated this information and developed an open-source, interactive mapping tool (Keystone MicroTrack) to make […]

Assessing the Ability of Green Adsorbents to Improve Water Quality and Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Performance

Stormwater runoff from urban areas is primary cause of flooding and erosion of urban streams, as well as a major source of pollution of receiving water bodies. Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) is increasingly being employed as a stormwater management tool in urban areas, with the intent of using infiltration to address both water quantity and […]

Wastewater as an Indicator of the Physical and Mental Health of Pennsylvania Communities

Wastewater-based epidemiology is increasingly being viewed as a powerful tool for providing information about the health of a community because each person in a treatment plant’s service area inevitably contributes to the wastewater. Here, we partnered with two wastewater treatment plants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – Derry Municipal Water Authority (WWTP A) and a […]

Evaluating the Comprehensive Impacts of Urbanization and Restoration on Stream Processes

Successful restoration of the urbanized Delaware Estuary will provide great benefit to people and wildlife alike by improving ecosystem services. Although considerable progress has been made towards this goal of restoration, the estuary’s location at the center of complex urban, suburban, and agricultural land use makes this a challenge. In urban areas, one of the […]

Stormwater Nitrogen Management – Evaluating the Intersection Between Stormwater Management Practice (SMP) Design, Nitrogen Speciation, and Performance

Nonpoint sources of contaminants and nutrients have led to impairments of many water systems in the Delaware and Susquehanna watersheds. Stormwater management practices (SMPs) have been implemented to improvement both water quantity and water quality outcomes, and Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI), a stormwater management approach which is largely based on water retention and infiltration, is […]

Quantifying the Roles of Changing Watershed Conditions and Biotic Interactions in Structuring Pennsylvania Stream Fish Communities

Understanding and predicting fish community interactions and their responses to changes in the environment are critical to the conservation and management of Pennsylvania fish communities and to water resource management. However, quantifying and predicting the effects of environmental stressors on fish communities is made difficult by the complex interactions that exist between species and between […]

ResearchTopic: Watershed & Water Quality

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