Freshwater Collaborative

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/getting-kids-hooked-on-fish-farming/

Jenna Mertz

Summer fieldwork reminds student of childhood and environmental passions

On: October 8, 2024

In: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Freshwater Collaborative, Greg Kleinheinz, Megan Jensik, microcystin, pycocyanin, University of Central Florida-Orlando, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Winnebago County

Taking stream flow measurements in Sturgeon Bay. Image credit: Megan Jensik

By Megan Jensik, Freshwater Collaborative summer research student

This summer, 35 undergraduate students from across the country conducted research with Freshwater@UW, the University of Wisconsin’s cross-site, cross-discipline research opportunities program. Freshwater@UW is supported by the Freshwater Collaborative, Wisconsin Sea Grant, Water@UW–Madison, the Water Resources Institute and the University of Wisconsin–Madison Graduate School. In the final weeks of the program, students reflected on what they learned. Here’s Megan Jensik, an undergraduate junior in biology from the University of Central Florida-Orlando, who worked with Greg Kleinheinz, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

As I sat on the boat coasting along the Fox River, I felt like a kid again, my feet dangling over the seat as we sped around Little Muskego Lake, heading for the sandbar for a day of swimming. But now, 15 years later, this was my job! We were collecting samples to analyze for nutrients, chlorophyll and more. During a day of learning field sampling techniques, I got a nasty sunburn, but it was one of my favorite days of the whole summer.

A few weeks earlier, I headed to Door County for more field sampling. In Sturgeon Bay, we collected data on stream flow and health. We spent the day in the river, taking flow measurements, but it never felt like work. It made me remember when I was a kid, catching frogs and kicking around in the water in the small creek behind my childhood home.

An algae bloom in Lake Winnebago. Image credit: Megan Jensik

Every week, I traveled around Winnebago County to collect samples for my project. I got to explore local lakes and see both their beauty and reality. Some days the water was clear and beautiful. Other days, algae blooms and dead fish littered the shore. When I returned to the lab, I analyzed my samples and gained a quantitative understanding of what’s happening in these lakes. I used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine concentrations of the toxin microcystin. I correlated these to phycocyanin measurements that I took in the field with a probe. I was able to relate and connect what I saw in the field to what I analyzed in the lab.

Experiencing fieldwork this summer helped me remember why I love what I do. As much as I love lab work, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the beautiful environments that I work in. Being in the field reminded me of why I’m so passionate about what I do and why I chose to do this work.

A boat trip for sampling along the Fox River. Image credit: Megan Jensik

It also reminded me that I want to dedicate my work to protecting the environment around me. It can be difficult to see the challenges of aquatic ecosystems firsthand, but I’m always comforted by the people I’m surrounded with who are working so hard to protect these beautiful lakes. Sometimes caring for the environment can be an emotional and professional burden, but it’s a burden I’m willing to carry if it means I can continue to protect this world.

I’ve been so lucky to travel to my home state and perform research that I’m passionate about. Fieldwork helped me remember my younger self and the desires that brought me where I am today. I’ve also been inspired to continue my work and research in graduate school. This summer solidified how much I want to continue this work. I’m very grateful for these experiences!

The post Summer fieldwork reminds student of childhood and environmental passions first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/blog/summer-fieldwork-reminds-student-of-childhood-and-environmental-passions/

Summer studies in Manitowoc open endless opportunities

On: October 1, 2024

In: Forget me not Creek, Freshwater Collaborative, Gabby Gonzales, Gabrielle Gonzales, Manitowoc, stream restoration, Titus Seilheimer, wild rice, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

One of the many fish that we caught in the Peshtigo River. Image credit: Gabrielle Gonzales

By Gabrielle Gonzales, Freshwater Collaborative summer research student

This summer, 35 undergraduate students from across the country conducted research with Freshwater@UW, the University of Wisconsin’s cross-site, cross-discipline research opportunities program. Freshwater@UW is supported by the Freshwater Collaborative, Wisconsin Sea Grant, Water@UW–Madison, the Water Resources Institute and the University of Wisconsin–Madison Graduate School. In the final weeks of the program, students reflected on what they learned. Here’s Gabby Gonzales, an undergraduate junior with an environment major from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, who worked with Titus Seilheimer with Wisconsin Sea Grant.

I spent my summer in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. I’m originally from Ludington, Michigan, which is the home of the car ferry that travels to Manitowoc throughout the summers; the sentimentality of being directly across Lake Michigan from my hometown was the cherry on top of this wonderful research experience.

My mentor, Titus Seilheimer, is a fisheries specialist. Knowing that I don’t want to work directly in academia once I enter my career, it was very useful to get a glimpse of all the realms of research I could get into without having to be a professor. I’m thankful to Titus for granting me the opportunity to gain all kinds of experiences and skills and have fun while doing it.

The mouth of Forget Me Not Creek in Two Rivers where we gathered measurements to calculate discharge, which is the volume of water flowing through the creek per second. Image credit: Gabrielle Gonzales

My activities ranged widely from assisting with an educational event for children at a public library, helping the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources with an electrofishing survey and wading through various creeks. In terms of research and science, I gained and refined many skills by working on a few different projects. Our team did pre-restoration habitat assessments in two creeks in Port Washington and Two Rivers, which both flow into Lake Michigan. We made observations about habitat types and water quality, which is important information for understanding the status of the creek and the suitability of the habitat for fish. This can then be used to make restoration plans that will help make improvements and ensure healthy fish populations.

We also assisted with wild rice monitoring throughout various locations surrounding Green Bay. Wild rice is important ecologically and culturally but has become increasingly threatened, which has warranted seeding and restoration efforts within the last few years. In addition to assessing attributes like rice density and water clarity, we were also interested in seeing how the presence and quality of wild rice populations corresponds with fish communities. My favorite part of the work this summer was learning the process of net fishing to observe fish species diversity in different coastal wetlands of Green Bay. This project in particular allowed me to explore my interests in community ecology and gain hands-on field skills that are bound to be useful in my future career.

Entering my senior year at the University of Michigan, my experience this summer allowed me to engage in self-discovery and better understand what next steps could be once I graduate next spring. The wide range of environmental science jobs can be overwhelming, but I’ve been able to get a firsthand look at the exciting choices that await. Being able to travel across northeastern Wisconsin and meet so many amazing scientists was a transformative experience that not only awarded me with applicable skills but also showed me that my opportunities are endless.

The post Summer studies in Manitowoc open endless opportunities first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/blog/summer-studies-in-manitowoc-open-endless-opportunities/

Lake Mendota serves up lessons in climate change and public perceptions

On: September 24, 2024

In: Andrea Hicks, Climate change, climate perception in Madison, Freshwater Collaborative, Lake Mendota ice cover, Maddie Gaudette, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Ice forms on the shore of Lake Mendota. Image credit: Wisconsin Sea Grant

By Maddie Gaudette, Freshwater Collaborative summer research student

This summer, 35 undergraduate students from across the country conducted research with Freshwater@UW, the University of Wisconsin’s cross-site, cross-discipline research opportunities program. Freshwater@UW is supported by the Freshwater Collaborative, Wisconsin Sea Grant, Water@UW–Madison, the Water Resources Institute and the University of Wisconsin–Madison Graduate School. In the final weeks of the program, students reflected on what they learned. Here’s Maddie Gaudette, an undergraduate junior in environment, sustainability and geography from the University of Minnesota Duluth, who worked with Andrea Hicks at UW–Madison.

As a Midwesterner, I understand the importance of a frozen lake; it has brought me some of my fondest memories. From ice fishing with my dad to learning how to skate, ice in winter is a cornerstone of Upper Midwest culture. This connection to frozen lakes is a sentiment that is shared on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. Lake Mendota is an established hot spot for winter recreation and festivals, something I have observed firsthand changing as a result of decreased ice cover.

I have found myself drawn to the intersection between observable climate change and public perception of climate change. I could not be more grateful for the research team I have been a part of this summer. Andrea Hicks and my graduate student adviser, Monica, allowed me to expand on my interests in freshwater changes and climate perception, leading me to explore the connections between lake freeze-over rates and local climate perception in the Madison area. I focused on UW–Madison’s beloved Lake Mendota and used state climatology data in addition to local climate perception survey results to research a connection.

Through my research, I found that changes in lake freezing and disruptions to lake activity such as ice fishing and the cancellation of local festivals have had profound impacts on the Madison area, which has increased local climate perception. The trends I found in the climatology data show a decrease in the annual ice coverage of Lake Mendota, with a strong likelihood of continued decreased ice coverage. In Madison, where so much of the city’s culture is connected to the area’s lakes, changes like this can have long-lasting effects on the city’s and university’s culture.

This research has been incredibly engaging; I have felt the reverberations of the changes on Lake Mendota, even as a nonresident. I visited Madison last winter for two different events that both ended up being canceled due to a lack of ice coverage: the Winter Carnival and Lily’s Classic. Both events are university traditions and contribute to the culture of UW–Madison and the Madison area. Understanding how winters along Lake Mendota may be changing gives insight into how to get the community involved in climate issues and, at the very least, aware of climate change impacts in their backyard. Understanding the local changing climate is increasingly important in adapting traditions and recreation for the years to come. While Lake Mendota will long be beloved by the university and the community, my research has indicated that its frozen future may look quite different in the years to come.

The post Lake Mendota serves up lessons in climate change and public perceptions first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/blog/lake-mendota-serves-up-lessons-in-climate-change-and-public-perceptions/

Invasive fish genetics project ignites passion for field work

On: September 13, 2024

In: Amy Workman, bighead carp, DNA, Freshwater Collaborative, Freshwater@UW, Hope Dzik, invasive species, silver carp, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center, Wisconsin River

By Hope Dzik, Freshwater Collaborative summer research student

This summer, 35 undergraduate students from across the country conducted research with Freshwater@UW, the University of Wisconsin’s cross-site, cross-discipline research opportunities program. Freshwater@UW is supported by the Freshwater Collaborative, Wisconsin Sea Grant, Water@UW–Madison, the Water Resources Institute and the University of Wisconsin–Madison Graduate School. In the final weeks of the program, students reflected on what they learned. Here’s Hope Dzik, an undergraduate sophomore in environmental biology and plant biology from the Michigan State University, who worked with Amy Workman at UW–Madison.

Dzik holds a water sample from Wisconsin River at Upham Woods. Image credit: Amy Workman

I applied to the Freshwater@UW Program in hopes of getting a deeper understanding of aquatic invasive species research. I was extremely excited for the opportunity to experience the process of field work. I’d not been able to do that at my home university.

When I found out I was accepted, I was both anxious and excited to meet everyone else involved in the Freshwater@UW Program. My experience with meeting other cohort members, grad students, professors and many others involved was one of the best parts of my summer. I made so many professional connections and met future environmental scientists from around the country.

Our orientation events allowed us to become acquainted with Madison and each other — the best part was pulling out invasive plants together and sitting exhausted in the shade afterward. Madison is also an amazing place during summer. I loved biking around the city on my free bike (shoutout to the Red Bicycle Project) and swimming in the lake.

Everyone involved in this program took time to get to know us, and I felt extremely taken care of. All the professionals I met, and the sense of community this program brought, made the stressful or confusing aspects of my research worth every mosquito bite or failed experiment.

Dzik takes a water sample for invasive carp DNA testing. Image credit: Amy Workman

My project objective was to refine a protocol for collection and analysis of invasive carp eDNA. Bighead and silver carp can indirectly harm native fish populations and are threats to Wisconsin’s fresh water, so being able to detect a population of either species in a body of water can aid in monitoring the growth of their population. I worked with both Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center and the University of Wisconsin Biotechnology Center. My method development was a frustrating but gratifying process. It involved finding the best way to collect river samples from the Upham Woods campus, developing the most efficient way to extract DNA, and refining techniques to analyze the DNA samples. The complete protocol will be used for teaching high school groups, which is one of the reasons I selected this project. I wanted to show that biological research isn’t intimidating and is open to all types of people.

This project was an amazing opportunity; it allowed me to learn important skills like science communication and self-advocacy. I discovered how much I enjoy field biology and ecology while applying course concepts. The water collection process was a great experience, and I loved being outside in the river. Grad school does not seem as intimidating anymore, either. I arrived at Madison this summer questioning my post-undergraduate plans, and now I have started to plan my future in biological research. It has allowed me to narrow my career goals, and I hope to continue field research in the future.

The post Invasive fish genetics project ignites passion for field work first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/blog/invasive-fish-genetics-project-ignites-passion-for-field-work/

Mercury and microplastics research provides new experiences and scientific insights

On: October 27, 2023

In: Ali Mikulyuk, Freshwater Collaborative, Freshwater@UW-Madison, Kara Eppard, Lake Mendota, microplastics and mercury pollution, Sarah Jensen, Yahara River

By Kara Eppard, Freshwater Collaborative summer research student

This summer, 31 students from across the country were chosen for the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Freshwater@UW Summer Research Opportunities Program, which is affiliated with Wisconsin Sea Grant, the University of Wisconsin Water Resources Institute and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School. Many of the students provided reflections on what they learned. We’ll share several over the coming months. Here’s Kara Eppard, an undergraduate senior in chemistry and biology from Bridgewater College, Virginia.

Kara Eppard, Freshwater@UW Madison scholar, collecting water from Lake Mendota. Image credit: Grace Armstrong

Participation in the Freshwater@UW-Madison program allowed me to continue to develop my research skills, prepare for my future academic and career endeavors, as well as develop many professional and social relationships with my peers at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and within the Freshwater program, instilling connections that will last throughout my career.

Through this program, I worked on a project in conjunction between the university and the USGS. Under the supervision of Sarah Jensen, I studied the adsorption of mercury to microplastics. I was exposed to multiple laboratory instruments I had not previously worked with.

I used a Raman microscope to analyze different plastics and establish a brief spectral library of common plastics for the lab. I used that library to analyze the particles present in environmental microplastic samples that were provided by collaborators and determined what polymer types were present.

I then completed a series of incubations with microplastics (polystyrene, polyethylene, polymethyl acrylate and environmental microplastic samples) and inorganic mercury. These incubations were conducted in different matrix conditions that replicated freshwater environments. I used a buffer made in the lab and collected water from both Madison’s Lake Mendota and the Yahara River (a tributary of Mendota). I used a Brooks-Rand MERX-T instrument to analyze inorganic mercury concentrations at 0 to 24 hours of incubation. The differences in mercury concentration of the matrix between the two times indicated if the microplastics were absorbing mercury or not, and if so, to what extent.

My research yielded interesting insights. I found that microplastics in some cases do absorb mercury, however, the specific polymer type and the matrix influences the sorption effects. The most interesting insight I found was that UV weathering of microplastics amplified their absorption effects!

Outside of my research time, the program also provided me many opportunities for professional development. Thanks to the hard work of program leader Ali Mikulyuk, each week I was able to attend professional development seminars. I gained insight into grad school admission processes, what to expect in grad school and the process of obtaining funding. I also got to learn about career opportunities present with federal employment. Science outreach and communication was one of the important topics we were able to discuss, learning the importance of the communications between scientists and the communities that have history and knowledge on their topics, or are affected by their research. I found this highly valuable.

Other development opportunities included a graduate fair for the college, rapid research exchange with German researchers and the poster presentations at the end of the program.

I am so thankful for the Freshwater Program and all the knowledge and experiences it provided me!

The post Mercury and microplastics research provides new experiences and scientific insights first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/blog/mercury-and-microplastics-research-provides-new-experiences-and-scientific-insights/