Abstract: Current methods of removal of hazardous contaminants from water are rather expensive. The goal of the project is to test alternative material that is inexpensive yet effective as adsorbent in the removal of contaminants. Adsorption of methylene blue on kaolin-xanthan micro-aggregates will be studied. We expect kaolin-xanthan micro-aggregates to have a removal efficiency greater than 70%. Micro-aggregates of different kaolin-xanthan micro-ratio will be tested. Spectrophotometric determination of methylene blue concentration will be conducted at predetermined time intervals. This project was made possible through Minnesota Grant Consortium and the Center for Environmental, Earth, and Space Studies funding.

Abstract: As a visual culture, it is integral that we address local and global predicaments in ways that translate universally: Art. The  Visual Arts Department realizes this and has challenged the students to do just that for a chance at a scholarship. This year’s Visual Arts Scholarship theme is Climate Change. For many it may be as simple as addressing issues like global warming  or carbon footprints; however, this is not the boundary of expression. Students  with either a major or a minor in Visual Arts have submitted works dealing with  “climate change” and we are here to help others understand the process of choosing a theme, generating an idea to address said theme and creating a visual piece  of art to communicate the theme to others.

Abstract: This project continued a seven year long study of the dynamics of a small (one hectare) plot in a maple-basswood forest on Star Island in Cass Lake, Minnesota.  All adult trees have been mapped and tagged, and stem diameter and fate have been re-measured twice since the plot was established in 2000.  This study examined patterns in growth, ingrowth (new adult-sized trees), and mortality over the last four years.  The strongest pattern in the growth data was that small trees grew the least and large trees grew the most.  This made sense because the smaller trees were in the understory and were shaded, whereas larger trees have access to sunlight in the overstory.  High mortality of small trees, and no new ingrowth was attributed to lack of sunlight in the understory and two years of drought, and a small amount of large tree mortality was largely due to accident.

Abstract: With the increase of urban sprawl and the break-up of large forested areas, bat habitat is being affected. The major question is what habitat type should be protected? This study looked at bat prevalence in edge and deep forests in central Minnesota. The goal of this research was to determine the habitat which bats are more frequently found. This was achieved using a bat frequency detector and recording bat contacts for 24 stations in edge and deep forests. A measure of tree basal area was used to delineate forest type. This data gave information on forest density which may affect foraging practices. In addition, the top ten tree dbh’s were recorded near each station to show available roosting trees. I will use the chi-square statistic to test for significant differences in bat prevalence in edge and deep forests. Linear regression will be used to compare bat prevalence to basal area and average dbh.