Center strives to protect water

By Mike Silverthorn 

    The quality of Michigan's vast water resources is the focus of a new research center at CMU.

      The Michigan Water Research Center is a collaboration of CMU researchers who evaluate surface water in lakes, streams and wetlands as well as sub-surface or ground water.  They can address such local concerns as nuisance algae, bacteria, contaminants, taste and odor problems, drinking water safety and recreational water degradation.

      "Our mission is to preserve and protect Michigan's water resources through research, education and service," says Scott McNaught, a CMU biologist and center director. 

     "We serve communities by offering water quality monitoring services.  We will work with stream and lake associations, governmental agencies, tribal councils and property owners who have questions about why their water has an odor, for example, or why there are so many weeds.   We can assess a lake's nutrients and acidity, test for toxins and evaluate the fish population," he said. 

      Water quality problems can result from erosion, urbanization, recreational development, forestry and industry, said McNaught.  The need for water quality monitoring, particularly in central and northern Michigan, is growing

      "Michigan is a state wealthy in water resources, which are important for both recreational and industrial uses," said McNaught.   "If we don't pay proper attention to these resources, things can and do go awry.    More lakes are getting crowded; more are surrounded by homes.   These lakes are facing issues of human impact.  We can  tell organizations:  Here's what going on with your water and some strategies to deal with it." 

     Researchers affiliated with the center include McNaught, an aquatic ecologist who specializes in food-web dynamics and fish recruitment, and Elizabeth Alm, an environmental microbiologist who analyzes microbial samples and studies the functional characteristics of specific microorganisms. 

     Also affiliated with the center are Joy Doran, a molecular biologist who specializes in minimizing wastes generated from industrial processes, and Jane Matty, a geologist who studies the chemical reactions of pollutants in lake sediments.  

     Laboratory services offered by the center include bacterial and aquatic plant identification and testing for hardness, nutrients, metals and contaminants including toxins and fecal coliforms. 

      The center was established by a grant from the State of Michigan's Research Excellence Fund.  For information about the center, call 1184.