2) How is the quality of a river affected by a flood?

3) What devices or machinery are used to help a river ecosystem?

4) What types of ecosystems are evident in the Mississippi River?

5) How do our waterways feed into the Mississippi River?

1. My group mates

2. Birds chirping in the trees

3. Waves lapping against the shore

4. Wind blowing

5. A business meeting

6. A computer keyboard totaling results

I saw:

1. My group mates

2. algae inside of water

3. plankton inside of water

4. A microscope

5. A building made of limestone

I felt:

1. Bored

2. Hungry

3. Cold water

4. accomplished

I learned:

1. what do different types of algae look like vs. plankton

2. How to take water quality tests

3. How to find different organisms inside of water

I realized:

1. Collecting and deciphering data can be very time-consuming

2. There are lots of different aspects that make an aquatic ecosystem healthy.

I know:

1. What NGRREC does for aquatic ecosystems.

1. Microplastics: Small plastic particles less than 5mm in size.

2. Plastic Microbeads: Tiny plastic particles used in cosmetics, now banned in the U.S.

3. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), PAHs, and Organophosphates: Harmful things that accumulate on microplastics.

Challenges:

• Identifying sources of microplastics.

• Understanding health and environmental impacts.

• Creating effective regulations to limit microplastic pollution.

Opportunities:

• Advancing technology for detecting microplastics.

• Public awareness and policy advocacy.

Questions:

• How do microplastics affect human health long-term?

• What methods can efficiently remove microplastics from water systems?

I used to think that burning areas were uncontrolled and destructive. Then I learned how people can do controlled burns using different strategies to consolidate that area. Now I think that this can be beneficial because it regulates the native plants in certain prairies and controls the invasives.

• Prescribed Fire: Controlled burn conducted to manage ecosystems.

• Excess Fuels: Accumulation of combustible materials like dead plants.

• Invasive Species: Non-native plants or animals that threaten local ecosystems.

• Carbon Cycle: Natural process of carbon being absorbed and released by plants.

Challenges:

• Ballence fire management with ecological conservation.

• Prevent fires from spreading beyond controlled areas.

Opportunities:

• Restoring ecosystems.

• Reducing wildfire risks.

Connections:

• NGRREC uses techniques like this to try to rid areas near the river of invasive species

• These tactics are used to try to keep hillside prairies native and thriving

Questions:

• How are local wildlife populations affected by prescribed burns?

• What are the long-term carbon sequestration impacts?

• PFAS: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, often called "forever chemicals."

• PFOS: A specific type of PFAS linked to health risks.

Challenges/Opportunities

• Challenges: Higher levels of PFAS in freshwater fish threaten public health, especially for communities relying on fish for their everyday diet.

• Opportunities: Potential for more harsh regulations on PFAS use and better testing methods.

Connections to NGRREC

• The article’s focus on water quality and environmental health connects with NGRREC's mission of sustainable water resources and ecosystem health.

Questions

1. What specific measures can communities take to reduce PFAS exposure from freshwater fish?

2. What role does public awareness play in addressing PFAS contamination issues?

Today we worked with the strike team on getting rid of invasive species such as bush honeysuckle. This was important because invasive species such as bush honeysuckle grow and create a canopy blocking other native and beneficial plants from growing. The world can continue to try to remove this invasive species by cutting it down and spraying it with herbicides. This will help forest ecosystems to thrive and become more native.