Riverbed sediments can be an important source of phosphorus to Wisconsin waterways, increasing blue-green algae and negatively impacting aquatic health, human health, and local economies.
With a three-year grant from the Freshwater Collaborative, faculty and students at UW-Green Bay and UW-Madison are evaluating which conditions lead to the storage or release of phosphorus in the Wisconsin River. Read more about the project.
Here’s what students say about their phosphorus transport research.
- Claire Igielski, UW-Green Bay undergraduate majoring in environmental science, geosience and water science
- Callie Karsten, UW-Madison undergraduate majoring in geology and geophysics
- Jessie Kreiling, UW-Green Bay undergraduate majoring in water science, minoring in geoscience
- Vy Le, UW-Madison PhD student in hydrology
What have been the most important professional/technical skills you’ve learned?
Igielski: During this project, I have been able to gain skills in group work in a field setting, such as putting in multilevel samplers along the stream bank, taking pore water samples and taking the appropriate field measurements, and also being able to problem solve in real-time.
Karsten: One of the most valuable skills I’ve developed through this project is problem solving. It has taught me how to approach challenges independently while also recognizing when it’s okay to ask for help.
Kreiling: While working on this project, I have learned various professional and technical skills. I have been exposed to several technologies and tools, such as the AQ300. As far as professional skills go, this opportunity has allowed me to foster interpersonal skills between my peers and professors.
Le: This is my first time doing collaborative research at this level. The first skill I learned was how to install equipment in the field. I learned techniques for water sampling and how to get meaningful data. I’ve used multiple instruments at three labs across UW-Madison. Now I am mentoring the undergraduates from Madison and Green Bay. I help lead them in terms of field sampling and teaching techniques in the field. In the future, when they have research that they want to present, I will be supporting them in terms of data analysis. I’m also learning how to manage a large dataset and analyze the data in a collaborative environment so information can be extracted easily.
What are the benefits to collaborating with students and faculty at another university and with external groups, such as Upham Woods?
Igielski: Getting the opportunity to collaborate with students and faculty at another university and other external groups has been a great way to connect with more people in the same field of interest. This has given me the opportunity to make connections with people that otherwise I would have never met, which has allowed me to gain new knowledge and insight on the project.
Karsten: Collaborating with other students and faculty has given me the opportunity to observe different ways that people approach their work. It has helped me to better understand the importance of teamwork and collaboration in different environments.
Kreiling: I have enjoyed working alongside my peers and collaborating with various faculty members as well as the staff at Upham Woods. This has helped me become a bit more comfortable engaging with new people regularly and has improved my confidence.
Le: Chris [Zahasky] and Erin [Berns-Herrboldt] have very different background knowledge, which is important. If I identify a problem related to flow and hydrogeologic processes, Chris can guide me, whereas Erin can give insight on where we would focus for data collection. A benefit of collaboration is that we can discuss the objectives and divide tasks based on expertise and interest. Each student can focus on one area and come back to connect it to the others. Our team in Madison couldn’t do this research alone.
What opportunities has this project opened for you?
Igielski: My favorite part of this experience was being able to be in the field and learning new skills as well as getting the chance to run analytical equipment back in the lab at UW-Green Bay. Every sampling trip was an amazing time. Working alongside a group of talented women has been an experience I will take with me throughout my career. Working on this project has also helped me during my search and applications for a master’s program. The experience that I gained on this project is something that will aid me greatly during the next step in my academic career at graduate school.
Karsten: My favorite part of this experience has been the opportunity to do fieldwork. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work outdoors while learning valuable skills.
Kreiling: Some of the opportunities that this has provided me with is giving me some work experience prior to graduation and reentering the workforce after a decade-long hiatus. The opportunity to be a mature student but engage in such interesting work has been fulfilling.
Le: The opportunity to expand my network of scientific collaborators is tremendously helpful. I get to connect with different people. Not everyone at Madison has research similar to mine. When I presented my research at the AGU (American Geophysical Union) annual meetings, I met people from USGS who are studying phosphorus in the East River. From presenting at AWRA, I learned about other folks doing different research and their methods. Knowing people doing similar things in Wisconsin makes me feel like my research has a tangible outcome. I can see the reason why I’m doing this. It will directly benefit the community.
How will this experience help you attain your career goals?
Igielski: It is my goal to work at a research institute. The skills and experience that I gained during this project are the solid foundations of skills that I can expand in the future.
Karsten: This experience has not only provided me with valuable problem solving and field skills that will be useful in the future, but it has also helped me narrow down my interests. It’s a big reason why I’m now considering pursuing hydrogeology.
Kreiling: I am certain that my time spent on this project will make me more marketable to potential employers. This experience has provided me with practical knowledge that will be useful in any career.
Le: After I graduate, I really want to continue doing research, probably at a national laboratory or research institution. This research has really equipped me with interdisciplinary research skills. I know now how to do geochemical analysis, and I know a little bit of field work, and I feel like there are a lot of things I can teach myself.