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fireless a s s r~ la i~ Ise r a w~ r li a a e by Michael Henjum, research assistant, UM Civil Engineering A research team from the Water Resources Science Graduate Program monitored two Twin Cities streams using a wireless network equipped with water quality sensors. The trace organic pollut- ant detection was conducted throughout the spring, summer and fall of 2008. The goal was to measure anthropogenic pol- lutants that have been detected in urban water systems. These human-generated pollutants include insecticides, herbi- cides, pharmaceuticals and estrogens. Data were collected in near real-time at five locations in the two urban streams. At the same time, one-liter grab samples were collected by two ISCO samplers at two-hour intervals over 24 hours dur- ing three dry periods and six rain events. Grab samples were analyzed for pollut- ants that could not be detected with the sensors: fecal coliform, atrazine, prome- ton and caffeine. Fecal coliform provides a measure of pathogen levels, atrazine is an agricultural herbicide, prometon is an herbicide used in urban areas, and caffeine is an indicator of wastewater inputs. This allowed the investigation of stormwater treatment, as well as explora- tion of the dynamics of urban watersheds and correlations that may exist between fundamental water quality parameters and the chemical contaminants men- tioned above. Urbanization typically causes dra- matic degradation of water quality in lakes, rivers and streams. The hydrologic changes (i.e., increased flows and ero- sion) and chemical inputs result in poor ecological health. The dynamics of urban pollution and removal in stormwater treatment systems (such as ponds) are not well understood. Monitoring for pol- lutants is labor intensive and expensive as it cannot be done with in situ sensor systems but requires grab sampling and analyses in a laboratory. Thus, surrogate measurements that can be monitored on a continuous or semi-continuous basis using in situ sensor systems are desirable. Researchers observe that the concen- trations of prometon and fecal coliform, which are likely to be washed from urban land uses, generally increase with rainfall soon after the storm event. Furthermore, these contaminants appear to correlate with turbidity. Atrazine, caffeine and nitrate decrease with rainfall in the short- term, which is consistent with distant non-runoff-associated sources. Stormwa- terponds do decrease most of the pollut- ants, but appear to be a source for some contaminants that may run off the area surrounding the ponds. Data analysis will continue throughout the winter months and the networ]< will be deployed again in the spring. Researchers hope that even- tually these results will enable mechanis- tically-based scaling and forecasting of water quality in urban streams and rivers. Future planning and management of storm water best management practices can be enhanced accordingly. Principal Investigators on the project were: W. A. Arnold, associate professor; M. Hondzo, professor; R. M. Hozalski, associate professor; and P. J. Novak, as- sociate professor, UM Department of Civil Engineering, along with research assistants Jeremiah Jadzewdl<i, Michael Henjum, Department of Civil Engineer- ing; and Christine Wennen, Graduate Program in Water Resources Science. c l r x l The University of Minnesota Extension Program Conference, held October 20-22, 2008, brought together 350 Extension Edu- cators and Specialists for professional development and organi- zational connections with a focus on technology. Jon Cordon's keynote speech, "Latest Trends in Digital Technology and Social Networking;' gave many their first glimpse of Twitter and other innovations for educational programming. Technical sessions offered new teaching and communication techniques and tours focused on clean energy, international commerce, storm water management, alternative agriculture, forestry, and youth interac- tions with nature and neighborhoods. WRC Co-Director Deb Swacl<hamer presented a keynote, "Minnesota Waters: Loca] Treasures, National Issues;' and Ex- tension professor Barb Liul<konen presented a technical session, 'Animate your Powerpoint" Co-Director Faye Sleeper and WRC agronomist Les Everett also attended the conference. The MN Association of Extension Educators held their annual meeting in conjunction with the conference at which Liul<konen was elected president for 2008-2009. Minnearam ~ rlonomhr~r ~nno