***Attention 9-12 Graders***
The SW Minnesota Algae Project team is sponsoring a morning of summer science at the Lost Dog and Fox Hunters Brown County Park on Clear Lake. It will be a morning for students in grades 9 through 12 to learn about innovative technology that harvests algae from the lakes and returns clear water and also to explore essentials of the Clear Lake aquatic ecosystem by gathering water samples. St. Cloud State University will be providing science equipment for the students to work with in analyzing the samples from the lake.
Those attending will also learn more about current algae biomass utilization like soil revitalization, food, feed, plastics and cosmetics. The focus of research is whether the value of using the algae harvested from the lakes as a nutrient enhancement to revitalize soils can offset the cost of keeping the lakes clear of excess phosphorus and nitrogen.
To determine the feasibility of this concept, over the next couple of years the SW Minnesota Algae Project team will have AECOM bring their harvester to Minnesota. They would spend time on Clear Lake in Brown County and on Lake Crystal in Blue Earth County. St Cloud State University, which has the largest algal lab of the universities in Minnesota, would provide a commercial dewatering and pelletizing process to stabilize the algal biomass. That biomass would then be shipped to the U of M’s Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC) in Lamberton. SWROC received a grant from the Minnesota Corn Growers Association to fund lab and field trials on the viability of algal biomass as a soil nutrient supplement and to involve local FFA and science students in the research.
The science seminar will be focused on the students but all are welcome to learn more about the SW Minnesota Algae project and to talk to the supporters and scientist about this innovative concept.
Speakers include:
Dr. Byron Winston, currently Senior Environmental Scientist with AECOM Harmful Algal Bloom team based in Florida. 2015-2020 Environmental Scientist/Geologist Oil and Gas remediation @ AECOM
2012-2015 Postdoctoral Research Fellow @ University of Arkansas working on the Impacts of Climate Change on Water Resources
2011-2012 Instructor, Dept. of Geosciences @ University of Arkansas
2007-2011 PhD in Environmental Dynamics @ University of Arkansas – Worked on Taste & Odor episodes in Drinking Water Reservoir
2003-2006 Master’s @ University of Arkansas - Worked on groundwater and surface water contamination from poultry litter fertilizer
1999-2003 Bachelor’s in Environmental Science – Midwestern State University – Texas
Dr. Mathew Julius, Chair of the Biology Department at St. Cloud State University where he has taught for the past 23 years. Received his bachelor’s degree from Butler University and Doctorate from University of Michigan in Natural Resources/Systematics and Evolution. Dr. Julius has published several papers on his algal applied research.
Dr. Paulo Pagliari, Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, Nutrient Management Specialist, at the U of MN Southwest Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton, MN
Emily E. Evans, Researcher at the U of MN Southwest Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton, MN
Thomas Byrne, CPA, EDFP, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Accounting from St. Cloud State University. Byrne is a founding member of the Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) and has continued to serve as board member and secretary/treasurer since its original foundation.
Contact:
If you have questions or would like to attend, please contact Tom Byrne at tomb@carlsonsv.com or 507-993-7161.
