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Water quality impacts of wildland-urban interface fire
Following the Nov. 8, 2018 Camp Fire, the most destructive fire in California's history, our research group has been investigating the water quality impacts of this urban fire in collaboration with Dr. Jackson Webster (Civil Engineering, CSU Chico) and his research group. We collected stream water during storms throughout the 2018-19 rainy season and are in the process of analyzing a broad range of potential contaminants, such as metals, organics, and nutrients. This project is funded by the National Science Foundation and includes collaborators from the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Washington, Clemson University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and the US Geological Survey. We presented the preliminary results of our investigation at the Camp Fire Water Resources Monitoring and Research Symposium on June 4, 2019 in Chico, CA. |
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Urban stormwater biofiltration
We are investigating key design criteria for building high-performing and resilient biofiltration systems that mitigate flooding and contaminants associated with urban stormwater. This work is funded by an EPA People, Prosperity, and the Planet (P3) student sustainable design grant. We are evaluating the hydrologic performance and pollutant removal efficiency of various filtration media, plant types, and biofilter depths using biofilter columns. Two local biofiltration systems are also monitored for their ability to infiltrate storm runoff and remove excess nutrients, suspended sediment, metals, and petroleum hydrocarbons. We monitor the Chico State rain garden and the BWELL bioswale at Butte College in collaboration with the BWELL MESA internship program. |
Dissolved organic matter cycling in an agricultural watershed
Dr. Matiasek conducted her PhD research with Dr. Peter Hernes at the University of California, Davis. This work characterized the impacts of irrigated agriculture on dissolved organic matter (DOM) production, transport, and reactivity in a watershed of the Sacramento Valley (Willow Slough) using molecular biomarkers (amino acids, lignin) and optical measurements. In surface waters, DOM fuels aquatic food webs, affects trace metal and organic contaminant solubility, and forms carcinogenic disinfection by-products upon chlorination. We also assessed the quantitative and qualitative release of organic matter (OM) from sediments and soils in this agricultural watershed where soil erosion and sediment export are enhanced by irrigation practices.
Dr. Matiasek conducted her PhD research with Dr. Peter Hernes at the University of California, Davis. This work characterized the impacts of irrigated agriculture on dissolved organic matter (DOM) production, transport, and reactivity in a watershed of the Sacramento Valley (Willow Slough) using molecular biomarkers (amino acids, lignin) and optical measurements. In surface waters, DOM fuels aquatic food webs, affects trace metal and organic contaminant solubility, and forms carcinogenic disinfection by-products upon chlorination. We also assessed the quantitative and qualitative release of organic matter (OM) from sediments and soils in this agricultural watershed where soil erosion and sediment export are enhanced by irrigation practices.
Soil and water contamination at historic Sierra Nevada mines, CA
Dr. Matiasek is involved in various research projects studying the distribution of heavy metals in soil, sediment, and water at historical gold mine sites in the Sierra Nevada. In a collaboration between CSU Chico colleague Dr. David Brown, North State Environmental's Chris Brown, and the California Department of Conservation Abandoned Mine Lands Program (CA DOC-AMLP), we are preparing a Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation Report at Robinson Mine, a Superfund site located in the northern Sierra Nevada.
Dr. Matiasek is involved in various research projects studying the distribution of heavy metals in soil, sediment, and water at historical gold mine sites in the Sierra Nevada. In a collaboration between CSU Chico colleague Dr. David Brown, North State Environmental's Chris Brown, and the California Department of Conservation Abandoned Mine Lands Program (CA DOC-AMLP), we are preparing a Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation Report at Robinson Mine, a Superfund site located in the northern Sierra Nevada.
Dr. Matiasek also co-advises MSc students with Dr. Carrie Monohan from the Sierra Fund characterizing heavy metal contamination and the effectiveness of remediation activities at hydraulic mine sites (e.g., Malakoff Diggins, the largest hydraulic mine site of the Sierra Nevada) and downstream reservoirs. In particular, interactions between mercury and dissolved organic matter (DOM) in mine waters are being investigated.
Dioxins in soils in Oroville, CA
We are assessing the distribution and sources of dioxins in soils in Oroville, CA. Dioxins result from the incomplete combustion of chlorinated materials such as household waste and have wide ranging adverse health effects, including carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity. They bioaccumulate and are highly persistent in the environment. This extensive dioxin survey, performed by M.Sc. student Jess Kolstad, constitutes a much needed update on the distribution and fate of dioxins released until 2012 but last assessed in the late 1980s.
We are assessing the distribution and sources of dioxins in soils in Oroville, CA. Dioxins result from the incomplete combustion of chlorinated materials such as household waste and have wide ranging adverse health effects, including carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity. They bioaccumulate and are highly persistent in the environment. This extensive dioxin survey, performed by M.Sc. student Jess Kolstad, constitutes a much needed update on the distribution and fate of dioxins released until 2012 but last assessed in the late 1980s.