kellymicroecolab
Microbial Ecology of Urban Streams
The world is becoming increasingly urban and understanding the consequences of urbanization for ecosystem processes is critical. In particular, understanding the effects of urban stressors on aquatic microbial communities will be necessary to manage the critical ecosystem services they provided. Urban aquatic ecosystems suffer from altered hydrology and drainage patterns and contamination as part of the urban stream syndrome, but the overall ecological consequences of urbanization for the structure and function of microbial communities are not well understood. We use a combination of field studies and laboratory-scale microcosm and mesocosm experiments to investigate the microbial ecology of urban streams.
Microbial Interactions with Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems
Nearly 200 million metric tons of plastic are produced globally each year, and it is estimated that 10% of this plastic enters aquatic habitats. There is growing public concern about one specific class of plastic contaminants, microplastic, which is defined as less than 5mm in size. Recent studies have shown high microplastic concentrations in ocean habitats worldwide and in freshwaters in the Midwest, including the Great Lakes. Several studies have demonstrated extensive microbial colonization of these microplastics. We use a combination of field studies and laboratory-scale microcosm and mesocosm experiments to explore the interactions of microplastics with microbial communities in freshwater ecosystems.
Environmental Impacts of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products
Recent research has documented the presence of a variety of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in rivers and streams in the United States. PPCPs include prescription and over-the counter therapeutic drugs, antibacterial products such as soaps and detergents, as well as fragrances and cosmetics. The potential effects of these PPCPs on stream ecosystems remain largely unknown. We use a combination of field studies and laboratory-scale microcosm and mesocosm experiments to investigate the potential ecological effects of a range of PPCPs on the structure and function of bacterial communities in rivers and streams.
