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Characterization of fugitive emissions from naturally Hg
enriched mining disturbed and undisturbed substrates
Duration :
5/1/2007-6/30/2009
Objective : This project focuses on quantifying fugitive Hg emissions
from active gold mining operations in Nevada. Fugitive emissions will be
determined for representative substrates at two active gold mines and scaled up
for the area to allow for comparison with point source emissions and emissions occurring from naturally Hg enriched substrate that has not been
disturbed
Funding: Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
P.I.
Mae Gustin CoPI Frank Marsik University of Michigan
Development of broadly deployable methods for quantifying
atmospheric Hg speciation in urban and rural settings in Nevada
Duration :
10/1/2006-12/30/2009
Objective : This project entails the development of passive samplers for
determination of reactive and total gaseous Hg concentrations in air as well as
surrogate surfaces to be used for monitoring Hg dry deposition. This
project involves methods development and laboratory and field testing.
Funding: U.S. EPA through Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
P.I.
Mae Gustin CoPI Eric Prestbo, Frontier Geosciences.
Investigation of causal factors for elevated mercury
concentrations in fish tissues in Nevada's reservoirs and state wide education
on fish consumption advisories for mercury
Duration :
7/1/2007-6/30/2009
Objective : This
project will address the issue of elevated fish Hg concentrations in Nevada
reservoirs where there are no clear known legacy mining impacts through 1)
generation of a data set that will provide information on the factors
responsible for high Hg concentrations in fish tissue, and 2) development of a
stakeholder educational program for two audiences: fish consumers and
watershed/wildlife/reservoir managers on Hg in fish tissues. The hypothesis for
the research component of this project is: reservoir management criteria and
watershed inputs affecting water quality are the dominant factors associated
with elevated Hg concentration in fish tissue.
Funding: HATCH grant College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and
Natural Resources
P.I.
Mae Gustin CoPI Susan Donaldson NV Cooperative Extension
Quantifying Hg dry deposition
Duration : 6/1/2007-5/30/2009
Objective : This project focuses on advancing our understanding of Hg dry
deposition through deployment of surrogate surfaces and modeling efforts. This
project will expand our work with dry deposition surrogate surfaces to
collection of data at a rural location in the western United States and to the
southeastern United States. Surrogate surfaces are being developed to quantify
dry deposition of reactive gaseous Hg. Different materials as surrogate surfaces
will be tested as will the importance of the deposition of atmospheric elemental
Hg will be investigated. Reactive gaseous mercury uptake by surrogate surfaces
will be investigated in the laboratory under different environmental conditions
and reactive gaseous mercury exposures. Field data will be developed to compare
modeled reactive mercury deposition and surface uptake.
Funding: EPRI
P.I.
Mae Gustin Collaborators- John Jansen and Eric Edgerton and SEARCH site
operators.
Population dynamics of the native fishes in the mainstem
Truckee River
Duration :
6/1/2007-12/31/10
Objective : This project focuses on developing information on population
ecology and population genetic structure of nongame fish species in the Truckee
River. The impact of water quality and movement barriers on the native
species distribution as well as the potential restrictions on Lahontan Cutthroat
Trout will be investigated. Total and methyl mercury concentrations in water and
fish along the reach of the river will be investigated. Water quality parameters
that may influence methyl mercury production will be characterized. Mercury in
fish and carbon and nitrogen stable isotope concentrations will also be
determined. This information will be useful for determining if managed flow
regimes and riparian restoration projects will promote nongame fish populations
in the river and improve water quality.
Funding: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 6
P.I.
Mary Peacock University of Nevada CoPI Mae Gustin
Assessment of natural source emissions: Speciation, mechanisms
and significance
Duration : 11/02 -12/07
Objective : This project focuses on addressing gaps in our
understanding of the role of natural sources in the atmospheric cycling of
mercury through a variety of field and laboratory studies. Research will focus
on quantifying mercury emissions from geologic sources, the speciation of the
emitted mercury and the potential for local deposition, evaluation of the
fraction of recently deposited mercury being re-emitted from such sources and
the mechanisms of mercury release and emission from surface soils. The
complication of vegetation emissions and of wildfires as natural sources of
atmospheric mercury will also be investigated.
Funding: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency STAR Grant
P.I. Mae Gustin Co-PI's Dale Johnson,Peter Weisberg
Collaborators : Steve Lindberg, Hong Zhang
Mercury emissions from coal combustion fly ash and FGD
materials : 9/01-2/08
Objective : Coal fly ash and FGD materials are used for a variety of
products. This study investigates the potential for mercury release from
these materials via volatilization and leaching.
Funding : EPRI
P.I. Mae Gustin
Scaling up Natural Source Mercury Emissions at Local and Regional Scales
Duration : 5/99-12/07
Objective : Constrain mercury emissions from sites of natural
enrichment of mercury. Scale up emissions using Geographic
Information Systems. Develop local and regional mercury emission estimates.
Funding: EPRI
P.I. Mae Gustin
Past Research
Measurement of mercury emissions from fill materials
Duration : 4/05-6/07
Objective : This project entails the measurement of air
mercury exchange between soils amended with fly ash, sewage sludge, sludge
incineration ash and fill materials made with the above. Air-substrate
fluxes will be measured and an attempt will be made to develop a surrogate
method for predicting emission.
Funding: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
P.I.
Mae Gustin
Measurement of mercury speciation and the potential for Hg dry
deposition in Reno and at two National Mercury Deposition Network Sites in
Nevada
Duration : 7/05-6/07
Objective : This project entails the measurement of air
mercury speciation and the potential for dry deposition at three sites. One
located at Desert Research Institute Reno NV and the others at two remote rural
National Mercury Deposition Network Monitoring sites.
Funding:
Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station
P.I.
Mae Gustin
Reduction of
nutrient loading and impacts of mercury contamination from nonpoint source
pollution through wetland management, Steamboat Creek Watershed, NV
Duration : 9/03-8/07
Objective : This project uses 10 constructed
wetland trains to investigate the potential for methyl mercury production and
reduction of sediment and nutrient loading associated with Steamboat Creek
Nevada. Steamboat Creek is contaminated with mercury and the largest source of
nonpoint source pollution to the Truckee River. Wetland manipulations will be
done to mitigate methyl mercury production. A model will be developed that may
be applied to mercury contaminated watersheds to predict conditions that would
exacerbate or reduce methyl mercury production.
Funding: United States Department of Agriculture
P.I. Mae Gustin-PO, Keith Dennett, Laurel Saito, Susan Donaldson
Interactions of atmospheric elemental mercury with vegetation
and soils
Duration : 10/02-10/07
Objective : This project will use the large mesocosms at
Desert Research Institute, smaller multiple plant exposure chambers and a single
plant gas exchange chamber to investigate atmospheric uptake and
emissions associated with vegetation. The mesocosm study will focus on
atmospheric mercury interactions with an uncontaminated tall grass prairie
ecosystem. Additional data will be collected using smaller chambers on
other plant species.
Funding: National Science Foundation
P.I. Mae Gustin Co-PI's Dale Johnson, Jay Arnone, Alan Gertler
Should constructed wetlands be incorporated into proposed
flood control projects for the Truckee River?
Duration : 7/02-12/05
Objective : This project uses constructed wetlands
to understand the potential for nutrient removal by the proposed wetlands for
the mouth of Steamboat Creek. The wetland system will also be used to assess the
potential for mercury methylation within the wetlands. Ten wetlands will be used
to assess the above using different sediment and waters.
Funding: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Wetlands Project
P.I. Keith Dennett Co-PI's Mae Gustin, Eric Marchand
Arsenic in Churchill County domestic water supplies
Duration : 9/02-9/05
Objective : This project investigates arsenic speciation associated
with ground waters in Churchill County. The project includes an exposure
assessment and investigation of irrigation procedures effects on arsenic
speciation.
Funding: U.S. Department of Agriculture
P.I. Mark Walker Co-PI's Douglass Shaw, Mae Gustin, Jay Davidson
Mercury
Emissions from Hard Rock Mining
Duration : 8/02-7/05
Objective : Construct and operate two Mercury
Deposition Network monitoring sites in Nevada.
Funding: United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 9
P.I. Glenn Miller-PI, Mae Gustin, Bob Hall, Dave Jones, Joel Pedersen
Risk analysis
and management for Churchill County, Nevada private water supplies
Duration : 6/02-6/04
Objective : Investigate the distribution and
potential for prediction of the occurrence of Arsenic in well waters in the
Fallon area. Determine the speciation of the arsenic associated with specific
environmental settings.
Funding: USDA Cooperative State Research Extension and Education
Office
P.I. Mark Walker-PI, Douglas Shaw, Mae Gustin
Mercury
release from coal combustion products North Dakota Field Study
Duration :
8/04-11/04
Objective : Constrain mercury emissions from sites of natural
enrichment of mercury. Scale up emissions using Geographic
Information Systems. Develop local and regional mercury emission estimates.
Funding: Energy and Environmental Research
Center-University of North Dakota
P.I. Mae Gustin
Assessment
of the potential for mercury methylation in a representative reach of Steamboat
Creek
Duration :
3/04-2/05
Objective : Measure total and methyl mercury concentrations along
with other water quality parameters six times over a year for a reach of SBC.
Funding: Cities
of Reno and Sparks
PIs: Mae
Gustin-PI, Keith Dennett, Laurel Saito
An investigation of nonpoint source mercury pollution in Steamboat Creek
and the Truckee River, NV
Duration : 9/01-12/02
Objective : Identify sources of Hg to Steamboat Creek.
Investigate mercury and methyl mercury transport under different flow regimes.
Identify sites of mercury methylation.
Funding : Nevada Department of Environmental Protection and
Washoe County, NV
P.I. Mae Gustin
Processes controlling the chemical/isotopic speciation and distribution of
mercury from contaminated mine sites
Duration : 9/99-12/03
Objective : Investigate the processes controlling the mobilization and
chemical speciation
of mercury associated with mine sites. UNR will characterize
mercury emissions and the speciation of emissions from the
mine sites.
Funding: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency STAR Grant
CO P.I.'s Gordon Brown (Stanford University) Mae Gustin (Univ. of Nevada)
Mercury Emissions from Mine Waste
Duration : 10/99-12/03
Objective : Characterize mercury emissions from mine waste prior to
and following site
remediation. Characterize mercury emission from
McLaughlin-Geysers-Clear lake Geothermal area in detail and constrain the
parameters most important in controlling emissions.
Funding: USGS
P.I. Mae Gustin
Mercury effects to aquatic invertebrate communities in Stillwater National
Wildlife Refuge
Duration : 6/99-12/04
Objective : Investigate the mercury distribution in wetlands in Still
Water
National Wildlife Refuge. Asses the effects on aquatic invertebrate
communities and help with the develop of management plans
that reduce the exposure of organisms to mercury.
Funding: Fish and Wildlife Service
P.I. Mae Gustin
Determining the role of plants and soils in the biogeochemical
cycling of mercury on an ecosystem level
Duration : 9/99 -12/03
Objective : Use large scale microcosms at Desert Research Institute to
look at the biogeochemical cycling of mercury on an ecosystem level. One
of the primary goals is to develop a quantitative understanding that vegetation
plays in the uptake and emission of the atmospheric mercury.
Funding: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/EPSCoR
P.I. Mae Gustin Co-PI's Dale Johnson, James Coleman
Mercury sources
and methyl mercury production in Nevada streams and rivers
Duration : 8/99-7/02
Objective :
Funding: National Science Foundation EPSCoR seed grant
P.I. Mae Gustin-PI, Jerry Qualls
An
assessment of mobility and bioavailability of arsenic in surface water, pore
water and
sediments of the lower Humboldt River System
Duration : 9/99-4/02
Objective :
Funding: Bureau of Reclamation
P.I. Mae Gustin
Arsenic in
Churchill County, Nevada, Private Water Supplies
Duration : 7/01-6/02
Objective :
Funding: NAES-UNCE
P.I. Mark Walker-PI, J. Davidson, Mae Gustin
Mercury emissions from Lahontan Reservoir
Duration : 6/01-8/01
Objective : This project monitors the diel emissions of mercury
from the surface water of Lahonatan Reservoir and the dissolved gaseous mercury
concentration in the water.
Funding: CH2M Hill and EPA Region 9
P.I. Mae Gustin
Atmospheric Hg speciation at Sulfur Bank Superfund Site
Duration : 9/01-3/02
Objective : This project investigated the total and reactive
gaseous mercury concentrations in the air of the Sulfur Bank Superfund Site and
quantified the total mercury flux from the site.
Funding : EPRI
P.I. Mae Gustin
Assessment of the source and forms of mercury in Steamboat Creek and the
potential effects of stream restoration on mercury biovailability
Duration : 4/99-3/01
Objective : Determine the mercury concentration in water and sediments of Steamboat Creek
and assess the potential effects of planned restoration
on mercury biovailability.
Funding : Nevada Department of Environmental Protection
P.I. Sue Donaldson, Sherman Swanson, Mae Gustin
International
field intercomparison of measurement of mercury emissions from naturally
enriched substrate- Nevada STORMS Project
Duration :
4/98-12/00
Objective :
Funding : Electric Power Research Institute
P.I. Mae
Gustin
Study of Deposition of trifluoroacetic acid and evaporation and exposure
to plants in seasonal wetlands
Duration : 6/97-12/99
Objective : Investigate the uptake and affect of trifluoroacetic acid
on vernal pool plants
and microbial communities.
Funding : National Science Foundation
P.I. Jim Seiber/Mae Gustin
Development of a budget for mercury in water of the Upper Carson River
Watershed
Duration : 3/99-2/00
Objective : Determine the mercury concentrations in water, sediment and macro invertebrates
and methyl mercury concentrations in sediments of the
Upper Carson river watershed to assess the Potential for
natural sources to impact a watershed.
Funding : Department of the Interior-Geological Survey through Desert Research
Institute
P.I. Mae Gustin
Light enhanced mercury volatilization from substrate
Duration : 19/97-12/00
Objective: Investigate the factors associated with light enhanced mercury emissions
from substrate using a laboratory gas exchange chamber
and in situ using micrometeofological methods. Develop
some understanding of how mercury speciation in soils is linked with light
enhanced emissions.
Funding : U.S. Environmental Protection Agency STAR Grant
P.I. Mae Gustin
Development and application of field methods and models to quantify the
emissions of mercury from natural resources
Duration : 4/98-12/98
Objective : Investigate and measure the emissions of mercury from natural sources.
Data collected in situ will be used to develop regional
emission inventories. This data is needed to access the
importance of natural sources of mercury relative to
anthropogenic sources.
Funding: EPRI/UARG
P.I. Mae Gustin
Atmospheric transport and deposition of organophosphate and other pesticides
as input to Sierra Nevada Surface waters
Duration : 1996-1999
Funding: USDA
P.I. Jim Seiber, Glenn Miller, George Taylor, Mae Gustin
Mercury field Method demonstration Plan
Duration : 6/97-5/98
Funding: EPA
P.I. Mae Gustin | 
