Donald Rosenberry, a nationally and internationally known research hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey National Research Program in Denver will present the seminar, "The importance of groundwater to lakes, wetlands and streams: New methods, new understanding and the societal relevance of research at the sediment-water interface," on Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Memorial Union Rose room. The seminar is the third of the annual North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute Distinguished Water Seminar series by eminent water professionals on emerging issues, challenges and new research directions in water resources.
Rosenberry specializes in processes that affect exchange between groundwater and surface water, and in developing new tools for quantifying fluxes at the sediment-water interface. He received his training in geography, geology, hydrogeology and fluvial geomorphology at Bemidji State University, University of Minnesota and University of Colorado. Concepts and methods related to exchange between groundwater and surface water are being tested at two nearby long-term research sites: Cottonwood Lake area northwest of Jamestown, N.D., and the Shingobee Headwaters Aquatic Ecosystem Study near Walker, Minn. The concept that groundwater and surface water are actually one resource, linked at the sediment-water interface of lakes, wetlands and streams, is now widely accepted by water-resource scientists and managers alike. Recent improvements in tools and measurement resolution have led to better understanding of the physical, geochemical and biological processes that occur at this important ecotone. These processes and linkages are directly relevant to the public, particularly when they affect property values or endangered species.
Before the seminar, students and faculty will have an opportunity to interact with Rosenberry. All interested faculty and students are welcome to attend the seminar and participate in discussions.
The annual seminar series is sponsored by the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and this year's co-sponsors are agricultural and biological engineering, civil engineering, environmental conservation sciences, geosciences departments and the School of Natural Resources Sciences.
For more information, contact G. Padmanabhan at g.padmanabhan@ndsu.edu or 701-231-7043 or Xuefeng Chu at xuefeng.chu@ndsu.edu or 701-231-9758.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.