2008 Proceedings - St. Cloud State University

Abstracts
Session W Paper Presentation Competition IV South Voyageurs
Bald Eagles as Contaminant Bioindicators
Bald eagles are upper-trophic level predators that accumulate environmental contaminants, and thus act as sentinels of ecosystem health.
Eagles are subject to a diversity of contaminants: mercury from coal-fired power plants and mining operations, lead from gunshot and
fishing tackle, organic pesticides from farming, and unknown toxins from coal-bed methane production. In high concentrations, these
contaminants negatively affect eagle reproduction, behavior, and survival. During the winter of 2005-2006, the Montana Raptor
Conservation Center reported the deaths of six bald eagles, all of which had elevated levels of mercury in their blood. Staff at the
rehabilitation center questioned if mercury was an emerging problem in Montana. I determined the presence and level of contaminants
from blood and feather samples collected from adult and nestling bald eagles in southern Montana and northern Wyoming in 2007. These
samples were analyzed for heavy metals, trace elements, and organic pesticides. Preliminary results from nestling bald eagles sampled in
2007 indicate nestlings in Montana have low levels of toxins, but some nestlings from Wyoming have elevated mercury levels. Adult bald
eagles captured and submitted for rehabilitation from 2005-2007 also had elevated levels of mercury and lead in their blood. I will collect
additional samples from south-central Montana nestlings in 2008. I hope to assist bald eagle management by identifying areas of high
contamination, negative effects on bald eagles, and potential effects on other species.
Presentation Index: W1
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Department: Biological Sciences
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Carlson, Jason
Restani, Marco
SCSU FSAE Project
St. Cloud State University‘s Formula SAE team is a non-profit organization comprised of students dedicated to designing, building and
testing a race car. This is done by applying practical engineering skills and knowledge to be competitive in the Formula SAE competition
and provide national exposure for the team‘s sponsors and St. Cloud State University.
Presentation Index: W2
Time: 3:50 p.m.
Department: Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Haney, Phillip; Smith, Austin; Salzl, Scott; Miller, Daniel Miller, Kenneth
Manure Storage Basin Abandonment Alternatives and Water Quality Improvement
Manure storage basins are a common way for farm operators to store manure prior to field application throughout much of the Midwest.
With the declining number of farm operations in Minnesota, there becomes an increasing number of abandoned manure storage basins.
Landowners face a large financial disincentive to close abandoned manure storage basins. Regulatory requirements for closure have a
lower priority than providing working operations with regulatory and environmental protection assistance. However, the potential exists for
these basins to affect groundwater quality over time. This study was conducted to develop a low-cost effective abandonment procedure to
ensure landowner participation. In the Manure Storage Basin Abandonment Alternatives in the Upper Mississippi River Basin project,
procedures include 1) removal of manure from the manure storage basin while contaminated soil is left in place and 2) vegetating the soil
with aggressive plant species such as reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea). The Nitrate Leaching & Environmental Analysis software
package and statistical analysis will be used to determine potential comparative risks the manure storage basins pose to human or
environmental health. The resulting bioremediation within each basin should lower contaminant levels of nutrients and pathogens enough
that the basins will no longer cause potential human or environmental threat. The converted basins offer additional benefits as a source of
forage or wetland habitat. The goal is to develop effective manure storage basin abandonment alternative that will be lower cost to the
producer and reduce contaminants to an acceptable level.
Presentation Index: W3
Time: 4:10 p.m.
Department: Environmental and Technological Studies
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Storlien, Joseph
Bender, Mitch
The Paradox of Paradise: A Study of Setting in the Works of Sinclair Lewis
Both in his own personal life as well as in his fiction, Sinclair Lewis struggled with his surroundings. Settings in his novels often took on a
life of their own. Whether it was the rustic country, the buzzing city or the convenient suburb, Lewis commented and criticized each setting.
These observations very much reflected Lewis‘ own views based on his varied residences, including his hometown of Sauk Centre,
Minnesota. Though Lewis acutely attacked each setting equally and fairly, one fallacy lies in the fact that rarely did he state which setting
he preferred. Yet Lewis was in an interesting position – that of a social critic from the Midwest, which gave him the advantage of reaching a
large number of potential readers. His appeal was not limited to just the ―cultured‖ East Coast literary crowd, but also to those who grew up
in similar environments, such as Sauk Centre. Through his stinging satires, Lewis was able to effectively expose the underbelly of America,
and helped to revolutionize the tradition of American literature.
Presentation Index: W4
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Department: History
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Ries, Andrew
Lewis, Richard; Glade, Betsy
St. Cloud State University Student Research Colloquium 69
April 22, 2008