About

Identify

Dr. Messer’s research focuses on identifying emerging contaminants and nutrients in urban and agricultural ecosystems.

Specific topics include:

1.  Risk assessment of contaminants at levels that potentially lead to human health impacts in surface and groundwaters (Currently funded by the USDA-NIFA, NSF, USGS, UK-CARES)

2. Exposure to contaminants in recreational waters (Currently funded by the USGS)

Impact: Findings from this research will raise awareness of water quality health in southeast and midwest regions of the United States for both drinking and recreational water sources. Further, many of these monitored regions provide water to downstream regions dependent on surface waters for drinking sources, recreation, and economic stability. Therefore, findings are anticipated to have a regional and potentially national impact for evaluating water quality and being exhibit how to be a “good” water quality neighbor.

Trace

Dr. Messer’s research focuses on tracing emerging contaminants and nutrients in urban and agricultural ecosystems using innovative sensor technology and isotopic enrichment methods.

Specific topics include:

1.  Fate and transport assessment of contaminants at levels that potentially lead to impacts on nontarget species in surface and groundwaters (Currently Funded by the USDA-NIFA; NSF; USGS)

2. Development of a monitoring platforms for identifying degraded water quality regions in rivers and lakes that will provide guidance to implementation of best management practices. (Currently funded by USDA NIFA; USGS, Daughtery Water for Food Institute)

Impact: Findings will lead to a better understanding of how contaminants enter these important natural resources and guidance on biogeochemical processes treat contaminated waters and/or prevent future occurrences.

Treat

Dr. Messer’s research focuses on treating emerging contaminants and nutrients in urban and agricultural ecosystems using innovative best management practice design receiving complex mixtures of contaminants.

Specific topics include:

1.  Studying capacity of natural systems for removal or attenuation of nutrients and agrochemicals, including biological and physical processes in streams, contaminant fluxes, and contaminant by-pass mechanisms (e.g., preferential flow paths; currently funded by USDA NIFA, USGS, NSF-EPSCOR)

2.  Development/improvements of best management practices and designed treatment systems, such as floating treatment wetlands and biosolid/compost applications for nutrient and organic contaminants in recreational waters (Currently funded by USDA - NIFA and NSF)

3.  Developing, investigating, and/or implementing best management practices applications to improve water quality in surface and groundwater (Currently funded by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy and USDA-NIFA) 

Impact: Findings from this research provide methods for improving water quality both adjacent to waterways and in contaminated waters. The development of in-situ water treatment practices such as within recreational lakes, inflowing streams, and/or tile drains, is anticipated to provide water quality improvements, while minimizing land acquisition requirements and costs to producers and WWTP operators.