Part of our research program focuses on the impacts of changes in the environment on the ecology and biogeochemistry of wet ecosystems. In particular, (1) land use impacts (e.g., mining, agriculture) on water and sediment chemistry and plant and macroinvertebrate communities, (2) how wetland plants respond to various environmental pollutants (e.g., pesticides, metals, metal nanoparticles, nitrogen, phosphorus), and (3) how these plants can be used for the remediation of these pollutants.
Impacts of floating wetlands on the biology and chemistry of drinkig water resources.
Prospective graduate students and interested undergraduate students should contact Dr. Kissoon-Charles with questions.
Metals in aquatic vegetation and sediment in mining contaminated wet ecosystems.
Prospective graduate students and interested undergraduate students should contact Dr. Kissoon-Charles with questions.
Microbial and metal composition of mining-contaminated and remediated soils in the Missouri Tri-State mining district.
Project leader: Ophelia Pettington
Team members: Anna Faust, Emily Holly, Alexis Reifsteck, Ben Cooper, Sam Booth
Implications of the proliferation of the nitrate-providing Azolla caroliniana in Lake Springfield, MO.
Project leaders: Benjamin Cooper , Anna Faust, Teressa Kruit
Team members: Alex Geeslin, Anna Schwarm, Sarah Guymon, Riley Cook, Sam Booth, Jaslyn Johnson
Effects of metal contamination on decomposition and macroinvertebrate colonization.
Project leaders: Leslie Hatch, Indigo Tran, Malachai Frisby, Riley Cook
Team members: Anna Faust, Saarh Guymon, Elizabeth Carrell, Elizabeth Harris, Amanda Heider, Joshua Jarvis, Matthew Keese
Impacts of winter temperatures on Azolla caroliniana and subsequent changes in water chemistry.
Project leaders: Sarah Guymon, Anna Schwarm, and Jaslyn Johnson
Team members: Riley Cook, Kendal Tavares
Project leader: Daphne Miles
Team members: Anna Faust, Sarah Guymon, Lauren Hitcherson, Malachai Frisby
Seasonal and spatial variation of aquatic vegetation in spring-fed Ozark ponds.
Project leader: Hannah Whaley
Field assistants: Daphne Miles, Emma Fonki, Leslie Hatch, Britt Masters, AFS - MSU subunit
Effects of silver nanoparticles on duckweeds.
Project leaders: Indigo Tran, Jordan Heiman
Lab assistants: Tarkesia Blakley, Lauren Griffin, Madison Gurski, Mitchell Canada
Silver nanoparticle stability and aquatic plants.
Project leader: Tory Lydy
Lab assistants: Ari Vera, Emma Fonke, Hannah Whaley
Interspecific competition of native and non-native duckweeds.
Project leader: Abby Giering
Lab assistants: Elizabeth Carell, Indigo Tran.
Metals in gravel bar sycamores in a contaminated river system.
Project leaders: Jordan Heiman, Indigo Tran
Field assistants: Chet Hall, Leslie Hatch, OEWRI.
Macrophytes and atrazine in Southwest Missouri ponds.
Project leader: Christine Cornish
Field and Lab assistants: Chet Hall, Leslie Hatch
Assessment of rain gardens several years post construction.
Project leader: Teresa Aguayo
Field assistants: Nick Barry, Tory Lydy, Indigo Tran, Hannah Whaley
Image analysis to determine area cover of floating aquatic plants.
Project leaders: Jordan Heiman, Indigo Tran
Lab assistants: Tarkesia Blakley, Madison Gurski, Mitchell Canada
Duckweed growth: effects of metal nanoparticles and carbon.
Project leader: Madison Gurski
Lab assistants: Lauren Griffin, Jordan Heiman
Salinity tolerance in Lemna minor.
Project leader: Jordan Heiman
Lab assistants: Lauren Griffin, Madison Gurski