Arbuscular (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) trees show significant differences with how they cycle soil nutrients and interact with fungi. To explore these interactions, we isolated fungi from AM and ECM forested plots to test the hypothesis that fungi decompose leaves differently depending on their surrounding mycorrhizal associations. Our isolates were grown on leaves from an AM and ECM tree, then tested on various carbon substrates in agar to determine what they could break down efficiently. Results suggest that
isolates taken from AM plots were more effective at breaking down components generally found in AM trees, while isolates from ECM plots were effective at breaking down both litter types. Our results provide a better understanding of how saprotrophic fungi interact with trees of both mycorrhizal types.

Non-infectious RNAs from SARS-CoV-2 excreted in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals’ feces are detectable in wastewater three to seven days before increases in case counts. However, consistency in the time lag between locations and their usefulness in infection rate predictions is unclear. The potential correlation between excreted virus count (copies/L) and infection case counts in major Cleveland municipal wastewater plants (WWTP) was investigated. SARS-CoV-2 virus gene copies were quantified from Cleveland Westerly, Easterly, and Southerly WWTP from August 2020 to January 2021. Potential correlations of COVID-19 virus averages between wastewater monitoring and clinical testing were assessed. Analysis revealed a site-specific correlation in the three WWTP. Our study suggests that WW virus count trends can be a useful predictor that can aid community leaders in eliminating infections.

With climate change and its effects on seasonal timing and latitudinal temperature patterns, one might predict earlier spring arrival dates for migratory birds and northward shifts of breeding distributions. Our study aims to understand the effect of climate change on 19 avian aerial insectivores (i.e., birds that catch insects on the fly) by looking at shifts in the timing of spring/fall migrations as well as changes in breeding ranges. We used datasets from eBird to assess the earliest and latest sightings of these species above a range of latitudes across the United States and Canada in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. We used datasets from the North American Breeding Bird to find the center of abundance of each species in June from 1990-2019.

Sandusky Bay, a shallow bay in Lake Erie, typically experiences harmful algal blooms (HABs) every year, which impact animal and human health. To control these HABs, nutrient trends in the bay must be understood. The goal was to determine how nitrogen and phosphorus vary across time and location in Sandusky Bay. Levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in the water were measured at multiple time points and locations over three summers (2017-2019). Samples were processed, and graphs were constructed using Excel, R, and RStudio. For both N and P, the nutrient concentrations declined in a West-to-East fashion. N concentrations decreased throughout the season, while P was more variable. This indicates that these nutrients are up-taken and/or released by something else, such as sediment or algae.

During the winter, roads are treated with salt (NaCl) to prevent dangerous accidents resulting from precipitation and cold temperatures. However, road salt contributes to increased salt concentrations in freshwater ecosystems which can harm plants and animals that are adapted to live in freshwater. Preliminary work in the Kinsman-Costello lab has shown evidence that wetlands can remove salt from water and reduce the transport of harmful concentrations of salt, but the fate of salt entering urban wetlands is unknown. We hypothesize that salt is stored in wetland soils. Preliminary results suggest an overall decrease in salt concentrations. Comparison of rain gauge data and connectivity data suggest that rain combined with snowmelt and heavy road salting contributed to an increase in salt concentrations.

With recent emphasis towards monitoring and protecting freshwater systems, cost-effective methods and tools are being developed. The BenthoTorch, which allows for quick in-field measurement of biofilm biomass and community composition, is one of these new tools. Biofilms contain many microorganisms that each possess a different combination of pigments. The BenthoTorch measures the absorbed wavelengths of the pigments, producing much quicker depictions of community composition than traditional methods. In this study, biofilms were assessed using a BenthoTorch, chlorophyll-a, and microscopy. By comparing findings from the BenthoTorch to traditional methods, we will determine the reliability of data produced from the BenthoTorch. If the findings are accurate, it may facilitate more in-depth monitoring of algal communities by saving hours of time per sample.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbiotic connections with host-plant roots, providing nutrients, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P), in exchange for carbon, benefiting both members of the relationship. However, in phosphorous abundant soils, it is unclear whether host plants will benefit from AMF. It is also unclear whether competition-derived stress influences AMF colonization. Eastern redcedar (ERC; Juniperus virginiana), is a tree species that obligates AMF. We tested soil nutrient content (N and P) and intraspecific competition (no competitors vs. competition with four ERC’s), and harvested fine roots from three-year-old ERC’s from three field sites in Ohio. After staining AMF with trypan blue and quantifying colonization under a dissecting microscope, our results suggest that high interspecific competition and low nutrient availability correlate with stronger symbiotic reliance.

Lead (Pb), a versatile metal, is commonly present in urban soils because of its wide range of industrial uses and its resistance to degradation. One way to identify if Pb is present in soils is through the use of scanning electron microscopy with electron dispersive spectroscopy, which can be used to identify Pb and other elements present, assisting in understanding the phases Pb is bound in. The identification of Pb phases present in soils will aid in the identifying of potential bioaccessible Pb, which can assist in future investigations regarding total Pb and bioaccessible Pb data. This information may also be used to streamline future Pb soil analysis by reducing the number of steps taken to prove if Pb is present within soils.