Major Goals and Objectives

For this project, crayfish samples, water samples, and sediment samples will be collected in several creeks in the Little Calumet-Galien Watershed representing a variety of environmental exposures. The environmental interactions of crayfish as omnivores and biotic engineers place them in a unique environmental niche. We hypothesize that these characteristics make them a reliable sentinel species. By testing and comparing the bioaccumulation of metals in crayfish tissue, water, and sediments, to dominant species, average crayfish size, and population density, we can reliably predict creek health for metals.

Accomplishments / Benefits

Story: Meet our Grad Student Scholars: Kathryn Mudica