• Document the locations and diets of the invasive, PontoCaspian colonial hydroid, Cordylophora caspia in southern Lake Michigan
• Assess the feeding habits of C. caspia
• Determine whether the distribution of C. caspia is related to the presence of Dreissena polymorpha or D. bugensis as substrates

• Quantify the flux of carbon and phosphorus through the profundal quagga mussel community
• Determine the effect of these mussel-mediated fluxes on ecosystem-scale nutrient dynamics and energy flow

The overall goals of this project are to:

• Better understand coastal processes in terms of nearshore hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and coastal morphology under changing climate forcing in Lake Michigan
• Help effectively communicate to stakeholders, with the purpose of promoting sustainable shore protection, increasing the integrity of beaches; and stabilizing bluffs/dunes in Lake Michigan

This project aims to investigate the potential role of marine plastic debris as a vector for Perfluorinated Compounds (PFAS). Specific research questions are:

• To what extent do three common plastic types found in the environment act as a sink for select PFASs in Muskegon Lake?
• How important is the residence time of the materials present in these water bodies concerning the extent of PFAS accumulation?

The overarching goal of this graduate student scholars project is to better evaluate the effects of small dams and reservoirs on changing the flow of nutrients to downstream water bodies and water quality across Lake Michigan Watersheds. There are two primary objectives associated with this goal: (1). Small reservoir identification through a combination of remote-sensing and deep-learning approaches and reservoir dataset development with associated information (reservoir location, surface area, storage volume, catchment drainage area, and residence time). 2). Using hydrologic modelling and USGS water quality data collected above and below reservoirs to quantify the spatially and temporally varying effects of small reservoirs on water quality (nutrient runoff and retention). This proposed research is of pressing concern due to increased release of legacy contaminants to surface and groundwater around Lake Michigan.

• In what parts of the Columbia and Colorado river and reservoir systems are zebra mussels likely to thrive if they are introduced from infested eastern waters?
• For those parts of the target river systems that meet the ecological requirements of zebra mussel, what a) environmental goods and services, and b) financial and commercial goods and services are at risk?
• What are the costs and how effective are different prevention strategies? For the 100th Meridian Initiative, what is the most cost-effective level of investment in prevention and control?