• The goal of this project was to use a direct method for investigating the speciation of metals in wetlands that is based on the use of Synchrotron Radiation

• Initiate embryonic stem (ES) cell cultures derived from zebra fish embryos and maintain the cultures for multiple passages in vitro
• Construct targeting vectors that can be used to disrupt the zebra fish aromatase genes
• Introduce the targeting vectors into the ES cells and develop methods to isolate homologous recombinants
• Use the ES cell cultures to generate zebra fish aromatase knockout
  lines of fish

• Estimate the recreational value of single-day visits to two nature centers within Metropolitan Chicago

• Obtain the full-length perch growth hormone (GH) cDNA.
• Clone and express the yellow perch GH mRNA in a protein expression system.
• Assay the recombinant perch GH for growth promoting activity in juvenile perch.
• Produce antibodies to the recombinant perch GH.

This project proposes to measure the economic benefit of water quality improvements by applying difference-in-difference analysis to local market outcomes in the Waukegan Harbor Area of Concern (AOC). The implementation of remediation projects in this AOC provides a unique opportunity to observe and compare affected ecosystems and economic outcomes before and after remediation. The analysis will use data on local housing market conditions and socioeconomic outcomes and the timing and location of sediment removal and habitat restoration projects in the Waukegan Harbor AOC. 

• Determine the effectiveness of the current electric barriers and proposed carbon dioxide barriers in the Chicago Area Waterway System at deterring the passage of invertebrate species from a wide range of taxonomic groups
• Determine whether different voltages and frequencies of electricity affect the effectiveness of the electric barriers in the Chicago Area Waterway System at deterring species passage
• Determine whether different concentrations of carbon dioxide affect the effectiveness of proposed carbon dioxide barriers in the Chicago Area Waterway System at deterring species passage.