• To determine the extent of dietary overlap between bighead carp and native filter-feeding fishes in the Mississippi and Illinois river systems
• To use data from the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program to examine whether specific environmental factors correlate with successful reproduction of bighead carp in the Upper Mississippi River System
• To test the effectiveness of an electric barrier in restricting the spread of bighead carp

The extent of PFAS contamination in the waterways surrounding Southern Lake Michigan is in need of further characterization. The current understanding of PFAS risks in contaminated sites is limited by knowledge of the competitive behavior of PFAS sorption in complex mixtures in the subsurface, the significance of various bioaccumulation routes from source zones to humans and biological receptors, and the existence of models to simulate the evolution of contaminated sites.

The specific objectives of the proposed project are to:

• Understand the fate and transport processes, including competitive sorption, of complex PFAS mixtures from shallow groundwater to organisms in surface sediments
• Identify key PFAS that are likely to drive bioaccumulation risk assessments for benthic invertebrates
• Assess the potential for a passive sampling device to act as a biomimetic for PFAS bioaccumulation
• Understand public perceptions of risks posed by PFAS-contaminated fish tissue to inform public policymaking

Evaluate the following:

• Surfactant when present at nontoxic concentrations will increase the rate and extent of utilization of high three-and four-ringed PAHs
• Components of mixtures of PAHs may inhibit the degradation of PAHs which are otherwise utilized by bacterial strains
• A sediment slurry system will be favorable for bioremediation of contaminated sediments

The crucial role of sustainable, safe, and affordable access to water in achieving human rights and economic prosperity is globally recognized (United Nations Resolution 64/292). For more than a century, local governments have sought the expertise of the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) to inform their infrastructure decisions and improve their understanding of water supply issues. However, there are still areas, such as southern Cook and eastern Will Counties (the South Suburbs), that lack the resources and coordination to initiate their own study. These areas rely on both Lake Michigan (for public drinking water) and groundwater (for public drinking water, backup and private domestic supply), and some municipalities may be forced to switch to Lake Michigan as their groundwater quality declines, impacting the allocation of Lake Michigan water for the entire region.

The primary outcomes of this study will be a refinement of and an increase in access to our collective knowledge regarding the suitability of available water resources to meet the demands of the South Suburbs. The overarching goal of ISWS, CMAP, and our numerous supporting partners, in undertaking this endeavor is to provide for a more informed position for these communities to plan for and negotiate their water resource futures, while simultaneously mitigating future costs to Federal Emergency and Disaster programs.

The long-term goal of this project is to develop smart water infrastructure to help improve water management in the southern Lake Michigan region, particularly for communities in historically disadvantaged locations. The short term goal is to develop a program to assess contamination, hydrology, and water quality in impoverished areas of South Chicago. The specific objectives of this project are to: 1) implement flow and water quality sensors to assess pollution in select locations, 2) develop a stormwater model to assess the effects of hydraulic infrastructure and land usage on hydrology and water quality, 3) build collaborations with other water quality professionals in the Southern Lake Michigan region, and 4) create proposals for submission to other funding agencies to continue development of this program. The results are expected to increase ecosystem health, improve the resiliency of communities and economies, and enhance environmental literacy and workforce development.