Contaminants are seemingly an unavoidable part of our environment. In an area heralded for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, even Northeastern Minnesota contains contaminants that can be traced to human impact.
Dr. Heather Brown, an Associate Professor in Chemistry at the College of St. Scholastica, is work toward locating and identifying contaminants in the area. Research has shown signs of deet and BPA in local waters. The contaminants are at a very low level of concentration, but they may still have a negative effect on aquatic creatures and water quality.
"It feels very much like a maker's space in my lab," says Brown, as some of her work has involved creating the correct tools for her research. One such tool uniquely create for Brown's efforts is a spectrofluorimeter, a device that collects fluorescent light to detect contaminants of emerging concern.
On Friday, November 8th, Brown will be talking further on this topic at a free event in the Raven Room at the College of St. Scholastica Library. The event begins at 3:40pm.
You can hear Green Visions at 8:20am every Wednesday on Northland Morning.
