“We are fortunate to have such an important effort underway in the region,” said Jo Lynn Traub, Water Division director for the United States Environmental Protection Agency. “The C-FAR effort is making a major contribution to the work of developing scientifically defensible nutrient water quality criteria for the surface waters in Region 5.”

2007 Water Quality Nutrient Standards Forum

The Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research (C-FAR) sponsored an educational forum on the latest research in Illinois water quality on Tuesday, October 23 at the University of Illinois at Springfield. The forum focused on the impact of multiple factors affecting Illinois surface waters.

To better understand the role agriculture and other factors play in influencing the quality of Illinois' rivers, streams, and lakes, researchers from across the state have collaborated in a multidisciplinary, multi-institutional research effort funded by the State of Illinois via C-FAR. In 2003, C-FAR established its water quality strategic research initiative focused on improving the research base to aid in the State of Illinois' development of nutrient standards for the surface waters of Illinois.

Water quality forum attendees

C-FAR Chairman Alan Puzey welcomes attendees

The following are presentations from the forum:

Introduction - Dr. George Czapar, Water Quality SRI Leader, University of Illinois Extension

Spatial and Temporal Relationships between Biotic Integrity of Illinois Streams, Dissolved Oxygen, and Nutrients - Dr. Mark David, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Effects of Phosphorus Mediated Through Algal Biomass in Illinois Streams - Dr. Walter Hill, Aquatic Ecology, Illinois Natural History Survey

Headwater Stream Primary Production Dynamics - Nutrient Limitation and the Potential Role of Sediment Derived Nutrients - Dr. William Perry, Biological Sciences, Illinois State University

The Impact of Sediments on the Potential Bioavailability of Phosphorus in Illinois Streams - Dr. Michael Machesky, Watershed Science, Illinois State Water Survey

Status of Nutrient Standards - Mr. Paul Terrio, Illinois Water Science Center, United States Geological Survey and Nutrient Standards Coordinator, Illinois EPA

Forum Panel (from left): Walter Hill, Mark David, Michael Machesky, William Perry, and Paul Terrio.

SRI Researchers (from left): Michael Machesky, Walter Hill, George Czapar, Mark David, and William Perry.

For more information, contact Dr. George Czapar at 217.782.6515 or via email at gfc@uiuc.edu.