The enclosed article by Mark Breunig of Middleton, Wisconsin, a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, describes a research project he is conducting as part of his work for the Master of Science Degree in Natural Resources.
Student Information:Mark Breunig
4623 Toepfer Road
Middleton, WI 53562
High school diploma received June 2001
Middleton High School
Middleton, WI
Bachelor of Science received May 2006
University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
Watershed Management and Hydrology
Parents: Dennis and Jeanne Breunig
Photo Caption: Mark Breunig, taking a break from assessing fish habitat to filter water from Cub Creek, Oregon. Mark spent the summer of 2005 as a Student Conservation Association (SCA) intern as part of the U.S. Forest Service(USFS) Aquatic Riparian Effectiveness Monitoring Program (AREMP).
Advisor’s signature ______
Potential places of publication:
The News-Sicle-Arrow
P.O. Box 286 1126 Mills St.
Black Earth, WI 53515
608 767-3655
The Middleton Times-Tribune
7507 Hubbard Ave. Suite 100
P.O. Box 620006, Middleton, WI 53562
608-836-1601
Many Roads, Many Streams, Many Lessons
If you asked Mark Breunig where he would be two years after graduating from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a Bachelor of Science degree in Water Resources, he would have said “Anywhere but Stevens Point – in fact the entire Midwest”. Mark has always had an adventurous spirit, and a passion for the environment. Thanks to routine creek-side picnics with his caring parents, he fell in love with the Black Earth Creek as a young child. After he graduated from Middleton High School in 2001, he traveled many roads in his pursuit of improving water quality. Over the past seven years, Breunig has worked for many different agencies on various water quality projects in Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada, and South Africa. He most recently moved back to Wisconsin from northern California to pursuehis Master of Science Degree in Natural Resources.
Working under the guidance of Professor Paul McGinley, the overall goal of Breunig’s research is to better understand how to manage the landscape in a way that promotes economic and environmental sustainability. The fish kill observed in 2001 in the Black Earth creek is an obvious example of the negative impacts of improper land use on water quality. More specifically, Breunig’s research focuses on nutrients in streams throughout Wisconsin. Nutrientsfrom animal waste, fertilizers, and other sources can negatively impact stream water quality. Phosphorus, an important nutrient in stream ecosystems, is not toxic itself, but can cause excessive aquatic plant and algae growth. Dissolved oxygen can become very low when microorganisms break down the aquatic plants and algae.
The scientific community still has their work cut out for them. Although much research has been done involving phosphorus, it is difficult to accurately describe the complex interactions that occur across the landscape and within streams. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and United States Geological Survey (USGS) are currently working to develop phosphorus criteria for streams and rivers in Wisconsin. These criteria are being developed primarily from the results of a recent state-wide study, and should be an improvement upon the generic criteria developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). However, the development of these criteria does not involve explaining the specific mechanisms that control stream phosphorus concentrations. The goal of Breunig’s work is to supplement the development of these criteria by providing more in-depth research that describes these mechanisms. More specifically, he is attempting to develop new ways of modeling phosphorus within watersheds. This involves the use of custom computer programming to perform a large amount of calculations used to develop new modeling techniques.
Although only 26 years-old Breunig has traveled many roads, walked many streams, and learned many lessons. Now that he has returned home, he hopes to make a significant contribution to the scientific community, and help society achieve environmental sustainability.