Dr. Curtis Varnell is a life-long educator with experience teaching k-16. PhD is in environmental dynamics with emphasis on hydrogeology. He has conducted research ranging from the feasibility of using coal mine water as a public water supply to the study of Typha and its expansion into the wetlands of Costa Rica. He currently serves as science professional development coordinator for the Guy Fenter Education Service Cooperative in Western Arkansas and as an adjunct professor at the University of the Ozarks. Supervisors: Arkansas Department of Education
Cattail, Typha dominguensis, is commonly found in large quantities throughout the wetlands of Nor... more Cattail, Typha dominguensis, is commonly found in large quantities throughout the wetlands of North and Central America. Often considered a nuisance, it can grow rapidly and literally expand to cover the landscape in a short period of time. Several regions have experienced dramatic increases in cattail growth in recent years. These regions include vast areas in North, Central, and South America. Nutrient levels (N, P, and K) were measured in samples collected within the rice fields, in the tailwater, and within the Typha dominguensis dominated wetlands. These levels were referenced to the water entering from the irrigation system to determine the degree of nutrient transport and to determine their impact on the biota of the wetlands. Data supports the supposition that Typha dominguensis growth increase dramatically as a result of the infusion of nutrients from agricultural runoff. The data accumulated in this study also indicate that the Typha dominguensis has the propensity to absorb very large amounts of these nutrients, especially P, and to act as a giant sink for those materials. The implications of these finding may be significant as Typha dominguensis could provide an important tool for bioremediation of wetlands contaminated with P and other nutrients which become pollutants when used in excess and are usually associated with agricultural runoff. At the same time, this plant species could also prove useful in environmental forensics investigations tracking the occurrence and passage of contaminants associated with agricultural runoff (especially P).
Greenwood, Arkansas, a city of about 7,700 people in west-central Arkansas, has experienced treme... more Greenwood, Arkansas, a city of about 7,700 people in west-central Arkansas, has experienced tremendous growth in population during the past decade. The city has the current capacity to produce 4.55x10 6 L of water daily. Demand for city water use is expected to exceed 6.82 x10 6 L within the next five years. An additional 2.27x10 6 L per day is needed to augment the current supply. Two abandoned, flooded coal mines located near the city have estimated water storage in excess of 1.97x 10 9 L of water. The water has high concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), sulfate, and iron. If a decision is made to use the water, it will require treatment to reduce these constituents to acceptable levels. Designing and constructing a viable wetland for pretreatment of mine water would offer Greenwood an inexpensive, passive method to utilize the water from the coal mines. If the city can use water from the coal mines to augment the present reservoir, the expected savings would exceed twenty million dollars. Integrating this system into the current city park system and green-space will provide a multipurpose facility that can be used for recreation, education, and wildlife enhancement. Terms: Phytoremediation, RAPS System, iron hydroxide, anoxic limestone drain, acid mine drainage.
As population increases and high quality water becomes more difficult to obtain, many communities... more As population increases and high quality water becomes more difficult to obtain, many communities will seek alternative water supply sources. Some municipalities have realized that they have a reservoir of unexploited water readily available in abandoned underground coal mines. Analysis of the mine's history, the quality of the coal and water that reside within the mine, and knowledge of local hydrology, geology, and mine chemistry will provide communities with the information they need to determine the best mine sites to use.
Cattail, Typha dominguensis, is commonly found in large quantities throughout the wetlands of Nor... more Cattail, Typha dominguensis, is commonly found in large quantities throughout the wetlands of North and Central America. Often considered a nuisance, it can grow rapidly and literally expand to cover the landscape in a short period of time. Several regions have experienced dramatic increases in cattail growth in recent years. These regions include vast areas in North, Central, and South America. Nutrient levels (N, P, and K) were measured in samples collected within the rice fields, in the tailwater, and within the Typha dominguensis dominated wetlands. These levels were referenced to the water entering from the irrigation system to determine the degree of nutrient transport and to determine their impact on the biota of the wetlands. Data supports the supposition that Typha dominguensis growth increase dramatically as a result of the infusion of nutrients from agricultural runoff. The data accumulated in this study also indicate that the Typha dominguensis has the propensity to absorb very large amounts of these nutrients, especially P, and to act as a giant sink for those materials. The implications of these finding may be significant as Typha dominguensis could provide an important tool for bioremediation of wetlands contaminated with P and other nutrients which become pollutants when used in excess and are usually associated with agricultural runoff. At the same time, this plant species could also prove useful in environmental forensics investigations tracking the occurrence and passage of contaminants associated with agricultural runoff (especially P).
Greenwood, Arkansas, a city of about 7,700 people in west-central Arkansas, has experienced treme... more Greenwood, Arkansas, a city of about 7,700 people in west-central Arkansas, has experienced tremendous growth in population during the past decade. The city has the current capacity to produce 4.55x10 6 L of water daily. Demand for city water use is expected to exceed 6.82 x10 6 L within the next five years. An additional 2.27x10 6 L per day is needed to augment the current supply. Two abandoned, flooded coal mines located near the city have estimated water storage in excess of 1.97x 10 9 L of water. The water has high concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), sulfate, and iron. If a decision is made to use the water, it will require treatment to reduce these constituents to acceptable levels. Designing and constructing a viable wetland for pretreatment of mine water would offer Greenwood an inexpensive, passive method to utilize the water from the coal mines. If the city can use water from the coal mines to augment the present reservoir, the expected savings would exceed twenty million dollars. Integrating this system into the current city park system and green-space will provide a multipurpose facility that can be used for recreation, education, and wildlife enhancement. Terms: Phytoremediation, RAPS System, iron hydroxide, anoxic limestone drain, acid mine drainage.
As population increases and high quality water becomes more difficult to obtain, many communities... more As population increases and high quality water becomes more difficult to obtain, many communities will seek alternative water supply sources. Some municipalities have realized that they have a reservoir of unexploited water readily available in abandoned underground coal mines. Analysis of the mine's history, the quality of the coal and water that reside within the mine, and knowledge of local hydrology, geology, and mine chemistry will provide communities with the information they need to determine the best mine sites to use.
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considered a nuisance, it can grow rapidly and literally expand to cover the landscape in a short period of time. Several regions
have experienced dramatic increases in cattail growth in recent years. These regions include vast areas in North, Central, and South
America. Nutrient levels (N, P, and K) were measured in samples collected within the rice fields, in the tailwater, and within the
Typha dominguensis dominated wetlands. These levels were referenced to the water entering from the irrigation system to determine
the degree of nutrient transport and to determine their impact on the biota of the wetlands. Data supports the supposition that Typha
dominguensis growth increase dramatically as a result of the infusion of nutrients from agricultural runoff. The data accumulated in
this study also indicate that the Typha dominguensis has the propensity to absorb very large amounts of these nutrients, especially P,
and to act as a giant sink for those materials. The implications of these finding may be significant as Typha dominguensis could provide
an important tool for bioremediation of wetlands contaminated with P and other nutrients which become pollutants when used in
excess and are usually associated with agricultural runoff. At the same time, this plant species could also prove useful in environmental
forensics investigations tracking the occurrence and passage of contaminants associated with agricultural runoff (especially P).
considered a nuisance, it can grow rapidly and literally expand to cover the landscape in a short period of time. Several regions
have experienced dramatic increases in cattail growth in recent years. These regions include vast areas in North, Central, and South
America. Nutrient levels (N, P, and K) were measured in samples collected within the rice fields, in the tailwater, and within the
Typha dominguensis dominated wetlands. These levels were referenced to the water entering from the irrigation system to determine
the degree of nutrient transport and to determine their impact on the biota of the wetlands. Data supports the supposition that Typha
dominguensis growth increase dramatically as a result of the infusion of nutrients from agricultural runoff. The data accumulated in
this study also indicate that the Typha dominguensis has the propensity to absorb very large amounts of these nutrients, especially P,
and to act as a giant sink for those materials. The implications of these finding may be significant as Typha dominguensis could provide
an important tool for bioremediation of wetlands contaminated with P and other nutrients which become pollutants when used in
excess and are usually associated with agricultural runoff. At the same time, this plant species could also prove useful in environmental
forensics investigations tracking the occurrence and passage of contaminants associated with agricultural runoff (especially P).