Kansas policy-makers, water researchers to focus on state's 'thirst for growth'

WHAT: "Thirst for Growth: Water and Our Economic Future," the 2003 Kansas Economic Policy Conference, sponsored by the University of Kansas Policy Research Institute and KU Continuing Education.

WHEN and WHERE: 8:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 24, Kansas Union ballroom at KU

WHAT: Conference topics include a history of water's role in the development of Kansas; current water policy, management and problems; water availability for agriculture in the west and increased growth in the east; and the effects of water availability, quality and management on community growth and economic development in the future.

WHO: Major speakers include: Donald Worster, Hall professor of U.S. history at KU whose books include a history of the Dust Bowl; David Traster, attorney with Foulston Siefkin LLP in Wichita; Earl Lewis, civil engineer with the Kansas Water Office; and James Gulliford, administrator with the Kansas City, Kan., regional office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Reference: WATER-RELATED RESEARCH AT KU
A number of faculty at the University of Kansas have research interests related to water; many specifically are focused on the quality and quantity of water in Kansas. Some of the researchers are listed here by their department or office. For additional referrals or more information, please call University Relations, (785) 864-3256.

KU Department of Geology, (785) 864-4974
J.F. "Rick" Devlin, assistant professor of geology, specializing in hydrogeology and geochemistry. Research includes investigations into organic transformations and transport in the subsurface, granular iron reactivity for groundwater remediation, hydrogeological assessment of natural attenuation, and bioremediation of chlorinated solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons and nitrate.

Carl D. McElwee, professor of geology, researches theoretical description of flow systems; characterization of aquifer heterogeneity by field, laboratory and modeling activities; model studies of groundwater availability in Kansas; sensitivity of groundwater models to variations in transmissivity and storage; application of seismic techniques to groundwater exploration and evaluation.

Don W. Steeples, Dean A. McGee distinguished professor of applied geophysics. His research includes three-component near-surface seismology, use of shallow seismic reflection and ground penetrating radar to solve problems in groundwater, engineering and environmental geophysics.

Kansas Geological Survey, (785) 864-2106
Robert Worth Buddemeier, senior scientist in environmental and marine biogeochemistry at the Kansas Geological Survey at KU and courtesy professor of geography, researches the characterization of complex systems: budgets, processes, and spatial/temporal scales; saltwater/freshwater interactions; hydro-ecosystem interactions; climate and global change: environmental forcing and response; carbonate system biogeochemistry; and resource assessment.

James J. Butler Jr., senior scientist in hydrology at the Kansas Geological Survey, researches well hydraulics, including the development of field methods for aquifer characterization; groundwater flow and transport in heterogeneous formations; and the interactions of streams and aquifers. Studies phreatophytes -- plants such as salt cedar and cottonwood trees.

P. Allen "Al" Macfarlane, assistant scientist in hydrogeology at the Kansas Geological Survey, researches regional groundwater aquifers, the influence of geology on the occurrence and movement of groundwater, and saltwater intrusion problems, and conducts Kansas water resource evaluations. He coordinated the Kansas Dakota aquifer program and is working to produce an updated detailed map of the base of the Ogallala aquifer to help water planners and managers delineate aquifer subunits and quantification of water availability.

Margaret Townsend, research associate in hydrogeology at the Kansas Geological Survey, researches groundwater issues involving the High Plains aquifer. She was co-director for developing the HiPlains Aquifer Information Network (www.hiplain.org) and co-director for development of the Groundwater Tutor computer program for secondary and community college classes. Her other research interests include nitrate, water chemistry, stream-aquifer inteaction and agrichemical issues in groundwater.

Marios A. Sophocleous, senior scientist in hydrogeology at the Kansas Geological Survey, researches recharge of natural groundwater, basinwide water-balance modeling, interaction of the Arkansas River stream and aquifer, and sustainability of water resources.

Kansas Biological Survey, (785) 864-1500
Scott W. Campbell, research assistant in the Experimental and Applied Ecology Program at the Kansas Ecological Reserves, specializes in aquatic ecology and ichthyology. He is studying new technological applications for the control and management of aquatic plants.

Frank "Jerry" deNoyelles Jr., associate director of the Kansas Biological Survey and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. His research interests include the ecology of lake and reservoir ecosystems, and the effects of stress on aquatic ecosystems. Most recently he has studied particular Kansas reservoirs to better understand water quality issues related to land use in watersheds and the aging process where reservoirs fill with sediments at varying rates.

Donald G. Huggins, senior scientist, directs the ecotoxicology program and the Central Plains Center for BioAssessment. He is a KU courtesy professor of entomology. Much of his research focuses on quantifying human disturbances on aquatic ecosystems.

Paul M. Liechti, assistant director of the Kansas Biological Survey at KU, researches human-induced effects and influences on the health of aquatic systems using changes in the numbers and kinds of native organisms that live in water (aquatic community structure) as an indicator.

Edward A. Martinko, director of the Kansas Biological Survey and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. His research interests include remote sensing of natural resources.

James "Jim" H. Thorp, senior scientist at the Kansas Biological Survey, is researching aquatic systems of the Great Plains, especially the Kansas and Missouri rivers, and Midwestern United States, particularly the Mississippi River.

KU Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, (785) 864-3766
Tatsuji Ebihara, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is researching microbial biofilms with applications in bioremediation, wastewater treatment, pathogen transport through soils and biodegradation in river sediments.

David W. Graham, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, specializes in bioremediation, applied microbiology and ecology. Characterization of natural microbial communities in aquatic and subsurface environments, the attenuation and fate of contaminants in natural systems, and the development of novel bioremediation techniques.

Bruce M. McEnroe, professor of civil and environmental engineering, researches watershed hydrology, open-channel hydraulics, drainage, hydraulic engineering, hydrologic response times of small rural and urban watersheds in Kansas, GIS application to radar-based rainfall data for watersheds, and hydraulic model tests of drainage structures.

A. David Parr, professor of civil and environmental engineering, is reseaching flow and transport of pollutants in aquifers, thermal energy storage in aquifers, fluid mechanics with special interest in floodplain hydraulics, and sediment transport and bridge-scour analysis.

E.M. Thurman, adjunct associate professor of civil engineering; U.S. Geological Survey office in Lawrence. Research interests include studying the nature and distribution of natural dissolved organic carbon in surface and groundwater, and studying groundwater contaminants, such as herbicides.

Bryan Young, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, researches environmental hydrology, evaluation and application of radar-based precipitation estimates, design and evaluation of rain gauge networks, nonpoint source pollution modeling, hydrologic model calibration and validation, and use of geographic information systems in hydrology.

Stephen J. Randtke, professor, civil and environmental engineering, researches the control of naturally occurring and synthetic chemical contaminants in public water supplies. He specifically examines sources and transformations of chemical contaminants in water supplies; formation of trihalomethanes and other halogenated by-products during chlorination of drinking water.

School of Law, (785) 864-9228
John C. Peck, professor of law, researches groundwater management districts, water transfers, title problems with water rights, condemnation of water rights, water storage and conservation of groundwater aquifers.