Bacteriological Quality of Lake Red Rock and the Des Moines River Between Des Moines, Iowa, and Lake Red Rock

The bacteriological quality of the Des Moines River from Des Moines, Iowa, to Lake Red Rock and the lake itself were studied on eleven sampling dates from July 1969 to May 1970. The examined river sites consistently had higher EMB plate counts than sites in the lake proper and counts from both river and lake were generally far above quoted standards of water to be used for contact and non-contact water sports. The pH readings were all within quoted normal ranges. The expected effects of seasonal variation and runoff on bacteriological counts were found. Seven isolations of pathogenic, enteric bacteria were made during this study. These isolates were made at the two sampling points closest to the Des Moines sewage treatment plant. XLD medium proved to be more successful than DCC or BG in isolating these pathogens. These results were examined in view of the expected heavy use of Lake Red Rock for recreational purposes

A Qualitative and Quantitative Study of the Bacteriological Quality of Lake Red Rock and the Des Moines River between Des Moines, Iowa, and Lake Red Rock

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Assessment of Carbon Flows Associated with Forest Management and Biomass Procurement for the Laskin Biomass Facility

This carbon life cycle analysis of forest-derived biomass was developed as part of a larger assessment by Minnesota Power detailing fuel supply, fuel procurement plans, and project engineering for a new 26-megawatt biomass generation facility in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota. Forest-derived biomass is a renewable fuel that can be procured locally from forest harvest residues, mill residues, material from early thinnings and land cleaning, short rotation woody crops, brush, and urban wood waste. Energy generation from renewable fuels like forest biomass may dramatically alter the carbon balance in comparison to the use of fossil fuels like coal or natural gas. This study identifies the source and rate of carbon accumulation by tracking key inputs and outputs from forests through the conversion, regrowth and management activities over a 100-year period—the net carbon impact

A snapshot into the terrestrial ecosystem of an exceptionally well preserved dinosaur (Hadrosauridae) from the Upper Cretaceous of North Dakota, USA

A palynological investigation of sedimentary rocks enclosing an exceptionally well-preserved fossil dinosaur (Hadrosauridae) discovered in the upper part of the Hell Creek Formation in south western North Dakota was conducted in order to document the immediate paleoenvironment of this dinosaur. The specimen, an Edmontosaurus annectens is remarkable in having exceptional three-dimensional preservation of soft tissue around the skeleton, indicating rapid burial. A well-preserved palynological assemblage dominated by fern and bryophyte spores, with lesser gymnosperm and angiosperm pollen was recovered. Sparse fresh-water algae and marine dinoflagellate cysts were also recorded. The palynofacies is dominated by wood fragments, including charcoal, with little amorphous organic matter. The presence of some typical pollen taxa of the Wodehouseia spinata Assemblage Zone including Striatellipollis striatellus, Tricolpites microreticulatus, Leptopecopites pocockii as well as a diverse suite of Aquilapollenites, is fully consistent with a Late Cretaceous (late Maastrichtian) age. The palynoflora indicates a local vegetation composed of a canopy of conifers dominated by Pinaceae and a minor sub-canopy of Taxodium and cycads, as well as an understory of hydrophilous ferns, mosses and herbaceous angiosperms, indicative of a warm and humid climate e an environment where this specific hadrosaur roamed over 66 million years ago