The lovely Rappahannock River that flows through Fredericksburg has been a place of recreation, inspiration, and education. Over the years, UMW faculty and students from various UMW departments--from Biology, Earth and Environmental Science, to Geography and Spanish--have partnered with Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR), a local non-profit group whose mission is "to be the voice and active force … [Read more...] about River Advocacy, Education, and Restoration with Friends of the Rappahannock
STEM
2020 Marks 21 Years of UMW Summer Science Institute
The UMW Summer Science Institute (SSI) began its 21st year in 2020. This 10-week research program for UMW undergraduates, which runs from May to July, gives them the opportunity to work individually and creatively on research projects with dedicated faculty mentors. Students are compensated with a stipend in addition to room and board, similar to summer research programs at institutions across the … [Read more...] about 2020 Marks 21 Years of UMW Summer Science Institute
Sand-mining’s Unintended Effects
Some human activities intended for good reason, have terrible effects, particularly with sand-mining. Senior biology major Lauren Chartier studied the effects sand-mining has on soil quality because soil biology, chemistry, and physical structure are key determinants of unique qualities that ultimately determine what can grow there. Chartier analyzed land-use (LU) histories twenty-six years … [Read more...] about Sand-mining’s Unintended Effects
Microplastics in Our Rivers
Earth and Environmental Sciences student Thanh-Binh Duong has been conducting ecotoxicological research, investigating the occurrence and toxicity of microplastics in freshwater systems. She has researched the presence of microplastics in sediment and water samples collected throughout the Potomac and Rappahannock River, and analyzed the interactive effects of microplastics and organochlorine … [Read more...] about Microplastics in Our Rivers
Studying the Impact of Coal Combustion
One of the largest means of producing electricity is through the combustion of coal. Coal ash, its waste product, contains trace metals that can become mobile in the environment. Catherine Crowell, a sophomore majoring in environmental science, examined trace metal contamination within sediment and water samples collected near a coal-burning power station using ICP-OES. Synthetic leachates were … [Read more...] about Studying the Impact of Coal Combustion