Mitch Bender

RESEARCH

 

 

 

 

My research interests revolve around environmental soil science, stormwater management, waste management, and nutrient cycling.

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I conduct much of my research with my undergraduate research group. Students in my undergraduate research program develop skills in field and laboratory research methods, statistical analysis, grant writing, and presenting to scientific and non-scientific audiences.

 

I also work with graduate students on a variety of research topics. These topics include soil science, waste management, endocrine disruptors in natural waters, and even archeology.

 

Current research projects include:

• Chloride study of water and sediment in stormwater ponds.

• PAH study of stormwater pond sediment.

 

Past research projects include:

• Long term study of nutrient loading and E. coli contamination in the Sauk River watershed.

• Study of the influence of lawn maintenance practices on nutrient loading of the Sauk River.

• Analysis of lawn maintenance practices and soil nutrient status.

• Distribution of amino sugar nitrogen in soil from homeowner lawns.

• Lawn response to soil amino sugar nitrogen concentration and fertilizer.

• Interactive effects of traffic and tillage on denitrification from a Coastal Plain soil.

• Effects of nitrogen management on greenhouse gas emissions from a cotton-corn-rye rotation.

• Influence of red imported fire ants on greenhouse emissions from a Piedmont Plateau pasture.

• Above- and below-ground greenhouse gas emissions from swine effluent amended soil.

• Greenhouse gas emissions from a Midwestern agricultural watershed.

• Nitrogen budget from a Midwestern agricultural watershed.

 

I am also the coordinator of the Environmental Soils Center. The center is capable of conducting research in topics related to soils and environmental quality, as well as topics related to sedimentology.