MN Sea Grant: Catching Up With Aquatic Science

The world's first freshwater ballast testing facility is right here in the Duluth-Superior Harbor. Dr. Euan Reavie, Research Associate with NRRI tells us what it means for alternative treatments.

Dr. Larry Wittmer of UMD Medical School teaches us how to stay safe and keep hypothermia from sneaking up on us.

Don Schriener, Area Supervisor of Lake Superior Fisheries Management, talks about our favorite sport fish and the challenges of managing harvestable fish stocks.

Dr. Robert Hecky, Biology Professor at UMD's Large Lake's Observatory discusses the phosphorous entering lakes and how it dictates the amount of algae growth in the lake.

LLO physics professor, Jay Austin, explains what technology can teach us about Lake Superior, after two weeks of playing with his autonomous underwater vehicle, the first underwater robot in freshwater.

Adele Yorde of the Seaway Port Authority distinguishes freighters, lakers and salties, and discusses commodities that go through the port, as well as what makes Duluth a desirable seaport.

Mike Sierszen of Duluth’s EPA lab discusses marshes, bogs, swamps – the wetlands – and why they are good for the environment.

Mike Sierszen of the EPA in Duluth explains tidal action in Lake Superior and the difference between a seiche and a tide.

Dr. Norine Dobiesz of UMD’s Large Lakes Observatory defines a healthy ecosystem for a large lake like Superior as one that is most stable or that changes the least.

Dr. Allen Mensinger, Associate Professor in UMD’s Biology Department, fills us in on noisy fish and how some fish can talk.