Scientist conducting field work on the Detroit River
Scientist conducting field work on the Detroit RiverPhysical scientist Brent Heerspink conducts sampling on the Detroit River with the Gordie Howe International Bridge in the background.
Brent P Heerspink, PhD
Brent Heerspink is a Physical Scientist with the Upper Midwest Water Science Center. Brent recently finished his doctorate at Michigan State University in the Hydrogeology Lab, where his work focused on integrating field data and hydrologic models to study groundwater-surface water interactions, water availability, and stream water quality in the Great Lakes Region.
My research background includes hydrogeology and geochemistry, with expertise in the application of data analysis and hydrologic models to local to regional water quality and availability investigations. Specifically, my research seeks to better understand groundwater-surface water interactions, and their impact on water availability and water quality. Recent focus areas include: how surface and groundwater transport processes affect stream chemistry, and simulating groundwater storage changes across the state of Michigan during a period of extreme Great Lakes elevation changes. Other research interests include groundwater nutrient legacies, and interactions between groundwater in both wetland and inland lake ecosystems. I’m interested in approaches that integrate field data and process-based models to address applied research questions, such as the application of a model-experiment (ModEx) approach to hydrologic investigations.
Science and Products
Groundwater and Stream Temperature Modeling to Assess the Effect of Warming Temperatures on Coldwater Fish
Cold-water fish species such as trout and salmon are highly valued components of many stream ecosystems in Michigan and the Great Lakes region and are sensitive to rising stream temperatures. For example, the timing of spawning and development rates of these species are affected by stream temperature from late fall through spring. Historically, stream temperature modeling has focused on...
Scientist conducting field work on the Detroit River
Scientist conducting field work on the Detroit River
Scientist conducting field work on the Detroit RiverPhysical scientist Brent Heerspink conducts sampling on the Detroit River with the Gordie Howe International Bridge in the background.
Brent Heerspink Headshot
Professional Headshot of Brent Heerspink taken at Michigan State University in the summer of 2019.
Professional Headshot of Brent Heerspink taken at Michigan State University in the summer of 2019.
Science and Products
Groundwater and Stream Temperature Modeling to Assess the Effect of Warming Temperatures on Coldwater Fish
Cold-water fish species such as trout and salmon are highly valued components of many stream ecosystems in Michigan and the Great Lakes region and are sensitive to rising stream temperatures. For example, the timing of spawning and development rates of these species are affected by stream temperature from late fall through spring. Historically, stream temperature modeling has focused on...
Scientist conducting field work on the Detroit River
Scientist conducting field work on the Detroit RiverPhysical scientist Brent Heerspink conducts sampling on the Detroit River with the Gordie Howe International Bridge in the background.
Scientist conducting field work on the Detroit River
Scientist conducting field work on the Detroit RiverPhysical scientist Brent Heerspink conducts sampling on the Detroit River with the Gordie Howe International Bridge in the background.
Brent Heerspink Headshot
Professional Headshot of Brent Heerspink taken at Michigan State University in the summer of 2019.
Professional Headshot of Brent Heerspink taken at Michigan State University in the summer of 2019.