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Jared Trost

Jared Trost is a hydrologist with the Upper Midwest Water Science Center using field studies, innovative sampling equipment, statistics, and modeling to understand (1) the influences of land cover, contaminants, and unsaturated zone properties on the quality and quantity of water reaching unconfined aquifers and (2) surface-water/groundwater interactions.

Jared Trost is a hydrologist and has led several investigations on the influences of land cover, contaminants, and unsaturated zone properties on the quality and quantity of water reaching unconfined aquifers and the interactions of these groundwater systems with surface-water. He is presently the site coordinator for the USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program's Bemidji crude oil spill site and the chair of the Unsaturated Zone Interest Group (UZIG).  In his capacities as the Bemidji crude oil spill site coordinator and chair of the Unsaturated Zone Interest Group (UZIG), he facilitates collaborative research and communication among scientists.  Ongoing projects include:

  • investigating the seasonal variability in crude oil degradation rates at a subsurface crude oil spill
  • designing innovative field tools for sample collection and monitoring in soil and shallow groundwater
  • investigating the effects of climate, groundwater withdrawals, and landscape properties on the stability of lake levels in glacial terrain
  • estimating recharge to surficial glacial aquifers in the U.S. with the soil water balance (SWB) model

Professional Experience

  • Project manager at the University of Minnesota’s Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in East Bethel, Minnesota from 2001 through 2008. 

Education and Certifications

  • M.S., Water Resource Science with emphasis on soil hydrology, University of Minnesota, 2010

  • B.A., Biology and Chemistry, Augsburg College, 2000

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • 2014-present  American Geophysical Union

  • 2008-present  Minnesota Groundwater Association

  • 2007-present  Unsaturated Zone Interest Group (UZIG); elected chair of steering committee in December 2014

Abstracts and Presentations

  • Trost, J., B. Bekins, T. Christy, and B. Mason, A Direct-Push Sample-Freezing Drive Shoe for Collecting Sediment Cores with Intact Pore Fluid, Microbial, and Sediment Distributions poster presented at the Minnesota Water Resources Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota, October 18-19, 2016. 

  • Trost, J., J. Roth, S. Westenbroek, H. Reeves, Simulation of Potential Groundwater Recharge for the Glacial Aquifer System East of the Rocky Mountains, 1980-2011, using the Soil-Water-Baland Model presented at the USGS National Groundwater Conference in Reno, Nevada, August 29-September 2, 2016.

  • Trost, J., N. Sihota, U. Mayer, G. Delin, E. Warren, B. Bekins, A. Berg, B. Mason, Seasonal Variability in Vadose Zone Biodegradation at a Crude Oil Pipeline Rupture Site presented at the USGS National Groundwater Conference in Reno, Nevada, August 29-September 2, 2016.

  • Trost, J., B. Bekins, I. Cozzarelli, and M. Erickson, Novel Methods for Sampling and Monitoring at Contaminated Sites: An Overview of Recent Developments at the National Crude Oil Spill and Natural Attenuation Research Site near Bemidji, Minnesota presented at the National Monitoring Conference in Tampa, Florida, May 2-6, 2016

  • Trost, J., B. Bekins, T. Christy, and B. Mason, A Direct-Push Sample-Freezing Drive Shoe for Collecting Sediment Cores with Intact Pore Fluid, Microbial, and Sediment Distributions poster presented at the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco, California, December 14-18, 2015

  • Trost, J., N. Sihota, G. Delin, and E. Warren, Seasonal Variations in CO2 Efflux, Vadose Zone Gas Concentrations, and Natural Attenuation Rates at a Crude Oil Spill Site presented at the American Geophysical Union Meeting in San Francisco, California, December 15-19, 2014.

  • Mason, B., Trost, J., Groundwater/Surface-water interactions downgradient from a decades old crude oil spill presented at the Minnesota Water Resources Conference, St. Paul, Minnesota, October 14-15, 2014.

  • Trost, J., N. Sihota, K.U. Mayer, A. Berg, B. Mason, Understanding the Seasonal Variability in Unsaturated Zone Gas Composition and Fluxes above a Subsurface Crude Oil Spill presented at the Geological Society of America Meeting in Denver, Colorado October 27-30, 2013.

  • Trost, J., N. Sihota, K.U. Mayer, A. Berg, B. Mason, Understanding the Seasonal Variability in Unsaturated Zone Gas Composition and Fluxes above a Subsurface Crude Oil Spill, presented at the Midwest Groundwater Conference, September 23-25, 2013, in Bismarck, North Dakota.

  • Trost, J., Boland, K,. Bekins, B., Cozzarelli, I., Baedecker, MJ., Eganhouse, R., Jaeschke, J., and Erickson, M.  2012. Understanding Long-Term Natural Attenuation of Crude Oil in the Subsurface.  Poster presentation at the Midwest Groundwater Conference, Minneapolis, MN, October 1-2, 2012.

  • Trost, J., 2012. Energy and Water Quality Benefits of Managing Marginally Productive Land for Prairie Biomass Production. Abstract and presentation at the USGS National Groundwater Conference, August 6-10, 2012, Golden, CO.

  • Trost, J., Energy and water quality benefits of managing marginally productive land for prairie biomass production.  Abstract and presentation at the Minnesota Water Resources Conference, October 18–19, 2011, St. Paul, MN

  • Trost, J., Boland, K., Bekins, B., Cozzarelli, I., Baedecker, M.J., Eganhouse, R, Understanding the long-term dynamics of natural attenuation of crude oil in the subsurface.  Abstract and poster presentation at the Geological Society of America conference, October 9–12, 2011, Minneapolis, MN.

  • Trost J., Comparison of the soil-water balance and groundwater recharge among annually-harvested perennial and annual biofuel crops, poster presentation at the Minnesota Groundwater Association Conference, November 9, 2010.

  • Trost J., Can perennial biofuel crops be used to remove pharmaceuticals (and nutrients) from the environment? Abstract and presentation at the Minnesota Water Resources Conference, October 26-27, 2009.

Science and Products

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Metal wells of various sizes in a brown grassy field with green and orange trees in autumn in background

National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Research Site near Bemidji, Minnesota

The primary focus of the science team at the site is to improve the understanding of the mobilization, attenuation, transport, fate, potential health effects, and remediation of petroleum in the subsurface through collaborative research, peer-reviewed publications, presentations, data, and educational activities.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
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National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Research Site near Bemidji, Minnesota

The primary focus of the science team at the site is to improve the understanding of the mobilization, attenuation, transport, fate, potential health effects, and remediation of petroleum in the subsurface through collaborative research, peer-reviewed publications, presentations, data, and educational activities.
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A scientist collects a groundwater sample with a syringe

Ethanol-Containing Fuel Spills Enhanced Natural Trace Element Release from Sediments in an Experimental Setting

Experimental field research simulating hydrocarbon spills by researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Virginia Tech, and the University of St. Thomas showed that mixed ethanol and petroleum-based fuels increased the rate by which arsenic and other natural trace elements are released from aquifer sediments to groundwater when compared to petroleum-based fuels alone.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
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Ethanol-Containing Fuel Spills Enhanced Natural Trace Element Release from Sediments in an Experimental Setting

Experimental field research simulating hydrocarbon spills by researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Virginia Tech, and the University of St. Thomas showed that mixed ethanol and petroleum-based fuels increased the rate by which arsenic and other natural trace elements are released from aquifer sediments to groundwater when compared to petroleum-based fuels alone.
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True color and multispectral imagery data collected by small unoccupied aircraft systems at the USGS National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Research Site, Bemidji, Minnesota, June 2018

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) deployed multirotor small unoccupied aircraft systems (sUAS or drones) on June 21, 2018, to collect imagery data documenting site conditions at the USGS National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Research Site near Bemidji, Minnesota, USA. True color visible light images were collected across the general study area. Multispectral images in five spectral
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Water Resources Mission Area

Groundwater data and age information from samples collected in Minnesota

Groundwater age distributions and susceptibility to natural and anthropogenic contaminants were assessed for selected wells, streambed piezometers, and springs in southeastern Minnesota. The data provide information to understand how long it will take to observe groundwater quality improvements from best management practices implemented at land surface to reduce losses of nitrate (and other chemic
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Heuristic MODFLOW models used to evaluate the effects of pumping groundwater from confined aquifers overlain by till confining units

This groundwater-flow model archive contains heuristic model simulations evaluating the sustainability of groundwater withdrawals from public-water-supply wells on buried glacial aquifers. A total of 40 steady-state simulations and three transient simulations were run. The steady-state simulations were developed to assess the extent and connections between buried sand aquifers by varying three h
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Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Data Sets from the National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Research Site near Bemidji, Minnesota, USA (ver. 3.0, March 2020)

This version supersedes the previous version of this data release: Trost, J.J., Krall, A.L., Baedecker, M., Cozzarelli, I.M., Herkelrath, W.N., Jaeschke, J.B., and Bekins, B.A., 2018, Historical data sets including inorganic and organic chemistry of water, oil, and sediments, aquifer hydraulic conductivity, and sediment grain size distribution at the National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Atten
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory

Sampling site information, well construction details, and data dictionaries for data sets associated with the National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Site near Bemidji, Minnesota

This U.S. Geological Survey data release provides detailed sampling site information, hole and well construction details, and data dictionaries necessary to interpret historical and future physical, chemical, and biological data sets derived from samples collected and measurements made in association with the National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Research Site. In 1979, a high-
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Geophysical data from the unnamed lake at the National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Research Site, Bemidji, MN (ver. 3.0, May 2022)

The National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Research Site is located near Bemidji, MN, USA. A high-pressure oil pipeline ruptured in 1979 releasing ~1.7 million liters of light crude oil, which sprayed over an area of ~6500 square meters and collected in topographic depressions. Approximately 75% of the spilled oil was recovered. Much of the remainder reached the water table, where i
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Water Resources Mission Area

Historical data sets including inorganic and organic chemistry of water, oil, and sediments, aquifer hydraulic conductivity, and sediment grain size distribution at the National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Research Site near Bemidji, Minn

This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data Release provides analytical data from samples and measurements completed at the National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Research Site near Bemidji, Minnesota (Site) between 1984 and 2010. Included are inorganic and organic chemistry data from water, oil, and sediment samples, hydraulic conductivity data from well slug tests, and sediment grai
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Soil-Water-Balance (SWB) Model used to Simulate Potential Recharge for the Glacial Aquifer System East of the Rocky Mountains, 1980-2011

This model archive makes available the calibrated Soil-Water-Balance (SWB) model used to simulate potential recharge for the glacial aquifer system east of the Rocky Mountains in the conterminous United States at a 1-kilometer (km) resolution for the period 1980-2011. The calibrated SWB model in this model archive and associated U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report is referred t
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Weathering of Oil in a Surficial Aquifer, Bemidji, MN

The dataset consists of 30-year percentage depletion calculations, hydrocarbon group compositions, organic carbon mass fractions and hydrocarbon concentrations for 16 locations sampled at the Bemidji (MN) oil spill study site. Also included in the dataset are concentrations for 33 individual volatile hydrocarbons from the aforementioned sampling locations.
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Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory
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Groundwater sampling along the north well transect at the Bemidji site
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Groundwater sampling along the north well transect at the Bemidji site
Collecting sediment core with freezing drive shoe technology on hollow stem auger drill rig at Bemidji oil spill site
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Collecting sediment core freezing drive shoe technology hollow auger
Four USGS scientists on a canoe sampling pore water water
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Sampling pore water from canoe downgradient of Bemidji oil spill
USGS scientists collecting a water sample from a well at the USGS Bemidji Research Site
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USGS Scientists Collecting a Water Sample from a Well at the USGS Bemidji Research Site
Metal wells of various sizes in a brown grassy field with green and orange trees in autumn in background
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Monitoring wells at the National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Research Site near Bemidji, Minnesota
Filter Total Items: 17

Photochemical mobilization of dissolved hydrocarbon oxidation products from petroleum contaminated soil into a shallow aquifer activate human nuclear receptors

Elevated non-volatile dissolved organic carbon (NVDOC) concentrations in groundwater monitoring wells under oil-contaminated hydrophobic soils originating from a pipeline rupture at the National Crude Oil Spill & Natural Attenuation Research Site near Bemidji, MN are documented.. We hypothesized the elevated NVDOC is comprised of water-soluble photooxidation products transported from the surface t
Authors
Phoebe Zito, Barbara A. Bekins, Dalma Martinović-Weigelt, Maxwell L. Harsha, Katherine E. Humpal, Jared J. Trost, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Lynn R. Mazzoleni, Simeon K. Schum, David C. Podgorski
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Water Resources Mission Area, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory

Hydrogeology and groundwater geochemistry of till confining units and confined aquifers in glacial deposits near Litchfield, Cromwell, Akeley, and Olivia, Minnesota, 2014–18

Confined (or buried) aquifers of glacial origin overlain by till confining units provide drinking water to hundreds of thousands of Minnesota residents. The sustainability of these groundwater resources is not well understood because hydraulic properties of till that control vertical groundwater fluxes (leakage) to underlying aquifers are largely unknown. The U.S. Geological Survey, Iowa State Uni
Authors
Jared J. Trost, Anna-Turi Maher, William W. Simpkins, Alyssa N. Witt, James R. Stark, Justin Blum, Andrew M. Berg
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Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Effects of a crude-oil recovery remediation system operated 1999–2003 on groundwater plumes and unsaturated-zone vapor concentrations at a crude-oil spill site near Bemidji, Minnesota

A crude-oil spill occurred in 1979 when a pipeline burst near Bemidji, Minnesota. More than 70 percent of the 1.7 million liters of spilled crude oil was removed shortly thereafter. In response to a requirement by the State regulatory agency to remove the remaining crude to a sheen in all wells, in 1998, the pipeline company installed a dual-pump recovery system at the site. This additional remedi

Authors
Geoffrey N. Delin, William N. Herkelrath, Jared J. Trost
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Geophysical mapping of plume discharge to surface water at a crude oil spill site: Inversion versus machine learning

The interpretation of geophysical survey results to answer hydrologic, engineering, and geologic questions is critical to diverse problems for management of water, energy, and mineral resources. Although geophysical images provide valuable qualitative insight into subsurface architecture and conditions, translating geophysical images into quantitative information (e.g., saturation, concentration,
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Neil Terry, Frederick D. Day-Lewis, John W. Lane, Jared J. Trost, Barbara A. Bekins
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Water Resources Mission Area

UZIG research: Measurement and characterization of unsaturated zone processes under wide-ranging climates and changing conditions

Unsaturated zone properties and processes are central to understanding the interacting effects of land-use change, contamination, and hydroclimate on our ability to grow food, sustain clean water supplies, and minimize loss of life and property. Advances in unsaturated zone science are being achieved through collaborations across traditional boundaries where information from biological, physical,
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Jared J. Trost, Benjamin B. Mirus, Kimberlie Perkins, Wesley R. Henson, John R. Nimmo, Rafael Munoz-Carpena
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Toxic Substances Hydrology, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Weathering of oil in a surficial aquifer

The composition of crude oil in a surficial aquifer was determined in two locations at the Bemidji, MN, spill site. The abundances of 71 individual hydrocarbons varied within 16 locations sampled. Little depletion of these hydrocarbons (relative to the pipeline oil) occurred in the first 10 years after the spill, whereas losses of 25% to 85% of the total measured hydrocarbons occurred after 30 yea
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Mary Jo Baedecker, Robert P. Eganhouse, Haiping Qi, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Jared J. Trost, Barbara A. Bekins
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Water Resources Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory

A direct-push freezing core barrel for sampling unconsolidated subsurface sediments and adjacent pore fluids

Contaminants passing through the unsaturated zone can undergo changes in narrow reaction zones upon reaching saturated sediments. Understanding these reactions requires sampling of sediment together with adjacent water and microbes in a manner that preserves in situ redox conditions. Use of a basket-type core catcher for saturated, noncohesive sediments results in redistribution or loss of fluids
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Jared J. Trost, Thomas M. Christy, Barbara A. Bekins
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Water Resources Mission Area, National Innovation Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Simulation of potential groundwater recharge for the glacial aquifer system east of the Rocky Mountains, 1980–2011, using the Soil-Water-Balance Model

An understanding of the spatial and temporal extent of groundwater recharge is critical for many types of hydrologic assessments involving water quality, contaminant transport, ecosystem health, and sustainable use of groundwater. Annual potential groundwater recharge was simulated at a 1-kilometer resolution with the Soil-Water-Balance (SWB) model for the glacial aquifer system east of the Rocky
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Jared J. Trost, Jason L. Roth, Stephen M. Westenbroek, Howard W. Reeves
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Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Generalized hydrogeologic framework and groundwater budget for a groundwater availability study for the glacial aquifer system of the United States

The glacial aquifer system groundwater availability study seeks to quantify (1) the status of groundwater resources in the glacial aquifer system, (2) how these resources have changed over time, and (3) likely system response to future changes in anthropogenic and environmental conditions. The glacial aquifer system extends from Maine to Alaska, although the focus of this report is the part of the
Authors
Howard W. Reeves, Randall E. Bayless, Robert W. Dudley, Daniel T. Feinstein, Michael N. Fienen, Christopher J. Hoard, Glenn A. Hodgkins, Sharon L. Qi, Jason L. Roth, Jared J. Trost
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Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center, New England Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Simulation and assessment of groundwater flow and groundwater and surface-water exchanges in lakes of the northeast Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, Minnesota, 2003 through 2013: Chapter B of Water levels and groundwater and surface-water exchanges in lakes

Water levels during 2003 through 2013 were less than mean water levels for the period 1925–2013 for several lakes in the northeast Twin Cities Metropolitan Area in Minnesota. Previous periods of low lake-water levels generally were correlated with periods with less than mean precipitation. Increases in groundwater withdrawals and land-use changes have brought into question whether or not recent (2
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Perry M. Jones, Jason L. Roth, Jared J. Trost, Catherine A. Christenson, Aliesha L. Diekoff, Melinda L. Erickson
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Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Statistical analysis of lake levels and field study of groundwater and surface-water exchanges in the northeast Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, Minnesota, 2002 through 2015: Chapter A of Water levels and groundwater and surface-water exchanges in lakes

Water levels declined from 2003 to 2011 in many lakes in Ramsey and Washington Counties in the northeast Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, Minnesota; however, water levels in other northeast Twin Cities Metropolitan Area lakes increased during the same period. Groundwater and surface-water exchanges can be important in determining lake levels where these exchanges are an important component of the wa
Authors
Perry M. Jones, Jared J. Trost, Aliesha L. Diekoff, Donald O. Rosenberry, Eric A. White, Melinda L. Erickson, Daniel L. Morel, Jessica M. Heck
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Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Water levels and groundwater and surface-water exchanges in lakes of the northeast Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, Minnesota, 2002 through 2015

OverviewThis study assessed lake-water levels and regional and local groundwater and surface-water exchanges near northeast Twin Cities Metropolitan Area lakes applying three approaches: statistical analysis, field study, and groundwater-flow modeling.  Statistical analyses of lake levels were completed to assess the effect of physical setting and climate on lake-level fluctuations of selected lak
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Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Granneman, N., Reeves, H.W., Trost, J.J., 2017 Sub-Indicator: Base Flow Due to Groundwater, pp. 526-534 in Environment and Climate Change Canada and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2017. State of the Great Lakes 2017 Technical Report. Cat No. En161‐ 3/1E‐PDF. EPA 905‐R‐17‐001. Available at https://binational.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/SOGL_2017_Technical_Report-EN.pdf.
Trost, J.J., Roth, J.L., Jones, P.M., and Christenson, C.A., 2017, MODFLOW-NWT model used to simulate and assess the groundwater flow and surface-water exchanges in lakes of the northeast Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, Minnesota, 2003 through 2013: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7445JRM.
Adair, E.C., P. B. Reich, J. Trost, and S. H. Hobbie. 2011. Elevated CO2 stimulates grassland soil respiration by increasing carbon inputs rather than by enhancing soil moisture. Global Change Biology 17:1365-2486.
Jungers, J., Trost, J., Lehman, C., Tilman, D. 2011. Energy and conservation benefits from managed prairie biomass. Aspects of Applied Biology 112 Proceedings of Biomass and Energy Crops IV Conference.
Trost J., 2010, Effects of perennial and annual vegetation on a soil water balance and groundwater recharge. Minneapolis, Minnesota, University of Minnesota, M.S. thesis, 157 p.
Dijkstra F. A., J. B. West, S. E. Hobbie, P. B. Reich, and J. Trost. 2007. Plant diversity, CO2, and N influence inorganic and organic N leaching in grasslands. Ecology 88:490-500.
Reich P.B., S. Hobbie, T. Lee, D. Ellsworth, J. West, D. Tilman, J. Knops, S. Naeem, and J. Trost. 2006. Nitrogen limitation constrains sustainability of ecosystem response to CO2. Nature. 440:922-925.
Reich P. B., D. Tilman, S. Naeem, D. S. Ellsworth, J. Knops, J. Craine, D. Wedin, and J. Trost. 2004. Species and functional group diversity independently influence biomass accumulation and its response to CO2 and N. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 101:10101-10106.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Science and Products

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government