Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

About: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is a government organization based out in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Stormwater & Sulfate. The organization has 154 authors who have published 214 publications receiving 7820 citations.

Traffic, Air Pollution, Minority and Socio-Economic Status: Addressing Inequities in Exposure and Risk

Abstract: Higher levels of nearby traffic increase exposure to air pollution and adversely affect health outcomes. Populations with lower socio-economic status (SES) are particularly vulnerable to stressors like air pollution. We investigated cumulative exposures and risks from traffic and from MNRiskS-modeled air pollution in multiple source categories across demographic groups. Exposures and risks, especially from on-road sources, were higher than the mean for minorities and low SES populations and lower than the mean for white and high SES populations. Owning multiple vehicles and driving alone were linked to lower household exposures and risks. Those not owning a vehicle and walking or using transit had higher household exposures and risks. These results confirm for our study location that populations on the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum and minorities are disproportionately exposed to traffic and air pollution and at higher risk for adverse health outcomes. A major source of disparities appears to be the transportation infrastructure. Those outside the urban core had lower risks but drove more, while those living nearer the urban core tended to drive less but had higher exposures and risks from on-road sources. We suggest policy considerations for addressing these inequities.

Spatiotemporal trends of mercury in walleye and largemouth bass from the Laurentian Great Lakes Region

Abstract: The risk of mercury (Hg) exposure to humans and wildlife from fish consumption has driven extensive mercury analysis throughout the Great Lakes Region since the 1970s. This study compiled fish-Hg data from multiple sources in the region and assessed spatiotemporal trends of Hg concentrations in two representative top predator fish species. Walleye (Sander vitreus) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were chosen for the trend analysis because they had more Hg records (63,872) than other fish species that had been sampled from waters throughout the region. Waterbody types were inland lakes (70%), the Great Lakes, impoundments, and rivers. The compiled datasets were analyzed with a mixed effects statistical model having random effects of station, year, and fish length; and fixed effects of year, tissue type, fish length, habitat, and season. The results showed a generally declining temporal trend in fish-Hg for the region (1970–2009), with spatial trends of increasing Hg concentration from south to north and from west to east across the region. Nonlinearity was evident in the general downward trends of Ontario walleye, with a shift to an upward trend beginning in the 1990s. Only ongoing monitoring can reveal if this upward shift is an oscillation in a long-term decline, a statistical anomaly, or a sustained declining temporal trend in regional fish-Hg concentrations.

Analysis of regional patterns in lake water quality: using ecoregions for lake management in minnesota

Abstract: Developing lake management strategies that have utility across diverse geographic areas is difficult. For example, with over 12,000 lakes in Minnesota, determining carrying capacities, restoration goals, and lake protective standards cannot be practically made on a lake-by-lake basis. In light of this, the aquatic ecoregion approach was employed to assess regional patterns in watershed characteristics and inlake parameters such as phosphorus concentration, Secchi transparency, and lake mixing pattern. This approach defined seven distinct ecoregions, of which, the following four contain the majority of lakes in Minnesota: Northern Lakes and Forest (NLF), North Central Hardwood Forests (CHF), Western Corn Belt Plains (WCP) and the Northern Glaciated Plains (NGP). Analysis of total phosphorus data from approximately 1,100 lakes by ecoregion resulted in the following median epilimnetic concentrations: NLF – 23 μg P/L, CHF – 50 μg P/L, WCP – 121 μg P/L, and NGP – 176 μg P/L. Lake mixing patterns may b...

Drainage effects on stream nitrate-N and hydrology in south-central Minnesota (USA).

Abstract: Excessive nitrate-N in south-central Minnesota ditches and streams is related to land-use change, and may be contributing to the development of the zone of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. Intensive land-use (agricultural management) has progressively increased as subsurface drainage has improved crop productivity over the past 25 years. We have examined water at varying scales for δ18O, and nitrate-N concentrations. Additionally, analysis of annual peak flows, and channel geomorphic features provided a measure of hydrologic change. Laboratory and field results indicate that agricultural drainage has influenced riverine source waters, concentrations of nitrate-N, channel dimensions and hydrology in the Blue Earth River (BER) Basin. At the mouth of the BER shallow ground water comprises the largest source water component. The highest nitrate-N concentrations in the BER and tributaries typically occurred in May and June and ranged from 7–34 mg L-1. Peak flows for the 1.01-2-yr recurrence intervals increased by 20-to-206% over the past 25 years.Geomorphic data suggest that small channels (ditches) were entrenched by design, whereas, natural channels incised. Increased frequent peak flows in the BER have created laterally confined channels that are disconnected from an accessible riparian corridor. Frequent access to a functioning riparian zone is important for denitrification.