Wild Rice Sulfate Standard Study: Water Analyses

The MDH Environmental Laboratory provides essential analyses of water for the MPCA Wild Rice Standards Study, which is gathering information about the effects of sulfate on the growth of wild rice. For this study, the lab developed a ultra-sensitive test for hydrogen sulfide, which greatly facilitated the research. For this large study, the lab staff analyzed several thousand water and sediment samples from lakes, wetlands, rivers, rice paddies, experimental mesocosms, and hydroponic experiments. The resulting data will be used by the MPCA in making a decision as to whether a revision of Minnesota’s existing wild rice sulfate standard is warranted.