AGU Abstract 2010

8.31.10

About five minutes ago I submitted my abstract for the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Conference. This is my first time submitting a paper for a conference! The conference will be held this coming December (don't ask me why it's called a 'Fall Conference') in San Francisco. I'm excited about this opportunity to share my research and meet lots of environmental engineering nerds from all over the country.

Here is my abstract:

Title: Modeling the Impact of Landscape Variability on Nutrient and Pesticide Dynamics in CEAP Watersheds

Authors: Sheila M. Saia, Tammo Steenhuis, Zach Easton, Jan Boll, Erin Brooks

Keywords: water quality, best management practices, runoff

The effectiveness of agricultural conservation strategies for reducing soil, nutrient, and pesticide transport varies among landscape type and climate. For instance, a riparian buffer may reduce phosphorous loading to a Northeastern stream but fail to have the same impact on a stream in the Midwest. We propose a model based on readily available input data that can be used to prioritize the implementation of agricultural practices across a range of landscapes. Because areas generating overland flow are more prone to nutrient and pesticide transport, new management tools must accurately predict surface and subsurface flows. A modified version of the process-based Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model was developed to more accurately estimate surface and subsurface flows as well as sediment, nutrient, and pesticide transport from saturated and unsaturated hill slopes. We compare model results to available nutrient transport data from 13 USDA funded Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) watersheds. Core objectives of the CEAP initiative include the quantitative evaluation of agricultural conservation practices through enhanced data collection and model development in selected watersheds. Once available online, this modified WEPP model will be a valuable tool for water resource managers to make scientifically informed decisions concerning the impact on and selection of conservation practices for improved stream water quality.

A Quarter Century

8.21.10

Today I turned 25! I invited a few lab mates over to make sushi; we've been meaning to do this for a long time now. Overall, I think we did a pretty great job. Especially since this was the first or second time many of us had tried out hand at this Japanese culinary art.

My lab mates Helen, Tony, and Veronica from left to right.

Ben is waiting to make his sushi role. We had all the fillings lined up and ready to go: scrambled egg, avocado, imitation crab meat, cucumber, asparagus, red pepper, carrots, pickled radish, burdock root, kimchi, and pickled plum. Of course we also had sliced ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce for eating/dipping.

My ume-kyu (say oo-meh-que) with umeboshi (pickled plum) and kyuri (cucumber) is on the far right. This type of vegetarian sushi is very common in Japan. The sourness of the plum contrasted well with the fresh and watery cucumber. The other role was made by Helen. I think it had egg, imitation crab meat, and avocado.

Ben is cutting his sushi role with my new Cutco knife.

(Thanks you Mama and Mom for the amazing knives!)

Ben Sushi Close-Up

Each one of us made a role to share.

My second role resembles a face with pickled burdock root for the eyes and cucumber hair.

Take 1 with heavenly glow from the chandelier. From left to right: Haruo, Christine, Helen (as a bunny), Veronica (eating kimchi), Ben, Tony, and me.

Take two: (back) Tony, Helen (with a mustache), Christine (feedee), Veronica (feeder), Ben, (front) Haruo, and me.

Ben asked me if he could make a chocolate pie and I begged him to make carrot cake instead because it's my favorite. With the cream cheese frosting of course. :)

We didn't have candles so we used matches instead.

Ben and Veronica tried to frantically light the candles and I was making their job harder by blowing them out too soon.

Finally, all the matches were lit.

It's official. I'm 25!

After cake and sushi we talked and watched a few interesting clips on youtube.com. If you haven't already seen it: try this first and then this.

Special Shout Out: Thank you to all my friends and family who called and sent cards!

Tokyo Reunion 2010

8.13-15.10

For the past few days, I've been living out in woods with my dear friends from Tokyo. It's been a lot of fun and I can't thank Yasuko and Tony enough for organizing the trip. We stayed in Fall Brook Yurts, a camp site in the Adirondacks near the town of Minerva, New York. We went hiking, built fires, ate Japanese food, talked in Japanese, and had a whole lot of fun. Yasuko and I decided this should be a yearly tradition and the rest of the group agrees.

I should also mention that a yurt is a Mongolian hut. I had never heard about it until a week ago but I was very much impressed by its structure.

Tony and Yasuko made a sign so we could find out way.

Tokyo Reunion to the left!

The entrance to Fall Brook Yurts.

Alex and I bringing our things to the camp site.

The Yurt!

Yurt Skylight

Inside the Yurt

We rented two yurts for the weekend. This one was more convenient for all of us to hang out in because the middle was open. The other yurt was just as nice but had a different layout.

Congregating After We Arrived

All of our water for cooking and washing came from this stream. Just to make sure it was safe to consume we either boiled it or used an ultraviolet light to kill the bacteria. Washing your face in the stream was so refreshing.

For dinner we made Japanese curry. It was sugoi oishiii (very delicious)! We made a camp fire and talked about everything under the sun. By about 10pm, all of my friends had arrived at the campsite. Some of them had a late start because they had to work in NYC and couldn't leaved for the Adirondacks until 5pm. I was just happy that they all made it safe and sound.

The next morning we woke up and got ready for a day of hiking. The sun shining through the skylight in the yurt was so bright that it was impossible for us to sleep in. (pictured: Rie)

Not many of my friends knew how to build a fire so I taught them all I knew. I taught them that they can use birch bark to start a fire even when the bark is damp because of the oils in the bark. We collected sticks and branches and prepared the fire for breakfast. Of course we tried to find bark that had already fallen. Birch trees are my absolute favorite.

Leah helped me start the fire.

Yasuko and Rie also helped. Yasuko kept calling me the 'head hancho'.

Left over curry and other breakfast treats. (This is Leah's plate because I don't eat sausage! ;) )

Rie, Leah, and Yasuko

After breakfast it was time to go on our hike. Yasuko was definitely prepared.

Tony was too.

I <3 the Adirondacks!

From left to right: me, Kaori, Tony, Kate, Linsey, and Michiko

A brief huddle before we leave the campsite for the day.

We finally made it to the Goodnow Mountain trail head.

Starting Our Climb to the Top

We can do it!

Along the way we saw some really awesome things like this tree that grew over a big boulder.

Spiky Mushrooms

Golden Mushrooms

Frogs (or Toads?)

Fuzzy Caterpillar

The leaves were just starting to turn colors.

More Mushrooms

We passed this little hut on the way to the summit. Tony and Kate decided to go exploring.

Kate

Tony looks out at the Adirondack Mountains.

Taking a Little Rest (Yasuko, Blair, and Rie)

We waited for the rest of the group. From left to right: me, Michiko, Blair, Yasuko, Rie, Lindsey, Kate, and Kaori.

We made it to the top!
We could still go a little further if we were brave enough to climb the fire lookout tower.

Yasuko and I Waving from the Top

Hello down there!

Of course I had to take a picture of the weather station. ;)

The 3 Pink Banditos: me, Yasuko, and Kaori.

Yasuko and Kaori

It was a little scary going back down.

The view from the top of the tower was epic.

After climbing down we decided to stop at a beach that was not too far from our campsite.

Swimming in Lake Minerva was very refreshing after our long hike.

Rie, Kaori, Lindsey, Yasuko, Kate, and Tony

By the time we got back to the yurt it was getting dark. We started to make dinner.

Yasuko had organized all of the meals and tonight we would be making sushi.

Rie and I are waiting for the rice to finish cooking.

Yasuko and I

There were so many things you could fill your sushi with: cucumber, pickled plums, avocado, rosted veggies, kimchi, carrots, portobello mushrooms, and so much more.

We all made a roll or two.

The sushi looked so pretty when it was all set out on the plates.

We made rice cakes for dessert. The uncoated ones on the left and the ones coated in sweet soybean powder on the right.

We were really full so it felt good to stretch out on the floor (pictured: Lindsey and I). We also played a few rounds of Balderdash before heading out to the campfire.

After eating so much we were ready to warm up by the campfire.

Some people made s'mores. You have to make these at least once while your camping.

Tony and Alex

Campfire Stories and Songs

The next morning Tony, Yasuko, and I did a little exploring near our yurt.

Tony and I

There was a beautiful waterfall very close to our yurt.

Breakfast Time! This is our last meal together before we have to go our separate ways.

Before cleaning up entirely, we went on a short hike around the yurts. We found a cave!

Lindsey

Time to do the dishes!

Tony is almost ready to go.

Yurt #1: Lindsey, Kaori, Kate, Michiko, Leah, and Alex

Yurt #2: me, Tony, Yasuko, Blair, and Rie

Goodbye Fall Brook Yurts!

Tokyo Reunion 2010!

Practicing for our group picture.

Tokyo!

Yurts!

Of course we left notes in the cabin log book.

Tony and Lindsey drew this one.