Tag: phytoforensics
S&T volleyball star ‘jumps’ at environmental research opportunity
Several phrases can be used to describe Shelby Ply, a senior in environmental engineering at Missouri S&T, including: aspiring environmental engineer, accelerated master’s degree student, decorated collegiate athlete, proud alumna of Rolla High School and equestrian aficionado. Now, she can add one more phrase to her repertoire: successful student researcher.
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Plant detective: Missouri S&T professor studies plants as “bio-sentinels” of indoor pollution
Behold the common house plant, the front-yard shrub, the rhododendron around back that’s seen better days since the next-door neighbors put their home on the market. They brighten our lawns, increase our property values, even boost our mental and physical health by reducing carbon dioxide levels.
For Dr. Joel Burken, such plants are far more valuable than as mere window dressing. The Curators’ Distinguished Professor and chair of civil, architectural and environmental engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology is an expert in phytoforensics, the process of using plants to study human exposure to pollutants.
Researchers use trees to detect contaminants and health threats
Researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology have developed a method to detect the presence of soil and groundwater contamination without turning a shovel or touching the water.
