Coleman Wasik is a professor in the Department of Plant and Earth Science at UW–River Falls. Her research interests include how human activity impacts the transport of nutrients and other contaminants through natural systems. The ultimate goal of her work is to understand how human activities benefit from natural processes while also lessening their impacts on natural systems.
Groundwater contamination is a serious issue in Wisconsin, affecting both private wells and larger aquifers that supply drinking water to the majority of residents. Some contaminants occur naturally, while others are introduced through human activities, particularly agriculture. These pollutants can pose significant health risks, including increased cancer rates and impaired immune function. Recent statewide surveys have revealed a growing presence of agrichemicals in well water, with contamination levels often linked to agricultural land use. Western Wisconsin is especially vulnerable due to its geology, with shallow bedrock and permeable soils allowing pollutants to seep into groundwater more easily. This project aims to establish experimental field plots to monitor soil and water conditions over time, providing valuable data for researchers studying contamination trends. A key focus will be the presence and movement of neonicotinoid insecticides, which have recently been detected in local groundwater despite historically low statewide levels. Understanding how these chemicals interact with soil and water will help guide better land management practices, such as cover cropping and reduced tillage, that could mitigate pollution risks and protect Wisconsin’s vital water resources.