海角社区

LSSU Students Lead Groundbreaking Oil Spill Research in the Great Lakes Region

Aug 26, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 26, 2025 聽 聽 聽聽
Contact: Connor Tetzlaff, Assistant Director of University Marketing
[email protected]

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. 鈥� Undergraduate researchers at 海角社区 (LSSU) are on the front lines of groundbreaking environmental research that could change how scientists and decision-makers respond to oil spills in freshwater systems. At LSSU鈥檚 Center for Freshwater Research and Education (CFRE), students are conducting one of the first studies to replicate real oil spill conditions in large 鈥榤esocosms,鈥� controlled environments that replicate freshwater wetlands found throughout the Great Lakes region.聽聽

In these mesocosms, fish, aquatic invertebrates, sediments, and plants are exposed to varying levels of oil to evaluate how different components of the ecosystem respond. The findings help identify the most vulnerable parts of the Great Lakes food web, from zooplankton to fish, and inform more targeted and effective oil spill response strategies.聽

The project is part of a multi-institutional, international collaboration that includes Algoma University, University of Windsor, and the U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes Oil Spill Center of Expertise, in addition to LSSU. Funded by Natural Resources Canada鈥檚 Multi-Partner Research Initiative, the research is providing LSSU students with invaluable, hands-on scientific experience.聽

One of these students, Kennedi Johnson, has been working closely with Dr. Michael Twiss of Algoma University to examine how phytoplankton communities change after oil exposure. 鈥淏eing a part of this research project has been an incredible experience,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to know that I鈥檓 contributing to something that has real-world importance, especially in a region like the Great Lakes, which are such a vital water resource. This project has shown me that I鈥檓 on the right path and made me even more excited for the career I鈥檓 working towards.鈥�

Faculty and collaborators echo the importance of this work:聽

鈥淲e know oil spills are a real risk in the Great Lakes, but we still have a lot to learn about how they affect freshwater food webs. This project is helping fill that gap, and our students are driving it forward.鈥� 鈥� Cecilia Heuvel, Post-Doctoral Research Associate, CFRE

鈥淪hared waters require shared resources. This partnership and support from Natural Resources Canada ensure we meet our collective responsibility to protect this crucial ecosystem.鈥� 鈥� Dr. Michael Twiss, Algoma University

鈥淭he Great Lakes are arguably the most important natural resource on the continent. Binational cooperation like this is essential for their long-term stewardship.鈥� 鈥� Dr. Mike McKay, University of Windsor聽

鈥淭he multidisciplinary nature of this project is providing amazing opportunities for our students. It鈥檚 exciting to see them building their skills and professional networks in ways that will serve them well beyond graduation.鈥� 鈥� Dr. Kevin Kapuscinski, CFRE

This work does much more than just teach LSSU students about research. It gives them a real opportunity to actively shape the future of freshwater protection. The data collected from this study will contribute to stronger, research-backed oil spill response plans, ensuring the Great Lakes will remain a resilient and thriving ecosystem for generations to come.聽