Life Below Water

Minnesota’s small towns are home to some of the state’s most beloved gems. Along with breathtaking and subtly beautiful landscapes, friendly faces, and a strong sense of place, lower-population areas can also have limited resources. 

While laws to limit pollution have been around for decades, heavy metal pollutants like lead remain a problem in many areas. Lead and other metals in the soil or air can move through urban ecosystems, impacting the health of humans, plants and animals.

At the University of Minnesota, we're rolling up our sleeves and amping up our research to help feed the world while protecting our environment.

A groundbreaking study found that invasive zebra mussels significantly alter aquatic ecosystems, and are associated with elevated mercury concentrations in fish. Mercury, a potent neurotoxin, poses a serious threat to both aquatic life and human health. 

In Minnesota, CBS researchers like Finlay lead efforts to keep drugs such as oxycodone, heavy metals, insect repellent and the like from contaminating the waters we cherish—and waters around the world.

The UMN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Initiative is excited to announce the 2025 SDG Research Grant competition!

If you’re reading this, then it’s likely you’re one of the roughly 40 million people whose drinking water comes from the Great Lakes.

To help stop the spread of invasive carp, a deterrent system will be installed on the Mississippi River at Lock and Dam 5 near Winona.

Three-year study identifies conservation concern for native Minnesota fish.

Minnesota’s beloved waters, fish, forests, and other natural treasures are under attack from invaders like carp, spiny water fleas, zebra mussels, the emerald ash borer, and buckthorn.