Discovery, dispersal, and genetic diversity of Rhyacophila lobifera Betten, 1934 (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae) in southeast Michigan, USA

Rhyacophila lobifera Betten, 1934 has been previously documented in the upper Midwest states of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, and the province of Ontario. Here we report on the diversity of this species in the Rouge and Huron River watersheds using DNA barcode-verified identifications to confirm the first known Michigan record of this species, with collection from the lower Rouge River in 2003 and again in 2008. Since first detection, we document that the range of R. lobifera in the Rouge River watershed has expanded to include at least one additional site on the Lower Branch and five sites on the Middle Branch (Johnson Creek), as well three sites in the neighboring Huron River watershed. Our sequence analysis of the mitochondrial COI barcode gene region suggests a fine scale population structure in these watersheds, with haplotype partitioning congruent with proposed dispersal patterns based on first records at each site. Ranking as a 4 on the Hilsenhoff's biotic index—an intermediate level of water quality tolerance, discovery of R. lobifera in an urbanized southeast Michigan watershed is not unexpected, but population genetic patterns lend insight into its recent range expansion.

Risk Communication and Climate Justice Planning: A Case of Michigan’s Huron River Watershed

Communicating climate risks is crucial when engaging the public to support climate action planning and addressing climate justice. How does evidence-based communication influence local residents’ risk perception and potential behavior change in support of climate planning? Built upon our previous study of Climate Justice maps illustrating high scores of both social and ecological vulnerability in Michigan’s Huron River watershed, USA, a quasi-experiment was conducted to examine the effects of Climate Justice mapping intervention on residents’ perceptions and preparedness for climate change associated hazards in Michigan. Two groups were compared: residents in Climate Justice areas with high social and ecological vulnerability scores in the watershed (n=76) and residents in comparison areas in Michigan (n=69). Measurements for risk perception include perceived exposure, sensitivity, and adaptability to hazards. Results indicate that risk information has a significant effect on perceived sensitivity and level of preparedness for future climate extremes among participants living in Climate Justice areas. Findings highlight the value of integrating scientific risk assessment information in risk communication to align calculated and perceived risks. This study suggests effective risk communication can influence local support of climate action plans and implementation of strategies that address climate justice and achieve social sustainability in local communities.

Survival of Helicobacter pylori in the wastewater treatment process and the receiving river in Michigan, USA

Contaminated water may play a key role in the transmission of Helicobacter pylori, resulting in gastrointestinal diseases in humans. The wastewater treatment process is an important barrier to control the transmission of H. pylori. However, the presence and viability of H. pylori in the treatment process is not well known. In this paper, the real colony morphology of H. pylori was confirmed by two types of culture media. The survival of H. pylori through the tertiary wastewater treatment process, especially UV disinfection, and in the receiving Huron River in Ann Arbor, Michigan, was investigated by plates cultivation, regular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and quantitative real-time PCR from DNA. The results demonstrated that H. pylori was not only present, but also viable in all processed wastewater samples in the Ann Arbor wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). H. pylori can be found in a higher concentration in the receiving Huron River. There are many kinds of antibiotic- and UV-resistant bacteria, including H. pylori, in the final effluent of Ann Arbor WWTP.