In August, 1994, CGRER awarded its fourth set of annual seed grants. These $15,000 grants are intended to finance the commencement of projects relating to global change, with the prospect that larger-scale funding then will be found to allow their continuation. The eight new grants cover research from September, 1994, through August, 1995. The deadline for grants for the fifth award period (commencing 9/95) is May, 1995.

R. ARRITT (Agronomy, ISU) is evaluating the regional impact of potential climate changes resulting from the predicted doubling of atmospheric CO2 by the middle of the coming century. By examining potential changes in large-scale patterns conducive to spring and summer precipitation in the Great Plains, he hopes to estimate precipitation changes and promote the evaluation of adaptive strategies.

T.-C. CHEN (Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, ISU) is looking at climatic changes and global air circulation patterns. Over the past 40 years, a deepening of the low pressure system over the North Pacific and amplification of the high pressure system over the California coast have intensified the channeling of cold air from Canada southward into the Midwest. Chen's research is among the first to examine the relationship between short and long-term changes in climate and global air circulation patterns as they affect the Midwest.

A. ELDERING (Civil and Environmental Engineering, U of I) is investigating atmospheric aerosol particulates. Although little is known about their size, chemical composition, and transport in the Midwest, aerosols are important determinants of air quality. By scattering incoming radiation, they also could counteract global warming trends. Eldering trusts that her research will provide the baseline data needed to ascertain problem areas and trace future changes in aerosol levels.

B. HELLAND and P. ALVAREZ (Civil and Environmental Engineering, U of I) are looking at feasibility and specific design criteria for using elemental iron to transform chlorinated methane chemicals (such as carbon tetrachloride) into relatively innocuous compounds. Chlorinated methanes are hazardous both to humans and to the stratospheric ozone layer; thus methods to detoxify them are of great interest.

C. PAVLIK and M. ARMSTRONG (Geography, U of I), D. ZIMMERMAN (Statistics and Actuarial Science, U of I) are evaluating which surface generating techniques most accurately interpolate and display various types of environmental data (such as measurements of acid rain deposition) collected at field stations. To do this, they are linking GIS software to a statistical programming environment to map out and visualize environmental data. Their research will also assist in siting field data collection stations.

F. POTRA (Mathematics and Computer Science, U of I) and G. CARMICHAEL (Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, U of I) are developing a sophisticated mathematical model to investigate the chemistry and transport of tropospheric contaminants. This computer model will allow faster and more precise simulations of atmospheric transport and chemistry processes, leading to a better understanding of the environmental effects of contaminants around the globe, both at present and in the future.

J. SCHNOOR (Civil and Environmental Engineering, U of I) and D. FORKENBROCK (Public Policy Center, U of I) are commencing a policy-oriented collaborative research effort with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Midwest Transportation Center. They intend to inventory Iowa greenhouse gases, and then to integrate the strategies of increased energy efficiency and reforestation into an action plan for reducing greenhouse gases in Iowa. Transportation, residential, and agricultural policy alternatives will be analyzed.

U.S. TIM (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, ISU) and R. JOLLY (Economics, ISU) are concerned about the environmental and economic implications of global warming on rangeland ecosystems. They are attempting to integrate biophysical and economic models to estimate the impact of changes in climate on rangeland hydrology, forage production, and animal production. They also are using the integrated modeling system to examine the potential impact on regional economies.