Lab Overview
The Environmental Chemistry Laboratory combines interdisciplinary insights from engineering, chemistry, microbiology, and materials science to address pressing contamination threats in built and natural environment. By incorporating next-generation analytical techniques with an understanding of engineering fundamentals, we seek to develop a systems-level understanding of the interrelations between biogeochemical processes and the fate and transport of legacy and emerging organic contaminants in aquatic systems. We also aim to mitigate these trace pollutants by developing adsorption-based treatment systems to address contaminants, not limited to nutrients, trace organics, mobile contaminants like E. coli, and legacy contaminants like PFAS. Furthermore, we are initiating the development of hydrothermal processes aimed at achieving complete destruction of PFAS that are not effectively treated by conventional methods.
Collaboration with researchers across NRRI and UMD with expertise in Environmental Microbiology, Materials Science, Limnology, Aquatic Ecology, and Biogeochemistry is a cornerstone of our approach.
Instrumentation and Analytical Capabilities
Our laboratory specializes in the analysis of trace levels of legacy and emerging organic contaminants in the environment. This is accomplished using cutting-edge analytical instrumentation available in-house at NRRI. Our instrumentation includes the following:
- Sciex X500R quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry system (LC-HRMS)
- Sciex Triple Quad 6500+ liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry system (LC-MS/MS)
- Agilent 7000D/8890 gas chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry system (GC-QQQ-MS)
- PromoChrom SPE-03 automated solid phase extraction system
- Thermo Scientific Dionex ASE350 automated accelerated solvent extraction system
Research Projects
Current Research Projects
Current Projects
- “Center for PFAS Remedial Technology Engineering,” Environmental Security Technology Certification Program, ESTCP Project ER25-9767 (Lead PI: Chris Higgins, Ph.D., Colorado School of Mines; 2026 - 2028)
- “PFAS in Precipitation: Assessing a Critical Statewide Threat,” Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, LCCMR Project 2026-169 (Lead PI: Alex Frie, MN Sea Grant; Co-PI: Bridget Ulrich; 2026 – 2029)
- “PFAS and Microplastics: Potential Impacts of Environmental Co-Occurrence in Fish,” LCCMR Project 2026-248 (Lead PI: David T. Duffey, MPCA; Co-PIs: Bridget Ulrich, Summer Streets, MPCA; Elizabeth Minor, UMD/LLO; 2026 - 2029)
- “Development of biochar specification criteria as soil amendment for slopes, conveyances and stormwater treatment systems – Phase 2,” Minnesota Department of Transportation, MNDOT (Lead PI: Meijun Cai, Co-PI: Tadele Haile, 2025 - 2027)
- “Effects of Stormwater BMPs on Water Quality in Surface Effluent and Groundwater during Spring Snowmelt,” Local Road Research Board, LRRB (Lead PI: Meijun Cai, Co-PI: Tadele Haile, 2025 - 2027)
- “Development of adsorbent-based filtration systems for removal of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from stormwater,” Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, SERDP Project ER23-3676 (Lead PI: Bridget Ulrich, Co-PI: Chris Higgins, Colorado School of Mines; 2023 - 2027)
- “Performance evaluation for a stormwater treatment train to manage water quality at Agate Bay in Two Harbors,” Minnesota Stormwater Research Council, MSRC (Lead PI: Bridget Ulrich, Partner: Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District, 2022 - 2026)
- “Catch and Reveal: Discovering unknown fish contamination threats,” LCCMR Project 2022-155 (Lead PI: Bridget Ulrich, 2023 - 2027)
- “Adsorption for PFAS separation from contaminated waters,” Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (Lead PI: Bridget Ulrich, 2024 - 2026)
- “The Great Lakes Sediment Surveillance Program (GLSSP),” Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Cooperative Agreement, US EPA (Lead PI: Chris Filstrup, Co-PIs: Bridget Ulrich, Euan Reavie, Chan Lan Chun, Katie Schreiner, 2021 - 2026)
- “From Source to Sediment: Evaluating contributions of wet deposition to PFAS levels in the Great Lakes,” United State Geological Society and National Institutes for Water Resources, USGS/NIWR (Lead PI: Alex Frie, Sea Grant; Co-PI: Bridget Ulrich; 2022 - 2026)
- “Assessment of the long-term effectiveness of colloidal activated carbon for PFAS immobilization in mixed-contaminant plumes,” SERDP ER21-1124 (Lead PI: Charles Schaefer, CDM Smith; Co-PI: Bridget Ulrich; 2022 - 2026)
Previous Research Projects
Past Projects
- “Development of biochar specification criteria as soil amendment for slopes, conveyances and stormwater treatment systems – Phase 1,” Minnesota Department of Transportation, MNDOT (Lead PI: Brian Barry, 2023 - 2025)
- “Innovative approach to recover resources and remediate PFAS in food waste,” MnDRIVE Environment (Lead PI: Bridget Ulrich; Partner: Ramsey Washington Recycling and Energy Board, 2023 - 2025)
- “Field evaluation of stormwater best management practices to characterize the comprehensive contaminant removal performance of biochar-augmented filter media,” Minnesota Stormwater Research Council, MSRC (Lead PI: Bridget Ulrich, 2021 – 2024)
- “Demonstration of a mobile stormwater research and education laboratory,” Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program, MLSCP (Lead PI: Bridget Ulrich, 2021 - 2024)
- “Application of Minnesota-Produced Biochar in Biologs Treating Urban Runoff,” MnDRIVE Environment (Lead PI: Joe Magner, CFANS; Co-PI: Bridget Ulrich; 2020 – 2023)
Research Publications
Select Recent Publications
Haile, T.M., Wood, A., Chun, C.L. and Ulrich, B.A., 2026. Simultaneous Removal of Phosphate and Nitrate from Stormwater via Biofilters Co-amended with Biochar and Iron-Rich Mining Residuals. ACS ES&T Water.
Development of Biochar Specification Criteria as Soil Amendment for Slopes, Conveyances and Stormwater Treatment Systems (Phase 1) – MNDOT Technical Report, July 2025
Jernberg, J., Haile, T. and Ulrich, B., 2025. Evaluating the simultaneous retention of organic matter, organic contaminants, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in biochar-amended biofilters. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 11(7), pp.1733-1744.
Ulrich, B.A., Weelborg, K., Haile, T.M., Singh, U.B. and Magner, J., 2024. Field evaluation of a biochar-amended stormwater filtration system for retention of nutrients, metals, and Escherichia coli. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 10(10), pp.2546-2558.
Lab Students, Postdocs, and Alumni
Current and Alumni
Current Students
- Quinn Whiting, WRS Ph.D.
- Ian Mundy, WRS Ph.D.
- Via Schultz, Chemistry B.S.
- Eva Beck, Chemical Engineering B.S.
- Evelyn Osborn, Chemical Engineering B.S.
Current Postdocs
- Neda Amanat Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researcher
- Lekshmi Balakrishnan Nair, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researcher
- Stephanie Eytcheson, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researcher
Lab Alumni
- Chloe Mellgren, WRS M.S. student
- Wyatt Baude, Chemistry M.S. student
- Nathaniel LaFond, Chemical Engineering M.S. student (Barr Engineering)
- Amber McRae, Staff Analytical Chemist
- Peter Bartot, former Chemistry M.S. student
- Johanna Jernberg, former Chemistry M.S. student (Minnesota Department of Health)
- Samantha (Sam) McClung, former WRS M.S. student (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency)
- Sophia Nelson, Chemistry B.S., (Oregon State, PhD, Environmental Engineering)
- Riley Brunner, former Chemical Engineering B.S. student (Tetra Pak)
- Allison Byrd, Staff Analytical Chemist (Northeast Technical Services Inc.)
Student Opportunities
Students, Graduate Students, and Postdoctoral Positions
Pursue research in environmental chemistry with access to cutting-edge analytical instrumentation, in a unique location on the Great Lakes known for its rich outdoor recreational opportunities. Staff or postdoc positions will be posted on the NRRI Employment page if available. Prospective graduate students interested in joining the Environmental Chemistry Laboratory should apply to the University of Minnesota Water Resources Science graduate program or the Chemistry Master’s Program and contact Dr. Ulrich regarding their application.
We also encourage motivated undergraduate students to send an unofficial transcript, course schedule, and letter of interest to Environmental Chemistry Laboratory Manager Devin Edge.