The Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) of Kent State University (KSU) seeks to establish a computer facility for the analysis and distribution of graphical data for research in water resources. The facility will consist of a central file and compute server, a network of graphical workstations for processing and displaying three-dimensional data and PowerPC workstations for processing and displaying two-dimensional data, and the necessary input-output support for high quality image acquisition (scanners, digital cameras, video cameras) and output (color and black-andwhite printers, slide maker). Environmental research requires a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach because of the complexity of natural systems. Field observations must be integrated with laboratory experiments. Knowledge from one discipline must be applied to interpret data in another. The sheer size of some systems (spatial and temporal) requires data sets too large for a single group of investigators to acquire or to evaluate. The proposed facility is specifically intended to enhance collaborative research related to water in the environment, including on-campus, in-state and out-of-state collaborations. The network will simplify transfer of graphical data among WRRI members and between KSU and off-campus workers. The file/compute server will provide on-campus access to large environmental and climate-modeling databases and will facilitate the numerically intensive calculations required for modeling complex systems. Graphical workstations will enable 3D visualization of climatological, hydrological and chemical structures in real time. The facility will be administered by WRRI, an interdisciplinary organization created to foster interdepartmental, collaborative research on water resource problems. Current research in WRRI which would be supported by this facility includes projects on water quality, climate and global change, ecosystem health, and the application of molecular level tools to macroscopic environmental problems. All the PI's are engaged in water quality research, with specific interests in developing biological and chemical methodologies (Leff, Cabaniss), system level studies of chemical and biological perturbations of ecosystems (Heath, Leff, Smith), modeling of catchment-basin flow and pollutant transport (Carlson, Maurice), and mapping of water quality on a regional or national scale (Carlson, Lee). Drs. Maurice and Smith (Geology) are also examining the role of water in climate and global change. Drs. Carlson, Heath, Leff (Biological Sciences) and Lee (Geography) are examining ecosystem health on microscopic and macroscopic levels. Drs. Cabaniss (Chemistry), Heath (Biological Sciences) and Maurice are exploring the application of molecular-level tools- molecular spectroscopy, biochemical assays, atomic force microscopy- to environmental problems.
