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Professor improving quality of water

Aug. 30, 2005

By Jon Schroeder

Reporter

Waco water has far too many nutrients, according to assistant professor Ryan S. King, who began work for the Baylor Biology department last August.

"Waco water tastes funny because of the blue-green algae that grow in the lake that are responding to the nutrients coming from various sources upstream," King said.

King is one of several water studies faculty who have spurred the development of the Baylor Experimental Aquatic Research Facility at the Lake Waco wetlands.

This outdoor, open-air facility will complement Waco's existing lab, which examine Lake Waco's water to improve its quality. Artificially controlled streams and simulated, miniature wetlands aim ultimately to improve Waco's water supply.

"It tastes chalky," Adrian Sanvictores, a Plano senior, said."I feel like it's a little opaque."

Hundreds of students like Sanvictores buy bottled water rather than drink tap water from Lake Waco.

With time, taste of the water should improve. Even without the BEAR facility, the Lake Waco Wetland already has a role in cleaning the lake. Water, once in the wetlands, takes about 10 days to move back into the lake, King said. While it's there, undesirable nutrients and chemicals naturally filter out.

Dr. Robert Doyle, director for Aquatic Systems Research and head of the Wetlands Project, said he is looking forward to some of the "large profile" projects under the direction of the biology department and is excited about recent additions to the faculty.

While he is involved particularly in the wetlands project now, King did not dismiss future ambitions to improve both the Waco community and Baylor.

"I'm excited about the idea of a large research-oriented university," King said. "I'll be here to do my part in helping the university achieve its vision of being a first-tier university in terms of great teaching, scholarship and maintaining its Christian identity."

King came to Baylor for similar reasons. Both Baylor 2012 and Baylor's status as one of the largest Christian universities in America factored into his decision in coming to Baylor. According to King, the Baylor Sciences Building, still under construction during his interview, may have also played a role in his choice.

King's last job was at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Maryland, where he studied the environment at Chesapeake Bay.

Besides teaching, King has already actively participated in research in the field of aquatic science.

"Being an active researcher helps make me a better teacher," King said.

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