The USGS and INSTAAR are engaged in a wide variety of research. They have a vast array of analytical capabilities and expertise in developing environmental process computer codes and models.

Research Themes

Research ThemesThe USGS and INSTAAR are collaborating on exciting research in locations around Colorado, the U.S., and in Antarctica - from the extreme environments of acid mine drainage streams with pHs that can sometimes be negative to the extreme environment of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, one of the coldest and driest locations on earth - and a variety of always interesting environments in between. As part of interdisciplinary teams, CWEST researchers work to better understand the ecosystems and environments of the world we live in and to bring that improved understanding to help address some of the challenges that we face today. On our Research Themes page we feature some of the research topics that CWEST investigators are studying.  We will continue to add more research themes in the future.
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Research Capabilities

Research Capabilities

The USGS and INSTAAR are home to a vast array of laboratories and a wealth of expertise for analyzing water, soil, air, and biological samples.  Several CWEST researchers have also been involved in the development of a variety of premier water chemistry and transport and earth surface process models.  These research tools are used by investigators both in the U.S. and around the world.

In order to facilitate collaboration and the sharing of analytical capacity and know-how and also in order to provide opportunities for learning new analyses or modeling techniques, here we are putting together a list of CWEST research capabilities along with brief descriptions and points of contact.  If you are interested in a particular research capability, we encourage you to get in touch with one of the contacts listed or with CWEST’s managing director (c-west@colorado.edu) to get more information. Please check back in for periodic updates.
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Lab Tours

Lab Tours

Each year, nearly 200 middle schoolers visit INSTAAR and our neighbor, the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), for our annual Open House. At the Open House, students get to listen to presentations and participate in hands-on activities both at nearby Boulder Creek and in a variety of labs.

Here we welcome middle school students and learners of all ages to take a virtual tour of some of our CWEST laboratory facilities, including some that are featured during the Open House. We hope you find the tour both informative and fun! We will continue to add more labs in the future.
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