December Meeting
Tuesday, December 3^rd, 2002

Abstract

John Bonte, Clinton Community College chemistry instructor, recently returned from a two-week expedition to Lake Baikal in Russian Siberia. The expedition was one of the Earthwatch Institute projects aimed at finding solutions to environmental problems throughout the world. The Earthwatch Institute sponsors scientific and cultural expeditions around the world by sending volunteers into the field to provide support. By doing so, it supports scientists who are monitoring environmental change in habitats around the earth. Dr. Bonte’s participation was supported by the Equistar and Lyondell Chemical Companies through their Educator Fellowship Program. Equistar has a plant in Clinton, Iowa.

The purpose of this Expedition was to sample some of the organisms in the lake so that they could be sent to St. Petersburg for chemical analysis. Dr. Bonte was a part of a team consisting of Dr. Igor Taganov of the Russian Geographical Society, the project Principal Investigator and five volunteers from the United States. Volunteers came from Texas, New York State, Iowa, and California. One of the volunteers had been in Russia since December 2001, studying the Russian language. Organisms sampled included a variety of fish, three species of fresh-water shrimp, and worms. There is quite a contrast between the waters, the land, and the people of Lake Baikal and the waters, the land, and the people of the Mississippi River. Yet there are many similarities between the two bodies of water, their surroundings and the people.

Lake Baikal is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. It holds more water than all of North America’s Great Lakes combined. It is estimated to be more than 25 million years old. In contrast to the Mississippi River, which is almost opaque with suspended soil, Lake Baikal is extremely clear. The bottom is visible up to 40 meters deep. Several species of animals such as nerpa, or fresh water seals, omul, a trout-like fish, and fresh water shrimp are found only near the lake. The ecology of the lake is threatened by possible pollution from Russian and Mongolian factories in the lake’s watershed.

Tree-covered mountains surround the lake. The scenery is beautiful! The hospitality of the people is tremendous. They are always willing to share their food and drink with travelers. A favorite toast is, “To good weather and to good luck!”

Biographical Sketch

I was born and raised in Iowa. I graduated from Belmond High School in 1965 and then attended St. Olaf College n Northfield, Minnesota. I received a B. A. degree in chemistry in 1969 from St. Olaf. I attended Iowa State University from 1969-1976 (taking a two-year leave of absence to be in the Army). I received the Ph. D. Degree in Inorganic Chemistry in 1976. My research involved Szilard-Chalmers reactions of cobalt complexes. I started working at Clinton Community College in 1976 and have been there ever since. At CCC, I have taught classes in chemistry, math, and physical science. From time to time, I have served as Math-Science Department Coordinator, Dean, Telecourse Coordinator, and Hazardous Materials Curriculum Developer. My research interests include transition metals, environmental concerns, radiochemistry, and applications of technology to teaching. I have been connected to industry through working at Dupont and Argonne National Laboratories. I currently serve on the Community Advisory Panel for the local Equistar polyethylene plant. I have served two terms as Chair of the Illinois-Iowa Section of the American Chemical Society. I also have been Secretary of the Section. For four summers I have been an ATEEC Fellow, developing environmental technology curricula at the University of Northern Iowa. More recently, I received a fellowship with the Earthwatch Institute to sample organisms in Lake Baikal, Russia to determine the presence of heavy metals in these organisms.

I am married to Martha, who is the Coordinator of the Humanities and Social Science department at CCC. We have two children: Ben, who is working in the computer field in Palo Alto, California, and Krista, who is a Program Coordinator in a house for children with mental retardation in Cedar Rapids. My hobbies include baking, bicycling, singing, and gardening.

Message from the Chair For our November meeting, we had a very interesting tour of the Bandag research facility in Muscatine. I never realized that so much went into retreading a tire. Thank you to Dave Bender and his colleagues for making the arrangements and conducting the tour. Thanks to Bandag for providing the hors d’oeuvres. In addition to the tour, we held our annual election. Brian Mundell was elected Councilor and Mel Peterson was elected alternate Councilor. Both were elected by written ballot as is required in the by-laws. Elected by unanimous consent were: Rick Rogers, Treasurer; Peter Ilich, Chair-elect; and Marion Johnson, Secretary. I will continue to serve as Immediate Past Chair, and Alan Abbott will serve as Chair. Congratulations to our new officers. Thank you for agreeing to serve. Thank you to those members who voted in the elections. December’s meeting will include our Awards Ceremony. We will be honoring members for years of membership. We will especially honor our 50-year members: Ronald Freeman, Norm Standish, Mel Peterson, and Charles Durham. As my final act as Chair, I will be telling you about my summer vacation. Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to serve as your Chair this year. John

A New Opportunity

The Iowa/Illinois American Industrial Hygiene Assoc. local section would like to cordially invite the members of the Quad City Engineering and Science Council to our December 5^th meeting, Christmas Gathering for Who’s Who in the Safety, Industrial Hygiene, and Environmental profession. The meeting is planned for December 5^th at the Amana Holiday Inn in Little Amana, Iowa. The evening will commence around 5 PM with the program beginning at 6:30 PM. The cash bar will close at 7 PM. The cost of the meal will be $15.00 per person. The menu consists of a cold turkey or hot BBQ beef sandwich, relish tray, au gratin potatoes, pasta salad, and a cheese tray. Please RSVP to Kent A. Candee, EMC Insurance Co., either by phone, (515) 362-7832, or by email, kent.a.candee@emcins.com.

Directions To CCC From The West

Take Clinton off-ramp from Highway 61 onto Highway 30 until Manufacturing Drive in Clinton. Turn left onto Manufacturing Drive (between cemetery & Target). Follow Manufacturing Drive until the third set of light at South 14^th Street at Kwik Star gas station. Turn right and go until the next intersection, 11^th Avenue South. Turn left and the College is straight ahead.

Directions To CCC From The East

Cross the Highway 30 bridge from Fulton, Illinois. Go straight on 8^th Avenue South off the bridge. Stay on 8^th Avenue South until you come to South 12^th street and then turn left. Go 2 blocks and turn left to enter the parking lot.

Please Post

Annual Awards Ceremony and

“Study of Lake Biakal in Siberia”

Dr. John Bonte

December 3^rd, 2002

7:30 – 9:00 PM

Clinton Community College

Clinton, IA

Contact Dr. John Bonte at (563) 244 – 7138 or e-mail at jbonte@eicc.edu

Please Post