Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Using thermal drones and isotope analysis of groundwater samples, BYU geologists are studying how to keep the Great Salt Lake safe for wildlife, including thousands of migratory birds that are impacted by pollution that seeps into the lake. The researchers are examining whether groundwater from nearby mines is delivering excess selenium, a mineral that can cause brittle eggs and reproductive problems when levels are too high.
"We have to try to figure out how to keep this ecosystem clean and safe for all the wildlife
that uses it," says Greg Carling, a BYU geology professor. "It's this amazing kind of otherworldly landscape, and we need to understand everything we can about the ecosystem in order to protect it.”
More from BYU News:
BYU Professor of Geology, Greg Carling, and his team are investigating possible
groundwater contamination in the Great Salt Lake, a crucial ecosystem that supports
thousand of migratory birds.
The Great Salt Lake is the largest saline (salty) lake in the Western Hemisphere, and
preserving it should be a top priority, Carling emphasized. Besides providing a buffet of
shrimp for hundreds of thousands of traveling birds, the Great Salt Lake also acts as a
unique deposit for all the elements from the surrounding area.
According to Carling, several million people live in the area that drains into the lake. As
water evaporates, it and leaves behind a mixture of helpful and harmful elements. “This
is a really important habitat, but there’s also issues with some contamination. We
have to try to figure out how to keep this ecosystem clean and safe for all the wildlife
that uses it,” he said.
Recent studies show that groundwater contributes 10-15% of the lake’s inflow – more
than previously thought. Carling and a team of BYU students are now examining
whether groundwater from nearby mines is delivering excess selenium, a mineral that in
small amounts benefits wildlife but can cause brittle eggs and reproductive problems
when levels are too high.
Using a thermal drone, the team identifies cool groundwater seeps against the warmer
surface. Once a seep is found, they pump out water samples to measure concentrations
of cations, anions and isotopes, elements such as calcium, sodium, potassium, iron,
chloride, sulfate and phosphate to check for unusual levels.
“I love to be able to study things that are just in our backyard.,” Carling said, “It's this
amazing kind of otherworldly landscape, and we need to understand everything we can
about the ecosystem in order to protect it.”
For master’s student Megan Flexhaug, it was her first chance to go out and help gather
the samples. “This is such a beautiful area and such an amazing creation that we have,”
Flexhaug said. “Why wouldn’t we take care of it? Why wouldn’t we want to make sure
that it’s as clean and healthy as it can be?”
“If there is selenium here and if it is affecting migratory birds, that's something that we're
responsible for,” Flexhaug added. “And we need to help clean up.”
Using thermal drones and isotope analysis of groundwater samples, BYU geologists are studying how to keep the Great Salt Lake safe for wildlife, including thousands of migratory birds that are impacted by pollution that seeps into the lake. The researchers are examining whether groundwater from nearby mines is delivering excess selenium, a mineral that can cause brittle eggs and reproductive problems when levels are too high.
"We have to try to figure out how to keep this ecosystem clean and safe for all the wildlife
that uses it," says Greg Carling, a BYU geology professor. "It's this amazing kind of otherworldly landscape, and we need to understand everything we can about the ecosystem in order to protect it.”
More from BYU News:
BYU Professor of Geology, Greg Carling, and his team are investigating possible
groundwater contamination in the Great Salt Lake, a crucial ecosystem that supports
thousand of migratory birds.
The Great Salt Lake is the largest saline (salty) lake in the Western Hemisphere, and
preserving it should be a top priority, Carling emphasized. Besides providing a buffet of
shrimp for hundreds of thousands of traveling birds, the Great Salt Lake also acts as a
unique deposit for all the elements from the surrounding area.
According to Carling, several million people live in the area that drains into the lake. As
water evaporates, it and leaves behind a mixture of helpful and harmful elements. “This
is a really important habitat, but there’s also issues with some contamination. We
have to try to figure out how to keep this ecosystem clean and safe for all the wildlife
that uses it,” he said.
Recent studies show that groundwater contributes 10-15% of the lake’s inflow – more
than previously thought. Carling and a team of BYU students are now examining
whether groundwater from nearby mines is delivering excess selenium, a mineral that in
small amounts benefits wildlife but can cause brittle eggs and reproductive problems
when levels are too high.
Using a thermal drone, the team identifies cool groundwater seeps against the warmer
surface. Once a seep is found, they pump out water samples to measure concentrations
of cations, anions and isotopes, elements such as calcium, sodium, potassium, iron,
chloride, sulfate and phosphate to check for unusual levels.
“I love to be able to study things that are just in our backyard.,” Carling said, “It's this
amazing kind of otherworldly landscape, and we need to understand everything we can
about the ecosystem in order to protect it.”
For master’s student Megan Flexhaug, it was her first chance to go out and help gather
the samples. “This is such a beautiful area and such an amazing creation that we have,”
Flexhaug said. “Why wouldn’t we take care of it? Why wouldn’t we want to make sure
that it’s as clean and healthy as it can be?”
“If there is selenium here and if it is affecting migratory birds, that's something that we're
responsible for,” Flexhaug added. “And we need to help clean up.”
