Perhaps nowhere in the world is a waterway being more closely analyzed than the Chicago Area Waterway System. Scientists with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Argonne National Laboratory are conducting a groundbreaking seven-year study that is showing early indications of healthy and diverse microbial communities. The many colors below highlight the vast diversity of bacteria found in the Chicago River. Each column is a different site, and each color represents a unique bacterial species. In the video, Dr. Jack Gilbert from Argonne National Lab explores the Chicago area waterways with the MWRD and offers a glimpse into this comprehensive study. 

• Argonne partners with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to study Chicago River microbe population
• Phase I Interim Report for Chicago Area Waterways System Microbiome Research December 2013-December 2015
• Argonne, MWRD complete first phase of Chicago River study
• Phase II Interim Report for Chicago Area Waterways System Microbiome Research April 2013-December 2017
• Pioneering study by MWRD and Argonne takes closer look at improving microbial health and composition of area waterways
• Phase III Final Report - Chicago Area Waterway System Argonne Microbiome Research July 2020
• Phase III Final Report Addendum - Chicago Area Waterway System Argonne Microbiome Research September, 2020
• Seven-year study by the MWRD and Argonne National Laboratory assesses the metagenomics of local waterways