Ben Maas
@masbenmaas.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences at Metro State University in St. Paul, MN, studying environmental and water quality.
No trick or treating this year for us, but we did hand out candy after the little astronaut went to bed.
November 1, 2025 at 3:19 AM
No trick or treating this year for us, but we did hand out candy after the little astronaut went to bed.
Candy was successfully handed out to small humans.
Have a happy Halloween, everyone!
Have a happy Halloween, everyone!
November 1, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Candy was successfully handed out to small humans.
Have a happy Halloween, everyone!
Have a happy Halloween, everyone!
This house is a proud heat pump supporter!
We are almost a year into owning a heat pump, & it has been great! It is much quieter than the old AC, & much more efficient). In the winter, we use it for all our heating needs until it gets really cold. Then it supplements the gas furnace.
We are almost a year into owning a heat pump, & it has been great! It is much quieter than the old AC, & much more efficient). In the winter, we use it for all our heating needs until it gets really cold. Then it supplements the gas furnace.
September 10, 2025 at 2:21 PM
This house is a proud heat pump supporter!
We are almost a year into owning a heat pump, & it has been great! It is much quieter than the old AC, & much more efficient). In the winter, we use it for all our heating needs until it gets really cold. Then it supplements the gas furnace.
We are almost a year into owning a heat pump, & it has been great! It is much quieter than the old AC, & much more efficient). In the winter, we use it for all our heating needs until it gets really cold. Then it supplements the gas furnace.
The TA is a sleep on the job, AGAIN!
August 29, 2025 at 4:13 PM
The TA is a sleep on the job, AGAIN!
It's the first week of the semester. So, an oldie, but a goodie.
August 28, 2025 at 4:48 PM
It's the first week of the semester. So, an oldie, but a goodie.
I *might* be a @mprnews.org (and The Current and MPR Classical) fan...
MPR mosquito hat, MPR tote bag, and a MPR nature print shirt. Even the MPR booth staff commented on my swag.
The MPR News fan is sadly at home.
MPR mosquito hat, MPR tote bag, and a MPR nature print shirt. Even the MPR booth staff commented on my swag.
The MPR News fan is sadly at home.
August 21, 2025 at 8:22 PM
I *might* be a @mprnews.org (and The Current and MPR Classical) fan...
MPR mosquito hat, MPR tote bag, and a MPR nature print shirt. Even the MPR booth staff commented on my swag.
The MPR News fan is sadly at home.
MPR mosquito hat, MPR tote bag, and a MPR nature print shirt. Even the MPR booth staff commented on my swag.
The MPR News fan is sadly at home.
Last one. A cat looking at some loons
August 21, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Last one. A cat looking at some loons
More crop art highlights
August 21, 2025 at 7:38 PM
More crop art highlights
Some crop art highlights from the Minnesota State Fair.
August 21, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Some crop art highlights from the Minnesota State Fair.
This was my favorite crop art. More updates later.
I have a 11 month old kid, so we watch a bit of 'Bluey'
"I'M A FLAMINGO QUEEN!!'
I have a 11 month old kid, so we watch a bit of 'Bluey'
"I'M A FLAMINGO QUEEN!!'
August 21, 2025 at 4:14 PM
This was my favorite crop art. More updates later.
I have a 11 month old kid, so we watch a bit of 'Bluey'
"I'M A FLAMINGO QUEEN!!'
I have a 11 month old kid, so we watch a bit of 'Bluey'
"I'M A FLAMINGO QUEEN!!'
🚨It's happening🚨
Crop Art time!
Crop Art time!
August 21, 2025 at 3:53 PM
🚨It's happening🚨
Crop Art time!
Crop Art time!
The first figure shows the wild fire smoke and its probable path.
The second figure is an update on the timing of when the wild fire smoke arrives and leaves Minnesota.
The second figure is an update on the timing of when the wild fire smoke arrives and leaves Minnesota.
August 10, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The first figure shows the wild fire smoke and its probable path.
The second figure is an update on the timing of when the wild fire smoke arrives and leaves Minnesota.
The second figure is an update on the timing of when the wild fire smoke arrives and leaves Minnesota.
More poor air quality days are coming, Minnesota! Enjoy today
...
Red is unhealthy, orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups, and yellow is moderate air quality
Air quality forecast | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency share.google/SFRPtyr8fUAH...
...
Red is unhealthy, orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups, and yellow is moderate air quality
Air quality forecast | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency share.google/SFRPtyr8fUAH...
August 9, 2025 at 7:29 PM
More poor air quality days are coming, Minnesota! Enjoy today
...
Red is unhealthy, orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups, and yellow is moderate air quality
Air quality forecast | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency share.google/SFRPtyr8fUAH...
...
Red is unhealthy, orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups, and yellow is moderate air quality
Air quality forecast | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency share.google/SFRPtyr8fUAH...
Iowa Corn is trying to convince you that, despite all the evidence to the contrary, the occasional and small grass water ways in some fields are helping improve water quality in Iowa.
This is a lie. Nitrate concentrations are going up. Putting less nitrate in fields would improve water quality
This is a lie. Nitrate concentrations are going up. Putting less nitrate in fields would improve water quality
August 5, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Iowa Corn is trying to convince you that, despite all the evidence to the contrary, the occasional and small grass water ways in some fields are helping improve water quality in Iowa.
This is a lie. Nitrate concentrations are going up. Putting less nitrate in fields would improve water quality
This is a lie. Nitrate concentrations are going up. Putting less nitrate in fields would improve water quality
Stay safe out there, people! If you are outside, wear a mask. At the very least, limit your time outside.
You do not want to breathe this stuff in.
You do not want to breathe this stuff in.
July 30, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Stay safe out there, people! If you are outside, wear a mask. At the very least, limit your time outside.
You do not want to breathe this stuff in.
You do not want to breathe this stuff in.
STUMP FEST!!
Invasive buckthorn has met its match, and a chainsaw...
Invasive buckthorn has met its match, and a chainsaw...
July 20, 2025 at 10:01 PM
STUMP FEST!!
Invasive buckthorn has met its match, and a chainsaw...
Invasive buckthorn has met its match, and a chainsaw...
I took baby Oliver and Kayla to the headwaters of the Mississippi River today. So, they are now officially one of us.
July 12, 2025 at 7:23 PM
I took baby Oliver and Kayla to the headwaters of the Mississippi River today. So, they are now officially one of us.
The reason for our poor air quality is a result of the forest fires in Canada.
Forest fire smoke is filled with small particles (PM2.5), which can get into our lungs.
From the GOES East satellite, you can see the smoke from the Canadian forest fires (dark gray between storm clouds)
Forest fire smoke is filled with small particles (PM2.5), which can get into our lungs.
From the GOES East satellite, you can see the smoke from the Canadian forest fires (dark gray between storm clouds)
June 3, 2025 at 2:33 PM
The reason for our poor air quality is a result of the forest fires in Canada.
Forest fire smoke is filled with small particles (PM2.5), which can get into our lungs.
From the GOES East satellite, you can see the smoke from the Canadian forest fires (dark gray between storm clouds)
Forest fire smoke is filled with small particles (PM2.5), which can get into our lungs.
From the GOES East satellite, you can see the smoke from the Canadian forest fires (dark gray between storm clouds)
If you can stay inside today, that would be a very good decision for your lungs and for your health.
If you need to go outside, wear an N95 mask! 😷
Air quality (AQI) readings are about 250 and are in the 'very unhealthy' level.
Today's outdoor air quality is equivalent to smoking 8.9 cigarettes.
If you need to go outside, wear an N95 mask! 😷
Air quality (AQI) readings are about 250 and are in the 'very unhealthy' level.
Today's outdoor air quality is equivalent to smoking 8.9 cigarettes.
June 3, 2025 at 2:33 PM
If you can stay inside today, that would be a very good decision for your lungs and for your health.
If you need to go outside, wear an N95 mask! 😷
Air quality (AQI) readings are about 250 and are in the 'very unhealthy' level.
Today's outdoor air quality is equivalent to smoking 8.9 cigarettes.
If you need to go outside, wear an N95 mask! 😷
Air quality (AQI) readings are about 250 and are in the 'very unhealthy' level.
Today's outdoor air quality is equivalent to smoking 8.9 cigarettes.
Congratulations! In honor of this special time...
May 16, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Congratulations! In honor of this special time...
Today, @cwend.bsky.social gave a great talk at the University of Minnesota about water quality in the state of Iowa.
Topics included nitrate in surface water, PFAS, and many other fun topics.
Thanks to the Department of Civil, Environmental, & Geo-Engineering & @billarnold.bsky.social for hosting.
Topics included nitrate in surface water, PFAS, and many other fun topics.
Thanks to the Department of Civil, Environmental, & Geo-Engineering & @billarnold.bsky.social for hosting.
April 19, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Today, @cwend.bsky.social gave a great talk at the University of Minnesota about water quality in the state of Iowa.
Topics included nitrate in surface water, PFAS, and many other fun topics.
Thanks to the Department of Civil, Environmental, & Geo-Engineering & @billarnold.bsky.social for hosting.
Topics included nitrate in surface water, PFAS, and many other fun topics.
Thanks to the Department of Civil, Environmental, & Geo-Engineering & @billarnold.bsky.social for hosting.
Information from the Minnesota Department of Health
Basically, large portions of Minnesota in the Metro Area (especially south and east Metro) people should not eat fish.
Below is the link to the updated guidance on fish consumption. 👇
www.health.state.mn.us/communities/...
Basically, large portions of Minnesota in the Metro Area (especially south and east Metro) people should not eat fish.
Below is the link to the updated guidance on fish consumption. 👇
www.health.state.mn.us/communities/...
April 17, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Information from the Minnesota Department of Health
Basically, large portions of Minnesota in the Metro Area (especially south and east Metro) people should not eat fish.
Below is the link to the updated guidance on fish consumption. 👇
www.health.state.mn.us/communities/...
Basically, large portions of Minnesota in the Metro Area (especially south and east Metro) people should not eat fish.
Below is the link to the updated guidance on fish consumption. 👇
www.health.state.mn.us/communities/...