Integrated biological system design of catchment systems for non-point pollution control

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Highly interdisciplinary project to optimize the biological systems in vegetation strips (VS) for the removal of pollutants and nutrient recovery from agricultural runoff, by coupling advanced microbial ecology techniques with traditional sustainable practices. Agricultural non-point source pollution management is critical in controlling the quality of our watersheds. VS are effective improving water quality, however, there are several caveats related to the extended use of VS, including soil characteristics, slope, flowrate, soil microbial activity, and accumulation of pesticides. This strategy will provide a comprehensive understanding of the processes involved in nutrient uptake in vegetation strips, which will be optimized with local and ubiquitous resources for a sustainable and resilient solution. The researcher will use advanced environmental and state-of-the-art molecular techniques to identify key biogeochemical processes controlling nutrient recovery and pesticide removal in VS. The results from this project are expected to produce a sustainable system for efficient pollution control that can be easily implemented in the major areas of concern between agricultural lands and main water bodies.