Our research revolves around understanding nitrate sources and sinks on the landscape and enhancing nitrate removal on the watershed scale.

Our research focuses on:

• Groundwater nitrate cycling in riparian zones

• Groundwater nitrate cycling in salt marshes

• In-stream denitrification

• Enhanced infiltration systems to enhance nitrate removal

• Advancing watershed nitrogen management at the local level

• Other Projects

Why do we study nitrate processing?

•  Nitrate leaching to groundwater is greatly increased by human inputs, such as fertilizer use and leaking septic systems.
•  There is evidence of high nitrate concentrations in groundwater all over the North East US.
•  Excessive nitrogen (N) can cause unsightly algae blooms in coastal ponds and estuaries which consume available oxygen and cause other organisms to die.
•  Great uncertainty surrounds N cycling within coastal watersheds. Not all N entering the watershed can be traced, leaving unidentified N sinks. The fate of the remainder N is a major challenge to coastal managers.