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Current Research
Current Research
Construction site water quality discharge and erosion control
Construction site water quality discharge and erosion control
We are working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to monitor sediment basins on active construction sites to see how effective they are during different stages of the construction process at keeping sediment on site. We are additionally monitoring water quality discharge from the construction site into a near by stream, which is home to an endangered mussel.
Moisture retention and crust mitigation
Moisture retention and crust mitigation
We are testing the performance of soil blends consisting of organic amendments and a loam textured byproduct on water retention and soil crusting mitigation to make a marketable product for a private company.
PhD Research
PhD Research
Construction results in subsoils at the surface. These subsoils exhibit reduced infiltration rates and are low in nutrients and organic matter, which do not support vegetation establishment. Reduced vegetation establishment leads to long-term aesthetic and erosion problems. There has been a widespread interest in using compost to amend urban soils post-construction in order to improve soil function. Overall, our results demonstrate that a onetime certified compost application of 30% or higher may optimize soil improvement specifications to ensure a low-cost effective solution to the current best management practices for highways stormwater management. Together this will improve the soil environment, make it function as an enhanced stormwater control measure, and promote biological activity.
MS Research
MS Research
Wildfire has shaped Midwestern ecosystems for thousands of years. Land managers are utilizing prescribed fires as part of their land management plans to mitigate wildfires and restore fire dependent ecosystems such as jack pine barrens. We wanted to know how low intensity fires alter the soil microbial community and regeneration of jack pine trees. Our research revealed that low-intensity prescribed fires may not have any detectable effects on microbial communities while still helping to promote the fire depended jack pine.
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Documents
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