Environmental Engineering Research

Researcher:
Koutsospyros, Professor of Environmental Engineering
Emese Hadnagy, Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering

Collaborator:
The Stevens Institute of Technology

Project Description:
This work is performed under subcontract agreements with Stevens Institute of Technology (SIT) and is part of a larger federally funded project titled “Net Zero Technologies for the Army’s Industrial Munitions Base” that is led and managed by the SIT.

Status:
Completed

Researcher:
Emese Hadnagy, Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering

Collaborator:
Stanley Menacherry, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Project Description:
This is a laboratory based project investigating the efficacy of atrazine (an herbicide) dechlorination using palladized magnesium as an innovative water treatment technology. The impact of various key variables on treatment (such as reagent dose, base metal to catalyst ratio, and pH) are investigated.

Status:
Completed

Researcher:
Emese Hadnagy, Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering

Collaborator:
University of New Hampshire

Project Description:
Testing is conducted for a new generation hydrologic and water quality sensor for its application in stormwater monitoring to understand the dynamics of flow, bacteria (via a proxy) and dissolved pollutants like chloride. A new design of automated "smart" sensor with low power, minimal human intervention is implemented that can adaptively sense the need for measurements, making it highly suitable for deployment at stormwater outfalls.

Status:
Completed

 

Researcher:
Emese Hadnagy, Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering

Collaborator:
University of New Hampshire

Project Description:
Development of an inexpensive open source in situ surface water quality sensor used for chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) measurements were completed. The scope of this research was to design, build, and test the sensor.

Status:
Completed

 

Advisor:
Nandan Shetty, Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Graduate Students:
Tushar Ahmed, Shruthika Deva

Sponsor:
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Provost Assistantship

Project Description:
Bioswales are small gardens designed to absorb excess stormwater runoff. However, it is unknown how many bioswales should be built on a given street. Too much stormwater draining into a bioswale can result in ponding, excess stormwater pollutants, plant mortality, and poor stormwater capture. Conversely, inadequate soil moisture levels indicate inefficiency, insufficient watershed size, and more watering maintenance needed. Leveraging the correlation between watershed size and soil moisture, this research will instrument 50 bioswales in New Haven with soil moisture and other sensors. Standardized guidelines for bioswale spacing and size will be developed using watershed area and soil moisture as determining factors.

Status:
Progress