Water

Nov 13, 2023

Doing Us a Solid

Engineering team works to figure out effective ways to extract phosphorus from wastewater.

Nov 6, 2023

New Model Adds Human Reactions to Flood Risk Assessment

By taking human adaptation into account, a new land change model offers a more realistic assessment of flood risk.

Undergraduate students gather by flowers near Tuck in between residence halls on main campus. Photo by Marc Hall

Oct 30, 2023

Energy and Water Competition Winners Announced

NC State student-led Energy and Water Competition winners announced.

five individuals stand in a river with oyster cages

Oct 12, 2023

One Oyster At A Time

In the spring of 2020, North Carolina Cooperative Extension specialist Jane Harrison launched the NC Oyster Trail, a grassroots network of oyster growers and fishers; seafood markets, restaurants and festivals;…

Missouri River in July 1993. Image: Washington University at St. Louis.

Oct 10, 2023

Turning the Tide

What can be done to reduce the negative effects of disasters and to reduce the likelihood of future disasters occurring in the first place? Hazard mitigation involves taking actions to reduce the vulnerability of communities to the damaging effects of natural hazards and disasters. Gavin Smith, professor of landscape architecture and environmental planning, is assisting local jurisdictions, states, and national governments in addressing this vexing issue.

The main street of Conover, NC, a small southern town. Small shops line the street on each side, and light green water tower is visible in the distance.

Oct 3, 2023

Free Mapping Tool Will Help Small NC Towns Meet Water Quality Requirements

The world is digitized. From data to images to maps, they can be found in a digital format. One NC group is working to make that true for NC’s water utilities boundaries. A collaborative research team led by Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability is working to lessen the digital divide for…

Sep 27, 2023

NC WRRI Fellows Work to Improve Well Water Quality Through PFAS Research

Graduate students Tiffany VanDerwerker of North Carolina State University and Charlotte Robbins of UNC Chapel Hill are supporting rural communities through their research on PFAS in well water. VanDerwerker’s research considered an alternative water source for homes that have contaminated well water. Robbins’ project analyzes how PFAS leaks from landfills into surrounding groundwater and consequently…

photo shows a large window into the stairwell of a building. the glass of the window reflects some light, but allows you to see some of the stairwell.

Sep 21, 2023

Material Would Allow Users to ‘Tune’ Windows to Block Targeted Wavelengths of Light

Users could switch windows to a mode that blocks infrared light, helping keep a building cool while leaving the windows transparent to visible light.

plastic fibers and debris float in blue ocean water with fish swimming nearby

Sep 14, 2023

Genetically Modified Bacteria Break Down Plastics in Saltwater

The modified organism breaks down a plastic called PET, which is a significant contributor to microplastic pollution in oceans.

Sep 13, 2023

Investigating the Impact of Sea Level Rise on Tidal Marshes of Hyde County

In this guest blog, Allie Best, 2022-23 NC Sea Grant – NC Space Grant Graduate Research Fellow, investigates the impact of sea level rise on tidal marshes and Swamp Sparrow habitat. Best also provides education resources for educators interested in teaching about this topic.