Environmental Engineering Laboratory
Original research is a primary component of a graduate program. Current fundamental environmental research will serve as the basis for solving the problems faced by future generations. Practical engineering research is necessary to solve current environmental problems. The following are some of the research topics that Environmental Engineering students and faculty have explored in the last few years:
- Airborne Transport of Pesticides
- Biological Nutrient Removal
- Bioremediation of Subsurface Contaminants
- Fate of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Wastewater Treatment
- Grass Swales for Treatment of Roadway Runoff
- Pathogen Fate and Treatment in Bioretention
- Suspended Solids Capture and Accumulation in Bioretention
- Dissolution of Nonaqueous Phase Contaminants
Environmental Engineering research is conducted in four very well equipped, air-conditioned laboratories totaling approximately 3000 square feet.
Sponsors of Environmental Engineering research have included:
- The National Science Foundation
- The Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technologies (CICEET)
- Maryland Water Resources Research Center
- Maryland State Highway Administration
In addition, strong research collaboration has been developed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Advanced instrumentation includes:
- Perkin Elmer Model 5100 Atomic Absorption. Spectrophotometer, with Zeeman graphite furnace.
- Waters 510/717 HPLC with UV detector
- Hewlett Packard 6890 Series Gas Chromatograph (FID) with ChemStation
- Dionex DX100 Ion Chromatograph with Conductivity Detector
- Shimatzu TOC-5000 Total Organic Carbon Analyzer
- Challenge Environmental Systems 8-station AER-200A aerobic/anaerobic respirometer system
- Beckman Refrigerated High Speed Centrifuge
- High Pressure/Temperature Reactors
- Equipment including pH meters, temperature controllers, chemostats, pumps, microscopes, glove boxes, incubators, water/shaker baths, etc.
Research is one of the most important aspects of a graduate program. Current theoretical and applied research will serve as the basis for solving the problems faced by future generations. Practical engineering research is necessary to solve current environmental problems. Course work is selected that will enable the student to do research and thus make a significant contribution to the profession. The following are only some of the research topics that students have explored in the last few years:
