Environmental Engineering sciences research programs

The Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics (CESD) specialization brings together faculty with expertise in coastal hydrodynamics, geo-mechanics, and ecology.

The Water Systems group develops the science and engineering for conveyance, treatment and reuse of urban waters including potable, wastewater and stormwater, manage water resources, model and measure the fate and transformation of chemicals, particulate matter and pathogens impacting water resources, and assess the human and environmental health impacts from these constituents while modeling the components of the hydrologic cycle and the impacts of climate on water resources, human and environmental health.

The National Academy of Engineering considers access to clean water as a critical social, environmental, and economic challenge for the 21st century. Accordingly, the Potable Water research is at the forefront of addressing global water quality issues, investigating innovative treatment technologies and addressing the challenge using alternative water sources as a replacement for high quality fresh groundwater. The development of hydrologic restoration systems to restore the urban water cycle and also reduce chemical and thermal loadings to the surrounding environs is the hub of Storm Water research.

Studies conducted in Florida and throughout the World have demonstrated the sustainability of municipal maintenance practices and resilience of storm drainage systems to provide chemical and particulate load control compared to current best management practices. Major foci of Wastewater research are the development of reuse processes pertinent to human urine, landfill leachate, and membrane concentrate. Research follow an integrated urban water system simulation and optimization approach, and it shows the volumetric benefits of wastewater reuse while identifying the need for advanced wastewater treatment to manage chemicals such as nutrients, metals or emerging contaminants such as endocrine disruptors.

Education for Leadership Roles

• Developing innovative methods for hydrologic assessments
• Elucidating the generation, transport, fate and cycling of rainfall-runoff (stormwater) quantities and chemical loads from biogenic and anthropogenic sources
• Improving the understanding of water use to optimize water conservation ethodology Preserving Surface Water and Groundwater Quality
• Improving Drinking Water Quality
• Improving Stormwater Collection and Treatment
• Improving Wastewater Treatment
• Developing more sustainable urban water systems

Research Focus Areas

• Contaminant transport and fate
• Decision support systems
• Ecohydrology and hydrologic restoration
• Hydrology
• Stormwater control
• Water resources planning and management
• Water conservation
• Urban water infrastructure
• Fundamental characterization of aqueous and particulate-phase contaminants including emerging contaminants: representative ambient monitoring, methodology and load quantification.
• Sourcing and generation of aqueous and particulate phase contaminants, physics and chemistry of contaminant transport and fate.
• Water contaminant control: systems, unit operation and processes, and materials development, in particular innovative mass transfer materials and low impact development materials.
• Water reuse as part of the urban water cycle: volumetric and contaminant load impacts.
• Unit operation and process modeling: scalable physical models and computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
• Integrated physical, chemical, biological and thermal treatment phenomena for water cycle components.
• Coupling fundamental monitoring and material balance testing with urban water modeling.
• Fundamental and applied studies of physical-chemical water treatment processes, such as adsorption, coagulation, ion exchange, and oxidation, for a wide range of water qualities including surface water, groundwater, membrane concentrate, landfill leachate, and human urine.
• Innovative applications of ion exchange for water treatment.
• Fundamental studies in aquatic chemistry with a focus on the role of natural organic matter.
• Fundamental and applied studies of adsorption and photocatalysis, including surface optimization.
• Bottom up integrated urban water system simulation and optimization.

Research Outcomes

• Sustainable solutions to water quantity and quality problems.
• New technologies for assessing contaminant transport in surface and groundwater.
• Sustainability of urban rainfall-runoff systems.
• Improved methods water conservation and decision support systems for implementation.

Research Benefits

• Sustainability of surface and groundwater systems
• Restoration of groundwater, wetlands and other hydrologic systems
• Improved surface and groundwater quality
• Improved drinking water quality
• Beneficial water reuse
• Balanced development of supply and demand management systems

Facilities

• Laboratory and field sites for research
• Environmental Engineering Science Unit Operations and Process (UOP) Testing facilities
• The Water Institute at the University of Florida provides important university-wide linkages for collaborative research and education
• Environmental Engineering Science Unit Operations and Process (UOP) Testing facilities
• Water Treatment Process Labs and associated state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation
• Water Reclamation and Reuse Laboratory

The sustainable systems engineering & manufacturing group is in the Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences.  A combination of field and laboratory activities focus on the applied research needs of the solid waste management community. This program focuses on reduction, resource and energy extraction, recycling and beneficial reuse, and sustainable disposal of domestic solid waste streams and industrial byproducts. Undergraduate and graduate student course topics include fundamentals of waste management, landfill design, and beneficial use of waste materials.

Research Focus Areas

• Recycling of waste-to-energy ash
• Sustainable landfill design and operation
• Construction and demolition debris management
• Beneficial use of waste materials
• Sustainable materials management

About

To prepare students for careers in ecology, engineering, and environmental policy, our program offers courses and opportunities for research in the following areas:

• Ecological Engineering
• Energy Analysis and Environmental Economics
• Wetlands and Watershed Ecology
• Community and Conservation Ecology
• Ecological Modeling
• Environmental Policy

Our interdisciplinary graduate curriculum provides both holistic and highly-specialized courses and includes options for certificates in Wetland Sciences and Environmental Policy.

Vision

The Systems Ecology and Ecological Engineering program at the University of Florida provides a unique focus on the integration of science, engineering, and policy offered at no other institution. The program strives to advance the quest for a better understanding of the interface between humanity and nature first championed by H.T. Odum by promoting interdisciplinary science, developing novel engineering tools, and articulating critical policy and management applications of the research we pursue.

Education for Leadership Roles

• We train the next generation of engineers, scientists and policy makers to meet the engineering, environmental and social challenges of the 21st century and foster better stewardship of the Earth. 
• We advance discovery and scientific understanding by integrating participatory research and experiential learning in an interdisciplinary environment. 
• We stress professional training, career development, ethics and the responsible conduct of scientific and engineering research. 

Research Focus Areas

• Ecological Engineering focuses on the interface between technology and the environment, developing engineering design solutions that incorporate the self-organizing and self-maintaining processes of the environment. 
• Wetlands and Watershed Ecology focuses on the ecological and hydrological functions of watersheds and wetlands and on the critical linkages between ecosystems and the hydrologic cycle. Our interest in wetlands spans ecosystem health, wildlife functions, ecohydrology, and restoration, with the goal of advancing natural resources conservation and management. 
• Community and Conservation Ecology focuses on identifying how living organisms interact with one another in natural ecosystems and exploring how the strength and nature of these interactions are changing due to pervasive shifts in climate and changes in food webs. We use a combination of field and laboratory experiments as well as large-scale and long-term monitoring records to test hypotheses and a variety of media and education platforms to share this knowledge with the scientific community and public. 
• Ecological Modeling focuses on developing quantitative understanding of both human and natural systems from the perspective of their dynamic behavior and considers drivers, “tipping points”, homeostatic tendencies, and system hysteresis. We use hydrological and ecological models both for hypothesis testing and to support the conservation, management, and restoration of natural resources. 
• Environmental Policy focuses on establishing sustainable environmental policies and management frameworks through research, teaching, and service that address the interface of energy, ecology, and economics. 

Research Benefits and Outcomes

• Ecological Engineering research develops new technologies to reduce the impacts of human development on natural systems; improved management of natural resources to benefit both human and environmental health and well-being. 
• Wetlands and Watershed Ecology research improves our understanding of the linkages between water management and ecosystem impacts; development of “sustainable” future scenarios that balance the needs of residential, agricultural, and natural land uses; improved understanding and methodologies for restoring impacted ecosystems. 
• Community and Conservation Ecology research gives us a firm understanding of the ecology of natural ecosystems and how species assemblages change in response to anthropogenic and climate-related disturbances is fundamental to the successful design and implementation of natural resource management strategies. 
• Ecological Modeling. Ecological models are increasingly being used to support critical environmental decisions, from the listing of endangered species to the “sustainable” use of water resources; models also allow us to test research questions that we may be unable to observe in the field (e.g., slow processes such as peat accretion, geomorphological changes, forest succession, etc.). 
• Environmental Policy. We transform research results into action by providing public policy options and guidelines for sustainable development. 

Air pollution kills millions globally every year and also alters the earth’s temperature.

Aligning human interaction with the earth and water environments.

One Health, One Earth (or Geohealth) focuses on the holistic approach recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health with climate, water and weather processes. It emphasizes that the health of people is closely linked to the health of animals and our shared environment. The goal is to prevent and manage exposure pathways for climate sensitive pathogens and associated diseases, promote sustainable ecosystems, and ensure a healthier planet for future generations. This concentration encourages collaboration across various sectors and disciplines, fostering a comprehensive strategy to tackle global health challenges to promote environmental sustainability across scales.  

Vision Statement and Mission

To pioneer a holistic research approach that integrates climate, weather, and One Health principles, fostering a sustainable and resilient Earth. By understanding the intricate connections between environmental changes, human health, and animal ecosystems, we aim to develop innovative solutions that mitigate the impacts of climate-sensitive pathogens. Our vision is to create a collaborative, interdisciplinary framework that empowers communities, informs policy, and promotes global health equity, ensuring a thriving planet for all living beings 

1. Integrated Surveillance Systems: Develop and implement comprehensive surveillance systems that monitor and predict the emergence and spread of climate-sensitive pathogens across human, animal, and environmental health sectors. 
2. Collaborative Research Initiatives: Foster interdisciplinary research collaborations to understand the impacts of climate change on pathogen dynamics and develop innovative solutions to mitigate these effects. 
3. Sustainable Health Practices: Promote sustainable health practices that reduce environmental impact and enhance resilience against climate-sensitive diseases through community engagement and education. 
4. Policy and Advocacy: Advocate for policies that support the One Earth, One Health approach, ensuring that climate change and health are addressed in a unified and effective manner at local, national, and global levels. 
5. Capacity Building and Training: Strengthen the capacity of water, environmental, health professionals, researchers, and policymakers through targeted training programs that emphasize the importance of a One Health approach in managing climate-sensitive pathogens. 

Research Focus areas

1. Climate Change and Climate Sensitive Pathogens: Investigate the impact of climate change on the prevalence and distribution of waterborne pathogens, and develop strategies to mitigate health risks in vulnerable communities. 
2. Integrated Water Resource Management: Explore sustainable water management practices that balance human, animal, and environmental needs, promoting resilience against climate variability and ensuring water security. 
3. Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity: Study the relationships between ecosystem health, biodiversity, and the emergence of zoonotic diseases, aiming to protect natural habitats and prevent disease spillover. 
4. Predictive Intelligence for Climate Resilience in Public Health Systems: Assess the capacity of public health systems to respond to climate-induced health threats, and design interventions to enhance resilience and adaptive capacity. Develop protocols for predicting climate sensitive pathogens in the environment using systems approach and remote sensing methods.  
5. Policy and Governance for One Health: Analyze the effectiveness of current policies and governance structures in addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change, water management, and health, and propose integrated policy solutions. 

Benefits and Outcomes

The One Health, One Earth approach offers numerous research benefits and outcomes for geoscientists and environmental engineers: 

1. Holistic Understanding: By integrating human, animal, and environmental health, we gain a comprehensive understanding of how climate and environmental changes impact health and ecosystems. 
2. Innovative Solutions: This approach encourages the development of innovative, interdisciplinary solutions to complex problems such as climate-sensitive pathogens, water scarcity, built and natural infrastructure and pollution. 
3. Enhanced Predictive Models: Geoscientists can improve predictive models for natural disasters and disease outbreaks by incorporating health data, leading to better preparedness and response strategies. 
4. Sustainable Practices: Environmental engineers can design and implement sustainable infrastructure and practices that mitigate environmental impacts and promote resilience in communities. 
5. Policy Influence: Research outcomes can inform and shape policies that address the interconnected challenges of climate change, health, and environmental sustainability, leading to more effective and comprehensive governance. 

Collaborative Networks: Building collaborative networks across disciplines enhances knowledge sharing and fosters a more integrated approach to tackling global challenges.