As more and more people live near the coast, human activities become increasingly important in shaping coastal ecosystems.

Increased anthropogenic input to the coastal ecosystem includes the introduction of organic and nutrient rich material to the groundwater, which discharges into the coastal surface waters.

In this project, we investigate the role and potential for mitigation and removal of nutrients during their passage through the subsurface, precluding eutrophication of the coastal ocean.

Collaborating with scientists doing extensive field studies and laboratory experiments, we are developing and applying a multi-dimensional reactive transport groundwater model to assess the role of microbial processes for nutrient removal during their passage through the subsurface, and to identify conditions suitable for in situ mitigation of high nutrient loadings.

Here, we present our work on what happens to nutrients in the subsurface in the coastal zone where fresh and salt water meet, and the identification of the main mitigation processes.

This work is supported by Georgia Sea Grant of the National Sea Grant College Program of the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The content and opinions expressed on this Web page do not necessarily reflect the views of nor are they endorsed by the University of Georgia or the University System of Georgia or the funding agencies (GA Sea Grant/NOAA).

Last update: 12/2006