Education

Research Description

Biogeochemical processes for ecologically engineered and natural systems; Impacts of land use changes on hydrology and water quality at the watershed scale; Wetland and stream monitoring, restoration and modeling; Continuous sensor development and metrology; UV-vis spectrometry for continuous water quality measurements; Image-based sensors; Evaluation of nutrient load uncertainties at the watershed scale.

Honors and Awards

• University Faculty Scholar, 2018
• NC State Kenneth R. Keller Research Award for graduate excellence, 2000

Publications

Floating treatment wetland retrofit in a stormwater wet pond provides limited water quality improvements

Maxwell, B., Winter, D., & Birgand, F. (2020), ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING, 149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2020.105784

High-frequency, in situ sampling of field woodchip bioreactors reveals sources of sampling error and hydraulic inefficiencies

Maxwell, B. M., Birgand, F., Schipper, L. A., Barkle, G., Rivas, A. A., Helmers, M. J., & Christianson, L. E. (2020), JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, 272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110996

Processes and mechanisms controlling nitrate dynamics in an artificially drained field: Insights from high-frequency water quality measurements

Liu, W., Youssef, M. A., Birgand, F. P., Chescheir, G. M., Tian, S., & Maxwell, B. M. (2020), AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT, 232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2020.106032

Response of Drainage Water Quality to Fertilizer Applications on a Switchgrass Intercropped Coastal Pine Forest

Muwamba, A., Amatya, D. M., Chescheir, G. M., Nettles, J. E., Appelboom, T., Tollner, E. W., … Callahan, T. (2020), WATER, 12(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/w12051265

Response of Nutrients and Sediment to Hydrologic Variables in Switchgrass Intercropped Pine Forest Ecosystems on Poorly Drained Soil

Muwamba, A., Amatya, D. M., Ssegane, H., Chescheir, G. M., Appelboom, T., Nettles, J. E., … Birgand, F. (2020), WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION, 231(9). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-020-04808-3

Temperature sensitivity of nitrate removal in woodchip bioreactors increases with woodchip age and following drying-rewetting cycles

Maxwell, B. M., Diaz-Garcia, C., Jose Martinez-Sanchez, J., Birgand, F., & Alvarez-Rogel, J. (2020), ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY, 6(10), 2752–2765. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0ew00507j

Carbon storage potential in a recently created brackish marsh in eastern North Carolina, USA

Shiau, Y.-J., Burchell, M. R., Krauss, K. W., Broome, S. W., & Birgand, F. (2019), Ecological Engineering, 127, 579–588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2018.09.007

Contrasting behavior of nitrate and phosphate flux from high flow events on small agricultural and urban watersheds

Frazar, S., Gold, A. J., Addy, K., Moatar, F., Birgand, F., Schroth, A. W., … Pradhanang, S. M. (2019), Biogeochemistry, 145(1-2), 141–160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-019-00596-z

Diel fluctuations of high level nitrate and dissolved organic carbon concentrations in constructed wetland mesocosms

Messer, T. L., Birgand, F., & Burchell, M. R. (2019), Ecological Engineering, 133, 76–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2019.04.027

Drying–Rewetting Cycles Affect Nitrate Removal Rates in Woodchip Bioreactors

Maxwell, B. M., Birgand, F., Schipper, L. A., Christianson, L. E., Tian, S., Helmers, M. J., … Youssef, M. A. (2019), Journal of Environment Quality, 48(1), 93. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2018.05.0199

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Grants

Hydrological Effects of a Eucalyptus Plantation in Uruguay

Colonvade(6/01/19 - 12/31/21)

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Hydrological Effects of a Eucalyptus Plantation in Uruguay

Sponsor: Colonvade

Start Date: 6/01/19

End Date: 12/31/21

Abstract

The overall objective of this project is to evaluate the hydrological effects of converting pasture to eucalyptus plantation. Field research study sites for the project consists of two instrumented watersheds at La Corona, one control pasture watershed and one treatment watershed planted to Eucalyptus in 2013. The work performed for the project includes support for field collection of data, data processing, data analysis and archiving, data presentation and publication, data sharing and collaboration with other researchers. Similar work funded with existing funds will be performed on the data collected from two other watersheds at La Corona, one treatment watershed planted with loblolly pine in 2003 and a second control pasture watershed monitored since 2000.

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Building a Smarter Pheromone Trap Network: Development of a Real-time, Infrared Sensor for Corn Earworm Pheromone Traps

NC Soybean Producers Association, Inc.(2/01/19 - 1/31/21)

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Building a Smarter Pheromone Trap Network: Development of a Real-time, Infrared Sensor for Corn Earworm Pheromone Traps

Sponsor: NC Soybean Producers Association, Inc.

Start Date: 2/01/19

End Date: 1/31/21

Abstract

Corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea Boddie) has been the target of black light and pheromone trapping networks across North Carolina for decades. Information generated by this network has been communicated to soybean growers through traditional extension meetings and digital resources (e.g., blogs, twitter, websites). Although the information provides an indication of adult corn earworm activity, the time lag between moth counting and online data availability limits growers ability to time scouting activities, determine economic thresholds, and apply insecticides. Automation of earworm specific trapping networks can address this need by eliminating the observer via seamless data integration into web and phone app interfaces. Moreover, automated traps require less effort to maintain than conventional black light systems that catch many different moth species. As a result, the number of traps could be expanded to monitor moth activity in areas that are not served by the NCSU Earworm Trap Network.

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Improving performance and examining expansion of constructed wetlands for tertiary treatment of nitrogen from domestic and municipal wastewater

NCSU Water Resources Research Institute(6/01/18 - 12/31/20)

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Improving performance and examining expansion of constructed wetlands for tertiary treatment of nitrogen from domestic and municipal wastewater

Sponsor: NCSU Water Resources Research Institute

Start Date: 6/01/18

End Date: 12/31/20

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) loading to our streams and rivers has improved since the mid-1990s through management practices that have reduced discharges from stormwater and agricultural sources. However, load reductions to surface waters like the Neuse River have not reached targeted goals, and eutrophication remains a major concern. Problems with N fluxes from our watersheds are expected to continue and worsen. Projected population increase and shifts in precipitation patterns will lead to significant increases in N loads to our surface waters, requiring new management strategies to reduce inputs by an additional 20-30%. Large facilities that treat wastewater for major municipalities are most heavily scrutinized, but what about the hundreds of small towns and communities that do not have advanced wastewater facilities? Often overlooked, the discharge limits for smaller systems for ammonia-nitrogen (NH4-N) are often high (10 mg/L) or even non-existent. Package plants that use aerobic processes to treat wastewater in smaller, rural communities often successfully treat NH4-N to low levels through the process of nitrification, but the effluent contains the byproduct nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N). Discharge of this form of nitrogen is often similar to loads discharged from agricultural facilities on an areal basis and will continue to contribute to eutrophication problems if left unchecked. To help meet current and future N reduction goals, the time is now to address these often overlooked sources using alternative technologies. Installation of constructed wetlands, known for high N removal potential, placed strategically in the landscape to intercept N from smaller rural wastewater treatment facilities, could be a solution to help NC get closer to its N reduction goals. Constructed wetlands are often used across the country and the world for advanced nitrogen removal from wastewater. In NC, these systems have been successful, but very few are in operation. The objectives of this research and outreach project are 1) to help small towns improve nitrogen removal performance of older existing constructed wetlands and 2) advance the understanding and use of constructed wetlands to remove nitrogen from domestic and municipal wastewater. 3) demonstrate the impact constructed wetlands could have on overall watershed N reduction when coupled with existing wastewater package plants.

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Collaborative Research: Consequences of Changing Oxygen Availability for Carbon Cycling in Freshwater Ecosystems

National Science Foundation (NSF)(9/01/18 - 8/31/22)

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Collaborative Research: Consequences of Changing Oxygen Availability for Carbon Cycling in Freshwater Ecosystems

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 9/01/18

End Date: 8/31/22

Abstract

This proposal aims at better understanding the Carbon cycle in freshwater impoundments. The expected changes in weather patterns have the potential to dramatically change the general role of freshwater reservoirs as global sinks to global carbon sources. For this, we will use a suite of novel sensors and models. To decouple the temperature and oxygen cycles, we will use a drinking water reservoir in Virginia where the hypolimnion can be oxygenated at will. The data obtained from high frequency sensors developed at NC State will capture the effect of oxygenation on the C cycle. The data will serve to further develop and models, which will be used to simulate for other reservoirs the potential impacts of changes in temperature and storm mixing.

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Continuing Intensive Monitoring of Nutrient and Material Load in Claridge Nursery Stream “The Canal”: assessing the water quality impacts & benefits of a stream restoration in the coastal plain

NC Department of Transportation(8/01/16 - 10/31/20)

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Continuing Intensive Monitoring of Nutrient and Material Load in Claridge Nursery Stream “The Canal”: assessing the water quality impacts & benefits of a stream restoration in the coastal plain

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 8/01/16

End Date: 10/31/20

Abstract

There is a lack of research and understanding on the immediate, mid-, and long term effects of stream restoration projects on water quality. NCDOT partnered with NCFS and NCSU to perform in-stream monitoring of water quality both pre- and during TIP and stream construction under RNS 4105. However, additional data collection & analysis is needed to get an overall, clear picture of the effects on water quality that occur throughout the various stages of a stream restoration project by continuing this effort through the post-construction and stream restoration monitoring phases. In this project, we will continue the acquisition of high frequency flow and water quality data at the existing up, middle and downstream stations. This will involve biweekly field servicing to retrieve data and water samples acquired automatically. Flow will be calculated after stage and velocity will be carefully corrected. Spectral absorbance data will correlated with concentration values obtained in the laboratory to create/validate water quality rating curves. Sediment properties (porosity, bulk density, diagenetic activity) will be quantified, as well as the ability of the stream substrate to retain nitrogen, using the method devised during project RNS 4105. The results of the project RP 2017-26 (RNS 7101) (post-restoration) will be compared to those of RNS 4105 (pre- and during construction) to describe the overall effects of a stream restoration in the Coastal Plain on NC.

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Quantifying Treatment Potential of Floating Treatment Wetlands to Benefit North Carolina Waters Using Improved Methodology and Novel Technology

NCSU Water Resources Research Institute(4/01/16 - 8/31/18)

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Quantifying Treatment Potential of Floating Treatment Wetlands to Benefit North Carolina Waters Using Improved Methodology and Novel Technology

Sponsor: NCSU Water Resources Research Institute

Start Date: 4/01/16

End Date: 8/31/18

Abstract

Increasing urbanization and agricultural impacts have rallied efforts for mitigating society’s impact on water quality. North Carolina has passed a wide range of measures to regulate discharges, point and non-point, to surface waters including StormWater Control Measures (SWCM) and Total Maximal Daily Loads (TMDL). Improvements in water quality have been observed, however, continued development and growth expected over the several decades will put increasing strains on the state’s waters and current treatment infrastructure. Additionally, changing atmospheric composition and mutable precipitation patterns will require existing practices to perform as good or better to maintain good water quality. Many current practices implemented around the state are yesterday’s solutions to today’s conditions when we need to be refining solutions to handle tomorrow’s crises. Floating treatment wetlands (FTW) are an emerging practice in water quality control measures. Free-floating vegetation is suspended in the water column using a soilless support matrix. Plants are grown hydroponically at sites of wastewater collection rather than rooted in the soil of the system. Theoretical benefits of this method are numerous. Plant roots are located in the water column rather than the soil increasing access to nutrients and facilitating plant uptake. Hanging root mats provide high surface area for biofilms for microbial water treatment. Numerous studies have shown reductions in phosphorus and nitrogen; both contaminants are of concern for the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse River Basins and both known to cause spikes in toxin-producing algal blooms found in stormwater ponds. FTW require no additional land requirements beyond existing infrastructure and do not significantly reduce the storage volume of the collection system. These systems are easily deployed retrofits for existing infrastructure that can provide immediate and significant water quality improvements. Despite obvious water quality benefits, use of FTW is still limited around the state. This may be for several reasons, including: misunderstanding of costs or lack of funding for FTW; lack of convincing results of treatment benefits; lack of understanding of the processes responsible for pollutant removal. Most importantly there is little to no buy-in or information from state agencies for these systems. The NCDWQ BMP Manual currently gives no information or pollutant reduction credit for FTW. This proposal aims to address three of the issues inhibiting implementation of FTW. The project itself will be broken up into three separate goals: - Goal #1 : Evaluating performance and understanding processes of FTW systems using new technologies developed by the author’s lab group to determine usefulness as a water quality tool. - Goal #2 : Concurrently performing a comprehensive literature review on all research on FTW with the objective of developing performance estimates for given pollutants. This extensive review will be shared with regional and state stakeholders as consolidated knowledge to inform future WQ policy decisions. - Goal #3 : Dissemination of results of this study, including both the FTW mesocosms/field-scale testing and comprehensive literature review, to local and state agencies in order to increase state-wide awareness and understanding of these systems as a potential water quality tool.

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Arsenic Treatment of Contaminated Water Using Surface-Functionalized Fabrics

NCSU Center for Human Health and the Environment(7/01/16 - 6/30/17)

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Arsenic Treatment of Contaminated Water Using Surface-Functionalized Fabrics

Sponsor: NCSU Center for Human Health and the Environment

Start Date: 7/01/16

End Date: 6/30/17

Abstract

Arsenic is a widespread environmental contaminant that poses risks to human health throughout the world. Engineered systems for the removal of arsenic from fast-flowing waters are currently unable to accommodate the dual needs of arsenic removal and water conveyance. This lack of technical capacity can lead to substantial release and exposure of hazardous quantities of arsenic, causing arsenic environmental health risks from settings as varied as Superfund sites in the US and rice production fields in Asia. The overall goal of our proposed work is to develop and test novel fabric-based technologies, which may be utilized within contaminated flowing-water streams, for removing arsenic from water. We hypothesize that surface-functionalized, arsenic -binding fabrics, in concert with ecological engineering measures, can provide a practical means for maximizing arsenic removal from contaminated water. Here, we will integrate textile-science, aqueous- and soil-chemistry, and ecological-engineering research to optimize selective arsenic-removal properties of surface-functionalized fabrics and quantify the removal rates and ultimate fate of arsenic within water-fabric systems. The proposed work will catalyze a new, interdisciplinary partnership among scientists with a unique set of expertise from CALS, COT, COS, and COE at NCSU. This research will also support ongoing efforts to develop larger proposals for NIEHS and NSF, and results will lead to potentially patentable technologies with wide-ranging implications for treating chemically contaminated water.

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Using Smart Control and Real-Time Data Collection to Improve SCM Design and Performance

NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund(10/04/16 - 11/30/20)

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Using Smart Control and Real-Time Data Collection to Improve SCM Design and Performance

Sponsor: NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund

Start Date: 10/04/16

End Date: 11/30/20

Abstract

This project (“Using Smart Control and Real-Time Data Collection to Improve SCM Design and Performance”) aims to explore real-time, “smart” control of the hydrologic and water quality performance of two existing stormwater control measures (SCMs) in North Carolina, a wet retention pond and a wetland. “Real-time control” in this scope of work refers to releasing water from an algorithm-controlled valve from two existing SCMs based on continuous weather forecast data. The high-resolution data portion of the project coinciding with the real-time control aims to collect the most precise and resolute water quality data from a stormwater device in North Carolina to date. The overall goal of both components is to be able to design more efficient and size-appropriate, process-based SCMs in the future. NCSU will retrofit two outlet structures with a sub-contracted control device that optimizes water levels in the systems. In addition to that, we will research more precise pollutant concentrations both entering and leaving these SCMs, combining to provide far more design details and optimization potential for future installations of these systems.

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Transforming Denitrifying Bioreactor Research and Applications: Unveiling the Inside of the Blackbox

US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) - National Institute of Food and Agriculture(6/15/16 - 12/14/20)

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Transforming Denitrifying Bioreactor Research and Applications: Unveiling the Inside of the Blackbox

Sponsor: US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) - National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Start Date: 6/15/16

End Date: 12/14/20

Abstract

Denitrifying bioreactors have been identified as holding great promise to play a crucial role in reducing nitrogen pollution from agricultural fields. The thousands of bioreactors needed to significantly decrease nitrate concentrations and loads on a regional scale, and the major technical and financial tasks that this entails, demand that we transform our approach to their research, their design and their management to optimize and maintain their nitrate removal potential. Bioreactors can no longer be taken as ‘black boxes’, but rather the hydraulic and biochemical processes and their kinetics inside the beds must be quantified, modeled and accurately predicted in order to optimize nitrate removal at the bioreactor scale, across a gradient of substrate, climate and hydrological functioning. We are proposing a laboratory, field and modeling study to provide novel science-based tools and guidelines needed to improve, optimize and maintain removal efficacy of existing and future bioreactors. For the first time, we will open the 'black box' using state of the art continuous sensors for water quality and gases to entangle and quantify the tighly coupled hydraulic and biochemical processes inside the beds. From the high resolution data in time and in space inside the beds, process kinetics from the lab and three field bioreactors representing distinct pedo-climatic functionings, will be used as necessary benchmark data to calibrate a physically-based model. The model will be used to explore optimum designs, and ‘rejuvenating’ and hydraulic management, which will yield optimum long term nitrate removal for acceptable gaseous and aqueous emissions.

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Intensive Monitoring of Nutrient and Material Load in Claridge Nursery Stream ?The Canal? Pre-,During and Post Construction of Highway 70 Bypass in Wayne County, NC

NC Department of Transportation(5/16/13 - 6/30/16)

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Intensive Monitoring of Nutrient and Material Load in Claridge Nursery Stream ?The Canal? Pre-,During and Post Construction of Highway 70 Bypass in Wayne County, NC

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 5/16/13

End Date: 6/30/16

Abstract

NCDOT is performing on-site mitigation on the NC Forest Service?s Claridge Nursery to offset jurisdictional stream impacts associated with TIP R-2554. As part of the project, NCDOT partnered with NCFS to perform in-stream monitoring pre-TIP/stream construction. Additional stream monitoring pre-, during and post-TIP and stream construction are still needed to get a clear picture of the effects on hydrology and water quality that occur throughout the various stages of both a road construction and a stream restoration project. Even in the relatively flat coastal plain, most of the nutrient and suspended sediment loads (>60%) occur in less than 10% of the time, corresponding to rainfall events. Road construction and stream restoration may induce additional pulses of nutrient and suspended solids, which may be as unpredictable as rainfall events. Because these and rainfall will generate the vast majority of the load, the monitoring techniques must be able to capture these events, or the uncertainty of the results may be too high to obtain a clear picture. This project proposes to monitor both the hydrology and water quality on a continuous basis using state-of-the-art flow and water quality equipment to dramatically increase information on and decrease uncertainty in estimating nutrient and mass loads. Experience acquired by our team using the new water quality probes and the technical solutions found to overcome signal fouling are key to the project. Three years of monitoring for pre- and during construction of Highway 70 Bypass and canal restorations will be used to document in details the effects of such practices. Documenting the post-construction/restoration recovery is envisaged but will be part of a future effort.

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