Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID DC_2024_Behera

Characterization of soil-root system to mitigate erosion from the District of Columbia's receiving waters.

Institute: District of Columbia
Year Established: 2024 Start Date: 2024-09-01 End Date: 2025-08-31
Total Federal Funds: $14,496 Total Non-Federal Funds: $16,658

Principal Investigators: Pradeep K. Behera, Ujwalkumar Patil

Project Summary: This research focuses on finding ways to prevent erosion and sediment pollution in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers. They've noticed that soil erosion along the riverbanks is a big problem, which harms the water quality and the wildlife. To tackle this issue, they're looking into using a method called soil bioengineering, which involves using plants to strengthen the soil and prevent erosion. Unlike other methods like adding chemicals to the soil, this method is eco-friendly. Their plan is to study the soil and roots of native plants found in the area to see how they can help stabilize the riverbanks. They'll do lab tests to understand the strength of the soil and roots, and then use this data to create computer models showing how effective the plants could be in preventing erosion during heavy storms. If successful, this research could lead to new ways to protect the rivers and improve their water quality. It could also serve as a starting point for larger-scale projects to protect other areas from erosion and sediment pollution.