Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID GA_2025_Luo

Development of a Reactive Transport Model for Denitrification in Coastal Georgia Aquifers

Institute: Georgia
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-01-01 End Date: 2026-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $20,001 Total Non-Federal Funds: $20,001

Principal Investigators: Jian Luo

Project Summary: Nitrate pollution in groundwater is a growing problem in Georgia. It comes mainly from fertilizers and septic systems and can make drinking water unsafe while also harming rivers, lakes, and coastal ecosystems. Many people in Georgia, especially along the coast, rely on groundwater for farming and household use, so protecting its quality is critical. This project will build a computer model to show how nitrate moves and breaks down underground. The model will include natural factors such as tides, groundwater flow, and the activity of microbes that remove nitrate. Using past studies and monitoring data, we will test the model and apply it to sites like Lake Lanier, helping keep Georgia's water clean and safe.