Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID ME_2025_Ross

Material Loading into Watershed-Estuary Connected Systems: Implications for Harmful Algal Blooms

Institute: Maine
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-01-01 End Date: 2026-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $24,946 Total Non-Federal Funds: $25,081

Principal Investigators: Lauren Ross

Project Summary: Rainfall is expected to become heavier in Maine, which can lead to more pollution being washed into rivers and streams. This runoff can carry harmful bacteria and excess nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen into coastal waters. When these pollutants reach estuaries, they can impair water quality and marine habitats. Problems such as contaminated shellfish from bacteria and harmful algal blooms can arise, threatening public health and the seafood industry. This project will use computer models to estimate how much pollution enters Frenchman Bay, an important coastal area in mid-coast Maine, during different types of rainstorms. The goal is to better understand how land-based pollution affects coastal waters, especially as weather patterns shift. The findings will help predict future changes and guide actions to protect coastal ecosystems. This research supports efforts to keep Maine's coastal waters healthy and helps reduce risks to the state's tourism and seafood economy.