ACS ES&T Engineering Journal Seeks Research on Ecological Engineering for Environmental Protection

The ACS ES&T Engineering journal has announced a special issue focused on ecological engineering for environmental protection. The issue aims to showcase original research and review articles that explore sustainable solutions integrating ecology, engineering, and socio-economics. The deadline for submissions is July 30, 2024.

The special issue is being led by the National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI), a research hub dedicated to securing affordable, energy-efficient, and resilient water supply through research on decentralized treatment and fit-for-purpose reuse of nontraditional source waters. The journal is also publishing other special issues and virtual issues related to environmental protection, covering topics such as photo(electro)catalysis, micro- and nano-plastics, and algae-based sustainable solutions.

In related news, Mi Li, an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee Center for Renewable Carbon, has received a $75,000 research grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a two-year project to develop a cellulose-functionalized adsorbent for removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water. Li has assembled a student team, including Kailong Zhang, a Ph.D. student in the School of Natural Resources, and Ryan Baskette, an undergraduate student in the Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, to work on this project.

The grant is part of the EPA's People, Prosperity, and the Planet Program, which provided almost $1.2 million to 16 college student teams across the U.S. to develop solutions for environmental and public health challenges. The team plans to create a cellulose-metal organic frameworks (Cello-MOFs) hybrid adsorbent to remove PFAS from water. They will demonstrate their adsorbent at the EPA's National Student Design Expo in 2025, with the project continuing through December 2025.

In New Jersey, two Beneficial Use of Dredged Material (BUDM) projects are underway as part of the Engineering With Nature Program led by the USACE Philadelphia District (USACE-NAP). The first project, completed in December 2023, involved using 74,000 cubic yards of dredged material from the Maurice River federal navigation channel to nourish wetlands next to the Heislerville Dike in the Heislerville Wildlife Management Area. The second project, planned to start in October 2024, will involve dredging the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and placing the material on a degraded wetland area in Barnegat Bay to help the wetlands stave off inundation and achieve a more optimal elevation.

Why this matters: The special issue and research projects emphasize the growing importance of ecological engineering in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable solutions. These initiatives demonstrate the collaborative efforts of researchers, students, and government agencies in developing innovative approaches to protect and restore ecosystems while ensuring a resilient and sustainable future.

The special issue on ecological engineering for environmental protection in the ACS ES&T Engineering journal, along with the research projects funded by the EPA and the Engineering With Nature Program, showcase the ongoing efforts to develop sustainable solutions that integrate ecology, engineering, and socio-economics. These initiatives involve collaboration among researchers, students, and various government agencies, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing complex environmental challenges and promoting a more sustainable future.

Key Takeaways

• ACS ES&T Engineering journal announces special issue on ecological engineering.
• NAWI leads the special issue, focusing on sustainable water solutions.
• EPA grants $75,000 to UT researcher for PFAS removal adsorbent project.
• USACE's Engineering With Nature program conducts wetland nourishment projects.
• Initiatives showcase interdisciplinary efforts to develop sustainable solutions.