"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Trophic State Index
06/28/26
“How can we quantify algal bloom intensity?”
Algal blooms in water bodies result from high nutrient load and strong environmental conditions. The associated biological productivity can be measured by the Trophic State Index. The trophic state index captures the amount of light striking the surface of a water body, the concentration of particulate matter, and the physical measuring depth to determine the algal bloom intensity.
Sewer Manholes
06/27/26
“How can we inspect and maintain sewer systems from above ground?”
Sewer systems are the foundation of water and wastewater infrastructure for billions of people. Like any piece of infrastructure, they will break down from time to time. What makes repairing them challenging is their underground location. To access them without breaking down the entire system, people have built vertical shafts called Sewer Manholes. Sewer manholes are typically placed at the junctions of different sewer pipes since these are the most failure points in the system. In fact, manholes themselves act as the junction.
Pipe Fittings
06/26/26
“How can we connect different sections of pipe?”
Pipes come in separate sections. Sometimes they have different sizes, different shapes, or proposed directions. So how can we connect them together? Well, what if we used small adapters called Pipe Fittings to serve as connection points? Pipe fittings can make these connections to hook pipes together, even with different geometries or directions. Pump fittings connect pumps to pipes. Pipe fittings are vital components to modern plumbing.
Why Saltwater Kills Freshwater Trees
06/25/26
“Why does saltwater kill freshwater trees?”
Trees require water to live. However, saltwater is toxic to trees not adapted to it. Saltwater impedes roots’ ability to absorb water, is toxic to plant cells, damages roots, and hurts oxygen delivery to trees. This is Why Saltwater Kills Freshwater Trees.
Capturing Stormwater for Groundwater Recharge
06/24/26
“How can we recharge groundwater with stormwater?”
It can be difficult to replenish a drained aquifer. Giving more water to it means taking water from somewhere else. However, sprmwater adds extra water to a local system. By capturing it, we can direct it to aquifers to replenish them. This is how Capturing Stormwater for Groundwater Recharge can work. People use a wide range of methods to accomplish this, from green infrastructure to injection wells. Managers must ensure that the stormwater is free of pollutants before storing it in aquifers to prevent contamination.
Image credit: https://oldcastleinfrastructure.com/
Pump Fittings
06/23/26
“What are the components of a pump that connect it to pipes?”
Pumps can move massive amounts of water through a plumbing system. However, they require physical connection to piping systems. This comes in the form of Pump Fittings. Pump fittings include flow meters, check valves, strainers, and more!
Multifamily Housing Buyouts for Managed Retreat
06/22/26
“Why do policymakers need to consider multifamily housing buyouts for managed retreat?”
Governing authorities can use home buyouts to move people out of flood-prone areas. The vast majority of home buyout program development is tailored to single-family property owners. However, multifamily housing units are also present in floodplains and hurricane paths. In the U.S., multi-family tenants are more likely to come from marginalized backgrounds, making them subject to the desires of their landlord. Tenants must have some form of financial, legal, and policy support to navigate their way to a new home successfully. Government authorities need to develop policies for Multifamily Housing Buyouts for Managed Retreat to fill this protection gap. This can include mandatory cash distribution to tenants for relocation, construction of new affordable housing nearby for the displaced residents, and priority for new apartments in the private market.
The Narta Lagoon
06/21/22
“What’s so special about the Narta Lagoon in Albania?”
Albania is a beautiful country on the Western Balkan Mediterranean coast. In its southern portion lies The Narta Lagoon, a critical protected wetland ecosystem. The Narta Lagoon is home to over 200 species of birds (including a community of around 3,000 individual flamingos). The wetland is, as of writing, under threat of destruction by a development from Jared Kushner’s private equity firm Affinity Partners. People all over Albania are protesting against this project.
Why Kushner’s Tourism Development in Albania Will Destroy a Critical Wetland
06/20/26
“Why will the Kushner development in Albania destroy a critical wetland?”
The Vjosa–Narta lagoon provides a critical protected wetland habitat for Albania’s and the Mediterranean’s birds. Jared Kushner’s private equity firm Affinity Partners is (as of writing) funding a project that will destroy the lagoon to build a luxury tourism site. This is Why Kushner’s Tourism Development in Albania Will Destroy a Critical Wetland.
Image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/
Isaac's Science Blog 