Category: Ecology

Why New York City’s Gowanus Canal is So Polluted

Why New York City’s Gowanus Canal is So Polluted

Why New York City’s Gowanus Canal is So Polluted

11/05/25

“Why is the Gowanus Canal so polluted?”

The Gowanus Canal has been a fixture of Brooklyn for the past 150 years. Built as a major industrial transportation route, the body of water was subject to decades of pollution from surrounding coal yards, tanneries, machine shops, and many other types of industrial activity. The canal’s design prevented regular movement between the more oxygenated water in New York Harbor and the deoxygenated water in the canal, leading to a filthy, pathogen-infested environment. People also used the Gowanus Canal to carry out illegal dumping activities. Combined sewer overflow events dump raw sewage into the canal during heavy rainstorms. When we look at these reasons together, it’s easy to see Why New York City’s Gowanus Canal is So Polluted.

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Stabilization Ponds

Stabilization Ponds

Stabilization Ponds

10/27/25

“How can we use ponds to treat wastewater?”

It’s common for people to associate “modern” wastewater treatment with towering industrial plants that look like they’re straight out of a Martian civilization. But what if I told you that ponds could also serve as effective wastewater treatment? Essentially, ponds can have bacteria that consume the organic matter in wastewater, producing cleaner effluent and carbon dioxide. Algae in the pond can absorb the CO2 and transform it into oxygen to feed the organic-matter-eating bacteria. These systems, known as Stabilization Ponds, are incredible for low-energy, high-land availability communities often found in numerous developing countries.

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Reedbeds

Reedbeds

Reedbeds

10/18/25

“What makes areas populated by reeds so special?”

Reeds are wetland-based plants that can successfully populate large swaths of area, making Reedbeds. These reedbeds host special microorganisms in their root systems that clean wastewater by consuming sewage. Reedbeds are often utilized for constructed wetlands due to their wastewater cleansing capabilities.

Reeds

Reeds

Reeds

10/15/25

“What makes those grass-like plants in wetlands special?”

If you look at pictures of wetlands, you’ll probably see tall grass-like plants. But what are they and what makes them special? Well, these plants are called Reeds. Reeds play a vital role in soil stabilization, waste treatment, nutrient management, and habitat creation. Reeds are a critical part of wetland functioning. 

Soil Compression Index

Soil Compression Index

Soil Compression Index

09/07/25

“How can we measure the compressibility of fine-grained soils to effective stress?”

When soil is drained of water and air, the particles will close together and consolidate, increasing effective stress. The Soil Compressive Index measures the ratio of the change in void ratio to the change in effective vertical stress. The equation solid compression index = change in void ratio/log_10(final effective vertical stress/initial effective vertical stress), or C_c = delta_e/(log_10(sigma_2’/sigma_1’)), governs the solid compression index. 

Plant Wilting Point

Plant Wilting Point

Plant Wilting Point

08/21/25

“What’s the minimum amount of water in soil needed to keep plants alive?”

Plants require a specific amount of water in their root zone to survive. Otherwise, they’ll wither up and die. This quantity, defined by the Plant Withering Point, is affected by the soil type, plant species, and characteristics of the roots.

Mountain Headwaters

Mountain Headwaters

Mountain Headwaters

08/05/25

“Where do mountain rivers originate?”

Mountain rivers are mighty bodies of water that cascade down heights to end up in larger bodies of water or deserts. But where do these rivers form? Well, clouds will commonly release water over mountain peaks. Some of this water will move downwards as surface runoff and will collect together to form a river. The source of this river is called Mountain Headwaters, and is a fundamental part of the Earth’s function.. 

Prism Storage (Hydrograph)

Prism Storage (Hydrograph)

Prism Storage (Hydrograph)

08/04/25

“How can we visualize the steady-state water storage of a stream?”

Water streams have a defined path that holds water. When operating under steady-state conditions, these streams will have a uniform profile that we can calculate for water storage known as Prism Storage. Prism storage is a fundamental idea in parts of environmental engineering and can help model numerous real-world situations.

Why People Can Use Biochar to Prevent Algae Blooms

Why People Can Use Biochar to Prevent Algae Blooms

Why People Can Use Biochar to Prevent Algae Blooms

07/27/25

“How can people use indigenous biochar technology to prevent algae blooms in water?”

            Nutrient runoff into water bodies can spawn algae blooms. Interventions that help soils retain nutrients and moisture create less nutrient runoff. Biochar, a charcoal substance first discovered by Indigenous Amazonians, helps soils retain nutrients and moisture. Therefore, people can apply biochar to surfaces to prevent algae blooms. This is Why People Can Use Biochar to Prevent Algae Blooms.