Contaminant Transport in Urban Environments
By 2030, approximately 9% of the world’s population is expected to reside in megacities (World Economic Forum), while only 2% of global farming will occur in urban areas (Bren d’Amour et al., 2016). Urban gardens are increasingly important for enhancing food security, reducing carbon footprints, promoting socio-economic growth, and supporting both physical and mental well-being. With the global urban farming market projected to grow at a CAGR of ~7.88%, reaching an estimated $290 billion by 2032, urban gardens are poised to play a crucial role in sustaining urban life both now and in the future.
However, urban gardens are particularly susceptible to contamination, especially in proximity to Superfund Sites. My research focuses on investigating the distribution of heavy metals and microplastics in urban gardens, understanding their transport mechanisms, assessing their toxicity to human health, and developing strategies to mitigate these challenges. The ultimate goal is to improve the management, productivity, and long-term sustainability of urban gardens.
Tools & Methodologies
Field Sampling
Physics & Chemistry Lab Experiments
Data Analysis + Machine Learning
Dashboards for Knowledge Sharing
I have extensive experience in the operation and maintenance of advanced analytical instruments, including Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometer, Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Analyzers, and Spectrophotometers. My expertise also includes conducting soil textural analysis using the hydrometer method, pH analysis, sample digestion, and sorption batch experiments.
Research Areas & Projects
Investigating Rapid Water Flow in Soil to Inform Future Contaminant Studies
Macropores—large cracks or openings in soil—facilitate preferential flow, where fluids move rapidly through the soil. This process can accelerate the transport of contaminants, posing significant risks to groundwater quality and reducing the soil's ability to retain essential nutrients. These effects not only compromise environmental health but also lead to financial losses for farmers through wasted resources.
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In this work, I investigated soil hydraulic properties during preferential flow events across various soil textures. Additionally, our research demonstrated that soil moisture data, obtained via remote sensing, is pivotal in accurately estimating effective preferential flow events across the Continental United States (CONUS).
This approach provides a faster and more efficient method for studying these phenomena. By improving our understanding of preferential flow dynamics, this research supports the development of enhanced land management strategies, enabling more effective mitigation of contaminant transport and better resource conservation.
Relevant Papers:
Kocian, L., & Mohanty, B.P. (2024). Characterizing large-scale preferential flowacross Continental United States. Vadose ZoneJournal, 23, e20316. https://doi.org/10.1002/vzj2.20316
Explore the distribution of heavy metals across urban gardens
Urban garden soils exist in highly dynamic environments where contamination sources and transport pathways shift constantly across space and time. To distinguish the influences of anthropogenic activities, climate factors, and soil physical properties on heavy metal presence in these gardens, we utilized graphical network modeling. Originally developed for applications in neuroscience and social network analysis, this algorithm excels at disentangling complex, nonlinear interactions while preserving the integrity of the data structure.
Our findings (manuscript currently under review) highlight the most significant factors associated with the presence of specific heavy metals in urban garden soils. This knowledge provides critical insights into priority areas for improved land management practices, enabling more effective strategies to control heavy metal contamination.
Identify and Establish Unique Isotherms for Urban Garden Heavy Metal Sorption
Urban garden soils are composed of diverse materials beyond the typical sand, silt, and clay, often including concrete, plastics, and residual tire rubber. Historical events, such as wars, can further contribute to the complexity of these soil profiles. Sorption isotherms—graphs representing how a substance (e.g., arsenite) adsorbs or absorbs onto a medium (e.g., soil) under consistent environmental conditions—are key to understanding these complex systems. By analyzing sorption isotherms in various urban gardens, we can uncover unique transport mechanisms and develop targeted management practices to reduce the bioavailability of toxic elements, mitigating risks to plants and humans.
Explore the Presence and Distribution of Microplastics Across Urban Gardens
Just as various urban influences contribute to the presence of heavy metals in garden soils, they similarly affect the distribution of microplastics. Research on microplastics in urban garden soils is limited, and even less is known about their uptake through plant roots. Understanding the distribution of microplastics, their potential sources, and the mechanisms driving their transport is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate their movement and bioavailability in urban environments.