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Understanding Water Dynamics: Groundbreaking Research at Galveston Bay
When visiting a sandy beach or a riverbank, the complexities of what lies beneath the water’s surface often go unnoticed. However, for researchers like Hanadi Rifai, these intricate interactions of pollutants and sediments present a compelling area of study.
As the Moores Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and director of the Hurricane Resilience Research Institute, Rifai has dedicated over 20 years to exploring the dynamics of Galveston Bay. Her research encompasses the bay’s tides, currents, and the interplay between freshwater and saltwater. This ongoing investigation enhances the understanding of water level predictions, pollution dispersion, and the stability of local ecosystems.
Recently, Rifai has developed an advanced numerical computer model designed to assist scientists and environmental specialists in examining hydrodynamics within estuaries—zones where freshwater and saltwater converge. This innovative model is highlighted in a recent publication in the journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research.
“Models like this are vital for assessing the effects of climate variability and sea level rise on essential coastal ecosystems,” Rifai emphasizes. Her research aims to inform strategies that will improve water quality, safeguard wildlife, and mitigate flooding and pollution risks.
Over her career, Rifai has also concentrated on emerging contaminants and pathogenic pollutants, executing numerous sampling initiatives, particularly in the aftermath of hurricanes Ike and Harvey. She stresses the crucial role of continuous sampling and the integration of rainfall data and stream flows into predictive estuarine models.
“One significant lesson we’ve learned is that while estuaries are dynamic and resilient systems, they are also incredibly intricate, impacted by various external factors such as hurricanes, high winds, tidal changes, intense rainfall, droughts, excessive heat, and industrial spills,” Rifai notes. “The historical usages have left their marks, and ongoing activities like commercial navigation, recreational uses, and municipal and industrial discharges also contribute to these impacts.”
Analysis of the Model
Rifai’s research emphasizes the critical need to analyze how water interacts with sediments beneath the surface. “Our primary focus has been to model these interactions, especially in the context of extreme rainfall and hurricanes, to differentiate between areas experiencing deposition and those undergoing erosion,” she explains.
The research team includes Adithya Govindarajan from Gradient Corporation in Boston and Martin Nguyen, a graduate student in Rifai’s lab, both of whom contribute valuable insights to this significant project.
Source
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