Research Projects

 

Total Projects: 91
Total Funding ~ $22.4 million as of July 2020

Title: Collaborative Research: NSF-NSFC: Improving FEW system sustainability over the SEUS and NCP: A cross-regional synthesis considering uncertainties in climate and regional development ($124,903)
Objective: Watershed scale food-energy-water nexus analysis- a comparative study between the US and China
End date: July 2022
Participants: National Science Foundation (NSF) and University of Central Florida
PI: Wang

Title: Bio-sorption Media Filtration for Reducing Nutrients and Algal Mass ($2,000,000)
Objective: Build a filter to remove multiple pollutants of emerging and existing public health concern in St. Lucie River Basin
End date: December 2021
Participants: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and University of Central Florida
PI: Chang, CoPIs: Reinhart and Sadmani

Title: (ENLARGE) Enabling Large-scale Adaptive Integration of Technology Hubs to Enhance Community Resilience through Decentralized Urban Food-Water-Energy Nexus Decision Support ($838,461)
Objective: Develop a sustainable solution for urban Food-Water-Energy nexus in Miami region
End date: July 2021
Participants: NSF, University of Central Florida, University of Florida and Florida Solar Energy Center in the United States, Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, and IRSTEA (National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment) in France.
PI: Chang, CoPIs: Zheng, Kapucu, Gu, Fairey

Title: Watershed Master Planning Initiative Pilot Program (Phase I) ($75,000)
Objective: Assessment of flood impact assessment models over different landscapes
End date: June 2021
Participants: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), University of Central Florida, and Florida Atlantic University
PI: Chang

Title: Innovative and Integrative Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Surface and Groundwater Protection ($792,160)
Objective: Developing new BMPs for different geological conditions and landscape
End date: Sept. 2019
Participants: FDOT
PI: Kibler, Chang and Wanielista

Title: Optimal Design of Stormwater Basins with Bio-Sorption Activated Media (BAM) in Karst Environments – Phase II: Field Testing of BMPs – Monitoring ($403,394)
Objective: The use of Biosorption Activated Media for Monitoring of Two Innovative Stormwater Treatment Systems – The Blanket Filters and the Vertical Reactors
End date: Dec. 2018
Participants: FDEP
PI: Kibler, Chang and Wanielista

Title: Demonstration of a Passive On-site Sewage Treatment Drain Field for Nitrogen Removal at Wekiva Basin ($34,911)
Objective: The use of Biosorption Activated Media for Design of a Passive On-Site Wastewater Treatment System
End date: June 2018
Participants: FDEP
PI: Chang and Wanielista

Title: Bio-sorption Activated Media for Nitrogen Control in a Rapid Infiltration Basin ($119,305 with match $100,000 from City of DeLand, $200,000 from SJRWMD, and $100,000 from FDEP providing for construction)
Objective: The use of Biosorption Activated Media for Design of a Passive On-Site Wastewater Treatment System
End date: June 2018
Participants: FDOT, City of Deland, St Johns Water Management District
PI: Chang and Wanielista, Duranceau, Wang, Singh

Title: Optimal Design of Stormwater Basins with Bio-Sorption Activated Media (BAM) in Karst Environments – Phase II: Field Testing of BMPs – Construction ($151,946)
Objective: The use of Biosorption Activated Media for Construction of Two Innovative Stormwater Treatment Systems – The Blanket Filters and the Vertical Reactors
End date: Dec. 2017
Participants: FDEP
PI: Kibler, Chang and Wanielista

Title: Removal Effectiveness of Co-mingling Off-site Flows with FDOT Right-of-way Stormwater ($149,991)
Objective: Update BMPTRAINS software for nutrient management
End date: June 2017
Participants: FDOT
PI: Chang and Wanielista

Title Developing Software Platform of Cross-mission Data Merging with Image Reconstruction and Mining (CDMIM) in support of Water Quality Monitoring in Lake Nicaragua ($28,933)
Objective: Multi-sensor data merging, fusion and machine learning platform design for nutrient monitoring
End date: Dec 2016
Participants: National Central University in Taiwan and National Autonomous University of Nicaragua
PI: Chang

Title Empowering Satellite Remote Sensing with Integrated Inverse Modeling Techniques for Feature Extraction of Water Quality Constituents in Lake Managua ($28,787)
Objective: Multi temporal change detection of eutrophication status with satellite remote sensing images for Lake Managua
End date: Dec 2016
Participants: National Central University in Taiwan and National Autonomous University of Nicaragua
PI: Chang

Title: Comparative Nitrogen Removal with Sorption Media in Linear Ditch for Groundwater and Stormwater Treatment ( $208,600 with match $200,000 from Suwanee River Water Management District.)
Objective: The use of Biosorption Activated Media for Design of a BMP system to meet the net improvement requirements for basin RS8-E within the Rock Springs Run sub-basin
End date: May 2017
Participants: FDOT, AECON, Inc., and Suwanee River Water Management District .
PI: Chang and Wanielista

Title Flood Impact Assessment in Mega Cities under Urban Sprawl and Climate Change ($233,530)
Objective: Develop a rapid flood assessment modeling framework for three megacities
End date: April 2017
Participants: University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, Tsinghua University in China, British Council
PI: Chang

Title Coupling Risk and Resilience Assessment for Networked Sustainable Drainage Systems in a Coastal City under Climate Change Impact ($306,000)
Objective: Develop a new generation watershed modeling system to assess the flood hazard in coastal region under climate change impact
End date: Aug. 2016
Participants: NOAA – Florida Sea Grant Program and Pinellas County
PI: Chang

Title: Nutrient Removal for Wekiva Section 6 – SR 429 From West of Old McDonald Road to East of the Seminole/Lake County Line ($29,040)
Objective: The use of Biosorption Activated Media for Design of a BMP system to meet the net improvement requirements for basin RS8-E within the Rock Springs Run sub-basin
End date: Feb. 2016
Participants: FDOT.
PI: Wanielista

Title Optimal Design of Stormwater Basins with Bio-sorption Activated Media (BAM) in Karst Environments – Phase I: Site Screening and Selection ($39,673)
Objective: Select 2 appropriate ponds for stormwater nutrient removal with new BMPs
End date: Feb 2016
Participants: FDOT
PI: Chang and Wanielista

Title Multi-temporal Change Detection of the Water Quality in Lake Nicaragua and Lake Managua with Remote Sensing Technologies ($29,560)
Objective: Seasonal comparison of eutrophication status with satellite remote sensing images for Lake Nicaragua and Lake Managua
End date: Dec 2015
Participants: National Central University in Taiwan and National Autonomous University of Nicaragua
PI: Chang

Title Software Development for Multi-Sensor Fusion of Satellite Remote Sensing Images for Water Leaving Reflectance Data Fusion under Cloudy Conditions ($29,556)
Objective: Develop multi-sensor fusion technologies with multi-source satellite remote sensing images for cloudy regions
End date: Dec 2015
Participants: National Central University in Taiwan and National Autonomous University of Nicaragua
PI: Chang

Title: Complete of Water Availability and Water Quality Forecasting Tool with Environmental Change Reconstruction ($68,992)
Objective: Develop decision support system for drinking water infrastructure assessment
Participants: National Risk Management Research Lab, US Environmental Protection Agency
End date: Sept 2015
PI: Chang

Title Monitoring the Water Quality of Lake Nicaragua and Lake Managua with Remote Sensing Technologies in Wet Seasons ($31,000)
Objective: Produce water quality mapping with satellite remote sensing images for  Lake Nicaragua and Lake Managua
End date: Nov 2014
Participants: National Central University in Taiwan and National Autonomous University of Nicaragua
PI: Chang

Title: Erosion and Sediment Control BMPs Standards and Manual Update ($126,118)
Objective: Establish BMP Committee and update manual
Participants: FDOT
End date: Nov 2014
PI: Chopra and Wanielista

Title: Water Availability and Water Quality Forecasting Tool with Environmental Change Reconstruction ($76,000)
Objective: Develop decision support system for drinking water infrastructure assessment
Participants: National Risk Management Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency
End date: Sept 2014
PI: Chang

Title:  Assignment of the Program Director of the Hydrological Science Program ($190,066)
Objective: NSF IPA grant for managing Hydrological Science Program
End date: Aug. 2014
Participants: National Science Foundation
PI: Chang

Title: Demonstration Project for Bio-sorption Activated Media for Ultra-urban Stormwater Treatment ($277,999)
Objective: Test the performance of bio-sorption activated media at tree wells and baffle boxes
End date: May 2014
Participants: FDOT
PI: Wanielista, Chopra, Chang, Randall

Title: Evaluation of Pollution Levels Due to the Use of Consumer Fertilizers under Florida Conditions: Examination of Lower Slopes and Rainfall Intensities Taking into Account Overland Flow ($89,000)
Objective: Test of fertilizer with slow release rate of nutrients
End date: May 2014
Participants: FDOT
PI: Chopra and Wanielista

Title: Maintenance Practices of Stormwater Runoffs (Phase I) ($160,197)
Objective: Produce a BMP manual for maintenance of stormwater ponds.
Participants: FDOT and vendors
End date: May 2014
PI: Chang, Wanielista, Bohlen

Title: Pollution Level due to Use of Fertilizers ($170,000)
Objective: Fate under various conditions.
End date: May 2014
Participants: FDOT and vendors
PI Chopra

Title: Field Implementation of PAM Treatment System ($95,000)
Objective: Field testing of PAM blocks to develop requisite mixing energy
Participants: FDOT
End date: April 2014
PI: Chopra and Wanielista

Title:  Stormwater Management Area (STA) Hydrodynamic Study ($59,000)
Objective: Explore the hydrodynamic patterns using sensor network and machine learning algorithms
End date: April 2014
Participants: South Florida Water Management District
PI: Chang

Title Remote Sensing Algorithms and Platforms for Lake Water Quality Monitoring ($25,000)
Objective: Develop the satellite remote sensing retrieval algorithms with machine learning tools for water quality monitoring
End date: April 2014
Participants: National Central University in Taiwan and National Autonomous University of Nicaragua
PI: Chang

Title: Silt Fence Testing ($120,000)
Objective: Fate under various conditions.
End date: April 2014
Participants: FDOT and vendors
PI: Chopra

Title: Nutrient Based Stormwater Management Design Tools ($228,168)
Objective: Nutrient removal tool box development
End date: Feb 2014
Participants: FDOT
PI: Wanielista and Chopra

Title: Performance Testing and Analysis of Silt Fences using Tilting Soil Test Beds with Simulated Rainfall ($119,650)
Objective: Test the performance of silt fence under rainfall simulator
End date: Nov 2013
Participants: FDOT
PI: Chopra and Wanielista

Title: Improvement of Water Availability Index Forecasting Tool with Environmental Change Reconstruction Phase II ($70,000)
Objective: Quantify climate change teleconnection signal propagation and effect to terrestrial precipitation
Participants: National Risk Management Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency
End date: Sept 2013
PI: Chang

Title:  Assignment of the Program Director of the Hydrological Science Program ($181,175)
Objective: NSF IPA grant for managing Hydrological Science Program
End date: Aug. 2013
Participants: National Science Foundation
PI: Chang

Title: Tampa Bay Residential Stormwater Study ($62,000)
Objective: Compare stormwater runoff, surface water, and soil nutrient research support.
Participants: Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Applied Ecology, FDEP, EPA and others
End date: June 2013
PI: Souto

Title: Best Management Practices for Aquatic Restoration in Lakes and Streams ($80,000)
Objective: Produce a BMP manual for ecosystem conservation.
Participants: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
End date: June. 2013
PI Chang, Wanielista, Bohlen

Title: Stormwater Harvesting Using Retention and In-Line Pipes for Treatment Consistent with new Statewide Stormwater Rule ($370,000)
Objective: Test the performance of bio-sorption activated media at retention ponds and pipe reactors
End date: May 2013
Participants: FDOT
PI: Wanielista and Chopra

Title: Stormwater Harvesting ($370,000)
Objectives: Develop in-line filtration methods
End date: May 2013
Participants: FDOT, FDEP
PI Wanielista

Title: Maintenance Practices of Stormwater Runoffs (Phase II) ($126,817)
Objective: Produce a BMP manual for maintenance of stormwater ponds.
Participants: FDOT and vendors
End date: Feb 2013
PI: Chang, Bohlen

Title: GEV Distribution and Krig Analyses ($6,562)
Objective: Update the rainfall data based using GEV Distribution and Krig Analyses Participants: Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD)
End date: Dec 2012
PI: Wanielista

Title: Education Outreach ($240,000)
Objective: Relationship between urbanization and stormwater programs
End date: Dec. 2012.
Participants: FDEP and EPA
PI: Souto and Wanielista.

Title: Residential Integrated Stormwater and Graywater ($354,569)
Objective: Demonstrate environmental benefits in a green building
End date: Oct. 2012
Participants: FDEP, FSEC, SJRWMD.
PI: Wanielista, Hardin

Title: Improvement of Water Availability Index Forecasting Tool with Environmental Change Reconstruction Phase I ($79,940)
Objective: Quantify climate change teleconnection signal propagation and effect to terrestrial precipitation
Participants: National Risk Management Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency
End date: Sept 2012
PI: Chang

Title: Floating Wetlands for Stormwater Management ($201,000)
Objective: Determine credit when used with wet ponds.
End date: Sep 2012
Participants: FDOT and vendors
PI: Wanielista, Chang, and Chopra

Title: Floating Wetlands for Stormwater Management ($201,000)
Objective: Determine credit when used with wet ponds.
End date: Sep 2012
Participants: FDOT and vendors
PI: Wanielista, Chang, and Chopra

Title: Dog Walking Study ($24,000)
Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of City of Edgewater Dog Waste receptacles and associated education campaign.
Participants: City of Edgewater
End date: Jan 2012
PI: Souto, Hinkle

Title: Multi-scale Water Infrastructure Characterization Study Using Remote Sensing Phase IV ($65,137)
Objective: Develop remote sensing technology to monitor coastal bay water quality
Participants: National Risk Management Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency
End date: Sept 2011
PI: Chang

Title: Green Roof Wind and Depth of media ($300,208)
Objective: Media, Reuse and monitoring for wind and depth
End date: Sept. 2011
Participants: FDEP
PIs: Wanielista, Hardin

Title: Nitrogen Transformation – Retention Basins ($1,000,000)
Objective: Testing in the Ocala area and with engineered soils
End date: Sept. 2011
Participants: SWFWMD, FDEP, Marion County, SJRWMD, USGS.
PI: O’Reilly and Wanielista

Title: A Mesocosm Study of “Biohaven” Floating Islands Removal in for Nutrient Stormwater Ponds ($25,000)
Objective: Determine credit when used with wet ponds.
End date: Sept. 2011
Participants: Floating Islands Environmental Solutions, Inc.,
PI Chang

Title: A Mesocosm Study of “Biohaven” Floating Islands Removal in for Nutrient Stormwater Ponds ($25,000)
Objective: Determine credit when used with wet ponds.
End date: Sept. 2011
Participants: Floating Islands Environmental Solutions, Inc.,
PI: Chang

Title: Pervious Pavements installation and strength ($210,036)
Objective: Effectiveness and rejuvenation.
End date: Aug 2011
Participants: FDOT and vendors
PI: Chopra

Title: Florida Stormwater Education and Social Marketing ($906,022)
Objective: Conducted Landscaping Social Marketing Study and develop plan for program evaluation
Participants: FDEP, SWFWMD, and numerous partners
Status: June 2011
PI Souto and Quigley

Title: Denitrification Study beneath Stormwater Infiltration Ponds for Promoting Stormwater Reuse and Drinking Water Quality ($5,000)
Objective: Demonstration isotope tracer technique
End date: Dec. 2010
Participants: UCF Boardman Foundation
PI: Chang and Wanielista

Title: Analysis of Pre-drainage Lake Okeechobee Modeling,” and Upper Everglades ($20,000)
Objective: In-situ measurements and lake hydrodynamic modeling
End date: Sept. 2010
Participants: SFWMD, Seminole County, FDEP, and FDOH
PI: Chang

Title: Multi-scale Water Infrastructure Characterization Study Using Remote Sensing Phase III ($85,138)
Objective: Develop remote sensing technology to monitor lake water quality
Participants: National Risk Management Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency
End date: Sept 2010
PI: Chang

Title: Inlet Protection Devices ($160,000)
Objective: Protocol Development and effectiveness.
End date: Aug 2010
Participants: FDOT
PI Wanielista, Hardin and Chopra

Title: Index Testing Laboratory ($100,000)
Objective: Field testing of PAM blocks to develop requisite mixing energy
Participants: FDOT
End date: April 2010
PI: Chopra

Title: On-Site Wastewater Treatment ($1,124,000)
Objective: Demonstration and documentation of next-generation wastewater treatment systems for nutrient control
End date: Mar-2010
Participants: SJRWMD, Seminole County, FDEP, and FDOH
PI: Chang and Wanielista

Title: Multi-scale Water Infrastructure Characterization Study Using Remote Sensing Phase II ($80,000)
Objective: Develop municipal water sustainability index
Participants: National Risk Management Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency
End date: Sept 2009
PI: Chang

Title: Improving Local Water Supply in Rural Communities via a Sensor Network with the Aid of a Rule-based Expert System in a GIS Platform ($150,000)
Objective: Develop expert systems to monitor drinking water quality in distribution networks
Participants: Kentucky Science & Engineering Foundation and Western Kentucky University
End date: Sept 2009
PI Chang

Title: Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Alkalinity, Metal, and Mineral Impacts on Phosphorus Fate and Transport in Lake Okeechobee ($25,000)
Objective: Identify the chemicals transport and fate of a coupled well and lake system CERP (Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program)
End date: Sept. 2009
Participants: US Army Corp of Engineers and SFWMD
PI: Chang

Title: Multi-scale Water Infrastructure Characterization Study Using Remote Sensing Phase I ($75,500)
Objective: Develop remote sensing technology to monitor lake water quality
Participants: National Risk Management Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency
End date: Sept 2008
PI Chang

Title: Waste Tires ($200,000)
Objective: Use of crumb and chip waste tires for pollution control.
End date: July 2008
Participants: FDEP, Seminole County
PI: Wanielista

Title: Getting to the Point of Nonpoint Source Pollution ($279,000)
Objective: Build capacity for stormwater education by improving the coordination of stormwater education products and quantify evaluation results.
Participants: FDEP, SWFWMD, and numerous partners
End date: June 2008
PI: Souto

Title: Partnerships: Nonpoint Source Pollution Education ($553,000)
Objective: Awareness of causes and solutions, implementation assistance, development of partnerships, and assistance in monitoring.
End date: April 2008
Participants: FDEP, SJRWMD, IRL, NEP, City of Cocoa Beach, FSA
PIs: Souto, Wanielista, Marshall

Title: Alternative Stormwater Sorption Media for Control of Nutrients ($100,000)
Objective: Test the sorption media for nutrient removal
End date: Dec. 2007
Participants: SWFWMD
PI: Wanielista and Chang

Title: Laboratory for Stormwater Research and Testing ($892,000)
Objective: Efficiencies of soil and erosion control devices
End date: Dec 2007
Participants: FDOT, FDEP, and Applied Polymer Systems.
PIs: Chopra, Smoot, and Wanielista

Title: PHASE 2 to S0134 Health Risk Assessment of stormwater irrigation ($177,483)
Objective: Document the health related parameters in stormwater detention ponds that can be used as a source of irrigation
End date: Dec 2007
Participants: FDEP.
PI: Wanielista

Title: Sediment Characterization in Lake Okeechobee ($90,000)
Objective: Identify the sediment transport in the lake system
End date: Sept. 2007
Participants: SFWMD
PI: Chang

Title: Regional Facilities ($181,000)
Objective: Develop and test alternative methods to remove pollutants from regional ponds before land spreading applications.
End date: August 2007.
Participants: DOT
PI: Wanielista

Title: New Partnerships for Nonpoint Source Pollution ($316,543)
Objective: Develop educational materials for public education lcassess and governments to enhance an understanding of nonpoint sources
Participants: FDEP and numerous partners
End date: June 2007
PI: Wanielista, Souto, Marshall

Title: Stormwater Reuse ($144,000)
Objective ID and Management of Health Related Concerns in Reuse
End date: June 2007
Participants: FDEP and FDOT
PI: Wanielista

Title: State Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Manual ($150,000)
Objective: Develop a State Wide Manual and update related publications
End date: May 2007
Participants: FDOT, and HydroDynamics
PIs: Wanielista, Chopra, and Smoot

Title: Green Roof Expansions ($160,000)
Objective: Media, reuse and monitoring at other sites
End date: May 2007
Participants: FDEP.
PI: Wanielista and Quigley

Title: Seasonal Variability of Near GWTs ($116,825)
Objective: Define the SHGWT
End date: Oct 2006
Participants: FDOT and UF
PI: Hatfield and Newman

Title: Loxahatchee River Modeling ($340,000)
Objective: Develop a model to predict the salt wedge movement from both groundwater and stormwater river flows.
End date:  September 2006.
Participants: FDEP and SFWMD.
PI: Yeh and Hagen

Title: Water Quality Modeling ($1,400,000)
Objective: Expand the capabilities of WASH 123 to include basic kinetic principles.
End date: July 2006.
Participants: EPA
PI: Yeh

Title: Mercury in the Atmosphere ($45,000)
Objective: What are wet deposition rates in central Florida and how do they compare to other sites in the State and in the Country?
End date: June 2006
Participants: USGS and SJRWMD
PI: Nnadi

Title: Porous Concrete Credit ($192,000)
Objective: Using existing porous concrete pavement, determine the infiltration capacities and recommend credits that will maintain a hydrologic and pollutant mass balance. Also construct and monitor two filed test sites.
End date: June 2006
Participants: National Ready Mix Concrete Foundation, Rinker Inc., and FDOT.
PI: Chopra, and Wanielista

Title: Stormwater Controller ($121,000)
Objective: Develop a Controller that selects & distributes sources of water.
End date: Aug 2005
Participants: FDEP
PI: McDaniel

Title: Green Roofs – Task two ($145,840)
Objective: Build and Monitor Stormwater and Energy Systems (total expected contract value is $375,000). Task 1 (design) completed.
End date: July 2005
Participants: Energy Efficient Housing Center (FSEC), FDEP, and Roof Scapes, Inc.
PI: Wanielista and Quigley

Title: Wekiva Springshed Manual ($129,000)
Objective: Control strategies for maintaining a hydrologic balance
End date: June 2005
Participants: FDEP, FDOT, and FDCA.
PI: Wanielista and Yeh

Title: Lake Butler and Stormwater ($10,000)
Objective: Determine the sources and extent of stormwater responsible for lake degradation.
End date: June 2005
Participants: Orange County and SJRWMD
PI: Wanielista

Title: Proprietary BMP Separation Devices ($221,000)
Objective: Side-by-side comparisons of full scale operating devices.
End date: June 2005
Participants: FDEP and Vendors
PI: Nnadi

Title: Water Storage Value ($250,000)
Objective: What is the value of surface storage reservoirs for stormwater in the Everglades watersheds?
End date: Sept 2004
Participants: FDEP and SFWMD.
PIs: Wanielista, Nnadi, Yeh, Milon, and Finnoff.

Title: Green Roofs – Task one ($15,306)
Objective: Build and Monitor Stormwater and Energy Systems (total expected contract value is $375,000). Task 2 expected at $150,000
End date: Aug 2004
Participants: Energy Efficient Housing Center (FSEC), FDEP, and Schenkel Shultz Architects, and Roof Scapes, Inc.
PI: Wanielista