Research in CREW is applied and focuses broadly on watershed biogeochemistry and ecological engineering, emphasizing the role of natural infrastructure in providing functions and services which benefit society and environmental quality.
Specific ecosystem- and watershed-scale demonstrations are highlighted with a focus on solving the complex environmental dilemmas resulting from past industrial activities (e.g., abandoned and derelict mines).with an emphasis on water quality and ecosystem restoration. Research is conducted on multiple scales (e.g., laboratory microcosm, greenhouse mesocosm and full-scale field applications)
CREW research evaluates environmental challenges, designs solutions, and - perhaps most importantly - documents results through water quality, soil, sediment, biota and other changes leading to ecological recovery. Most projects focus on two general areas:
Watershed biogeochemistry research including drainage-basin scale evaluations of pollution sources and mass loadings to and in streams and other receiving water bodies, leading to remediation and restoration planning that summarizes and prioritizes impacts for clean-up. Recently, CREW has expanded our on-the-ground monitoring efforts with two small Unoccupied Aerial Systems (sUAS) to collect high-resolution, site-specific multispectral data.
Ecological engineering research includes passive treatment design, construction, and evaluation of sustainable ecological systems for treatment of contaminated waters, land reclamation (native plant establishment and phytoremediation of degraded soils and wastes), applied fluvial geomorphology (natural channel design for stream restoration) and waste recycling (beneficial reuse of mining wastes).
