Traces of pharmaceuticals increasingly contaminate water through human use and improper disposal. This research studies advanced oxidation processes—using UV light, ozone, and hydrogen peroxide—to break down these persistent pollutants. Optimizing these treatments helps protect ecosystems and public health by ensuring clean, safe, pharmaceutical-free drinking water.

Sunny-day flooding is becoming common in coastal North Carolina. Sensors revealed 65 flood days per year, and water-quality tests showed fecal contamination up to 100× above closure standards. A new computer model tracks how contaminated floodwaters move, helping identify hotspots and supporting safer water-quality advisories and flood-defense planning.