INTEGRATING NANOTECHNOLOGY AND STABLE ISOTOPE TECHNIQUES TO ADDRESS ISSUES AND CHALLENGES AT THE CRITICAL AGRICULTURE-WATER-ENVIRONMENT NEXUS (AWEN) IN ALABAMA

My first objective is to use nanotechnology for achieving sustainable agriculture and aquaculture by developing next generation nanosensors (e.g., for nutrient, contaminant, and pathogen detection), nanopesticides, and nanofertilizers. My second objective is to remediate aquatic environment remediation through the fabrication of cost-effective and robust nanosystems (e.g., biochar-, activated carbon-, and clays-modified nanomaterials) to effectively sorb and degrade contaminants (e.g., PFAS; due to PFAS issue in Alabama). Objective three is on the fate and transport of particles (e.g., colloids and nanoparticles) and their cotransport with newly emerging contaminants (e.g., PFAS and plastics). The final research objective will use stable isotope technique to track the sources and identify the biogeochemical cycling of P including nano-particulate P. The goals and deliverables of this Hatch Project are to: (1) develop nano-enabled products to support sustainable agriculture and aquaculture; (2) understand the fate, transport, transformation, and bioavailability of contaminants (e.g., P and PFAS) in aquatic environments; and (3) design and implement effective remedial strategies for environmental remediation using nanotechnology and (or) stable isotope technique. The gathered information will also help stockholders and policymakers to make best management practices for water quality management.