EPA Grant for Water Study
New Research Project to Track Lake Okeechobee, Improving Quality, Monitoring and Protecting Public Health
卧龙资源网鈥檚 Charles E. Schmidt College of Science has received a $700,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to monitor water quality in Lake Okeechobee, Florida鈥檚 largest freshwater lake.
The three-year project, led by Natalia Malina, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, aims to track how emerging contaminants, such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, transform in sunlight after entering the water.
These processes can produce byproducts that are more toxic or persistent than the original compounds, posing significant risks to ecosystems and public health. Current monitoring programs often overlook these chemical changes.
Researchers will deploy passive sampling devices at eight lake sites to monitor seasonal and annual shifts in contaminant levels. Advanced chemical techniques will help determine how these substances degrade and transform over time.
The project addresses a national concern as emerging contaminants from agriculture and urban areas continue to challenge water systems.
Malina鈥檚 findings could shape future regulations and provide a scalable model for water monitoring across the U.S.
Lake Okeechobee serves nearly 8 million people and supports critical ecosystems, making improved monitoring essential for sustainability, health and environmental protection.
For more information, email dorcommunications@卧龙资源网.edu to connect with the Research Communication team.