Soil and Water Sciences Department at UF

The primary goal of this research program is on management of nutrients, trace metals, and other contaminants in the landscape to protect surface and subsurface water resources in urbanized and rapidly urbanizing areas. A variety of water quality problems plague the water resources in Florida including accelerated eutrophication of natural waters by nutrients, microbial and organic compounds contamination, and harmful algal blooms such as red tide. Research has linked increased population growth and associated increase in nutrient fluxes with an increase in frequency and areal extent of algal blooms in several parts of the world. The human population in the coastal areas along the Gulf of Mexico has increased from 8 million to over 17 million during 1960-2000. The increased population increases nutrient delivery to water bodies. For example, a study by National Research Council reported that the humans increased nitrogen inputs to the Gulf of Mexico by 275% greater than pre-developed levels. The top three causes of impairment of waters in US are nutrients, with 57% impaired estuaries.

GCREC Environmental Soil Management Laboratory

For more on Dr. Gurpal Toor's Current Research