East Carolina University and partner institutions will work together to investigate saltwater intrusion in freshwater areas. George Olsen has more.
Researchers at East Carolina will team up with associates at N-C State, UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University to look at how saltwater intrusion is affecting ecosystems and the economy of eastern North Carolina. The project is funded by a $1.5 million grant awarded by the National Science Foundation’s Coastal Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability program. During the five year study researchers will look at how increasing salinity will affect agriculture and natural ecosystems over the next 10-to-20 years. ECU’s principal investigator for the project Marcelo Ardon with the Department of Biology says increasing salinity can lead to several issues including plant mortality and decreasing water quality. The study will focus on the peninsula surrounded by the Albermarle, Pamlico and Croatan Sounds. I’m George Olsen.