One of the significant issues with urbanization and a rapidly changing climate is an increase in storm-runoff and the speed of stormwater reaching the existing drainage system. The drainage system is overburdened by the amount of flows during rainfall causing flash floods. Also, the untreated runoff is released to local water-bodies. The pollutants in urban runoff can cause eutrophication that severely affects the aquatic life and creates an imbalance in the eco-system. The rationale for this research is to confront this global issue through a local solution.

The motivations for this study are 1) To develop a sustainable urban drainage system through purifying parking lots and roofs. 2) To develop a design procedure as well as materials for constructing purifying parking lots or roofs. 3) To collaborate with construction firms and stakeholders in transforming the research into practice. 4) To promote the economic, social, and environment rewards due to the sustainable drainage system to all beneficiary’s like local community, retail and commercial firms in the southern Lake Michigan area.

• Analyze lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens DNA sequence data for genetic markers

• Standardize technique for Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of E. coli DNA
• Evaluate and select potentially useful primers of generating informative E. coli DNA fingerprint database from humans and animal species

• Characterize the relationships between invasive species and water quality ecosystem services in Great Lakes area wetlands
• Develop site-specific management recommendations for optimizing ecosystem services based on improved understanding of invasive species effects of denitrification.
•  Provide educational and research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students centered on improving the scientific basis for stewardship of Great Lakes area wetlands

Robots as mobile sensors can monitor large areas repeatedly. An effective robotic solution should benefit from human knowledge and experience as well as integrates an established sampling strategy. This project envisions a human-assisted robotic solution for sampling spiny water flea (Bythotrephes longimanus), an invasive microorganism notorious for its ecological and economic harm in the Great Lakes. The project outcomes include extensive field testing of the device, a design upgrade based on test results, and the design of a robotic boat that can utilize the device to sample water flea in nearshore regions at depths of up to 25 m. Results from this work will set the stage for large-scale monitoring projects where robots that can be used by selectively and consistently monitor complex ecosystems.

• Develop geologic soils-based site and surface design research to alleviate flooding in flood-prone urban areas