We are thrilled to announce that our NSF-RAPID proposal was funded. Dr. Srimanti Duttagupta (PI of this project), along with Dr. Avishek Dutta (co-PI), will investigate the immediate and longer-term effects of Hurricane Helene on the Oconee River watershed, an essential water source for Athens-Clarke County and surrounding communities. As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of extreme weather events like hurricanes, understanding their effects on natural water systems has become increasingly important. Hurricane Helene’s heavy rainfall and flooding likely carried pollutants from urban, agricultural, and industrial sources into the watershed, introducing contaminants such as pesticides. These pollutants disrupt natural nutrient cycles and alter microbial communities essential for maintaining ecosystem balance. By investigating both the immediate and long-term effects of the hurricane, this study aims to uncover how such events influence water quality and ecosystem health. The research has significant implications for advancing scientific understanding of climate impacts on natural systems and will contribute to developing improved water management strategies to protect public health and environmental sustainability.
