Analytical prediction of extreme land surface temperatures
The increase in land surface temperature (LST) in a warming world affects climatological, hydrological, and ecological processes ranging from ecosystem and biome vulnerability to occurrence and extent of extreme climate events such as heatwaves and wildfires. Unprecedently high LSTs exceeding 80 oC have been recorded in some regions of the world in recent years limiting habitability of these regions in certain conditions. We aim to develop physically-based analytical models capable of predicting the location and magnitude of extreme temperatures on a global scale under different climate scenarios. [Click here for more information]
Sea-Level Rise and Coastal Wetland Dynamics
Sea level rise (SLR) is a well-documented aspect of anthropogenic climate change which is primary due to the thermal expansion of seawater and melting of ice caps and glaciers. Climate change is expected to exacerbate sea-level rise within the next century, much larger than the observations since the beginning of the recordings. Wetlands are ecosystems characterized by either permanent or seasonal flooding. They provide a number of important functions including coastal protection, improvement in water quality and carbon sequestration. SLR has been shown to move coastlines, including wetlands. [Click here for more information]
Foam Flow in Porous Media: From Fundamentals to Applications
In subsurface environment, hydrocarbons are commonly released due to widespread use, improper disposal, accidental spills and through leakage of underground storage tanks. This can serve as a long-term source of contamination of soil and groundwater, which poses significant challenges to the human health, agriculture, and water quality. Foam injection in porous media proved to be a promising approach to mobilize the trapped oil due to its unique physicochemical properties. Foam is a dispersed gaseous phase within a continuous aqueous phase comprised mainly of thin liquid films [Click here for more infomation]
Ecohydrology and Sustainable Terrestrial Ecosystems
Preserving terrestrial ecosystems requires targeted efforts to promote sustainable land-use management for both agricultural and industrial purposes. To do so, it is a necessity to develop realistic proposals for improving water use efficiency especially in arid and semi-arid regions where increasing demand for water is a complex challenge with all the associated socio-economic implications. Realizing this urgency, we are interested in developing novel tools for sustainable land-use, water and ecosystem management at different scale. [Click here for more information]