Sustaining Life
Water is at the nexus of the energy-environment relationship, and water scarcity involves the inherent trade-offs between the production of food, goods, and services and the maintenance of natural ecosystems.
Flowing throughout the Earth
Water is essential to the health of people and communities, ecosystems, regional and national economies, and the security of nations, supporting personal health, food production, manufacturing, energy generation, recreation, and a spectrum of other socially-valued ecosystem services.
Likewise, the biogeochemical cycles, such as nutrients and carbon, which are circulated through water, terrestrial ecosystems, and the atmosphere are essential to our world's health.
Population growth, development, and environmental changes put increasing stresses on water resources throughout the world. The challenges of droughts, floods, and degraded water quality—which serve to underscore our dependence on a balanced quantity and adequate quality of water—exasperate population challenges.
Additionally, changes to our ecosystem place stressors on biogeochemical cycles.
Water and Biogeochemical Cycles Research
Featured IEE Researchers
More Researchers by Topic
Find more researchers studying water and biogeochemical cycles by clicking on any of the following topics:
Water Quality Watershed Nutrients Wastewater Runoff Hydrology Soil Wetlands Carbon Cycle Ocean Circulation Water Pollution
Featured News
Changing cropping systems in impaired watersheds can produce water quality gains
Growing the right crop in the right place within an impaired watershed can achieve significant water quality improvements, according to Penn State researchers, who conducted a novel study in the drainage of a Susquehanna River tributary in an agricultural area in southeastern Pennsylvania. The research may reveal a potential path for restoring the troubled Chesapeake Bay.
Mentions: Patrick Drohan, Heather Preisendanz, Tamie L. Veith
Growing Impact with Kirk French and climate change on the Hudson S1:E1
Kirk French talks about his newest project, "Climate Change on the Hudson: A Century After Nanook." In the discussion, Kirk talks about the importance of documenting climate change through film and how revisiting "Nanook of the North" empowered the Inuit to tell their story, even in the face of COVID.
Mentions: Kirk French, Andrew Carleton
'Windows of opportunity' crucial for cutting Chesapeake nutrient, sediment loads
The vast majority of nutrients and sediment washed into streams flowing into the Chesapeake Bay are picked up by deluges from severe storms that occur on relatively few days of the year. That is the conclusion of a new study led by Penn State researchers, who say it offers clues for cleaning up the impaired estuary.
Mentions: Heather Preisendanz, James Shortle
Water Council
The Penn State Water Council is elected from the University’s more than 170 water faculty and staff and is responsible for working with the Director to set University-wide vision, establish and advance strategic initiatives, and enable and support transdisciplinary research, education, and outreach.
Water Project Proposals in Development
Penn State Water has multiple proposals to bolster and broaden water research and education at the University.
