The team is evaluating the shift and erosion of the sand. It's
also measuring the runoff of fertilizers, pesticides and other
compounds into the Bay. They're also studying how the wetlands
in the bay area held up in the storm. Closer to campus, the team
is also assessing how the storm-related influx of seawater into
the Passaic River affected its fish population. The research
team includes NJIT Professor Nancy Jackson, a coastal expert
whose research focuses on beaches and dunes; Professor Liping
Wei, a biochemist who studies water pollution and
bioremediation; and undergraduate and graduate students. "In
essence we're evaluating the resilience of these ecosystems,"
said Boufadel, a professor of civil and environmental
engineering and director of the NJIT Center for Natural
Resources Development and Protection
http://centers.njit.edu/nrdp/. "If any of the ecosystems were
impaired by the hurricane, we'll monitor their ability to
recover." The NSF grant is for one year, says Boufadel, after
which he'll report h