September 1, 2024 Our group member Meshach Ando has been awarded the Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF) Scholarship for his research on methane emissions modelling in landfills. Congratulations Meshach!
July 11, 2024 Dr. De la Cruz was interviewed by Science News regarding PFAS emissions from landfills
January 25, 2024 Dr. De la Cruz was interviewed by Politico to share insights on issues associated with management of PFAS treatment residuals.
March 26, 2024 Our group member Ross Bolton has been awarded the Undergraduate Research Scholarship and Creative Activities (U-RSCA) Training Grant for his proposed research “Assessing the Fate of Dissolved Organic Compounds in St. Johns River”. Congratulations Ross!
March 19,2024 Our research on CO2 removal has been featured
March 15, 2022 Dr. De la Cruz’s interview with Bloomberg News focused on the viability of Terrestrial Storage of Biomass (TSB) as part of the broader Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) strategies. This approach is particularly relevant in regions prone to forest fires, where it offers dual benefits: removing CO2 from the atmosphere and reducing the risk of wildfires by decreasing the amount of biomass that could potentially ignite. BiCRS is a carbon removal approach where biomass, such as plant material, is captured and stored in a way that prevents the carbon it contains from returning to the atmosphere. In the case of TSB, the biomass is stored on or beneath the ground in conditions that inhibit its decomposition, effectively locking away the carbon for extended periods. Dr. De la Cruz highlighted that this method is particularly effective in areas with high fire risk. By removing excess biomass that would otherwise contribute to the intensity and frequency of wildfires, the approach not only sequesters carbon but also mitigates fire hazards. This dual benefit makes TSB a compelling strategy in fire-prone regions, addressing both climate change and wildfire management simultaneously.The viability of this approach hinges on various factors, including the logistics of biomass collection, the stability of the storage sites, and the overall carbon efficiency of the process. While promising, the implementation of TSB requires careful consideration of these factors to maximize its effectiveness as part of broader carbon removal and climate resilience strategies.
March 9, 2021 Dr. De la Cruz was interviewed to share his perspective on methane emissions and its implications on climate change.
