"Contaminated sediments impact water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and need adequate management"

UMBC: Center for Urban Environmental Research and Education

Fall 2026 Seminar Series 

virtually presents

Dr. Upal Ghosh

Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, UMBC

"Contaminated sediments impact water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and need adequate management"

Friday, September 18, 2026

2:00 PM online

WebEx Link

This seminar series is free and open to the public.

Abstract

Suspended sediments transported from watershed sources are deposited in estuarine systems across geologic timescales and constitute a critical component of geomorphological transformation of the earth’s crust.  Anthropogenic activities in the watershed alter the physical/chemical nature of suspended sediments that in turn results in negative impacts in the Bay. This talk will present findings from two of our recent investigations into sediments impacting the bay water resources.  The first study was motivated by the new initiative exploring the feasibility of removal of old sediments from behind the Conowingo Dam for beneficial use and to restore sediment/nutrient storage capacity. The Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River is the largest renewable power source in MD and has in the past served to hold back nutrient rich sediments from entering the Chesapeake Bay. We investigated the nature of the sediment deposits and showed that a large fraction of sediment deposited in the last century is made of coal particles eroded from Anthracite mines and mine tailings in PA. These sediments also retain the pollution history of the past century. Both coal and pollutants in the sediments will need to be addressed to enable beneficial use of the large volume of sediments.  In the second study we investigate ongoing sources of carcinogenic pollutants that continue to pollute suspended sediments slowing down recovery of polluted sediment sites and restricting opportunities for beneficial use of dredged sediments. Using novel passive sampling and modeling tools we demonstrate the ability to identify key sources of pollution in the Anacostia River that need to be addressed to improve sediment quality. Water quality of the river and impact on aquatic life through bioaccumulation in the food web are closely connected with the level of pollutants in the sediments. Overall, these studies point to the need for concerted efforts to identify and eliminate sources of pollution that impact sediment quality in the Bay. The close links between sediment and water quality require integrated efforts between water quality and sediment quality professionals.

Bio

Dr. Upal Ghosh is a professor in the department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.  He has an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering and MS and Ph.D. degrees in Environmental Engineering. His group performs research in environmental engineering and science with a focus on the fate, effects, and remediation of toxic pollutants in the environment. His fundamental research has contributed to the development and transition of nature-based sediment remediation technologies that work by altering sediment geochemistry and enhancing biological degradation.  Dr. Ghosh has also led the development of advanced monitoring tools for pollutant bioavailability, especially work on passive sampling of pollutants in water. Technologies developed by his group are being implemented in full-scale to provide sustainable solutions for large-scale coastal restoration cum remediation efforts. His work has resulted in more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, four US patents, and multiple awards. Dr. Ghosh also is the co-founder of two startup companies that are transitioning emerging sediment remediation technologies to the field. He works closely with industry and regulatory leaders to bring the best science into the practice of Environmental Engineering.

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Claire Welty
Director, Center for Urban Environmental Research and Education