This action approves an award in the amount of $1,499,999 to the university of houston

The purpose of this award is to enhance and protect the water quality of the gulf of mexico by removing excess nutrients in stormwater runoff. Floating aquatic plants will be used to sequester nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals.activities:demonstrations from researchers will develop a system to move the raft containing grasses and rice plants in pots to the center of the watershed and return to the shoreline when IT is ready for harvest. After harvesting the seeds, the biomass will be pyrolyzed to biochar and used as a soil amendment to increase absorption of excess nutrients in agricultural fields. Implementation of this approach will reduce algal bloom in waterways and benefit the surrounding communities. Subrecipient:subrecipients will lead the experimental design, quantify environmental components, assist with growing aquatic plants, develop testbeds to grow sorghum, and apply the biochar from the plants. Subrecipient activities also include data analysis, monitoring, and biochar conversion.outcomes:anticipated deliverables and outcomes include developing and demonstrating a new floating aquatic plant system that can reliably remove about 50-60% of nutrients from the watershed. Findings will reveal the most suitable conditions to produce biochar and the percentage of fertilizer reduction. One-day workshops will be organized to educate the stakeholders about the aquatic plant system by explaining to them the concept and intended benefits. Residents and communities across the texas gulf coast will benefit from improved water quality.