Michael O’Driscoll


Dr. Michael O’Driscoll
Geology
odriscollm@ecu.edu

Research Outputs

Published Manuscripts

  • Iverson, G., Humphrey, C., O’Driscoll, M., Sanderford, C., Jernigan, J., Serozi, B. Nutrient exports from watersheds with varying septic system densities in the North Carolina Piedmont. Journal of Environmental Management. Vol. 211: 206-217.
  • Humphrey, C. Blackmon, J., Kelley, T., O’Driscoll, M., and Iverson, G. Environmental health threats associated with drainage from a coastal urban watershed. Environment and Natural Resources Research; Vol. 8, No. 1; 52-60.

Reports/White Papers

  • O’Driscoll, M., Skibiel, C., Hillman, I. and Humphrey, C. Existing Data for Evaluating Coastal Plain Ecological Flows in the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership (APNEP) Region. Albemarle Pamlico National Estuary Partnership. 53 p.
  • Mixing Zones as Critical Components of Coastal Watershed Function (DOE White Paper- submitted January 2019) Stephen Moysey (Geologic Sciences), Michael O’Driscoll (Coastal Studies), Sid Mitra (Geologic Sciences), Randall Etheridge (Engineering), Ariane Peralta (Biology), Alex Manda (Geological Sciences), Rui Wu (Computer Science)

Submitted Manuscripts (in review)

  • O’Driscoll, M., Bean, E., Mahoney, R.N., and Humphrey, C. Coastal tourism and its influence on wastewater nitrogen loading: a barrier island case study. Submitted to Environmental Management (July 16, 2018)
  • O’Driscoll, M., DeWalle, D.R., Iverson, G., Humphrey, C.  Groundwater Seeps: Portholes to Evaluate Groundwater’s Influence on Stream Water Quality. Submitted to Journal of Contemporary Water Resources and Education (Dec. 3, 2018)
  • Humphrey, C., Iverson, G., O’Driscoll, M., and Anderson, E. Phosphorus Exports in Coastal Plain Watersheds Served by Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems. Submitted to the International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology (June 2018)
  • Charles P. Humphrey Jr; Guy Iverson; William J. Underwood, Samuel S. Cary, Caitlin Skibiel, and Mike O’Driscoll, Ph.D. Nitrogen Treatment in Soil Beneath Two High-flow and Two Low-flow Onsite Wastewater Systems.Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment submitted January 2019

 

Abstracts and Presentations

  • 2018, “What’s the use? Tracking groundwater use in North Carolina. (co-presented with Craig Caldwell, NC DEQ). North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute Annual Conference. Raleigh, NC. March 15.
  • 2018, Controls on onsite wastewater N inputs to coastal watersheds: Identifying risk factors for elevated nutrient loading. North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute Annual Conference. Raleigh, NC. March 14. O’Driscoll, Humphrey, and Iverson.
  • 2018, Iverson, G., Humphrey, C., Sanderford, C, and O’Driscoll, M. Evaluation of a bioreactor to remediate  nutrients in a septic-dominated watershed in the North Carolina piedmont. NC Water Resources Research Institute Conference. Raleigh, NC. March 14-15.
  • 2018, Hillman, I., O’Driscoll, M., Skibiel, C., and Humphrey, C. Evaluating ecological flows in the Albemarle-Pamlico Basin. NC Water Resources Research Institute Conference. Raleigh, NC. March 14-15.
  • 2018, *Rudd, M. and O’Driscoll, M. Spatial and temporal water quality variations in High Rock Lake: insights to support nutrient criteria development for North Carolina lakes. NC Water Resources Research Institute Conference.  Raleigh, NC. March 14-15.
  • 2018, *Mays, P. and O’Driscoll, M. A study of eutrophication at Long Lake, SC. NC Water Resources Research Institute Conference.  Raleigh, NC. March 14-15.
  • Watson, J., Mays, P., O’Driscoll, M., and Humphrey, C. Investigation of eutrophication issues in a chara-dominated coastal lake. Southeastern Lake Management Conference. Asheville, NC. April 16, 2018.
  • O’Driscoll, M., DeWalle, D.R., Iverson, G., Humphrey, C.  Groundwater seeps: Portholes to observe groundwater quality and contaminant transport to streams. Universities Council on Water Resources Annual Conference. Pittsburgh, PA. June 26, 2018.
  • O’Driscoll, M. Nutrient treatment by coastal package plants. Annual NC Onsite Water Protection Conference. Raleigh, NC.  Oct. 16-18.
  • CoPE Meeting (NSF)- Moysey, Cooper, O’Driscoll, and Humphrey– Coastlines and People- A HUB Story? Sept. 26, 2018.
  • O’Driscoll, M. Existing Data for Evaluating Coastal Plain Ecological Flows in the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuary Region. Raleigh, NC. A presentation to NC-DEQ and the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership. Oct. 30, 2018.
  • Water Pollution (EOS 505), Duke University. Guest Speaker- Nutrient transport from Piedmont septic systems, Falls Lake, NC (w/ Guy Iverson) Nov. 15, 2018.
  • Urbanization effects on streams and stormwater-stream connection art design projects lectures. Two lectures to Dan Elliott’s design classes to support their stormwater stenciling art design projects (January 24, 2019)
  • Humphrey, C., Iverson, G., and O’Driscoll, M. Remediation of onsite wastewater system nitrate using reactive media and natural wetlands. Soil Science Society of America, International Soils Meeting. San Diego, CA. Jan.6-9 2019.

 

Research Projects

Effects of altered runoff regimes on streams and estuaries

  • Watershed restoration of Boathouse Creek-  Lower White Oak River, NC
  • The effects of stormwater control measures on Town Creek: Quantifying water quality improvements and stormwater reduction in an impaired urban watershed
  • Evaluating Coastal Plain ecological flows in the Albemarle-Pamlico Basin
  • Acquisition of critical data for the validation of watershed response models in Eastern North Carolina (Hurricane Florence Response)

Non-point source pollution impacts to groundwater and surface waters

  • Investigation of nutrient fluxes and sources in Long Lake watershed, South Carolina
  • Lick Creek watershed restoration via improved wastewater management
  • Geophysical approaches to delineate wastewater migration in coastal aquifers
  • Evaluating impacts of package treatment plant efficiency on coastal water quality
  • Development and performance evaluation of next-generation nano-filters for 1,4-Dioxane removal from water and comparisons with naturally available renewable filter matrices (Luffa and woodchips)
  • Groundwater seeps: Portholes to evaluate groundwater’s influence on stream water quality
  • Nutrient criteria development for North Carolina lakes, streams, and estuaries (Science Advisory Council)

 

Awards

Recently Funded Grants

  • Pokhrel, L., Humphrey, C., O’Driscoll, M., and  Lee, J. Development and performance evaluation of next-generation nano-filters for 1,4-Dioxane removal from water and comparisons with naturally available renewable filter matrices (Luffa and woodchips). ECU Natural Resources and the Environment Cluster. $14,000.
  • Moysey, S., Cooper, H., O’Driscoll, M., and Humphrey, C. Acquisition of Critical Data for the Validation of Watershed Response Models in Eastern North Carolina. National Science Foundation–Hydrological Sciences- RAPID Program. $49,982.
  • Humphrey, C., Manda, A., Etheridge, R., Peralta, A., Bean, E., and O’Driscoll, M. NC-DEQ/US EPA 319 Grant Program. Reducing Non Point Sources of Pollution and Improving Water Quality in the Lick Creek Watershed. $143,050.
  • O’Driscoll, M., Watson, J., & Humphrey, C. Understanding nutrient fluxes and sources into Long Lake watershed, South Carolina. Meher Spiritual Center, Myrtle Beach, SC. $23,766.
  • O’Driscoll, M., Skibiel, C., and Humphrey, C. Action plan to compile existing data for evaluating ecological flows in the APNEP region. Albemarle Pamlico National Estuarine Partnership. $18,435.
  • O’Driscoll, M., Bean, E., Humphrey, C., and Peralta, A. The effects of stormwater control measures on Town Creek: Quantifying water quality improvements and stormwater reduction in an impaired urban  watershed. NC-Environmental Enhancement Grant Program. $110,209.
  • NCSU Saltwater Intrusion Project (NCSU extension, Rashash et al. 2018) $25,000.

Proposals (Not Funded)

  • O’Driscoll, Humphrey, Allen, Howard, Berkowitz. Developing a framework for quantifying sea level rise and flooding impacts on centralized and decentralized wastewater infrastructure in the Albemarle-Pamlico Drainage Basin. ECU Natural Resources and the Environment Cluster. $15,000.

Proposals in Review

  • Harrison, J., Whitehead, J., Edwards, E., Humphrey, C., O’Driscoll, M., and Hill, K. NOAA COCA/SARP Assessing and Communicating Economic Impacts and Risks Associated with Water Resource Management Challenges Along the Coast. Wastewater Infrastructure Tipping Points: Prioritizing Implementation of Climate Adaptation Plans in Decentralized Systems. $294,008
  • O’Driscoll, M., Humphrey, C., and Peralta, A.  Duke Energy Water Resources Fund. The SWAMP Brigade: Enhancing Awareness of Urban Storm Drain Connections to Streams. $96,078.
  • O’Driscoll, M., Moysey,S., Corbett,D.R.,  Etheridge, R., and  Manda, A. NSF- MRI (Acquisition): Sensing our Changing Coasts: Integrated Virtual Instrument for Environmental Watershed (InVIEW) Studies. $3,502,669.
  • O’Driscoll, M.,  Humphrey, C., Allen,T.,  Howard,R., Hochard, J., and Whitehead, J. NOAA Ecological Effects of Sea Level Rise 2019: Coastal flooding and sea level rise effects on decentralized wastewater infrastructure and associated risk management strategies in coastal communities. $447,112 (January 16 submission delayed due to federal shutdown- rescheduled to submit by Feb. 15).

 

Student Researchers

Current Students

  • Guy Iverson. Watershed nitrogen exports from on-site wastewater treatment systems. Coastal Resources Management (Ph.D.). East Carolina University. (co-advisor w/ C. Humphrey)
  • Lori Farley. Effects of urbanization on Coastal Plain streams. Geol. Sciences (M.S.). East Carolina University.
  • Shea McMurry. Water quality impairment and restoration of a buried urban stream, Town Creek. Geol. Sciences (M.S.). East Carolina University.
  • Paul Mays. Nutrient inputs to Long Lake, SC. Geol. Sciences (M.S.).East Carolina University.
  • Isabel Hillman. INVEST modeling of nutrient and sediment transport to the Albemarle-Pamlico Basin to target restoration hotspots. (MEM). Duke University.

Recently Graduated Advisees

ECU

  • Ryan Bond (ECU Geological Sciences, Defended, submitted thesis Dec. 2018); STORMWATER CONTROL MEASURES TO REDUCE URBAN STORMWATER AND NUTRIENT INPUTS TO BOATHOUSE CREEK, NORTH CAROLINA Geol. Sciences (M.S.).East Carolina University.

Duke University

  • 2018, Morgan Rudd. An evaluation of water quality dynamics in High Rock Lake, NC to support nutrient criteria development. (MEM). Duke University.
  • 2018, Katie DiPrete. Evaluating the use of periphyton as a water quality indicator in freshwater wadeable streams in North Carolina. (MEM). Duke University.