Professor and Extension SpecialistUniversity of Maryland College Park
Email: gstoor@umd.edu
Phone: 301-405-1215
Visit Gurpal's Research Website
Research Disciplines: Research Interests:
Water quality, nitrogen, phosphorus, watershed biogeochemistry, isotopes, agriculture, nutrient management, soil fertility
View Gurpal's CVBiographical Sketch
I am a Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Environmental Science & Technology. My expertise is in Nutrient Management, Soil Fertility, and Water Quality. From 2007 to 2017, I was an Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Full Professor in the Department of Soil and Water Sciences at the University of Florida.
The overall goal of my research and extension program at the University of Maryland is to conduct basic and applied research and extension to (1) increase understanding of environmental issues as related to agricultural and natural ecosystems and (2) solve environmental problems related to nutrient pollution in the water bodies, including the Chesapeake Bay.
Education
I hold a BS Hons in Agriculture and Chemistry, an MS in Soil Chemistry, and a PhD in Environmental Soil Science. I was trained as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Plant and Soil Science department at the University of Delaware and as a Research Scientist in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering department at the University of Arkansas.
Other Research
The specific objectives of my research program are to:
1) Develop, evaluate, and refine innovative tools using nutrient management principles to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of water bodies while using waste materials (manures, biosolids) and commercial fertilizers.
2) Investigate mechanisms and processes controlling release and transport of nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural landscape to drainage ditches, streams, and rivers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and other water bodies.
Current projects:
- Reducing Nitrogen and Phosphorus Losses and Protecting Water Quality in the Chesapeake Bay
- Managing Nitrogen in Agricultural Production Systems to Optimize Efficiency and Reduce Losses.
- Manipulating Phosphorus in the Soil-Plant-Water Continuum.
- Assessing the Effectiveness of Soil Health Practices in Enhancing Soil Organic Carbon.