About the Department

November 26, 2024

Researchers to study how to make carbon-storing product safer, more sustainable

Able to store carbon to offset emissions and prevent soil degradation and pollution, charcoal-like biochar could offer a sustainable solution to a lot of environmental challenges — if its production can be made greener. Supported by a three-year, $799,883 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, an international team led by researchers at Penn State will address the so-called “dark side” of biochar, assessing the threat of organic contaminant residues in biorefinery char products.

November 22, 2024

Alternate stream water-testing method detects emerging contaminants

Pollutants known as “contaminants of emerging concern” or chemicals that could potentially harm human health and have been found in the environment, including pesticides, ingredients from personal care products, pharmaceuticals and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are increasingly found in streams and lakes. A team led by researchers at Penn State recently demonstrated the accuracy and utility of a new method to find even very low levels of these substances in surface waters. They reported their findings in the Science of the Total Environment.

November 21, 2024

Gas From Dairy Farm Manure Pit Causes Child to Lose Consciousness, Kills Ponies

October 29, 2024

The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering in the College of Agricultural Sciences is hiring a Lab Coordinator.

This is a full-time non-academic staff (Lab Coordinator-Engineering-Intermediate Professional) position.