• Transport and Biodegradation of Toxic Organics in Biofilms

Sponsor: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Total Funding:   $1,105,567

Research Period:  2001 – 2007

The overall goal of this research is to gain an understanding of the transport and degradation mechanisms involved in soil bioremediation systems.  The properties of soil biofilms used to remediate soils contaminated by a variety of toxic organics, particularly PAHs (naphthalene, anthracene, pyrene, chrysene) are being elucidated; these findings will be used to develop more efficient bioremediation systems.  The primary intent is to develop a fundamental understanding of the role of biofilms in soil bioremediation systems, in terms of biofilm growth and structure, and the role of the biofilm on mass transport to the biofilm microorganisms responsible for the contaminant biodegradation.  A particularly salient aspect of this research is that it is addressing not only bioremediation of individual compounds, but also mixtures of toxic compounds with a range of recalcitrance. The study is using specially designed microelectrodes.  We are also developing a permeable biowall system for bioremediation.

• Integrated Multi-Analyte Microelectrode Sensors for In Situ Environmental Monitoring, National Science Foundation

Sponsor:  National Science Foundation

Total Funding:  $328,788, 2005-2008

Research Period:  2005 – 2008

The long-term goal of the is to develop and demonstrate effective in situ monitoring sensor technology that is cost-efficient, broadly-applicable, reliable, and easy to use by environmental professionals with minimal retraining.  The overall objective of the proposed research is to demonstrate integrated multi-analyte sensors for in situ monitoring of phosphate, nitrate, pH, and redox potential.  The integrated sensor array will enable environmental scientists to begin to investigate and understand the fate and transport of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and other toxic contaminants in urban and agricultural water systems. 

• PAH Bioremediation and Monitoring in Biowalls

Sponsor:   National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Total Funding:   $890,528

Research Period:   2006-2009

The overall goal of this research is to gain an understanding of the transport and biodegradation mechanisms of toxic pollutants in biowalls constructed at Superfund field sites.  The research focuses primarily on in-situ measurement of contaminant transport in soils and in the biowall.  The hypotheses to be tested in this research are that (a) biowalls can effectively remediate hazardous waste groundwater plumes contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals, and (b) in-situ monitoring devices can be developed to evaluate the treatment efficiency of these biowall systems. 

• Persistence of Spore Forming Bacteria on Drinking Water Biofilm and Evaluation of  Decontamination Methods

Sponsor:  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Total Funding:  $120,000

Research Period:  2007 – 2008

Water distribution systems are vulnerable to terrorist attacks because they are largely unguarded and accessible to individuals with basic understanding of how a water supply network is designed.  Of specific concern is the introduction of pathogenic microorganisms into a water distribution system during a terrorist attack.  This research focuses on determination of the extent to which pathogenic microorganisms introduced into a drinking distribution system following contamination adhere to the biofilm/pipe material present in the distribution network, and evaluating whether decontamination measures taken in response to a contamination of a drinking water distribution system will be effective in inactivating pathogens adhering to the biofilm.

• Experimental Stream Facility and East Fork Watershed Study:  Research Linking Land use Management Practices to Ecologic Structure and Function in Small Stream Ecosystems

Sponsor:  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Total Funding:  $80,000

Research Period:  2006-2008

In an environment without anthropogenic influences, stream channels reach a equilibrium with stream flow and sediment loads.  When this natural equilibrium is altered, whether through urbanization, farming, or agriculture practices, the stream adjusts to a new one.  This new equilibrium may not support the ecosystem that currently once existed there, and hence a new ecosystem will develop that may exclude some of the indigenous biota.  The emphasis of this work will be to develop a model which links land use practices to in channel habitat degradation with the perspective of streams as being reactors.

• Contaminant Chlorine Reaction Kinetic Studies in Bench-Scale Devices

Sponsor:  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Total Funding:  $80,000

Research Period:  2006-2008

This research will include bench-scale studies of reaction kinetics between selected contaminants and chlorine residual in drinking water.  This research is a part of the studies aimed at understanding the fate and transport behaviors of chlorine reactive contaminants in a drinking water distribution system.  The second objective of the study is to obtain information on types and quantity of chlorine disinfection by-products and their formation kinetics.  The research will determine chlorine decay kinetic constants for 5 pesticide and herbicide contaminants under residual chlorine levels commonly found in drinking water and excess (0.5, 2 and 4 ppm).  It will also investigate reaction pathways and by-products of selected contaminants in chlorinated drinking water.