Grantee Research Project Results

Development and Evaluation of Field Sensors for Monitoring Bioaugmentation with Anaerobic Dehalogenating Cultures for In-Situ Treatment of TCE

EPA Grant Number: R828772C007
Subproject: this is subproject number 007 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R828772
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: National Research Program on Design-Based/Model-Assisted Survey Methodology for Aquatic Resources
Center Director: Stevens, Don L.
Title: Development and Evaluation of Field Sensors for Monitoring Bioaugmentation with Anaerobic Dehalogenating Cultures for In-Situ Treatment of TCE
Investigators: Ingle, James D.
Institution: Oregon State University
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: September 1, 2001 through August 31, 2003
Project Amount: Refer to main center abstract for funding details.
RFA: Hazardous Substance Research Centers - HSRC (2001) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Land and Waste Management

Objective:

The overall objective of this study is to refine and use redox sensors based on redox indicators as monitoring tools for assessing and optimizing redox conditions for treatment of TCE with dehalogenating cultures. Specific objectives are 1) to deploy, evaluate, and refine redox indicators for on-line monitoring of the redox conditions in two collaborative situations involving a bioaugmentation approach, 2) to understand the nature of the redox conditions under which dechlorination microbial processes occur.

Approach:

Redox indicators (organic molecules than change color with redox state) will be used to differentiate between different microbial redox levels (Fe(III)-reducing, sulfate-reducing, methanogenic or dechlorinating). These indicators are immobilized in a form (typically a transparent film) amendable for continuous monitoring (e.g., reversible, durable, stable, good kinetics) and placed in optical (or custom) flow cells. These redox indicator flow sensors will be deployed in two primary situations for calibration and demonstration of their applicability: 1) continuous monitoring of redox conditions of cultures inside bioreactors or microcosm bottles as a tool for the optimizing conditions for effective dechlorination of TCE with enriched halorespiratory cultures, 2) on-line monitoring of the redox status of test solutions pumped into and out of wedge-shaped physical aquifer models packed with aquifer sediment (i.e., "push-pull" tests). Redox measurements will be made before and after enriched cultures (developed in microcosm experiments) are injected into the physical model (bioaugmentation) during which characteristics such as electron donor utilization, enzyme activity, biomass, and dehalogenating ability of halorespiratory cultures are being determined. Throughout these studies the design and characteristics of the redox sensors will be improved based on experimental results, and new self-contained, miniature, optical redox sensing modules will be developed.

Expected Results:

This research will advance the development of new techniques and devices for monitoring redox status in the laboratory and at contaminated ground water sites that complement existing techniques and provide unique advantages such as rapid on-line monitoring, reversible response, and inexpensive, miniaturized, and portable instrumentation. These on-line monitoring techniques will be beneficial 1) for the initial assessment of laboratory samples and subsurface conditions at a site, 2) for continued assessment of the progress of remediation, and 3) for control of injections of amendments (e.g., substrates, nutrients) during remediation. Developed redox indicator flow sensors should enhance the capabilities of single-well "push-pull" tests developed at OSU and the ability to evaluate the success of bioaugmentation.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this subproject: View all 1 publications for this subproject | View all 168 publications for this center

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this subproject: View all 1 journal articles for this subproject | View all 69 journal articles for this center

Supplemental Keywords:

risk assessment, methods/techniques, bioremediation, groundwater, microbial activity, environmental chemistry., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Waste, Water, Hazardous, Remediation, Restoration, Chemical Engineering, Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, Environmental Chemistry, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Groundwater remediation, Hazardous Waste, Bioremediation, Environmental Engineering, reductive dechlorination, aquifer remediation design, in-situ biotransformation, microbial degradation, biotechnology, bioremediation model, degrade trichloroethylene, groundwater contamination, contaminated aquifers, aquifer remediation, in situ treatment, hazardous waste treatment, dechlorination, in-situ bioremediation, contaminated groundwater, push pull test, dehalogenate, monitoring, in situ remediation, groundwater, biodegradation, bioaugmentation, aquatic ecosystems, groundwater pollution, TCE degradation, reductive dehalogenation, microbiology, redox tools, dehalogenation, TCE

Progress and Final Reports:

2002

Final

Main Center Abstract and Reports:

R828772    National Research Program on Design-Based/Model-Assisted Survey Methodology for Aquatic Resources

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R828772C001 Developing and Optimizing Biotransformation Kinetics for the Bio- remediation of Trichloroethylene at NAPL Source Zone Concentrations
R828772C002 Strategies for Cost-Effective In-situ Mixing of Contaminants and Additives in Bioremediation
R828772C003 Aerobic Cometabolism of Chlorinated Aliphatic Hydrocarbon Compounds with Butane-Grown Microorganisms
R828772C004 Chemical, Physical, and Biological Processes at the Surface of Palladium Catalysts Under Groundwater Treatment Conditions
R828772C006 Development of the Push-Pull Test to Monitor Bioaugmentation with Dehalogenating Cultures
R828772C007 Development and Evaluation of Field Sensors for Monitoring Bioaugmentation with Anaerobic Dehalogenating Cultures for In-Situ Treatment of TCE
R828772C008 Training and Technology Transfer
R828772C009 Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC) and Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities (TAB) Programs
R828772C010 Aerobic Cometabolism of Chlorinated Ethenes by Microorganisms that Grow on Organic Acids and Alcohols
R828772C011 Development and Evaluation of Field Sensors for Monitoring Anaerobic Dehalogenation after Bioaugmentation for In Situ Treatment of PCE and TCE
R828772C012 Continuous-Flow Column Studies of Reductive Dehalogenation with Two Different Enriched Cultures: Kinetics, Inhibition, and Monitoring of Microbial Activity
R828772C013 Novel Methods for Laboratory Measurement of Transverse Dispersion in Porous Media
R828772C014 The Role of Micropore Structure in Contaminant Sorption and Desorption