Grantee Research Project Results
A Sustainable Approach to Nitrate Reduction Using a Stream Denitrifying Biofilm
EPA Grant Number: SU834756Title: A Sustainable Approach to Nitrate Reduction Using a Stream Denitrifying Biofilm
Investigators: Barone, Justin Robert
Current Investigators: Barone, Justin Robert , Fahs, Ryan , Harvey, Kate , Hise, Adam , Kittur, Harsha , Langellotti, Kelsey , Lee, Parker , Mayo, Charlie , Neighbors, Daniel , Umberger, Ashley , Vaught, Daniel
Institution: Virginia Tech
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: II
Project Period: August 15, 2010 through August 14, 2012 (Extended to August 14, 2013)
Project Amount: $74,152
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet - Phase 2 (2010) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Chemical Safety , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
- Design and construct a large-scale bioreactor and implement it into a stream.
- Assess the efficacy of the bioreactor under optimum and non-optimum operating conditions.
- Assess the economic feasibility of the bioreactor technology by gathering actual construction, implementation, and maintenance costs.
- Assess the aesthetic and social aspects of the bioreactor technology.
Approach:
Undergraduate student design teams will again be assembled to build and test prototype bioreactors based on our original laboratory design.
Expected Results:
Upon completion of the project, we will have discovered:
- the optimum overall size and type of packed bed for the large-scale bioreactor,
- under what conditions the bioreactor performs the best and worst, and
- the aesthetic and social value of the concept.
Relevant Websites:
Phase 1 AbstractProgress and Final Reports:
P3 Phase I:
A Sustainable Approach to Nitrate Reduction Combining a Riparian Zone with a Stream Denitrifying Biofilm | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.