Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Urban Waste Management & Research Center (University of New Orleans)
EPA Grant Number: R825427Center: Health Effects Institute (2000 — 2005)
Center Director: Greenbaum, Daniel S.
Title: Urban Waste Management & Research Center (University of New Orleans)
Investigators: McManis, Kenneth , McCorquodale, J. A. , Cothren, Gianna M. , Kura, Bhaskar , Barbe, Donald , LaMotta, Enrique , Sutherlin, John , Tittlebaum, Marty
Institution: University of New Orleans
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: January 1, 1998 through September 30, 2003
Project Amount: $5,569,100
RFA: Urban Waste Management & Research Center (1998) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Targeted Research
Objective:
The University of New Orleans Urban Waste Management and Research Center's mission addresses urban problems associated with municipal solid waste, wastewater, urban runoff, surface and ground water quality, and air quality. Its major goal is to provide an integrated multimedia waste management approach to the solution of urban environmental problems, and to advance the state of the art of urban waste management and pollution prevention through technology transfer.
The Center's research activities concentrate on urban environmental problems; its outreach activities have been designed to promote community involvement and education on environmental issues and problems; and its policy and technology transfer are key elements in the Center's programs. To that end the Center conducts research projects relevant to urban needs, and provide workshops, short courses, seminars and initiate training programs in urban waste management. The Center has also served as a clearinghouse for technology, and promote citizen involvement and education to help bridge the gap between governmental requirements and the needs of municipalities and industry. The Center's focus is on research that develops the technologies necessary to further this goal, and provides a source of trained graduate engineers and scientists.
It is the Center's goal to be recognized nationally as a resource for addressing urban environmental issues through research, planning and education, and serve as a catalyst for implementing improved waste management. Through increased interaction with other research organizations and EPA research centers the Center has strengthened the quality of the science and technology transfer capabilities.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
The Center is committed to ensuring that the quality of the data generated from a project is specified and provides sufficient resources to enable the required level of quality assurance and quality control to be performed. To this end, the Center developed its Quality Management Plan which establishes the operational practices and procedures by which the Center implements its Quality System program. The QMP ensures that the quality of work and the data generated under projects supported by the Urban Waste Management and Research Center are within a stated level of confidence and do not exceed acceptable limits.
A five-year plan was developed to focus on issues concerning the urban environmental infrastructure and the urban watershed. The Center chose as its primary five year focus the development of a multi-year broad-based approach to address the problems associated with the environmental infrastructure located in the urban watershed. Secondary focus was given to areas of Water Quality, Urban Air Quality and Municipal Waste Management. The results of this multi year focus has a wide range of applicability in urban areas throughout the United States. The specific topics of study were chosen with regard to problems that were local in nature but national in scope.
The Center's research revolves around five themes: municipal solid waste,
wastewater, urban runoff, surface and ground water quality, and air quality.
Although these areas are important to the Center's mission, the Center, Environmental
Protection Agency, the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Water Environment
Federation have placed a primary emphasis on the need for research associated
with urban environmental infrastructure while stressing a watershed based approach.
Based on these national needs, the primary effort of the Center was be the development
of a multi-year broad-based approach to address the problems associated with
the environmental infrastructure located in the urban watershed. Secondary focus
was given to areas of water quality, urban air quality and municipal waste management.
The Center conducts basic and applied research in developing methods for implementing
and converting any research results to real-world solutions in the management
of urban wastes. Technology transfer, in many cases, this involved the traditional
form of dissemination, such as journal publications, participation in conferences,
seminars and short courses or demonstration projects. In addition, leveraged
relationships with industry or government were utilized in efforts to implement
proven research or technology transfer.
An external Science Advisory Committee (SAC) was established to guide and
advise the Center Director. The SAC reviews the Center's work plan, makes recommendations
prioritizing and funding research projects, and provides guidance on emerging
issues.
The SAC consists of between nine and twelve individuals who are experts in technical
fields related to the focus of the Center. The membership comes from EPA's regional
offices and laboratories, or state agency personnel operating in cooperation
with or under EPA delegated authorities; appropriate experts in academia, and
industry.
The Center's annual work plan was formulated on proposals which are consistent with the Center's mission and the research focus identified in the Center's Five Year Plan. Proposals are prepared by researchers at the University of New Orleans and other universities across the U.S. in response to a call for research needs identified in the Center's Five Year Plan and/or those identified by the Science Advisory Committee (SAC).
The UWMRC has established itself as a resource for environmental research, education, outreach, and technology transfer, proof of which are the many activities it has initiated or in which it has participated. The Center has leveraged or collaborated on many projects with government, industry and other universities whose researchers have expertise in urban waste issues. For example, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality requested the Center to initiate several new programs on its behalf, the Louisiana Environmental Leadership Pollution Prevention Program (LaELP). The Center's research has also produced an update on the protocol for reviewing illicit connections in municipal drainage systems, which was published as an EPA report. This approach may be used by the many communities bordering Lake Pontchartrain, one of the largest fresh water bodies in the United States. The Center produced a multimedia exhibit which compiled all of the Center's technical reports and publications, presentations, and community outreach initiatives into a electronic bibliography and multimedia tour. This is an outreach project that gives the public access to the Centers accomplishments. This multimedia exhibit is an excellent tool for researchers and the public who are interested in urban waste issues. The research on hydraulic characteristics of subsurface flow constructed wetlands validates results of a previous UWMRC study relating dispersion and system characteristics. In addition, a complete water balance and hydraulic characteristic evaluation on a full-scale system was performed which will allow for the modeling of the subsurface flows constructed wetland system. The use of natural wetlands to reduce nutrient loading to receiving waters was the focus of one of the Center's projects which established the water discharge, nutrient flux, and long-term storage rates of nutrients and sediments in naturally occurring estuarine wetlands. The data gathered in this project will assist in understanding the role of wetlands as nutrient sinks. Which in turn will lead to potential loading rates obtainable for treatment of urban runoff and wetland restoration. The study on ambient particulate concentrations provides a preliminary framework for developing a model that can be used to predict particulate concentrations at traffic intersections based upon traffic and meteorological parameters. The results will have applications in traffic management projects such as rerouting and planning efforts. The Center's work on the evaluation of dual trickling filter solids contact process in Jefferson Parish led to the determination of average operating conditions and performance levels of each unit process. The project also helped identify operating problems, as well as opportunities to improve performance and reduce operating costs for the treatment plant. The Center's project on outfall modeling resulted in the development an outfall model that complemented the CORMIX 2 model by including outfalls with aspect ratios greater than 4. In addition, the role of storm and ambient water mixing in the overall dilution process was documented. This project can benefit human health and safety by aiding design engineers and environmental managers in assessing the near and intermediate field impacts of existing and proposed outfalls based on hydrographs and pollutographs from a SWMM simulation. The research on the penetration of a contaminated zone and aquitard by pilings, concluded that depending on the types of piles and the pile material, migration may or may not form conduits for contaminant migration. The study found that contaminant transfer can be prevented through a design approach that includes the selection of the right pile type and the pile-tip geometry. These findings have generated interest among the engineering and construction community. The vertical expansion of landfills has raised serious concerns by many state and federal regulators, such as, questions regarding the stability of a high refuse fill under static and dynamic loading conditions, the contamination of ground water by liner/leachate collection system damage, and the increased potential for leachate generation. Through field sampling and testing, and a laboratory investigation, this research established the parameters necessary to address those issues of concern. As a result of this research, the parameters which were established will lend themselves to the development of the rational design of a vertical expansion in order to safeguard the integrity of the landfill, and the contamination of the environment. The Center has also produced an 8-part "The Urban Solid Waste Video Series" which focuses on techniques and management options utilized by various cities throughout Louisiana. Since its release in November 1999, this series has aired on PBS stations across Louisiana, and has been distributed by Films for Humanities and Sciences. To date, more than 10,000 episodes have been distributed across the U.S. and to more than 30 countries. The results of the study on the effectiveness of rehabilitation approaches for infiltration inflow reduction were gathered into a manual format which can be used as a guide for the person or agency confronted with evaluating, rehabilitating, and replacing existing sewer facilities. The manual also presents practical guidelines for the selection of trenchless options for sewer line rehabilitation.
The eleven research projects conducted during the grant period are consistent
with the Center's mission and goal to "addresses urban problems associated
with municipal solid waste, wastewater, urban runoff, surface and ground water
quality, and air quality; and to provide an integrated multimedia waste management
approach to the solution of urban environmental problems, and to advance the
state of the art of urban waste management and pollution prevention through
technology transfer". The principal investigators have made a concerted
effort to follow the mission and focus during the planning and implementation
of their research.
In support of Improvements in Risk Assessment or Risk Management, the Center
has provided an integrated multimedia waste management approach to the solution
of urban environmental problems, and advanced the state of the art in urban
waste management and pollution prevention through technology transfer.
Journal Articles: 7 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other center views: | All 55 publications | 13 publications in selected types | All 7 journal articles |
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Type | Citation | ||
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Barbe DE, Carnelos S, McCorquodale JA. Climatic effect on water quality evaluation. Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A 2001;36(10):1919-1933. |
R825427C011 (Final) |
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Cristina CM, Sansalone JJ. "First flush," power law and particle separation diagrams for urban storm-water suspended particulates. Journal of Environmental Engineering 2003;129(4):298-307. |
R827933C019 (Final) |
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Gawande NA, Reinhart DR, Thomas PA, McCreanor PT, Townsend TG. Municipal solid waste in situ moisture content measurement using an electrical resistance sensor. Waste Management 2003;23(7):667-674. |
R827933C022 (2002) |
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Imhoff PT, Jakubowitch A, Briening ML, Chiu PC. Partitioning gas tracer tests for measurement of water in municipal solid waste. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association 2003;53(11):1391-1400. |
R827933C021 (2002) |
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La Motta EJ, Jimenez JA, Josse JC, Manrique A. The effect of air-induced velocity gradient and dissolved oxygen on bioflocculation in the trickling filter/solids contact process. Advances in Environmental Research 2003;7(2):441-451. |
R827933C030 (2002) |
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La Motta EJ, Jimenez JA. Discussion of "Review of two decades of experience with TF/SC process" by D. S. Parker and J. R. Bratby. Journal of Environmental Engineering 2002;128(8):764-766. |
R827933C030 (2002) |
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Sansalone JJ, Hird JP, Cartledge FK, Tittlebaum ME. Event-based stormwater quality and quantity loadings from elevated urban infrastructure affected by transportation. Water Environment Research 2005;77(4):348-365. |
R827933C019 (Final) R827933C033 (2002) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
Environmental engineering, urban infrastructure, environmental infrastructure., Scientific Discipline, Waste, Geographic Area, Municipal, Environmental Chemistry, State, Analytical Chemistry, Ecological Risk Assessment, Ecology and Ecosystems, waste minimization, urban runoff, municipal waste, groundwater quality, New Orleans (NO), waste management, outreach, technology transfer, urban wasteRelevant Websites:
Progress and Final Reports:
Original Abstract Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R825427C001 Comprehensive Evaluation of The Dual Trickling Filter Solids Contact Process
R825427C002 Issues Involving the Vertical Expansion of Landfills
R825427C003 Deep Foundations on Brownfields Sites
R825427C004 Ambient Particulate Concentration Model for Traffic Intersections
R825427C005 Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Approaches for I/I Reduction
R825427C006 Urban Solid Waste Management Videos
R825427C007 UWMRC Community Outreach Multimedia Exhibit
R825427C008 Including New Technology into the Investigation of Inappropriate Pollutant Entries into Storm Drainage Systems - A User's Guide
R825427C009 Investigation of Hydraulic Characteristics and Alternative Model Development of Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands
R825427C010 Beneficial Use Of Urban Runoff For Wetland Enhancement
R825427C011 Urban Storm and Waste Water Outfall Modeling
R827933C001 Development of a Model Sediment Control Ordinance for Louisiana
R827933C002 Inappropriate Discharge to Stormwater Drainage (Demonstration Project)
R827933C003 Alternate Liner Evaluation Model
R827933C004 LA DNR - DEQ - Regional Waste Management
R827933C005 Landfill Design Specifications
R827933C006 Geosynthetic Clay Liners as Alternative Barrier Systems
R827933C007 Used Tire Monofill
R827933C008 A Comparison of Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed (USAB) and the Anaerobic Biofilm Fluidized Bed Reactor (ABFBR) for the Treatment of Municipal Wastewater
R827933C009 Integrated Environmental Management Plan for Shipbuilding Facilities
R827933C010 Nicaragua
R827933C011 Louisiana Environmental Education and Resource Program
R827933C012 Costa Rica - Costa Rican Initiative
R827933C013 Evaluation of Cr(VI) Exposure Assessment in the Shipbuilding Industry
R827933C014 LaTAP, Louisiana Technical Assistance Program: Pollution Prevention for Small Businesses
R827933C015 Louisiana Environmental Leadership Pollution Prevention Program
R827933C016 Inexpensive Non-Toxic Pigment Substitute for Chromium in Primer for Aluminum Sibstrate
R827933C017 China - Innovative Waste Composting Plan for the City of Benxi, People's Rupublic of China
R827933C018 Institutional Control in Brownfields Redevelopment: A Methodology for Community Participation and Sustainability
R827933C019 Physico-Chemical Assessment for Treatment of Storm Water From Impervious Urban Watersheds Typical of the Gulf Coast
R827933C020 Influence of Cyclic Interfacial Redox Conditions on the Structure and Integrity of Clay Liners for Landfills Subject to Variable High Groundwater Conditions in the Gulf Coast Region
R827933C021 Characterizing Moisture Content Within Landfills
R827933C022 Bioreactor Landfill Moisture Management
R827933C023 Urban Water Issues: A Video Series
R827933C024 Water Quality Modeling in Urban Storm Water Systems
R827933C025 The Development of a Web Based Instruction (WBI) Program for the UWMRC User's Guide (Investigation of Inappropriate Pollutant Entries Into Storm Drainage Systems)
R827933C027 Legal Issues of SSO's: Private Property Sources and Non-NPDES Entities
R827933C028 Brownfields Issues: A Video Series
R827933C029 Facultative Landfill Bioreactors (FLB): A Pilot-Scale Study of Waste Stabilization, Landfill Gas Emissions, Leachate Treatment, and Landfill Geotechnical Properties
R827933C030 Advances in Municipal Wastewater Treatment
R827933C031 Design Criteria for Sanitary Sewer System Rehabilitation
R827933C032 Deep Foundations in Brownfield Areas: Continuing Investigation
R827933C033 Gradation-Based Transport, Kinetics, Coagulation, and Flocculation of Urban Watershed Rainfall-Runoff Particulate Matter
R827933C034 Leaching and Stabilization of Solid-Phase Residuals Separated by Storm Water BMPs Capturing Urban Runoff Impacted by Transportation Activities and Infrastructure
R827933C035 Fate of Pathogens in Storm Water Runoff
R87933C020 Influence of Cyclic Interfacial Redox Conditions on the Structure and Integrity of Clay Liners for Landfills Subject to Variable High Groundwater Conditions in the Gulf Coast Region
The 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.