Grantee Research Project Results
Hazardous Substance Research Center/South and Southwest
EPA Grant Number: R829480Center: HSRC (2001) - South and Southwest HSRC
Center Director: Reible, Danny D.
Title: Hazardous Substance Research Center/South and Southwest
Investigators: Reible, Danny D.
Current Investigators: Reible, Danny D. , McCook, Leigh Fitzpatrick
Institution: Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge
Current Institution: Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge , Georgia Institute of Technology , The University of Texas at Austin
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2005 (Extended to September 30, 2006)
Project Amount: $382,000
RFA: Hazardous Substance Research Centers - HSRC (2001) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Land and Waste Management , Hazardous Waste/Remediation
Objective:
The objective of the proposed Hazardous Substance Research Center/South and Southwest (HSRC/S&SW) is to provide basic and applied research, technology transfer and community outreach that address hazardous substance problems, especially the engineering management of contaminated sediments and other problems of special interest to communities within EPA Regions 4 and 6. Due to past and present toxic releases, these regions face serious hazardous substance problems and yet contain a significant fraction of the wetlands and inland waters found in the United States. The mission of the Center is to be a primary provider of the tools and process knowledge required to resolve problems posing the greatest risks to people and the environment.
Approach:
The Center will consist of Louisiana State University, as lead institution, Georgia Institute of Technology, Rice University, and Texas A&M University. The core institutions will be assisted in these endeavors by personnel from Southern University and Howard University. In addition, in recognition of the importance of a local perspective in successful community outreach efforts, we have established partnering agreements with a wide variety of universities and organizations throughout the south and southwest regions. The broad range of expertise available to the research and outreach teams will insure our ability to be truly community and problem driven.
The research themes of the Center include 1) assessing the physical, chemical and biological availability of contaminants in sediments, 2) evaluating and enhancing biotransformation processes in sediments, and, 3) improving the science of risk management for contaminated sediments. The overriding objective is to improve the effectiveness of remedial approaches by seeking to understand and minimize contaminant release and exposure. Toward this end, four research projects have been identified, subject to review and approval of a Scientific Advisory Committee. These projects seek to 1) evaluate the bioavailability of desorption resistant contaminants, 2) develop improved approaches for in-situ containment and treatment, 3) assess contaminant losses during removal and episodic storm events, and, 4) evaluate phytoremediation for remediation in wetlands and confined disposal facilities (CDFs).
The research program will be complimented by a technology transfer and outreach effort focused nationally on contaminated sediments and their management but regionally with respect to the broad range of hazardous substances issues that impact communities in the south and southwest. The technology transfer efforts will disseminate the research advances of the Center via both print and electronic media. The outreach efforts will focus on providing environmentally troubled communities in the region technical assistance to enable them to better understand and participate in decisions being made about their hazardous substance problems.
Expected Results:
The direct product of the Center's research activities is an improved understanding of natural 1 fate and transport processes in sediments and how these processes can be enhanced by human action. This improved understanding will contribute to our ability to assess and manage contaminated sediments in an environmentally sound manner. The primary goal of the outreach activities is to provide information on a wide range of hazardous substance issues, including contaminated sediments, in a way that the specific public stakeholder communities can participate more actively in decisions about those issues. A secondary goal is to enhance technology transfer and outreach to the scientific and regulatory communities about Center research and programs.
Relevant Web Sites:
Collateral grants address outreach activities related to Brownfields. This grant will also be the vehicle for future additional federal funds, in addition to those committed for core grants, for supporting research and outreach activities at the Center.
Core Grant: R828773
Supplemental Keywords:
TOSC, TAB, sequestration, bioaccessibility, dredging and dredged materials, plant-based remediation, capping, hurricane., RFA, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Geographic Area, Waste, Water, TREATMENT/CONTROL, Contaminated Sediments, Remediation, Treatment Technologies, Brownfields, Hazardous Waste, Hazardous, EPA Region, region 4, brownfield sites, chemical wastes, contaminated sites, wetland sediment, contaminated sediment, risk assessment , remediation technologies, Brownfield site, contaminated soil, environmental engineering, wetland sediments, Region 6, bioremediation of soils, biotransformation, phytoremediation, technology transfer, outreach and educationProgress and Final Reports:
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.