Grantee Research Project Results
Technical Outreach Services for Communities Support
EPA Grant Number: R829483Center: National Research Program on Design-Based/Model-Assisted Survey Methodology for Aquatic Resources
Center Director: Stevens, Don L.
Title: Technical Outreach Services for Communities Support
Investigators: Williamson, Kenneth J.
Current Investigators: Williamson, Kenneth J. , Harding, Anna K. , Orlando, Jerry , Fernandez, Michael , Sanford, Stephanie , Kassim, Tarek
Institution: Oregon State University
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: September 1, 2001 through August 31, 2007
Project Amount: $381,918
RFA: Hazardous Substance Research Centers - HSRC (2001) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Land and Waste Management
Objective:
The proposed Center will focus on subsurface contamination problems associated with volatile organic chemicals (VOCs); with an emphasis on chlorinated solvents. VOCs have emerged as a major groundwater contamination problem facing EPA's Regions 9 and 10 and the nation. Contaminated sites are characterized by: 1) large aqueous dilute plumes that exceed drinking water standards, 2) small source zones of high contaminant concentrations associated with Non Aqueous Phase Liquids (NAPLs), and/or 3) extensive vadose zones with contaminated pore water and/or NAPLs. The Center will focus on in-situ treatment processes for these three distinct subsurface environments.
Research projects include biological (biotic) and physical and chemical (abiotic) treatment processes, as well as in-situ characterization methods for monitoring the progress of both intrinsic and the enhanced remediation. In combination with basic laboratory and field studies, physical and mathematical models will be used to study these processes and to provide a bridge between theory and practice.
Approach:
Research projects have been developed in four focus areas: (1) anaerobic reductive processes; (2) aerobic cometabolism; (3) physical and chemical abiotic processes; and 4) site characterization, with mathematical and physical modeling being key components of each focus area. Project 1 focuses on anaerobic reductive processes for the remediation of TCE at high concentrations associated with NAPL source zones. Project 2 involves experimental and modeling studies related to chemical delivery and product removal during in-situ anaerobic treatment. Project 3 focuses on factors that influence sustainability of the in-situ aerobic co- metabolism of chlorinated with mixed and pure cultures grown on butane. In Project 4, fundamental studies of the abiotic reduction of chlorinated solvents by hydrogen using palladium catalysis will be performed. Project 5 deals with the kinetics of slow desorption of contaminants during remediation, using aquifer solids from current field remediation demonstrations. In Project 6, in-situ push-pull tests will be developed for monitoring the bioaugmentation of anaerobic dehalogenating cultures to the subsurface. Project 7 will develop redox sensors for use in monitoring in-situ anaerobic treatment processes. The technology transfer and outreach programs has three activities. Activity 1 will be technology transfer, for taking new technologies from the laboratory to the field. Activity 2 will be the Technical Outreach to Communities in Regions 9 and 10. Activity 3 will be Technical Outreach to Brownfields.
Expected Results:
Center research will result in the development of new, lower cost technologies for in-situ remediation of chlorinated solvent contamination. The investigators, collaborations and diversity of research will insure that successful technologies will be developed. The technology transfer and outreach programs will provide aid to professionals involved in site remediation and communities affected by hazardous waste sites.
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: R825689
Supplemental Keywords:
groundwater, soil, in-situ; remediation, VOCs, characterization., RFA, Scientific Discipline, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Geographic Area, Waste, Water, POLLUTANTS/TOXICS, Environmental Chemistry, Remediation, Contaminated Sediments, Chemicals, Brownfields, Hazardous Waste, Ecology and Ecosystems, Drinking Water, Environmental Engineering, Hazardous, EPA Region, Region 9, brownfield sites, chemical wastes, contaminated sites, NAPL, other - risk assessment, contaminated sediment, risk assessment , remediation technologies, VOCs, Brownfield site, contaminated soil, bioremediation of soils, biotransformation, other - risk management, phytoremediation, technology transfer, outreach and education, drinking water contaminants, Region 10, drinking water treatment, bioremediation, chlorinated solventsProgress 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.