^
Colloidal and Macromolecular Transport in Thin
Layers Near Microporous Membrane Surfaces M. M. Clark,* K. Howe; P. Aimar, P. Bacchin, C.
Guigui (CNRS) University of
Illinois; Centre National de la Recherché
Scientifique, France
The
objective of this University of Illinois–CNRS
collaboration is to better understand the dynamics of thin, concentrated,
particulate, and macromolecular boundary layers near membrane surfaces and the
interaction of colloidal particles and organic molecules with synthetic
membranes. This work includes modeling of mechanics of concentrated particle or
colloidal suspensions near porous membrane surfaces and incorporation of these
models in an overall model of mass transport in membrane separation
processes.
^
Development of Online Integrity Monitoring
Systems for Membrane Filtration Systems M. M. Clark,* R. Sanford, Y. K. Choi, S. M.
Lee Korea Institute of Science and
Technology, Seoul, Korea
Membrane
technologies are very effective at removing particles, bacteria, cysts, and
viruses, and engineers and water providers would like membrane technologies to
be granted increased credit for disinfection of water. However, regulators would
like some assurance that membranes are an absolute barrier to pathogens. This
project will develop a new method to determine membrane integrity based on
positive identification of bacteria intruding into the permeate.
^
Feasibility Study for the Concentration of TNT
and RDX from Pink Water Using Equilibrium Dialysis with Nonionic and Cationic
Surfactant Micelles M. M.
Clark,* Y. K. Choi, R. Haye U.S.
Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, Champaign, Illinois
TNT and RDX wastes pose a significant
disposal problem for the U.S. Army. Researchers have developed a new technique
which encapsulates these wastes molecules within a surfactant micelle. The
micelle is subsequently filtered from the water using ultrafiltration, resulting
in up to 90% removal of wastes.
^
Role of Coagulation in Microfiltration and
Ultrafiltration Fouling and Flux Optimization M. M. Clark,* K. Howe,* Y. Wang American Water Works Association Research
Foundation
This research seeks to
understand the fundamental mechanisms involved in fouling of microfiltration and
ultrafiltration membranes by natural organic matter, and the role of metal ion
coagulants in minimizing membrane fouling by natural waters. Batch coagulation
experiments will be used to evaluate how coagulation affects the organic matter
composition, cake layer formation, and membrane fouling. Techniques such as XAD
resin fractionation, size exclusion chromatography, and pyrolysis GC-MS will be
used to characterize organic matter, while field emission environmental SEM will
be used to characterize cake layers formed on membrane surfaces during
filtration.
^
Visualization of Colloidal Phenomena near
Membrane Surfaces M. M. Clark,*
Y. Lee,* K. Kim U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation
Particle deposition
on membrane surfaces is an important phenomenon during membrane fouling by
colloids. This project develops real-time methods for direct visualization of
particle motions and cake layer formation during filtration. One type of
visualization uses fluorescence microcopy to monitor particle concentrations and
velocities in the concentration boundary layer. A second technique uses confocal
microscopy to develop three-dimensional images of cake layers formed along
membrane surfaces. These measurements will be supplemented with real-time flux
decline data, thus allowing correlation of operational parameters with particle
deposition, cake structure, and fouling.
^
Microbial Characterization for the Anaerobic
Aquatic Metabolism Study Required for Herbicide Registration J. J. Crawford,* L. Raskin,* F. W.
Simmons Waste Management Research
Center
Anaerobic herbicide fate
is important to cropping practices and herbicide use in soils. The Anaerobic
Aquatic Metabolism Study, EPA Protocol N-162-3, is the sole evaluation of
anaerobic herbicide fate required for herbicide registration. This study is not
representative of environmental conditions; therefore, results do not represent
herbicide behavior in anaerobic soils. This research involves characterization
of microbial communities in flooded anaerobic soils using molecular biology
techniques in herbicide treated and untreated soil microcosms. The EPA protocol
is compared with two alternative protocols in order to put forth a protocol that
more accurately represents flooded soil conditions.
^
Development of Risk Assessment Factors and
Review of Wildlife Hazard Abatement Systems E. E. Herricks,* P. Mankin, R. Warner, D. J.
Schaeffer, B. Brown Federal Aviation
Administration Center of Excellence for Airport Pavement Research
This research is conducted in support of
a continuing Federal Aviation Administration program of research and development
directed at airport safety technologies that will decrease aircraft damage and
the risk of human fatalities or injuries by reducing bird and wildlife strikes
near airports. The objectives of this research are to develop risk assessment
factors for airports, review the U.S. Air Force Aerial Hazard Abatement System
(AHAS), and evaluate AHAS in relation to FAA needs in wildlife hazard
abatement.
^
Integrated Assessment of Climate Change Impact
in the Mackinaw River Watershed, Illinois E. E. Herricks,* J. W. Eheart,* K. P. Donaghy,
B. Orlannd U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, STAR Research Program
This research will complete an integrated assessment
of multiple sector impacts produced by predicted changes in climate using models
and innovative analysis tools applied to the Mackinaw River watershed. The
consequences of climate change and climate variability on human and natural
systems will be developed using site and sector response spectra that support a
severity determination for an impact assessment. The research has three phases:
identification of climate change phenomena; identification of local impact of
climate change with particular emphasis on economic, environmental, and social
impact aggregations; and implementation of a Web-based decision-support
system.
^
Real-Time Effect Monitoring for Episodic Event
Toxicity E. E. Herricks* University of Illinois
The objective of this research is the development of
methods to perform in situ measurement and
analysis of episodic event toxicity associated with stormwater flows. Specific
objectives include the evaluation of the Asiatic clam Corbicula sp., and other mussels and aquatic
invertebrates common in Illinois, as test organisms in a commercially available
monitoring system (MosselMonitor manufactured by Delta Consult, The
Netherlands); laboratory and field evaluations of response spectra of Corbicula and other organisms to changing
environmental conditions and episodic exposure to contaminants; and development
of advanced methods of data analysis from continuous monitoring systems.
^
Restoration of Duck Creek, Juneau, Alaska,
through Control of Iron Floc Associated with Urban Development E. E. Herricks,* K. V. Koski National Wildlife Foundation
The proposed project will develop and evaluate BMPs
for removing iron floc from streams. Iron floc is the major factor limiting the
ecological quality in several streams in Juneau and other southeast Alaska
locations. The floc is produced by oxidation of soluble iron in groundwater.
Surface disturbance associated with development and urbanization modifies
groundwater flow, creating surface discharges that affect downstream habitat and
water quality. This project will install and evaluate instream devices to remove
iron floc to restore water quality and habitat for anadromous salmonids.
^
Watershed Protection in Agricultural
Environments: Integrated Social, Geomorphological, and Ecological Research to
Support Ecosystem-based Stream Management E. E. Herricks,* B. L. Rhoads,* D. L.
Wilson U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency
This research advances the
proposition that watershed protection, although dependent on science and
engineering, is a process that is fundamentally social in nature. The research
will focus on how new scientific and engineering knowledge affects how
stakeholders value natural resources, specifically habitat and fisheries, and in
turn, how they approach stream management. The research is based on an
interdisciplinary approach that combines theoretical perspectives in social
theory with a scientific perspective based on geomorphology and ecology.
Community-based watershed projects in the Embarras, Salt Fork, and Sangamon
river basins will serve as case studies.
^
The Role of Carbonaceous Aerosols in Climate
Forcing S. M. Larson,* A.
Dillner University of
Illinois
Carbonaceous aerosols
(elemental and organic carbon) can act to either cool or warm the climate. This
project addresses this issue by providing size segregated measurements of the
absorption efficiency for laboratory-generated and Midwest ambient EC useful for
regional positive forcing determinations. Organic carbon may be a large part of
negative forcing. However, accurate determination of the forcing role of
organics is limited because of uncertainties of identification, size
distribution, refractive indices, and humidity growth. In this project,
researchers will investigate these and provide an approach to estimating organic
forcing.
^
Absorption of Light by Organic Aerosols S. M. Larson* University of Illinois
In this project, researchers will determine the light
absorption efficiency of organic aerosol particles in the ultraviolet range
between 250 and 400 nm using a technique involving filtration, extraction, and
spectrophotometer analysis. It is hypothesized that nitrated aromatics, PAHs,
and benzaldehydes would be efficient UV absorbers, and the extraction procedure
is designed to capture these species. The measurement of the ultraviolet light
absorption efficiency of organics is important for modeling studies of the
formation of ozone and other photochemical components.
^
Assessing the Feasibility of "Mini Lidar"
Technology for an Opacity Instrument S. M. Larson* U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research
Laboratory
The goal of this
project is to evaluate the feasibility of developing and employing new laser
diode technology in a rugged, cost-effective, transportable, and easily used
system to measure opacity of dust clouds caused by army training maneuvers. The
measurement of this cloud's opacity would allow Army personnel to ensure
compliance with environmental regulations. While traditional lidars are large,
costly, and difficult to operate, new advances in the technology have brought
much promise for a "mini lidar," a rugged, easily transported system that can be
operated with a minimum of training.
^
Carbon Monoxide Analysis for Highway
Projects S. M. Larson,* S.
Peters Illinois Transportation
Research Center
A screening model
is often a first step in analyzing potential air pollution problems, utilizing
readily available data to make a conservative estimate of a source contribution
to ambient pollutant concentrations. A more sophisticated model can be
subsequently applied, if the screening model indicates its necessity. The
screening model approach is not currently used for highway projects in Illinois,
but it could make the procedure for CO analysis for highways more efficient. In
this project, screening and refined CO models for highway projects will be
studied and validated. An acceptable CO screening model for Illinois highway
projects will then be developed.
^
Climate Change and Atmospheric
Chemistry S. M. Larson,* Z.
Tao, D. J. Wuebbles (Atmos. Sci.) University of Illinois Critical Research
Initiative
Changes in climate
could alter rates of chemical reactions, paths of pollutant transport, and
degree of pollutant removal. Emissions of pollutants may be indirectly impacted
by climate variations due to adaptations, which, for example, change the amounts
of fossil fuel burned. Researchers seek to predict the effects of climate change
on the regional atmospheric environment. Objectives include outlining a suite of
climate-change scenarios describing alterations in meteorological and emission
parameters for selected regions in the Midwest, determining resulting
equilibrium ambient concentrations of gaseous pollutants, and evaluating changes
in compliance status and adaptation needs.
^
Assessment and Development of Low-Pressure
Membrane Integrity Monitoring Tools B. J. Mariñas,* B.
Mi, J. Curl Carollo Engineers;
American Water Works Association Research Foundation
The main objective of this task is to validate current
and improved membrane integrity monitoring techniques by performing microbial
challenge experiments. The signal from membrane integrity monitoring techniques
to be used in the full-scale microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF)
systems under investigation in this study will be correlated to the actual
passage of Bacillus subtilis spores. B. subtilis spores (1 μm) are selected because they are smaller in size compared
to the target pathogens Cryptosporidium
oocysts (3 to 5 μm) and Giardia cysts (10 to 15 μm), thus providing conservative results. Also, they are
not pathogens and are thus considered more suitable for full-scale
testing.
^
Development of an Ozone Contactor Model for
Bromate Formation and C. parvum Oocyst
Disinfection B. J. Mariñas,* R. A. Minear,* J. Kim, M. A. Urban Montgomery-Watson, Inc.; American Water Works
Association Research Foundation
The objective of this project is to develop a model
that will allow the overall optimization of ozone contactor design and operating
mode to achieve maximum C. parvum oocyst
disinfection efficiency and minimum bromate formation with natural waters of
various qualities containing low bromide concentrations. Ozone contactors are
commonly comprised of one or more transfer chambers, in which ozonated gas is
diffused into water, followed by several reactive chambers where additional
inactivation and corresponding disinfection by-product (DBP) formation takes
place. Modeling the disinfection and DBP formation efficiencies taking place in
these contactor chambers requires taking into consideration hydrodynamics, gas
transfer, and reaction kinetics.
^
Impact of Water Quality on the Inactivation of
Bacterial and Viral Pathogens B. J. Mariñas,* M.
A. Larson Vivendi Water; American
Water Works Association Research Foundation
The objective of this project is to develop models
accounting for the various factors affecting the inactivation kinetics of
bacterial and viral pathogens in natural waters. Comprehensive disinfection
models require good understanding of the inactivation kinetics of target
pathogens with specific disinfectants, including any effects that various water
quality parameters can have on inactivation efficiency. Additional information
required for modeling is contactor hydrodynamics and disinfectant demand
kinetics. Mass transfer must also be characterized if gaseous chemicals such as
ozone and chlorine are applied directly to water. Furthermore, water quality
parameters such as natural organic matter, pH, temperature, turbidity, and
various inorganic solutes can have an impact on both disinfectant demand and
mass transfer.
^
Inactivation of Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts with Ozone B. J. Mariñas,* B. Corona-Vasquez Vivendi Water, Paris, France
The overall objective of this study is to assess the
efficiency of ozone disinfection processes to inactivate Cryptosporidium parvum (C.
parvum) oocysts under conditions typically encountered at the
Neuilly-sur-Marne water treatment plant through the various seasons of the year.
Representative samples of summer, fall flood, and winter water were taken from
the influent to the ozone contactor at the treatment plant and tested in
bench-scale reactors in order to investigate the effect that three different
initial doses of dissolved ozone would have on the inactivation of C. parvum after 15 and 25 minutes of contact
time.
^
Inactivation of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in Swine
Wastewater B. J. Mariñas,* J. L. Rennecker MBI International; National Science Foundation
STTP
The objective of this study
is to investigate the inactivation kinetics of C.
parvum oocysts with ozone in high oxidant-demand water from pig waste
lagoons. Experiments are performed at 20° C with a semi-batch reactor containing
1 liter of filtered wastewater dosed with C.
parvum oocysts. An additional goal of the study is to investigate the
mechanisms responsible for the inactivation of C.
parvum oocysts under high oxidant-demand conditions.
^
Integral Optimization of Ozone Disinfection
Systems with Fluorescent-Dyed Polystyrene Microspheres B. J. Mariñas,* G.
Tang American Water Works
Association Research Foundation
The main objective of this project is the development
and demonstration of a novel method for optimizing the performance of full-scale
ozone disinfection systems with respect to both disinfection efficiency and
disinfection by-product formation control. Fluorescent-dyed polystyrene
microspheres are used as nonbiological surrogates for Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. Fluorescent-dyed
polystyrene microspheres were selected because the decay in microsphere
fluorescence matches closely the loss in C.
parvum viability when both types of particles are exposed to
dissolved ozone under identical conditions. Furthermore, microspheres undergo
the same hydrodynamic nonidealities and disinfectant exposure as those
experienced by C. parvum oocysts in
full-scale disinfection contactors.
^
Integrated Approach for the Control of Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts and Disinfection
By-Products in Drinking Water Treated with Ozone and Chloramines B. J. Mariñas,* R. A. Minear,* H. Lei, J. Kim U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, STAR Grant
Program, EPA R826830-01-0
The
overall goal of this project is to develop process design recommendations for
the simultaneous control of Cryptosporidium
parvum oocysts and disinfection by-products (DBPs) in natural waters
treated with ozone and chloramines. Experimental tasks are designed for the
simultaneous study of C. parvum oocyst
inactivation and selected DBP (bromate, formaldehyde, and cyanogen halides)
formation in natural waters treated with ozone and chloramines in various
reactor configurations. An integrated predictive model will be developed,
calibrated with experimental results, used to determine optimum process design,
and verified in full-scale systems using fluorescent-dyed polystyrene
microspheres as surrogate indicators for C.
parvum oocysts.
^
Microbial Removal and Integrity Monitoring of
High-Pressure Membranes Used for Water Treatment B. J. Mariñas,* J.
H. Kim, B. Mi, C. L. Acker, C. K. Colvin, J. R. Elarde CH2M Hill; American Water Works Association Research
Foundation; U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
The main objective of this project is the bench-scale
development of a method for assessing the presence and size distribution of
membrane pinholes and other imperfections in reverse osmosis and nanofiltration
membrane systems. Membrane imperfections of interest are those that permit the
passage of a small fraction of viral, bacterial, and protozoal pathogens without
resulting in measurable changes in product water conductivity or total dissolved
solids concentration. It is anticipated that the final method for characterizing
membrane imperfection size distribution will include the use of fluorescent-dyed
polystyrene microspheres of various sizes as nonbiological surrogate indicators
of viruses, bacteria, and protozoa cysts and oocysts.
^
Sequential Disinfection in Food
Processing B. J. Mariñas,* C. Toupiol MBI International
The objective of this study is to investigate
inactivation kinetics of bacteria with monochloramine at various temperatures
(1, 5, 10 and 20 degrees C) when this disinfectant is applied singly as well as
after ozone pretreatment. Monochloramine has been chosen among the existing
disinfectants due to its ability to prevent microbial biofilm formation.
Bacterial disinfection was evaluated using E.
coli, which is one of the microbial indicators of the poultry
industry. The use of an ozone/monochloramine scheme is studied to determine if
the sequential use of these disinfectants at low temperatures provides rates of
inactivation greater than those obtained with monochloramine only. Experimental
results will be used to develop practical guidelines for the inactivation of
E. coli in food processing
applications.
^
Bromate Formation and Control during Ozonation
of Low-Bromide Waters R. A.
Minear,* B. Mariñas,* M. Urban Montgomery-Watson, Inc.; American Water Works
Association Research Foundation
An orthogonal matrix of experiments is directed at
determining the critical factors in minimizing the formation of bromate in
low-bromide-containing waters. Variations in temperature, pH, ammonia content,
and a radical scavenger, ethanol, are being studied for a range of ozone doses
and contact times that coincide with requirements for the inactivation of C. parvum oocysts. The associated disinfection
by-products resulting from the treatment and water quality variations are being
examined as well.
^
Development of Undergraduate Laboratory
Experience in Civil and Environmental Engineering R. A. Minear* National Science Foundation, DUE-9950185
The development of a significant
undergraduate laboratory experience in environmental engineering bridges the
existing gap between classroom theory and practical measurement techniques.
Structured experiments let students participate in common field and laboratory
measurements used in environmental engineering to design monitoring programs and
treatment systems in air, water, wastewater, hazardous waste, and ecology.
Students are involved directly in evaluating data reliability and assessing
QA/QC issues as a part of performing the experiments. They will make decisions
on the use of their data in classroom projects simulating assessment of the
development of design parameters for treatment systems.
^
Genotoxicity and Occurrence Assessment of
Disinfection By-Product Mixtures in Drinking Water R. A. Minear,* M. J. Plewa,* S. Echigo U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
R825956-01
Representative
drinking water disinfection by-products (DBPs) will be produced from organic
matter isolated from a series of representative source waters used for drinking
water supplies using both chlorination and ozonation in laboratory reactors
under a range of disinfection conditions. Selective conditions will allow
differential evaluation of brominated DBPs via ozonation of bromide-containing
waters and also provide information on the relationship of toxicity to DBP
molecular weight. Bulk DBPs will be analyzed for toxicity and mutation induction
in S. typhimurium using a suspension test
± S9. The same DBPs will be analyzed with transgenic
Chinese hamster lung cells ± S9 using the single
cell gel electrophoresis (SCG) method to detect direct genomic DNA damage.
^
Molecular Weight Separation and HPLC/MS/MS
Characterization of Previously Unidentified Drinking Water Disinfection
By-Products R. A. Minear,* S.
Barrett,* X. Zhang U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, R826834-01
A study is proposed in which new approaches are to be
developed for better characterizing disinfection by-product molecular weight
profiles by using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) techniques. A prerequisite to
making such procedures meaningful is the development of preseparation procedures
that will simplify the mass spectral data. The MS/MS system has its own
separation capabilities. The proposed work is directed at enhancing these
capabilities for complex DBP mixtures with preselection by molecular weight
separations using ultrafiltration membranes or size exclusion
chromatography.
^
Novel Characterization of Humic Substances and
Their Role in the Behavior of Environmental Toxic Substances Using
HPLC/MS/MS R. A. Minear,* M. J.
Plewa* National Science Foundation,
INT 97-26617
The underlying
hypothesis of the overall proposed cooperative research effort is that NOM and
humic substances as a subset affect the environmental toxicology of
anthropogenic compounds through complex interactions that affect membrane
transport and mechanisms of toxicological reactions. The three-year project
involves a series of composite objectives. These overall objectives complement
parallel work in the laboratories of Minear and Plewa. They also provide
translation of capabilities in the University of Illinois laboratories to
researchers in Kyoto, Japan, while offering the principal investigators an
opportunity to explore new research dimensions.
^
Direct Comparative Genotoxicity Assessment of
Disinfection By-Product (DBP) Mixtures in Drinking Water Generated from
Different Disinfection Processes R. Minear,* M. Plewa,* S. Echigo American Water Works Association Research
Foundation
A study is proposed in
which a novel assay is coupled with a more traditional assay to evaluate the
genotoxicity of disinfection by-products (DBPs) and DBP mixtures. Chlorine (the
traditional water treatment disinfectant), ozone (an alternative disinfectant
and oxidant), and the sequence of ozone plus chlorine in addition to
chloramination and chlorine dioxide treatment methods will be examined. Simple
and complex DBP mixtures, produced from chlorination, ozonation, or coupled
ozonation/chlorination and chloramination and chlorine dioxide treatments, will
be created from an NOM standard (SRFA) containing water. The assays will be
augmented by a database created to represent an occurrence assessment of
regulated and soon-to-be-regulated DBPs.
^
Cost-Effective Risk Management Groundwater
Contamination B. S. Minsker,*
D. E. Goldberg, J. Lee U.S. Army
Young Investigator Award and Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and
Engineers, U.S. Army Research Office, 2000-2006
This project builds on the work begun in a National
Science Foundation project to develop a risk management model for groundwater
corrective action design. The model will be enhanced to allow tradeoffs to be
made among risk, cost, and cleanup time under conditions of uncertainty.
Innovative advancements for improving computational efficiency of the model
using advanced stochastic genetic algorithms, hybrid genetic algorithms, and
hierarchical multipopulation genetic algorithms are also being
investigated.
^
Cost-Effective Risk-based Corrective Action
Design for Contaminated Groundwater B. S. Minsker,* D. E. Goldberg, G.
Gopalakrishnan, M. Babbar National
Science Foundation, BES 9903889 (1999-2002)
Given the scope of contamination of U.S. groundwater
and the vast amount of money involved in corrective action, improved risk
management and remediation design is a critical need. In this project, a risk
management model is being developed to investigate relationships between human
health risk and corrective action design under conditions of uncertainty. The
methodology combines a noisy genetic algorithm, which searches for
cost-effective corrective action plans, with a flow and transport model called
RT3D and a human health exposure risk assessment module. Theoretical
advancements for improving computational efficiency of the model will also be
investigated.
^
Research and Educational Advances in Optimal
Groundwater Remediation Design B. S. Minsker,* D. Goldberg, F. Saied, Y. Liu,
F. Espinoza National Science
Foundation, BES 9734076 CAREER (1998-2002)
An optimal control model for aerobic in situ bioremediation design has been developed,
but the computational effort associated with solving the model prohibits
solution of field-scale, heterogeneous problems. Multiscale optimization methods
and a hybrid genetic algorithm are being developed to improve performance and
capabilities of the model. The research will be integrated with education
through development of graphical user interfaces, an educational game, and a new
graduate course on coupled optimization and simulation modeling to teach
students the complexities associated with developing and applying such
models.
^
Characterization of Particulate Organic Matter
in Swine Manure: Availability of Organic Substrate for Biological Nutrient
Removal Processes E.
Morgenroth* Illinois Agricultural
Experiment Station
Land
application of residuals from animal production is limited by the regional and
seasonal nutrient requirements for soil enrichment. In areas with large animal
feeding operations (AFOs), the surrounding farmlands are often not sufficient to
allow for a sustainable land application of manure. Consequently, alternative
methods for reuse and disposal need to be developed. In this project,
researchers are developing procedures for physical and chemical characterization
of particulate organic matter in swine manure that can serve as a basis for
biological denitrification.
^
Molecular Probe Technology for Studying
Biofilms in Drinking Water Distribution Systems L. Raskin,* V. L. Snoeyink, B. J. Mariñas, S. Meintser, N. Dunahee U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
CR-826461010
Biofilms are complex
structures of microorganisms immobilized on a surface and embedded in an
extracellular organic polymer matrix. Pathogens may grow or may be entrapped in
biofilms that develop in drinking water distribution systems. Molecular
techniques are being developed to detect and assess the viability of pathogens
and indicator organisms in water samples from distribution systems. In addition,
molecular techniques are being developed to visualize these microbes in biofilms
and to study the microbial populations that constitute the biofilm. Pipes taken
from existing distribution systems are being used to build laboratory-scale
systems that simulate distribution systems.
^
Molecular Probes for Anaerobic Wastewater
Treatment Process Evaluation L.
Raskin,* D. Zheng University of
Illinois Center for Advanced Study; Campus Critical Research Initiatives
Program
This research will focus
on anaerobic wastewater treatment systems in which the formation and stability
of "granules" or conglomerates of microorganisms are critical for good
performance. Methods for studying granule formation and stability will be
developed by combining physical methods that determine granule hydrophobicity
and liquid surface tension with ribosomal RNA-based identification and
quantification techniques. In addition, operating strategies that reduce
start-up time and improve performance will be evaluated in laboratory-scale
anaerobic bioreactors.
^
Solution-based Hybridizations for Rapid
Identification and Quantification of Anaerobic Microbial Assemblages L. Raskin,* R. Gaskins, R. Mackie, M.
Mau, K. Hristova, D. Zheng, R. Aminov Campus Critical Research Initiatives Program
Current molecular microbial
characterization methods are limited because they require immobilization of
target nucleic acids on solid supports. This immobilization step precludes
automation. This project will develop novel molecular methods that are based on
the generation of a fluorescent signal in solution, eliminating the
immobilization step required in current molecular techniques. First, researchers
will focus on the development of solution-based hybridizations for qualification
of anaerobic microbial populations. Then, the research team will evaluate the
utility of this technology in separate biological reactor systems inoculated
with samples from two distinct environments that share microbial and metabolic
features: anaerobic wastewater treatment systems and the mammalian digestive
tract.
^
Swine Waste Processing Using Anaerobic
Sequencing Batch Reactors and Nutrient Recovery Systems L. Raskin,* L. Angenent Illinois Council on Food and Agriculture
Research
The anaerobic sequencing
batch reactor (ASBR) is a new biological process for the conversion of organic
wastes to biogas. The technical feasibility of ASBRs to stabilize swine waste
has been demonstrated at Iowa State University. This research will evaluate
possibilities to further reduce capital and operating costs of ASBR systems and
to create an alternative added value to the system. The research will focus on
seeding ASBRs with different sludges to reduce start-up periods, recovering
nutrients from ASBR effluent, and reusing ASBR effluent as flush water.
^
Use of Molecular Techniques to Evaluate Causes
and Control of Foaming in Activated Sludge Systems L. Raskin,* F. L. de los Reyes National Science Foundation, BES 9733826
The formation of a viscous, stable foam
layer on activated sludge aeration basin and final clarifier surfaces is a
common problem for the activated sludge industry and has been linked to the
presence of filamentous bacteria. This research will develop oligonucleotide
probes targeting the ribosomal RNA of filamentous microorganisms, which can be
used as diagnostic tools to evaluate foaming problems without the prior
cultivation of bacteria. In addition, the research will test the performance of
laboratory-scale activated sludge systems equipped with selectors. Population
shifts of foam-causing microorganisms will be followed before, during, and after
foaming episodes in these systems using ribosomal RNA-targeted oligonucleotide
probes and will be related to operating conditions and system
performance.
^
Development of an Integrated Scientific and
Technological Framework for Stream Naturalization B. L. Rhoads,* M. García, E. E. Herricks, D. Wilson U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The watershed approach to environmental
management emphasizes that decision making should occur at the level of local
communities. This requires an integrated scientific and community-based
framework for decision making—a social and scientific enterprise referred to as
naturalization. Naturalization involves a recursive interplay between a
community's vision of the stream and the scientific and technical perspective on
what the streams can realistically become to achieve the community's vision.
This research will explore naturalization programs, integrating both the
technical and scientific aspects and the social aspects of community-based
watershed management. Three watersheds in Illinois are the focus of a three-year
research effort initiated in 1998.
^
Activated Carbon Fiber Adsorption/Desorption
System: Pilot Scale M. J.
Rood,* P. D. Sullivan, C. Lehmann, D. Ramirez, S. Y. Lo U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research
Laboratory, DACA88-98-D-0005-17
Hazardous air pollutants need to be removed from gas
streams before they are emitted to the ambient environment, according to the
1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. A new activated carbon fiber-cloth adsorber is
under development for integration with a condenser to capture, concentrate, and
then recover dilute hazardous air pollutants and volatile organic compounds in
gas streams for reuse.
^
Adsorption/Desorption Cycling of Carbon Fiber
Adsorber-Cryogenic System M. J.
Rood,* P. Sullivan, C. Lehmann, D. Ramirez, K. Dombrowski U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research
Laboratory, DACA88-99-M0155
The
ability of air quality control systems to capture and recover gaseous pollutants
instead of destroying the pollutants is dependent on costs required to
concentrate the pollutant to a sufficient concentration to make it reusable.
This project is developing a new sorption-condensation system that captures
dilute gaseous pollutants, regenerates the material used to capture the
pollutant, and recovers the pollutant in a concentrated form for reuse in the
process that generated the pollutant.
^
Aerosol Properties Related to Direct Aerosol
Radiative Forcing at a Perturbed Mid-Latitude Continental Site M. J. Rood,* P. Kus National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, COM
NA06-G00412
Concerns about
ambient aerosol particles effecting global warming need to be resolved in order
to develop a better understanding about atmospheric changes over time periods of
years to decades. Real-time in situ
measurements of the ambient aerosol scattering coefficient have been occurring
about 15 km. southwest of Champaign, Ill. This site is ideal because it is
representative of the region and it experiences air masses from a wide range of
sources. This research project is interpreting the data from that field
measurement site. The interpretation of the experimental results can then be
used as inputs to global-scale numerical models that predict the influence of
global change by atmospheric aerosol particles.
^
Direct Radiative Forcing of Climate by
Anthropogenic Aerosol Particles M. J. Rood,* C. M. Carrico National Science Foundation, INT 98-18402 TVL
Quantifying the ability of anthropogenic
aerosol particles to perturb the earth's climate is a complex and
interdisciplinary task. Such characterization is important so that we can better
understand how humans are influencing the earth's climate in ways that could
cause changes in heating, precipitation, and cloud formation patterns for the
earth's atmosphere. This project will allow collaboration with international
researchers having unique capabilities not readily available in the United
States. Results from this collaboration can then be used to better quantify the
effects of human activity on climate.
^
Evaluation of Uncertainties in Satellite
Retrievals of Aerosol Forcing Using In Situ
Measurements at the Surface M.
J. Rood,* J. A. Ogren,* D. S. Covert,* P. Sheridan,* P. Kus National Aeronautics and Space Administration, COM
40RANR900971
The accuracy of
climate-change predictions is closely linked to the availability of measured
aerosol parameters associated with direct radiative forcing. Derivation of
results describing aerosol radiative forcing from satellite observations
requires assumptions about the properties of the aerosol particles. Tropospheric
aerosol properties measured under in situ
conditions and at regional aerosol monitoring stations will be used with the
NASA aerosol climatology processing facility to test the sensitivity of
candidate satellite data retrieval algorithms to observed variations of aerosol
properties. Results from this research will allow better quantification of
uncertainties associated with satellite retrievals of aerosol properties.
^
Measurement of Ambient Aerosol Properties as
They Relate to Climate at a Perturbed Mid-Latitude Continental Site M. J. Rood,* K. E. Winter, P.
Kus National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, COM NA96-GPO342
Concerns about ambient aerosol particles effecting
global warming need to be resolved in order to develop a better understanding
about atmospheric changes over time periods of years to decades. Real-time,
in-situ measurements of the ambient aerosol
scattering coefficient have been occurring about 15 km. southwest of Champaign,
Illinois. This site is ideal because it is representative of the region and it
experiences air masses from a wide range of sources. This research will provide
data for global-scale numerical models that predict the influence of global
change by atmospheric aerosol particles.
^
Methylene Chloride Capture and Recovery during
Turbine Blade Preparation M. J.
Rood,* P. Sullivan AFRL/MLQE
Directorate, FO8637-PO389
Environmentally benign coatings for aircraft turbines
require specialized surface preparation for proper adherence of the coatings to
the turbines. Specialized coatings can be sensitive to the methods used to
prepare the turbine's surfaces, driving the use of chlorine containing volatile
organic compounds. Complete capture and recovery of these compounds must occur
for the preparation of the turbine parts to be benign. This research project
evaluates the effectiveness of novel adsorbents to capture and recover methylene
chloride from gas streams.
^
Optical Aerosol Properties Over the Asian
Pacific Ocean M. J. Rood,* C.
Carrico National Science Foundation,
ATM 00-86550
There are numerous
aspects of the global environment that need to be better characterized to better
understand how our environment is changing. The effect of aerosol particles on
the atmospheric radiative-energy balance at clean and polluted marine sites is
one area that needs better characterization. This research will allow shipboard
measurements of climatically relevant ambient aerosol properties between Hawaii
and the coast of China to characterize "clean conditions" and then along the
coast of China to characterize "polluted conditions." Information gained from
such research will provide valuable inputs to existing global-climate models,
which in turn can provide better insights into how to develop policies related
to global climate change.
^
Mercury Vapor Removal from Simulated Flue
Gases with Illinois Coal-derived Activated Carbon M. Rostam-Abadi,* S. G. Chen,* M. J. Rood,* H.
C. Hsi Electric Power Research
Institute; Illinois Clean Coal Institute
There is a concern that mercury emissions into the
ambient environment from select types of combustion processes may cause health
effects. This project is developing methods to produce new materials to separate
and remove mercury from flue gas streams generated during the combustion of
coal. Select low-cost materials are processed and then characterized with
respect to their chemical and physical properties before they are used to remove
mercury from flue gas streams. Bench-scale testing and pilot-scale testing of
these new materials are important components of this research.
^
An Assessment of Anaerobic Dechlorination
Activity in Regional River Sediments R. A. Sanford,* K. Y. Leung, I. Nambi, Q. He, F.
Loeffler University of Illinois;
Georgia Institute of Technology
Microbial-mediated reductive dechlorination is a
common process in anaerobic ecosystems. A number of anaerobic dehalogenating
bacteria have been isolated from pristine river sediment environments leading to
the hypothesis that natural chlorinated compounds in the sediments are used as
electron acceptors by novel microorganisms. The objectives of the research are
to characterize the microbial halorespiration capacity of chlorinated solvents
(such as PCE) in stream sediments in Illinois, Colorado, and Korea as well as in
Japanese Rice Paddies. Results will provide evidence of a novel biogeochemical
cycle involving natural halogenated compounds and could lead to a better
understanding of microbial diversity.
^
Bioremediation of Perchloroethene (PCE) in a
Column System Using Chitin Fermentation as an Electron Donor Source R. A. Sanford,* C. J. Werth,* R. A.
Brennan University of Illinois;
National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship; Environmental Protection Agency
STAR Fellowship
This research
will demonstrate the ability of a new passive remediation technology,
Halorespiration Enhancing Redox Transition Zone (HERTZ), to accelerate the
bioremediation of a dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) source of PCE in
groundwater. This technology relies on the fermentation of solid phase polymeric
organic materials (POMs), such as chitin, to create electron donors that
increase both the bioavailability and biodegradation of DNAPL blobs. Chitin was
selected as the POM for this study based on its ability to create favorable
reducing conditions for stimulating anaerobic reductive dechlorination of PCE to
ethene.
^
Characterization and Identification of the
Microbial Community Colonizing an Anaerobic Fluidized-Bed Bioreactor Treating
TNT and RDX Using Molecular Techniques R. A. Sanford,* S. Oh, K. Moon, N. Adrian University of Illinois; U.S. Army
Construction Engineering Research Laboratory
Two anaerobic fluidized-bed reactors, one with TNT and
the other without, have been monitored continuously since January. The objective
of this research is to characterize the microbial community in each reactor and
identify the responsible organisms that are degrading TNT or RDX. PCR-based
terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis of 165 rDNA
was used to characterize the communities in these reactors. Specific terminal
fragments will be targeted for sequencing to identify populations found in the
explosives containing reactors. As a result, a method of community analysis will
be developed and better anaerobic treatment systems for pink water will be
designed.
^
Determination of Growth Kinetics of Anaerobic
Bacteria Growing on Low Concentrations of Limiting Substrate R. A. Sanford,* Q. He, R. A. Brennan University of Illinois
Growth kinetic data are difficult to obtain for
chlororespiring anaerobic microorganisms. The objectives of this research are to
determine the growth kinetics of these cultures using the uptake of 14C-labeled acetate into biomass
as a measure of growth. Since the amount of chlorinated compound available to a
chlororespiring bacteria is limited by solubility or toxicity, other methods of
growth measurement often fail. Radiolabeled biomass is easy to quantify and was
shown to correlate well with other tedious methods of measurement. These data
will be useful for modeling growth in nature which is needed for designing in situ bioremediation.
^
Fast Dechlorination of Chlorinated Phenols by
Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans Strain
2CP-C R. A. Sanford,* Q.
He University of Illinois
The anaerobic myxobacterium Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans strain 2CP-C grows by
coupling the oxidation of acetate to the reductive dechlorination of
orth-substituted chlorophenols. Little is known, however, about the physiology
or kinetics of dechlorination. The objective of this study was to determine the
rates of growth and dechlorination by strain 2CP-C using various halogenated
phenolic compounds. Even with cell densities less than 107/ml, declorination kinetics are
zero-order after induction with a rate of 2l.5 μM/hour for 2-chlorophenol, the highest rate observed for
any chlororespiring bacteria. Further investigation will determine if strain
2CP-C is useful for the bioremediation of chlorinated phenols.
^
Fate of Nitrate in Groundwater at the Big
Ditch Watershed, Illinois R. A.
Sanford,* S. Shiffer Illinois
Council on Food and Agricultural Research
The fate of agricultural nitrate in groundwater is not
well defined. The focus of this research was to quantify the denitrification
activity in groundwater throughout the Big Ditch Watershed to determine the loss
of nitrate that occurs in the groundwater. Two experimental approaches will be
used. First, denitrifying organisms in the sediment cores and groundwater will
be enumerated using the MPN technique. Second, the intrinsic rate of
denitrification for 11 different well sites within the watershed will be
determined. Preliminary data show that denitrification activity in the
groundwater is dependent on the location of the sample and the availability of
carbon.
^
The Use of Micromodels to Study Dissolution
and Bioavailability of DNAPLs for Degradation by Microorganisms in
Groundwater R. A. Sanford,* C.
J. Werth, I. Nambi National Science
Foundation, Biogeochemistry Program
The objective of this study is to improve fundamental
understanding of key biogeochemical processes affecting dense nonaqueous phase
liquid (DNAPL) dissolution in natural porous matrices. To accomplish this
objective, researchers will use micromodels to measure DNAPL entrapment and
dissolution as a function of geochemistry. Micromodels are a two-dimensional
representation of a porous matrix etched into a silicon wafer and geochemically
modified by the addition of different oxide surfaces and aqueous phase ionic
substituents. Through the use of microscopy, the behavior of microorganisms in
the micromodel relative to the DNAPL can be directly observed.
^
Effects of Redox Conditions on the
Bioavailability and Biodegradation of Nonaqueous Phase Chlorinated Ethenes at
the Pore Scale R. Sanford,* A.
Valocchi, C. Werth, I. Nambi, C. Chomsurin, C. Knutson National Science Foundation Biogeochemistry
Program
Efforts to predict
dechlorination rates in the field using results from batch studies have met with
little success. One reason for this lack of agreement is our inability to
predict the effects of pore-scale variability on reaction rates. The overall
objective of this research is to determine the effects of redox conditions on
the bioavailability and biodegradation of nonaqueous phase chlorinated ethenes
at the pore scale. Although many geochemical species can affect redox
conditions, this study focuses only on the effects of competing electron
acceptors. Specifically, the proposed research aims to determine the
relationships between PCE DNAPL dissolution and reductive dechlorination at the
pore scale, determine the effects of competing electron acceptors on DNAPL
dissolution and reductive dechlorination at the pore scale, and determine the
effects of pore scale variability on transport and fate at the Darcy
scale.
^
Metal Working Fluid (MWF) Recycling by
Centrifugation, Filtration, and Pasteurization: Assessing Environmental Benefits
and Implications for Health and Safety R. Sanford,* M. Clark,* K. S. Kim, E.
Moosbrugger, K. Moon, J. Holt State
of Illinois Waste Management and Research Center
Large volumes of MWF are being used and disposed of on
an annual basis. This waste stream has the potential to be a significant burden
on the environment and a threat to the health of industrial plant workers.
Microbial growth in metal working fluids is a common problem and because some of
the bacteria produce endotoxins, a health hazard is created for machine
operators. The objectives of this work are to determine the effectiveness of
centrifugation, filtration and pasteurization in removing bacteria and reducing
waste volume, determine if these current processes shorten the life of metal
working fluids, and determine the effect of these processes on endotoxin content
in MWF.
^
Adsorption in Hybrid Membrane-Ultrafiltration
Processes V. L. Snoeyink,* Q.
Li, L. Schideman, B. J. Mariñas ONDEO, Paris, France
The objective of this research is to determine the
efficiency of the floc blanket reactor (FBR)-PAC-ultrafiltration (UF) process
for the removal of both natural organic matter and trace organic contaminants,
and to develop new hybrid membrane-adsorption processes. By recycling the PAC
from the PAC-UF part of the process to the floc blanket reactor, researchers can
reduce the dosage of carbon required to achieve a certain effluent concentration
by 30% to 50%. Future work will involve testing different surface waters,
carbons with a wide range of pore size distributions, new adsorbents and
adsorption processes, and model development to describe process
performance.
^
Assessment of the Prevalence and Significance
of Aluminum-Containing Scale Deposits V. L. Snoeyink,* P. Sarin, C. Feld, A. S. C.
Chen, L. Wang Battelle; U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
The objective of this project is to determine the
prevalence of aluminum-containing scales in distribution systems of utilities
that are using aluminum-based coagulants. Samples of distribution system pipes,
especially lead pipes, are being obtained from throughout the United States and
Canada and are being analyzed using x-ray diffraction and energy dispersive
spectroscopy to establish the composition of aluminum-containing scales. Common
deposits that have been found to date include aluminum silicates, aluminum
hydroxides, and aluminum phosphates. After the survey is complete, researchers
will focus on establishing the detrimental and beneficial effects of these
scales.
^
Characterization of Scales in the Chicago
Water Distribution System V. L.
Snoeyink,* P. Sarin, D. Frommell, W. Kriven City of Chicago, Illinois
The objective of this project is to determine the
chemical composition of scales that have been found on cement- and mortar-lined
distribution pipes and to determine ways to control the formation of this scale.
The approach involves use of energy dispersive spectroscopy to determine
elemental composition and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to determine
chemical structure. A pipe-loop system with lead pipe harvested from the Chicago
system is being used to show the impact of any changes in aluminum concentration
and phosphate dose on lead release.
^
Development of Red Water Control
Strategies V. L. Snoeyink,* P.
Sarin, D. Lytle, W. Kriven U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency; University of Illinois
The objectives of this research are to determine the
mechanisms of red water production in drinking water distribution systems and to
develop strategies for controlling this problem. This study involves use of
small-scale pipe loops in the University of Illinois laboratory to which water
with different qualities is applied. Important parameters are pH variation,
neutral salt concentration variation, and the concentration of such additives as
orthophosphate and polyphosphate. Short-term tests are being developed to show
how existing layers of corrosion products on pipes react to produce red water.
Research also will include development of procedures for chemically conditioning
the scales so that red water does not form and evaluation of using additives to
reduce the intensity of the color produced by a fixed amount of iron.
^
Removal of Perchlorate in Biologically Active
GAC Systems V. L. Snoeyink,* L.
Raskin,* J. Brown, R. Lin University
of Illinois
The objective of this
project is to show how conventional GAC systems can be modified and operated for
removal of microgram-per-liter concentrations of perchlorate that are found in
contaminated drinking water supplies. Evaluation of the effects of nitrate
concentration, pH, oxygen concentration, and electron donor dose are being
investigated at several empty bed contact times. The microbial population is
being studied to determine the organisms responsible for perchlorate reduction
and their growth requirements. Polishing steps are being investigated to ensure
that the product water meets drinking water requirements.
^
Spatial and Temporal Characterization of Dense
Nonaqueous Phase Liquids in Porous Media Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging C. J. Werth,* C. Zhang National Science Foundation CAREER
Award
Accurate characterization
of nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) dissolution requires a mechanistic
understanding of the complex factors affecting the NAPL-water interfacial area
across which mass transfer occurs. Prior experimental techniques have not
resolved these factors, resulting in phenomenological mass transfer coefficients
that are constrained by experimental conditions. The objectives of this project
are to determine the effects of interstitial water velocity on the effective
NAPL-water interfacial area, to determine the effects of pore and NAPL
characteristics on the effective NAPL-water interfacial area, and to predict
time-dependent NAPL dissolution in natural porous media.
^
Competitive Sorption of Volatile Organics in
Model and Natural Solids C.
Werth,* J. Li National Science
Foundation
Laboratory studies
have been conducted to characterize the mass transfer limitations in the
subsurface. In most cases, mass transfer rates for single sorbates were measured
in an attempt to characterize mass transfer limitations in the field. However,
mixtures of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) are often present in the field,
both as the source of contamination and as transformation products from
biodegradation. The objective of this project is to determine the effects of
chemical mixtures on mass transfer in geosorbent (soil and sediment)
aggregates.
^
Evaluation of Polymeric Organic Materials for
Stimulating the Reductive Dechlorination of Chlorindated Ethenes C. Werth,* R. Sanford,* R.
Brennan Student Fellowships from
National Science Foundation; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This project is focused on developing a
new passive bioremediation technology for dense nonaqueous phase liquids
(DNAPLs) in groundwater. This technology involves putting polymeric organic
materials (POMs) such as chitin and wood chips into boreholes upgradient from
and in a DNAPL source. As the POMs degrade, nutrients are released to
groundwater, enhancing both DNAL dissolution and biodegradation.
