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Biology of Methanogenesis |
Department of Marine Biotechnology UMBC - Institute of Marine & Environmental Technology
Evaluating
the Efficacy of Bioaugmentation for In-situ Treatment of PCB Impacted
Sediments
The proposed project aims to reduce the concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediments by the in-situ application of a “biocatalytic” activated carbon amendment seeded with PCB degrading microorganisms. Introduction of PCB dechlorinating and degrading microorganisms as biofilms on SediMiteTM, an innovative solid substrate which includes activated carbon particles, will achieve two major objectives: 1) immediate reduction of PCB bioavailability to the aquatic food chain through sequestration on the carbon surface, and 2) reduction of in situ PCB concentrations in impacted sediments by microbial dechlorination and subsequent aerobic biodegradation of the PCBs. A pilot study will be carried out to demonstrate and validate this environmentally sustainable technology at a PCB-impacted DoD field site. This will be the first use of bioaugmentation for the complete degradation of highly chlorinated Aroclors in situ; and 2) the first use of a system capable of delivering biocatalysts to PCB-impacted sediment through a water column, near obstacles and in environmentally sensitive areas.
DoD facilities across the country are impacted with persistent pollutants such as PCBs and the DoD is challenged with the remediation of these sites. This work addresses the DoD need for cost effective, in-situ remediation technologies for PCBs and can be applied in principle to other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as pesticides. Most importantly, this work will enable extensive in situ treatment at DoD sites that include both shallow and deep sediments with minimum impact to environmentally sensitive areas. This integrated approach utilizes activated carbon to serve concurrently as an agent to sequester PCBs from the food chain and as a delivery system and solid substrate to enhance both anaerobic and aerobic microbial processes for complete in situ degradation. Development of a tractable microbial in situ treatment system would provide the most practical, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable means of treating persistent pollutants. The technology is expected to cost approximately $110,000 per acre, which compares favorably with capping (approximately $115,000 to 290,000 per acre) and dredging (approximately $1,000,000 per acre). In terms of the life cycle assessment, use of biocatalytic SediMite would have a significantly reduced impact compared with dredging by reducing the health risks associated with sediment disruption, reducing overall energy use, effectively negating the requirement for extensive waste management and obviating the requirement for substantial habitat restoration.
Collaborators
Hal D. May, Ph.D., Medical University of South Carolina
Upal Ghosh, Ph.D., Sediment Solutions
Project Team
Related Publications and Abstracts
Payne, R.B., S.K. Fagervold, H.D. May and K.R. Sowers. 2013. Remediation of polychlorinated biphenyl impacted sediment by concurrent bioaugmentation with anaerobic dehalorespiring and aerobic degrading bacteria. Env. Sci & Tech. 47(8): 3807-3815. [ABSTRACT]
Sowers, Kevin R. and Harold D. May. In situ treatment of PCBs by anaerobic microbial dechlorination in aquatic sediment: are we there yet? Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. In press. [ABSTRACT]
Evaluating the efficacy of bioaugmentation for in-situ treatment of PCB impacted sediments. Kevin R Sowers, Rayford B. Payne, Upal Ghosh and Harold D May. SERDP & ESTCP In-Progress Review and Sediment Review Panel Meeting. Arlington, VA, 28 February 2013.
Evaluating the efficacy of bioaugmentation for in-situ treatment of PCB impacted sediments. Department of Environmental Engineering, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul, Turkey. 07 September 2012.
Evaluating the efficacy of bioaugmentation for in-situ treatment of PCB impacted sediments. Department of Environmental Engineering, Middle Eastern TEchnical University, Ankara, Turkey. 11 September 2012.
Rayford B Payne, Chanlan Chun, Harold D May, Kevin R Sowers. 2011. Enhanced reductive dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyl impacted sediment by bioaugmentation with a dehalorespiring bacterium. Env. Sci & Tech. 45 (20), pp 8772–8779. [ABSTRACT]
Kevin R Sowers, Rayford B. Payne, Upal Ghosh and Harold D May. Evaluating the efficacy of bioaugmentation for in-situ treatment of PCB impacted sediments. Battelle International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds. Monterey, CA, 21-24 May 2012.
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