Grantee Research Project Results

2001 Progress Report: Development and Evaluation of Field Sensors for Monitoring Bioaugmentation with Anaerobic Dehalogenating Cultures for In-Situ Treatment of TCE

EPA Grant Number: R828772C007
Subproject: this is subproject number 007 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R828772
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: National Research Program on Design-Based/Model-Assisted Survey Methodology for Aquatic Resources
Center Director: Stevens, Don L.
Title: Development and Evaluation of Field Sensors for Monitoring Bioaugmentation with Anaerobic Dehalogenating Cultures for In-Situ Treatment of TCE
Investigators: Ingle, James D.
Institution: Oregon State University
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: September 1, 2001 through August 31, 2003
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 2001 through August 31, 2002
Project Amount: Refer to main center abstract for funding details.
RFA: Hazardous Substance Research Centers - HSRC (2001) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Land and Waste Management

Objective:

The overall objective of this research project is to refine and use redox sensors based on redox indicators as monitoring tools for assessing and optimizing redox conditions for treatment of trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) with dehalogenating cultures. The specific objectives of this research are to: (1) deploy, evaluate, and refine redox sensors for online monitoring of the redox conditions in two collaborative situations involving a bioaugmentation approach; and (2) understand the nature of the redox conditions under which dechlorination microbial processes occur.

Better online monitoring techniques for redox status are needed for: (1) the initial assessment of laboratory samples or models and subsurface conditions at a field site; (2) continued assessment of the progress of remediation; and (3) control of injections of amendments (e.g., substrates, nutrients) during remediation. We have shown that redox sensors based on redox indicators exhibit promise for monitoring environmental redox levels. Research is needed to: (1) understand the nature of the response of these indicators; (2) improve the monitoring devices for practical use; and (3) demonstrate that these devices can be employed for online monitoring of the status of anaerobic dehalogenating cultures in laboratory systems.

Redox indicators immobilized on transparent films are able to differentiate between different microbial redox levels (e.g., Fe(III)-reducing, sulfate-reducing, methanogenic). Flow sensors based on redox indicators will be deployed in two primary collaborate situations for calibration and demonstration of their applicability. These include: (1) continuous monitoring of redox conditions of cultures inside bioreactors or microcosm bottles as a tool for the optimizing conditions for effective dechlorination of PCE or TCE with enriched halorespiratory cultures; and (2) online monitoring of the redox status of the material in a physical aquifer model (PAM) bioaugmented with the developed dehalogenating cultures. Throughout these studies, the design and characteristics of the redox sensor monitoring systems will be improved.

Progress Summary:

We have developed a portable flow system for monitoring redox status of solutions in bioreactors, microcosm bottles, and PAMs. The system is based on specially constructed peristaltic pump housing and improved flow cells for immobilized redox indicators. For the pump housing, the gas permeable pump tubing is enclosed and protected by purging with an inert gas, or by contact with a deoxygenating solution (e.g., ascorbic acid). This pump can be powered by a small 12-volt battery in field applications. Microcosms are easily adapted to the flow system by inserting polyetheretherketone or stainless steel tubing through the container wall. The flow system is directly applicable for monitoring redox levels of anaerobic material inside PAMs with minimal oxygen contamination. With this flow system, we have achieved O2 permeation rates as low as 2.4 mL/hour.

We have continued to improve the design and fabrication of inexpensive spectrophotometric flow cells suitable for containing redox indicators immobilized on thin transparent films. Critical points in the design of these flow cells include the ease of replacing membranes, providing a pathway for trapped bubbles to escape, as well as rigid construction, which minimizes O2 permeability through the cell walls.

Preliminary work has begun on platinum/redox membrane electrodes constructed with the film of the immobilized indicator press-fit to the surface of a modified platinum electrode. These devices conceptually are simpler than optically based detection systems and could be the basis of simple in situ redox probes.

Future Activities:

Future activities for this research project include continuing deployment, evaluation, and refinement for redox sensors for online monitoring of redox conditions. We also want to form a better understanding of redox conditions in relation to how dechlorination microbial processes occur.

Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format

Publications Views

Other subproject views:	All 1 publications	1 publications in selected types	All 1 journal articles
Other center views:	All 168 publications	73 publications in selected types	All 69 journal articles

Publications

Type	Citation	Sub Project	Document Sources
Journal Article	Cantrell KM, Ingle Jr JD. The SLIM spectrometer. Analytical Chemistry 2003;75(1):27-35.	R828772 (2002) R828772 (2003) R828772 (Final) R828772C007 (2001)	Abstract from PubMed Abstract: ACS Publications Exit

Supplemental Keywords:

microbial activity, environmental chemistry, aquatic ecosystem restoration, environmental degradation, advanced treatment technologies, aquatic ecosystems, aquifer remediation design, bioaugmentation, biodegradation, bioremediation model, biotechnology, contaminated aquifers, contaminated groundwater, dechlorination, degrade trichloroethylene, dehalogenation, groundwater, groundwater contamination, groundwater pollution, hazardous waste treatment, in-situ remediation, in-situ treatment, in situ bioremediation, in situ biotransformation, microbial degradation, microbiology, monitoring, push pull test, redox tools, reductive dechlorination., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Waste, Water, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, Remediation, Restoration, Hazardous Waste, Bioremediation, Environmental Engineering, Groundwater remediation, Hazardous, Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, reductive dehalogenation, hazardous waste treatment, dechlorination, microbiology, monitoring, redox tools, in situ remediation, microbial degradation, in situ treatment, advanced treatment technologies, bioremediation model, push pull test, biodegradation, TCE degradation, dehalogenate, aquifer remediation design, dehalogenation, biotechnology, in-situ bioremediation, groundwater contamination, contaminated groundwater, aquatic ecosystems, reductive dechlorination, contaminated aquifers, bioaugmentation, aquifer remediation, in-situ biotransformation, TCE, groundwater pollution, groundwater

Relevant Websites:

http://wrhsrc.orst.edu/ Exit

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

2002

Final

Main Center Abstract and Reports:

R828772    National Research Program on Design-Based/Model-Assisted Survey Methodology for Aquatic Resources

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R828772C001 Developing and Optimizing Biotransformation Kinetics for the Bio- remediation of Trichloroethylene at NAPL Source Zone Concentrations
R828772C002 Strategies for Cost-Effective In-situ Mixing of Contaminants and Additives in Bioremediation
R828772C003 Aerobic Cometabolism of Chlorinated Aliphatic Hydrocarbon Compounds with Butane-Grown Microorganisms
R828772C004 Chemical, Physical, and Biological Processes at the Surface of Palladium Catalysts Under Groundwater Treatment Conditions
R828772C006 Development of the Push-Pull Test to Monitor Bioaugmentation with Dehalogenating Cultures
R828772C007 Development and Evaluation of Field Sensors for Monitoring Bioaugmentation with Anaerobic Dehalogenating Cultures for In-Situ Treatment of TCE
R828772C008 Training and Technology Transfer
R828772C009 Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC) and Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities (TAB) Programs
R828772C010 Aerobic Cometabolism of Chlorinated Ethenes by Microorganisms that Grow on Organic Acids and Alcohols
R828772C011 Development and Evaluation of Field Sensors for Monitoring Anaerobic Dehalogenation after Bioaugmentation for In Situ Treatment of PCE and TCE
R828772C012 Continuous-Flow Column Studies of Reductive Dehalogenation with Two Different Enriched Cultures: Kinetics, Inhibition, and Monitoring of Microbial Activity
R828772C013 Novel Methods for Laboratory Measurement of Transverse Dispersion in Porous Media
R828772C014 The Role of Micropore Structure in Contaminant Sorption and Desorption