PROJECTS

 

Bioremediation of Chlorinated Solvents, West Branch Canal Creek Wetland, Aberdeen Proving Ground (current)

Feasibility study of methods utilizing biostimulation and bioaugmentation to treat chlorinated solvents in preferential ground-water discharge areas in a tidal wetland, West Branch Canal Creek, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Developed an anaerobic mixed culture from wetland sediments capable of degrading a suite of chlorinated ethanes, ethenes, and methanes (in collaboration with Dr. Mary Voytek and Elizabeth Jones, USGS, Reston, VA), and developed an innovative reactive barrier to enhance biodegradation in wetland areas. Currently testing technologies in field pilot tests.

 

Characterization of seeps, West Branch Canal Creek Wetland Area, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland (current)

Remedial investigation to locate seeps in a wetland area and characterize the extent of contamination with chlorinated solvents. Hydrogeology, redox geochemistry, and natural biodegradation processes in the seeps are being evaluated in conjunction with a study (above) to enhance the natural biodegradation.

 

Natural Attenuation and Bioremediation in Lauderick Creek Wetlands, Aberdeen Proving Ground

Evaluated natural attenuation in existing wetlands and potential of constructed or enhanced wetlands for ground-water remediation of chlorinated solvents in Lauderick Creek area (Bush River area included in 2003). Includes characterizing geochemistry, microbiology and hydrology of wetland and seep areas, and lab testing of bioaugmentation of wetland soil with the mixed culture derived from West Branch wetland.

 

Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Solvents, West Branch Wetland, Aberdeen Proving Ground (current)

Conducted field and laboratory research of biodegradation, microbial communities, geochemistry, and hydrology with purpose of evaluating monitored natural attenuation in the wetland as a groundwater remediation method, West Branch Canal Creek area, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Characterized degradation reactions for 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane in anaerobic wetland sediments.

 

ESTCP Study of Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Solvents in Ground Water(completed)

Co-principal investigator of a study funded under the Department of Defense ESTCP program, demonstrating natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents in plumes discharging to wetlands in different hydrogeologic settings and developing draft protocol for characterizing natural attenuation in wetlands.