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Investigation on the Fate and Biotransformation of Hexachlorobutadiene and Chlorobenzenes in a Sediment-Water Estuarine System

EPA Grant Number: R825513C007
Subproject: this is subproject number 007 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R825513
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: HSRC (1989) - South and Southwest HSRC
Center Director: D. Reible, Danny
Title: Investigation on the Fate and Biotransformation of Hexachlorobutadiene and Chlorobenzenes in a Sediment-Water Estuarine System
Investigators: Pavlostathis, Spyros G.
Institution: Georgia Institute of Technology
EPA Project Officer: Manty, Dale
Project Period: January 1, 1992 through January 1, 1995
Project Amount: Refer to main center abstract for funding details.
RFA: Hazardous Substance Research Centers - HSRC (1989)
Research Category: Hazardous Substance Research Centers

Description:

Objective:

Although research on contaminated sediments has been intensified in the last decade, we still lack fundamental knowledge of the processes and process interactions that govern the partitioning and transformation of sediment-bound toxic organic compounds. Information is lacking on the factors which control both the rate and extent of transformation of polychlorinated organic compounds to natural contaminated sediments. In order to address this need, we undertook an investigation into the contaminant fate processes, in particular microbial reductive dechlorination taking place in the sediments of Bayou d' Inde, a tributary of the Calcasieu River near Lake Charles, Louisiana. The major chlorinated contaminants in these sediments are hexachlorobenzene (HCB), other less chlorinated benzene congeners and hexachloro-1,3-butadiene (HCBD).

The specific objectives of this study were:

1) Characterization of selected sites in the Bayou d'Inde sediment/water estuarine system.
2) Assessment of the rate and extent of biotransformation of the target halogenated organic contaminants.
3) Investigation of the abiotic release mechanisms responsible for the fate of the target halogenated organic compounds.

Approach:

This research project was divided into three experimental phases. During Phase I, in-situ measurements as well as sediment and water samples were collected from representative stations within the estuarine system. Detailed analyses of these samples were performed in the laboratory. Based on these analyses, chlorinated benzenes and HCBD became the primary components for this study. During Phase II, desorption studies were conducted with field contaminated sediments. The rate and extent of contaminant desorption was examined. The objective of Phase III was to elucidate and quantify the rate and extent of the anaerobic biotransformation of sediment-bound chlorinated compounds. Sediment samples were incubated under simulated in-situ conditions with or without any addition of electron donors and nutrients. Liquid cultures were developed and the biotransformation of the chlorinated compounds was studied under predominately methogenic conditions. The effect of both contaminant and organic matter bioavailability on the microbial dehalogenation of the sediment-bound chlorinated organic compounds was also studied. All cultures were either batch or were fed semi-continuously.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this subproject: View all 26 publications for this subproject | View all 427 publications for this center

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this subproject: View all 6 journal articles for this subproject | View all 114 journal articles for this center

Supplemental Keywords:

desorption, microbial transformation, and chlorinated organic compounds. , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water, Scientific Discipline, Waste, RFA, Chemical Engineering, Analytical Chemistry, Hazardous Waste, Environmental Engineering, Fate & Transport, Environmental Chemistry, Contaminated Sediments, Hazardous, Ecology and Ecosystems, heavy metals, Hexachlorobutadiene, remediation, risk assessment, contaminant transport models, confined disposal facilities, biodegradation, biotransformation, fate and transport, extraction of metals, soil and groundwater remediation, Chlorobenzenes, aquifer fate and treatment, technical outreach, chemical kinetics, contaminated sediment, anaerobic biotransformation, environmental technology, hazardous waste management, marine sediments, contaminated soil, bioremediation of soils, bioremediation, mathematical model, contaminated marine sediment, hazardous waste treatment, hydrology, sediment treatment, technology transfer, kinetics, chemical contaminants

Progress and Final Reports:
Final Report


Main Center Abstract and Reports:
R825513    HSRC (1989) - South and Southwest HSRC

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R825513C001 Sediment Resuspension and Contaminant Transport in an Estuary.
R825513C002 Contaminant Transport Across Cohesive Sediment Interfaces.
R825513C003 Mobilization and Fate of Inorganic Contaminant due to Resuspension of Cohesive Sediment.
R825513C004 Source Identification, Transformation, and Transport Processes of N-, O- and S- Containing Organic Chemicals in Wetland and Upland Sediments.
R825513C005 Mobility and Transport of Radium from Sediment and Waste Pits.
R825513C006 Anaerobic Biodegradation of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene and Other Nitroaromatic Compounds by Clostridium Acetobutylicum.
R825513C007 Investigation on the Fate and Biotransformation of Hexachlorobutadiene and Chlorobenzenes in a Sediment-Water Estuarine System
R825513C008 An Investigation of Chemical Transport from Contaminated Sediments through Porous Containment Structures
R825513C009 Evaluation of Placement and Effectiveness of Sediment Caps
R825513C010 Coupled Biological and Physicochemical Bed-Sediment Processes
R825513C011 Pollutant Fluxes to Aquatic Systems via Coupled Biological and Physicochemical Bed-Sediment Processes
R825513C012 Controls on Metals Partitioning in Contaminated Sediments
R825513C013 Phytoremediation of TNT Contaminated Soil and Groundwaters
R825513C014 Sediment-Based Remediation of Hazardous Substances at a Contaminated Military Base
R825513C015 Effect of Natural Dynamic Changes on Pollutant-Sediment Interaction
R825513C016 Desorption of Nonpolar Organic Pollutants from Historically Contaminated Sediments and Dredged Materials
R825513C017 Modeling Air Emissions of Organic Compounds from Contaminated Sediments and Dredged Materials title change in last year to "Long-term Release of Pollutants from Contaminated Sediment Dredged Material"
R825513C018 Development of an Integrated Optic Interferometer for In-Situ Monitoring of Volatile Hydrocarbons
R825513C019 Bioremediation of Contaminated Sediments and Dredged Material
R825513C020 Bioremediation of Sediments Contaminated with Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons
R825513C021 Role of Particles in Mobilizing Hazardous Chemicals in Urban Runoff
R825513C022 Particle Transport and Deposit Morphology at the Sediment/Water Interface
R825513C023 Uptake of Metal Ions from Aqueous Solutions by Sediments
R825513C024 Bioavailability of Desorption Resistant Hydrocarbons in Sediment-Water Systems.
R825513C025 Interactive Roles of Microbial and Spartina Populations in Mercury Methylation Processes in Bioremediation of Contaminated Sediments in Salt-Marsh Systems
R825513C026 Evaluation of Physical-Chemical Methods for Rapid Assessment of the Bioavailability of Moderately Polar Compounds in Sediments
R825513C027 Freshwater Bioturbators in Riverine Sediments as Enhancers of Contaminant Release
R825513C028 Characterization of Laguna Madre Contaminated Sediments.
R825513C029 The Role of Competitive Adsorption of Suspended Sediments in Determining Partitioning and Colloidal Stability.
R825513C030 Remediation of TNT-Contaminated Soil by Cyanobacterial Mat.
R825513C031 Experimental and Detailed Mathematical Modeling of Diffusion of Contaminants in Fluids
R825513C033 Application of Biotechnology in Bioremediation of Contaminated Sediments
R825513C034 Characterization of PAH's Degrading Bacteria in Coastal Sediments
R825513C035 Dynamic Aspects of Metal Speciation in the Miami River Sediments in Relation to Particle Size Distribution of Chemical Heterogeneity

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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.

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