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Biotic and Abiotic Reductive Transformation of Chlorinated Solvents in Iron-Reducing Sediments

EPA Grant Number: U915327
Title: Biotic and Abiotic Reductive Transformation of Chlorinated Solvents in Iron-Reducing Sediments
Investigators: McCormick, Michael S.
Institution: University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
EPA Project Officer: Thompson, Delores
Project Period: September 1, 1998 through September 1, 2001
Project Amount: $91,044
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (1998)
Research Category: Fellowship - Environmental Engineering , Engineering and Environmental Chemistry , Academic Fellowships

Description:

Objective:

The objectives of this research project are to: (1) investigate the reductive transformation of chlorinated solvents in iron-reducing sediments; and (2) assess the relative contributions of biological and abiotic reactions to dechlorination.

Approach:

Microcosm studies will be employed to screen for dechlorination activity in pure cultures and enrichments of iron-reducing bacteria with a variety of chlorinated compounds, including: hexachloroethane, tetrachloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and carbon tetrachloride. Selective metabolic inhibitors will be used in enrichment cultures to control for sulfate-reducing and methanogenic populations. Strictly biological rates of dechlorination will be determined in whole-cell suspensions of the bacterial cultures. Abiotic reaction rates will be studied in microcosms containing biologically reduced mineral species (e.g., biogenic magnetite Fe3O4), which have been washed to remove cells. The reactivity of synthetic forms of the same reduced mineral species also will be examined for comparison. Finally, in defined systems containing both cells and iron oxide solids, the effects of temperature on dechlorination kinetics will be used to distinguish biologically mediated reactions (usually inhibited at temperatures greater than 60°C) from abiotic reactions.

Supplemental Keywords:

fellowship, chlorinated solvents, sediments, iron-reducing sediments, biotic reactions, abiotic reactions, dechlorination activity, chlorinated compounds. , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Toxics, Water, Scientific Discipline, Waste, RFA, Remediation, Microbiology, Bioavailability, Chemistry, Hazardous Waste, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Microbiology, Environmental Chemistry, Contaminated Sediments, Hazardous, National Recommended Water Quality, Bioremediation, 1, 1, 1-Trichloroethane, aromatic pollutants, Hexachloroethane, chelators, chelated agents, chlorinated solvent, Tetrachloroethylene, chlorinated solvents, tetrachloroehylene, sediments

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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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