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2003 Progress Report: Metal Removal Capabilities of Passive Bioreactor Systems: Effects of Organic Matter and Microbial Population Dynamics

EPA Grant Number: R829515C003
Subproject: this is subproject number 003 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R829515
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: HSRC - Rocky Mountain Regional Hazardous Substance Research Center for Remediation of Mine Waste Sites
Center Director: Shackelford, Charles D.
Title: Metal Removal Capabilities of Passive Bioreactor Systems: Effects of Organic Matter and Microbial Population Dynamics
Investigators: Figueroa, Linda , Ahmann, Dianne , Blowes, David , Carlson, Kenneth H. , DuTeau, Nancy M. , Reardon, Kenneth F. , Shackleford, Charles , Wildeman, Thomas , Woods, Sandra L.
Institution: Colorado School of Mines , Colorado State University
EPA Project Officer: Lasat, Mitch
Project Period: November 1, 2001 through October 31, 2003
Project Period Covered by this Report: November 1, 2002 through October 31, 2003
Project Amount: Refer to main center abstract for funding details.
RFA: Hazardous Substance Research Centers - HSRC (2001)
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation

Description:

Objective:

The overall goal of this research project is to evaluate the effect of organic matter characteristics and types on organic products produced by the microbial populations, on microbial population distributions, and on metal speciation and complexation. To achieve this goal, a research plan with the following objectives is being followed: (1) evaluate the physical, chemical, and biological composition of the components used to create the passive bioreactor (PBR) mixtures; (2) determine if the organic substrate characteristics affect the character and concentration of soluble organic matter and metal speciation and concentration; (3) determine the variation of microbial population with time and location; and (4) evaluate the use of mathematical models to relate metal removal and transport to various system parameters.

The approach will use experimental study in batch and column systems to test the proposed hypotheses and meet the project objectives. The project tasks include: (1) solid-phase organic and inorganic material characterization (physical, chemical, and microbial); (2) batch studies on the effect of different PBR mixtures; (3) column studies on the effect of substrate mixtures and perturbations; and (4) fate and transport modeling.

Progress Summary:

Analysis of substrates used to create PBRs is complete. The effect of organic substrate characteristics on sulfate reduction and metal removal, and changes in microbial activity using gas production for 100 day column studies, have been completed. Microbial activity using molecular techniques has been partially completed. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) results suggest the dominant bacterial species belongs to the Clostridium genus. SSCP results show that known methanogens are the dominant Archeal population. Mathematical models for metal removal and transport have been developed and calibrated using batch data.

Future Activities:

Columns with different organic substrates will be monitored for 2 additional months of operation and then sacrificed to evaluate the residual inorganic and organic composition column material. Real-time polymerase chain reaction will be used to quantify the different microbial groups, as it will be able to specifically target sulfate reducers. Calibration of the mathematical model for the column system will be completed over the next few months. We are in the process of developing several journal manuscripts. We have requested and received a 6-month no-cost extension to complete the project objectives and the journal manuscripts.

Supplemental Keywords:

groundwater, sediments, environmental chemistry, mining, geochemistry, toxicology, remediation, metal mobility, subsurface, microbiology, industry sectors, waste, water, contaminated sediments, ecological risk assessment, ecology, ecosystems, environmental engineering, geology, hazardous, hazardous waste, mining-NAIC 21, remediation, selenium, acid mine drainage, acid mine runoff, aquatic ecosystems, arsenic, contaminant transport, contaminated marine sediment, contaminated waste sites, field monitoring, groundwater, heavy metals, mining impacted runoff, sediment transport, stream ecosystems, suspended sediment. , Industry Sectors, Scientific Discipline, Waste, RFA, Remediation, Geology, Ecological Risk Assessment, Hazardous Waste, Environmental Engineering, Contaminated Sediments, Hazardous, Mining - NAIC 21, Ecology and Ecosystems, heavy metals, risk assessment, runoff, treatment, mining impacted watershed, redox, bioreactor, contaminated waste sites, mining, mining wastes, stream ecosystems, acid mine runoff, suspended sediment, acid mine drainage, groundwater, metal removal, remediation technologies, contaminant transport, natural organic matter, aquatic ecosystems, sediment transport
Relevant Websites:

http://www.engr.colostate.edu/hsrc/ exit EPA

Progress and Final Reports:
2002 Progress Report
Original Abstract


Main Center Abstract and Reports:
R829515    HSRC - Rocky Mountain Regional Hazardous Substance Research Center for Remediation of Mine Waste Sites

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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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