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Final Report: Effects of Natural Cyclic Variations on Contaminated Fate and Transport

EPA Grant Number: R828598C700
Subproject: this is subproject number 700 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R828598
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).

Center: Gulf Coast HSRC (Lamar)
Center Director: Ho, Tho C.
Title: Effects of Natural Cyclic Variations on Contaminated Fate and Transport
Investigators: Tomson, Mason B. , Kan, Amy T.
Institution: Rice University
EPA Project Officer: Krishnan, Bala S.
Project Period: September 1, 1998 through August 31, 2001
Project Amount: Refer to main center abstract for funding details.
RFA: Gulf Coast Hazardous Substance Research Center (Lamar University) (1996)
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Targeted Research

Description:

Objective:

The linear, reversible models are unable to predict the contaminant release from aged soil and sediments. In addition, cyclic or episodic variations in the natural environment further complicate the process. The objectives of this study were to develop a predictive model that can explain the desorption mechanism, and investigate the impact of pH, salinity, temperature, and redox on the behavior of contaminant release from soil.

Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):

The studies provide the scientific community with a greater understanding of the physiochemical processes of sediment-contaminant interaction. A primary consideration in sediment clean-up is when to stop, or how clean is acceptable. Present mathematical models assume that as long as a clean-up operation continues that the contaminant concentration will be steadily reduced toward zero. Yet, there have been numerous reports that sediment decontamination is biphasic with a fast initial removal followed by a very slow, or no, release, when it is known that contaminants still remain in the sediment. This project has demonstrated that, with some sediments, a fraction of the pollutant is adsorbed irreversibly and is not removable by ordinary means. This means that it will not desorb, as would be predicted by any previous models. This has the potential of reestablishing a limit of clean-up that will protect the environment and public health and at the same time cut remediation costs considerably. Since a major part of the clean-up costs in contaminant sediments is related to removing this last residual of contaminant, the cost savings by reestablishing an effective "clean" level could be several percentages, at least, of a typical clean-up operation. The semi-empirical model will be used in numerous fate prediction and remediation models, whether physical, chemical or biological.

The desorption of contaminants from soils/sediments is one of the most important processes controlling contaminant transport and environmental risks. None of the currently adopted desorption models can accurately quantify desorption at relatively low concentrations; these models often overestimate the desorption and thus the risks of hydrophobic organic chemicals, such as benzene and chlorinated solvents. In reality, desorption is generally found to be biphasic, with two soil-phase compartments. A new duel-equilibrium desorption (DED) model has been developed to account for the biphasic desorption. This model has been tested using a wide range of laboratory and field data and has been used to explain key observations related to underground storage tank (UST) plumes. The DED model relates the amount of a chemical sorbed to the aqueous concentration, with simple parameters including octanol-water partition coefficient, solubility and fractional organic carbon; thus, it is the only biphasic model, to date, that is based on readily available parameters. The DED model can be easily incorporated into standard risk and transport models. According to this model, many regulatory standards of soils and sediments could be increased without increasing the risks.

Two Ph.D. students and one MS student graduated from this program:


Journal Articles on this Report: 6 Displayed | Download in RIS Format

Other subproject views: All 21 publications 11 publications in selected types All 6 journal articles
Other center views: All 472 publications 140 publications in selected types All 123 journal articles

Type Citation Sub Project Document Sources
Journal Article Chen W, Kan AT, FU G, Vignona LC, Tomson MB. Adsorption-desorption behaviors of hydrophobic organic compounds in sediments of Lake Charles, LA, USA. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal 1999;18(8):1610-1616. R828598C700 (Final)
R822721C700 (1999)
R825513C016 (Final)
R825513C024 (Final)
R826694C700 (1999)
R826694C700 (Final)
not available
Journal Article Chen W, Kan AT, Tomson MB. Irreversible adsorption of chlorinated benzenes to natural sediments: Implications for sediment quality criteria. Environmental Science and Technology 2000;34(3):385-392. R828598C700 (Final)
R822721C700 (1999)
R825513C024 (Final)
R826694C700 (1999)
R826694C700 (Final)
  • Full-text: ACS Publications Full Text
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  • Other: ACS Publications PDF
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  • Journal Article Chen W, Kan AT, Newell CJ, Moore L, Tomson MB. Impact of dual-equilibrium desorption on soil leaching models. Ground Water (2001, in print). R828598C700 (Final)
    not available
    Journal Article Kan AT, Chen W, Tomson MB. Desorption kinetics of neutral hydrophobic organic compounds from field - contaminated sediment. Environmental Pollution 2000;108(1):81-89. R828598C700 (Final)
    R822721C700 (1999)
    R825513C024 (Final)
    R826694C700 (1999)
    R826694C700 (Final)
    not available
    Journal Article Kim S, Sioutas C, Chang M-C, Gong Jr H. Factors affecting the stability of the performance of ambient fine-particle concentrators. Inhalation Toxicology 2000;12(11, Suppl 4):281-298. R828598C700 (Final)
    R825513C024 (Final)
    R826708 (2000)
    R826708 (2001)
    R826708 (2002)
    R826708 (Final)
    R827352 (2004)
    R827352 (Final)
    R827352C012 (Final)
    R827352C014 (Final)
    R829095C004 (2005)
  • Abstract from PubMed
  • Journal Article Tomson MB, Pignatello JJ. Causes and effects of resistant sorption in natural particles. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 1999;18(8):1609-1609. R828598C700 (Final)
    R822721C700 (1999)
    R825513C016 (Final)
    R825513C024 (Final)
    R826694C700 (1999)
    R826694C700 (Final)
    not available
    Supplemental Keywords:

    Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Scientific Discipline, Waste, Fate & Transport, Ecology and Ecosystems, remediation, fate and transport, redox, analytical models, ecosystem assessment, hazardous waste
    Relevant Websites:

    http://cohesion.rice.edu/administration/fis/report/FacultyDetail.cfm?DivID=1&DeptID=20&RiceID=541exit EPA

    Progress and Final Reports:
    Original Abstract


    Main Center Abstract and Reports:
    R828598    Gulf Coast HSRC (Lamar)

    Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
    R822721C529 Environmentally Acceptable Endpoints: Risk Based Remediation Using Bioremediation
    R822721C552 Degradative Solidification/Stabilization Technology for Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
    R822721C569 Treatment and Product Recovery: Supercritical Water Oxidation of Nylon Monomer Manufacturing Waste
    R822721C620 Colloidal Fouling of Membranes: Implications in the Treatment of Textile Dye Wastes and Water Reuse
    R822721C626 Catalytic Hydroprocessing of Chlorinated Organics
    R822721C627 The Interaction of Microbial Activity and Zero Valent Iron Permeable Barrier Technology
    R822721C630 Microbial Cometabolism of Recalcitrant Chemicals in Contaminated Air Streams
    R822721C633 Catalyst Lifetime Studies for Chlorocarbon Steam Reforming
    R822721C635 Electrokinetic/Surfactant-Enhanced Remediation of Hydrophobic Pollutants in Low Permeability Subsurface Environments
    R822721C636 Transformation Reactions of Nitroaromatic and Nitrogen Heterocyclic Compounds on Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Surfaces: Enhancement of GAC Adsorption in Natural and Engineered Environmental Systems
    R822721C640 Environmentally Friendly Organic Synthesis in Supercritical Fluids
    R822721C645 Development and Evaluation of an Integrated Model to Facilitate Risk-Based Corrective Action at Superfund Sites
    R822721C651 Adjustable Biopolymer Chelators for Cadmium, Lead and Mercury
    R822721C653 New Electrochemically Smart Catalysts for Hazardous Waste Management and Development of Capillary Electrophoresis for Analysis of their Products
    R822721C655 Soil Sampling in South Alabama Oil Fields
    R822721C659 Subsurface Contamination Site Characterization via a Computer-Aided Visual Tool
    R822721C661 New Insoluble supports for Protein Immobilization for Use in Metalloprotein Affinity Metal Chromatography
    R822721C663 Soil Remediation with Ultra-High-Efficiency Hydrocyclones
    R822721C669 Solid Acid Catalyzed Alkylation in Supercritical Fluids
    R822721C679 Regeneration/Reactivation of Carbon Adsorbents by Radio Frequency (RF) Induction Heating
    R822721C687 Improved Halogen Resistance of Catalytic Oxidation
    R822721C696 Phytoremediation and Bioremediation of Land Contaminated By PAHs, PCBs, and TNT
    R822721C697 Fundamental and Kinetic Investigation of Sorbent Technology for Optimum Mercury Emission Control
    R822721C700 Effects of Natural and Cyclic Variations on Contaminant Fate and Transport
    R822721C703 Enhancement of DNAPL Dissolution Rates by Dechlorinating Anaerobes
    R826694C620 Colloidal Fouling of Membranes: Implications in the Treatment of Textile Dye Wastes and Water Reuse
    R826694C625 Enhanced Treatment of DNAPLs Contaminated Soils and Groundwater Using Biosurfactants: In-Situ Bioremediation
    R826694C626 Catalytic Hydroprocessing of Chlorinated Wastes
    R826694C627 The Interaction of Microbial Activity and Zero Valent Iron Permeable Barrier Technology
    R826694C629 Biofiltration of BTEX in Petroleum-Contaminated Soil Remediation Off-Gas
    R826694C630 Microbial Cometabolism of Recalcitrant Chemicals in Contaminated Air Streams
    R826694C633 Catalyst Lifetime Studies for Chlorocarbon Steam Reforming
    R826694C635 Electrokinetic/Surfactant-Enhanced Remediation of Hydrophobic Pollutants in Low Permeability Subsurface Environments
    R826694C636 Transformation Reactions of Nitroaromatic and Nitrogen Heterocyclic Compounds on Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Surfaces: Enhancement of GAC Adsorption in Natural and Engineered Environmental Systems
    R826694C640 Environmentally Friendly Organic Synthesis in Supercritical Fluids
    R826694C645 Development and Evaluation of an Integrated Model to Facilitate Risk-Based Corrective Action at Superfund Sites
    R826694C651 Adjustable Biopolymer Chelators for Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury Remeidation
    R826694C659 Subsurface Contamination Site characterization Via a Computer-Aided Visual Tool
    R826694C661 New Insoluble supports for Protein Immobilization for Use in Metalloprotein Affinity Metal Chromatography
    R826694C669 Solid Acid Catalyzed Alkylation in Supercritical Reaction Media
    R826694C679 Regeneration and Reactivation of Carbon Adsorbents by Radio Frequency Induction Heating
    R826694C696 Phytoremediation and Bioremediation of Land Contaminated By PAHs, PCBs, and TNT
    R826694C697 Fundamental and Kinetic Investigation of Sorbent Technology for Optimum Mercury Emission Control
    R826694C700 Effects of Natural Cyclic Variations on Contaminated Fate and Transport
    R826694C703 Enhancement of DNAPL Dissolution Rates by Dechlorinating Anaerobes
    R826694C705 A Pilot Plant for Producing Mixed Ketones from Waste Biomass
    R826694C722 The Effects of an Oily-Phase on VOC Emissions from Industrial Wastewater
    R826694C724 Mercury Removal from Stack Gas by Aqueous Scrubbing
    R826694C725 Transport, Fate and Risk Implications of Environmentally Acceptable Endpoint Decisions
    R826694C731 Development and Application of a Real-Time Optical Sensor for Atmospheric Formaldehyde
    R826694C734 An Advanced System for Pollution Prevention in Chemical Complexes
    R828598C001 Field Study Abstract: A Model of Ambient Air Pollution in Southeast Texas Using Artificial Neural Network Technology
    R828598C002 Hollow Fiber Membrane Bioreactors for Treating Water and Air Streams Contaminated with Chlorinated Solvents
    R828598C003 Fugitive Emissions of Hazardous Air Pollutants from On-Site Industrial Sewers
    R828598C004 Biofiltration Technology Development
    R828598C005 A Risk-Based Decision Analysis Approach for Aquifers Contaminated with DNAPLs
    R828598C006 In-Situ Remediation for Contaminated Soils Using Prefabricated Vertical Drains
    R828598C007 Membrane Technology Selection System for the Metal Finishing Industry
    R828598C008 Sequential Environments for Enhanced Bioremediation of Chlorinated Aliphatic Hydrocarbons
    R828598C009 Waste Minimization in the Magnetic Tape Industry: Waterborne Coating Formulations for Magnetic Tape Manufacture
    R828598C010 Soil Remediation by Agglomeration with Petroleum Coke
    R828598C011 Recovery of Dilute Phosphoric Acid in Waste Streams Using Waste Gas Ammonia: The Regenerative MAP/DAP Process
    R828598C012 Stochastic Risk Assessment for Bioremediation
    R828598C013 Selective Removal of Heavy Metals from Wastewater by Chelation in Supercritical Fluids
    R828598C014 Optimization of Treatment Technologies for Detoxification of PCB Contaminated Soils
    R828598C015 Wastewater Remediation by Catalytic Wet Oxidation
    R828598C016 Permanence of Metals Containment in Solidified and Stabilized Wastes
    R828598C017 Combustion Enhancement by Radial Jet Reattachment - Low Generation of Hazardous Gases and High Thermal Efficiency
    R828598C018 A Process To Convert Industrial Biosludge and Paper Fines to Mixed Alcohol Fuels
    R828598C019 Homogeneous Catalysis in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
    R828598C020 Ultrasonic Enhancement of the Removal of Heavy Metals
    R828598C021 The Binding Chemistry and Leaching Mechanisms of Advanced Solidification/Stabilization Systems for Hazardous Waste Management
    R828598C022 Development of an Air-Stripping and UV/H2O2 Oxidation Integrated Process To Treat a Chloro-Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Ground Water
    R828598C023 A Comparative Study of Siting Opposition in Two Counties
    R828598C024 Sonochemical Treatment of Hazardous Organic Compounds II: Process Optimization and Pathway Studies
    R828598C025 Laser Diagnostics of the Combustion Process within a Rotary Kiln Incinerator
    R828598C026 Use of Inorganic Ion Exchangers for Hazardous Waste Remediation
    R828598C027 Kaolinite Sorbent for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Incinerated Lubricating Oils
    R828598C028 Destruction of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons in Process Streams Using Catalytic Steam Reforming
    R828598C029 Integrated Process Treatment Train (Bioremediation {Aerobic/Anaerobic} and Immobilization) for Texas Soils Contaminated with Combined Hazardous Wastes
    R828598C030 Photo-Oxidation by H2O2/VisUV of Off-Gas Atmospheric Emissions from Industrial and Environmental Remediation Sources
    R828598C031 Concentrated Halide Extraction and Recovery of Lead from Soil
    R828598C032 Biodegradable Surfactant for Underground Chlorinated Solvent Remediation
    R828598C033 A Software Guidance System for Choosing Analytical Subsurface Fate and Transport Models Including a Library of Computer Solutions for the Analytical Models
    R828598C034 Hydrodynamic Modeling of Leachate Recirculating Landfill
    R828598C035 Measurement of Oxygen Transfer Rate in Soil Matrices
    R828598C036 Sorbent Technology for Multipollutant Control During Fluidized Bed Incineration
    R828598C037 Pollution Prevention by Process Modification Using On-Line Optimization
    R828598C038 Pollution Prevention by Process Modification
    R828598C039 Water Solubility and Henry's Law Constant
    R828598C040 Transferring Technical Information on Hazardous Substance Research by Publishing on the World Wide Web
    R828598C041 Stress Protein Responses to Multiple Metal Exposure in Grass Shrimp
    R828598C042 Life-Cycle Environmental Costing for Managing Pollution Prevention in the Chemical and Petroleum Refining Industries: A Cross-Border Approach
    R828598C687 Improved Halogen Resistance of Catalytic Oxidation Through Efficient Catalyst Testing
    R828598C696 Phytoremediation and Bioremediation of Land Contaminated By PAHs, PCBs, and TNT
    R828598C697 Fundamental and Kinetic Investigation of Sorbent Technology for Optimum Mercury Emission Control
    R828598C700 Effects of Natural Cyclic Variations on Contaminated Fate and Transport
    R828598C703 Enhancement of DNAPL Dissolution Rates by Dechlorinating Anaerobes
    R828598C705 A Pilot Plant for Producing Mixed Ketones from Waste Biomass
    R828598C722 The Effects of an Oily-Phase on VOC Emissions from Industrial Wastewater
    R828598C724 Mercury Removal from Stack Gas by Aqueous Scrubbing
    R828598C725 Transport, Fate and Risk Implications of Environmentally Acceptable Endpoint Decisions
    R828598C731 Development and Application of a Real Time Optical Sensor for Atmospheric Formaldehyde
    R828598C734 An Advanced System for Pollution Prevention in Chemical Complexes
    R828598C743 Field Demonstration of Ultrasound Enhancement of Permeable Treatment Walls
    R828598C744 Optical Fibers Coated With Titania Membrane/UV-Generating Crystal in a Distributed-Light Photoreactor for VOC Oxidation
    R828598C749 Characterization and Modeling of Indoor Particulate Contaminants In a Heavily Industrialized Community
    R828598C753 Adsolubilization and Photocatalysis in a Semiconducting Monolithic Reactor for Wastewater Treatment
    R828598C754 Remote Detection of Gas Emissions in Industrial Processes
    R828598C759 Searching for Optimum Composition of Phosphogypsum: Fly ash: Cement Composites for Oyster Culch Materials
    R828598C761 Development of a Phytologically-Based Biosorptive Water Treatment Process
    R828598C766 Chlorinated Solvent Impact and Remediation Strategies for the Dry Cleaning Industry
    R828598C769 Soil/Sediment Remediation by Hot Water Extraction Combined with In-Situ Wet Oxidation
    R828598C771 Fluoracrylate Polymer Supported Ligands as Catalysts for Environmentally Benign Synthesis in Supercritical Fluids
    R828598C774 The Feasibility of Electrophoretic Repair of Impoundment Leaks
    R828598C777 Surfactant Enhanced Photo-oxidation of Wastewaters
    R828598C778 Stationary Power Generation Via Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: A Response to Pollution and Global Warming
    R828598C786 Photocatalytic Recovery of Sulfur and Hydrogen From Hydrogen Sulfide
    R828598C787 Biosurfactant Produced from Used Vegetable Oil for removal of Metals From Wastewaters and Soils
    R828598C789 Genetic Engineering of Enzymatic Cyanide Clearance
    R828598C791 Characterizing the Intrinsic Remediation of MTBE at Field Sites
    R828598C799 Simultaneous Water Conservation/Recycling/Reuse and Waste Reduction in Semiconductor Manufacturing
    R828598C801 Building Defined Mixed Cultures To Biodegrade Diverse Mixtures Of Chlorinated Solvents
    R828598C802 Engineering of Nanocrystal Based Catalytic Materials for Hydroprocessing of Halogenated Organics
    R828598C807 Commercial Demonstration of Hydrogen Peroxide Injection to Control NOx Emissions from Combustion Sources
    R828598C809 Evaluating Source Grouting and ORC for Remediating MTBE Sites
    R828598C810 Application of Total Cost Assessment To Process Design In the Chemical Industry
    R828598C846 Quantitative Demonstration of Source-Zone Bioremediation in A Field-Scale Experimental Controlled Release System
    R831276C001 DNAPL Source Control by Reductive Dechlorination with Fe(II)
    R831276C002 Arsenic Removal and Stabilization with Synthesized Pyrite
    R831276C003 A Large-Scale Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Ethanol on Groundwater Contamination
    R831276C004 Visible-Light-Responsive Titania Modified with Aerogel/Ferroelectric Optical Materials for VOC Oxidation
    R831276C005 Development of a Microwave-Induced On-Site Regeneration Technology for Advancing the Control of Mercury and VOC Emissions Employing Activated Carbon
    R831276C006 Pollution Prevention through Functionality Tracking and Property Integration
    R831276C007 Compact Nephelometer System for On-Line Monitoring of Particulate Matter Emissions
    R831276C008 Effect of Pitting Corrosion Promoters on the Treatment of Waters Contaminated with a Nitroaromatic Compounds Using Integrated Reductive/Oxidative Processes
    R831276C009 Linear Polymer Chain and Bioengineered Chelators for Metals Remediation
    R831276C010 Treatment of Perchlorate Contaminated Water Using a Combined Biotic/Abiotic Process
    R831276C011 Rapid Determination of Microbial Pathways for Pollutant Degradation
    R831276C012 Simulations of the Emission, Transport, Chemistry and Deposition of Atmospheric Mercury in the Upper Gulf Coast Region
    R831276C013 Reduction of Environmental Impact and Improvement of Intrinsic Security in Unsteady-state
    R831276C014 Integrated Chemical Complex and Cogeneration Analysis System: Greenhouse Gas Management and Pollution Prevention Solutions
    R831276C015 Improved Combustion Catalysts for NOx Emission Reduction
    R831276C016 A Large-Scale Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Ethanol on Groundwater Contamination
    R831276C017 Minimization of Hazardous Ion-Exchange Brine Waste by Biological Treatment of Perchlorate and Nitrate to Allow Brine Recycle
    R831276C018 Integrated Chemical Complex and Cogeneration Analysis System: Greenhouse Gas Management and Pollution Prevention Solutions

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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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