We present a simulation/optimization model combining optimization with BIOPLUME II simulation for optimizing in-situ bioremediation system design. In-situ bioremediation of contaminated groundwater has become widely accepted because of its cost-effective ability to achieve satisfactory cleanup. We use parallel recombinative simulated annealing to search for an optimal design and apply the BIOPL...

Continuous discharge from a combined sewer overflow (CSO) into a tidal wetland creek in the New York City urban area was analyzed to assess the extent of water quality degradation during both dry and wet weather. A combination of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), total suspended solids, and dissolved metals were used to infer the presence of sewage and fecal pollution from the CSO discharge and t...

We conducted a detailed assessment of the maternal transfer of mercury and selenium to eggs in three bird species (n = 107 parents and n = 339 eggs), and developed predictive equations linking contaminant concentrations in eggs to those in six tissues of the mother (blood, muscle, liver, kidney, breast feathers, and head feathers). Mercury concentrations in eggs were positively correlated with ...

Fugitive dust from 18 unsurfaced roadways in Missouri were sampled using a novel cyclonic fugitive dust collector that was designed to obtain suspended bulk samples for analysis. The samples were analyzed for trace metals, Fe and Al, particle sizes, and mineralogy to characterize the similarities and differences between roadways. Thirteen roads were located in the Viburnum Trend (VT) mining dis...

An ion chromatography method was developed to determine trace anionic contamination in matrices that have a high concentration of nitrate ion. Contaminant anions of interest were separated on an IonPac AS15 high-capacity anion-exchange column and detected by suppressed conductivity detection. An EG40 eluent generator was used to prepare high-purity and carbonate-free potassium hydroxide. Using ...

Reconstruction of intentional or accidental release of contaminants into the atmosphere using concentration measurements from a sensor network constitutes an inverse problem. An added complexity arises when the contaminant is released from multiple sources. Determining the correct number of sources is critical because an incorrect estimation could mislead and delay response efforts. We present ...

There are many problems in security and defense that require a robust optimization technique, including those that involve the release of a chemical or biological contaminant. Our problem, in particular, is computing the parameters to be used in modeling atmospheric transport and dispersion given field sensor measurements of contaminant concentration. This paper discusses using a genetic algori...

Bioavailability of sediment-associated contaminants was assessed in parallel tests by means of a bivalve (Macoma nasuta) bioaccumulation assay and a novel in vitro digestive fluid extraction procedure. Digestive fluid was obtained from the deposit-feeding polychaete Arenicola brasiliensis and used to extract sediments from a U.S. Navy facility. Both the digestive fluid extraction and the bivalv...

Contamination of soil by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is frequently associated with non-aqueous-phase liquids. Measurement of the catabolic potential of a soil or determination of the biodegradable fraction of a contaminant can be done using a slurried soil respirometric system. This work assessed the impact of increasing the concentration of transformer oil and soil:water ratio on the micr...

In this study, the reduction of emerging organic contaminant atrazine in water, was investigated by adsorption, oxidation and a combination both technologies. Adsorption tests were performed using method ASTM D3860-98 with two types activated carbon: powdered carbon granular carbon. For tests, advanced ozone technology used. Finally, combined firstly adsorption treatment applied followed then o...