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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. EPA Technology Innovation and Field Services Division

Substrate Longevity and Long-Term Performance of Biochemical Reactors for Passive Treatment of Mine-Impacted Water

Sponsored by: Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Denver Post, SAME Philadelphia Post, and US EPA

Archived: Monday, November 25, 2019
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The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Denver Post and Philadelphia Post along with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are hosting a series of webinars based on talks given at recent Design and Construction Issues at Hazardous Waste Sites (DCHWS) Symposiums. The mission of the DCHWS symposiums is to facilitate an interactive engagement between professionals from government and the private sector related to relevant and topical issues affecting applications of engineering and science associated with cleaning up hazardous waste sites. The symposiums also serve as a platform to facilitate the exchange of information, encourage dialogue, share experiences, and build and enhance communication among design and construction professionals.

Biochemical reactors (BCR) have become an important treatment unit within passive treatment systems (PTS) designed for mine impacted water; however, operational longevity has remained a persistent concern. This presentation will present an overview on the background, history and principles on the use of BCRs to treat mine-impacted water. This will include a detailed review of the configuration, operation and performance of a typical BCR system and will provide data and observations from two long-term (>8 years) operating BCR systems as examples. This presentation will demonstrate that BCRs are an effective low cost, long term, and sustainable option for meeting water quality targets of mine impacted waters. This presentation will be a continuum of the two presentations previously presented (2018, 2019) in the DCHWS West forums. Both of the previous presentations focused on design, construction, and operation, while this presentation will focus on operation and maintenance, long-term performance, and overall system operational lifespan.

Upcoming Design and Construction Issues at Hazardous Waste Sites (DCHWS) Series Webinars

Design and Construction Issues at Hazardous Waste Sites (DCHWS) Series Archives

Accessibility, Recording, and Content Disclaimer

Rehabilitation Act Notice for Reasonable Accommodation

It is EPA's policy to make reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities wishing to participate in the agency's programs and activities, pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 791. Any request for accommodation should be made to Kate Garufi at 703-517-5857 or garufi.katherine@epa.gov, preferably one week or more in advance of the webinar, so that EPA will have sufficient time to process the request. EPA would welcome specific recommendations from requestors specifying the nature or type of accommodation needed. Please note that CLU-IN provides both alternate phone call-in options and closed captioning for all webinars, and requests for these specific accommodations are not necessary.

Webinar Recording

By participating in this CLU-IN webinar, you automatically agree to authorize recording of audio and visual content presented during this live event and consent to subsequent use of this recording in the public domain by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This recording may include questions, comments and poll responses provided by you during the live event in addition to your name, voice, image or likeness. This recording will be made available after the conclusion of the live event as part of the CLU-IN webinar archives, and will remain available indefinitely. If you do not wish to consent to the recording, please do not join the live event, and contact Jean Balent at 202-566-0832 or balent.jean@epa.gov to discuss your concerns.

Content Disclaimer

This webinar is intended solely to provide information to the public. The views and opinions expressed as part of this webinar do not necessarily state or reflect those of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It is not intended, nor can it be relied upon, to create any rights enforceable by any party in litigation with the United States, or to endorse the use of products or services provided by specific vendors. With respect to this webinar, neither the United States Government nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.

Presenters:

A photograph of Kate GarufiKate Garufi, EPA OSRTI (garufi.katherine@epa.gov or 703-517-5857)
Kate Garufi, a project management professional, is the Rocky Mountain region remediation lead for HDR based out of Denver, Colorado. In this role, Kate partnerswith federal clients, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and industrial clients on complex remediation projects. Prior to joining HDR, Kate spent 16 years at the EPA Headquarters in the Office of SuperfundRemediation and Technology Innovation. At EPA, she was a Superfund program expert in Superfund site management, design and construction project delivery, and technical project scoping. She holds a master's degree in environmental engineering from John Hopkins University and a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Virginia Tech


A photograph of B.T. ThomasB.T. Thomas, Jacobs Engineering Group (BT.Thomas@jacobs.com or 404-626-7215)
Robert Thomas, Ph.D., is a project geochemist. He has 22 years of experience and expertise in the generation and treatment of acid rock drainage (ARD) and specializes in Passive Treatment Systems for Mine Impacted Water (MIW). BT has led the design and participated as a subject matter expert on numerous passive treatment design projects since joining Jacobs 10 years ago.


A photograph of Jim BaysJim Bays, Jacobs Engineering Group (Jim.Bays@jacobs.com or 813-281-7705)
Jim Bays is a Professional Wetland Scientist and a Technology Fellow in Natural Treatment Systems with Jacobs. With more than 40 years of experience, Jim specializes in planning and design of natural treatment systems for water quality improvement. His current focus is on passive treatment of selenium and the use of wetlands for treating membrane concentrate.


Moderator:

A photograph of Jean BalentJean Balent, U.S. EPA Technology Innovation and Field Services Division (balent.jean@epa.gov or 202-566-0832)
Ms Balent is on the staff of the EPA's Technology Innovation and Field Services Division where she has worked to collect and disseminate hazardous waste remediation and characterization information since 2003. Ms Balent manages the Clean Up Information Network website and actively supports online communication and collaboration resources available to EPA. She formerly worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Engineering Division in the Buffalo District. Ms Balent was also a member of the SUNY-Buffalo Groundwater Research Group where she constructed and tested large scale models of groundwater flow. Ms Balent has also conducted research relating to the Great Lakes, environmental remediation, and brownfields re-development. She holds a Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering from SUNY-Buffalo and a Master's degree in Information Technology from AIU.


Webinar Slides and References:

Additional Resources:

  • These materials will be available by Monday, November 25, 2019

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If you have a suggested topic or idea for a future CLU-IN internet seminar, please contact:

Jean Balent
Technology Integration and Information Branch

PH: 202-566-0832 | Email: balent.jean@epa.gov
Michael Adam
Technology Integration and Information Branch

PH: 202-566-0875 | Email: adam.michael@epa.gov