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FRTR Spring 2020 Meeting, Session 1: Bioremediation Advances - New Strategies, Optimization, and Performance Monitoring

Sponsored by: Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable (FRTR)

Archived: Friday, May 29, 2020
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The Spring 2020 meeting of the Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable (FRTR) will be held as a two-part webinar on Friday, May 29 and Friday, June 5, 2020. As always, FRTR meetings are open to the public.

FRTR's objectives for this meeting are to:

  1. Review the state of the practice of bioremediation: Broad overview of where it is commonly applied, where it is still experimental, and what are the challenges.

  2. Discuss advances in bioremediation for organic and inorganic contaminants, including new approaches, optimization, and tools for monitoring technologies to determine successful performance.

  3. Review brief case studies to demonstrate how new technologies are being applied and optimized.


Session 1: Overview and Organic Contaminants

Overview of In-Situ Bioremediation Challenges and Technology Advancements
Abstract: This presentation will cover a brief overview of common challenges to the effective implementation of in-situ bioremediation projects for organic contaminants, as well as more recent technologies available to address these challenges or improve treatment performance. Specific topics to be covered include: alternative amendments to common single carbon sources; potential causes and actions to address limited or slow degradation of 1,2-dichloroethene and vinyl chloride; and amendment delivery in lower permeability, heterogeneous geology. A couple of short case studies of specific technologies implemented at Army sites will be included, as well as useful references/weblinks.

Case Studies of Advances in Bioremediation of Organics: Part 1
Abstract: This presentation will provide information on monitoring programs including the application of advanced tools associated with in situ bioremediation. Specific examples will be provided as well as additional information on advanced delivery mechanisms. Recent advances and applications of the cometabolic treatment and natural attenuation of emerging contaminants such as 1,4-dioxane will also be presented.

Case Studies of Advances in Bioremediation of Organics: Part 2
Abstract: Several case studies will be presented that highlight advances in bioremediation approaches and performance monitoring for contaminants that include chlorinated ethenes, chlorinated benzenes, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In the first case study, a bioremediation approach combining anaerobic and aerobic cultures, bioaugmented together on granular activated carbon in a passive reactive barrier, was developed and field tested for treatment of chlorinated benzenes at aerobic-anaerobic interfaces. The next two case studies focus on bioremediation of chlorinated ethenes in fractured rock and include (1) using microbial community analyses to track the effects of bioaugmentation and cause of DCE/VC stall in permeable units and (2) developing a field borehole test/modeling approach to quantify diffusion and degradation in unfractured matrix, with a focus on defining biodegradation rates at the matrix surface. Lastly, new laboratory research on anaerobic PFAS biodegradation with chlorinated solvent co-contaminants will be presented. Some of the bioremediation assessment techniques that will be highlighted include passive microbial community collection, in situ microcosms with Bio-TrapsĀ® to utilize molecular biology and stable isotope probing tools, advanced qPCR methods, and next generation sequencing.

Join us for Session 2 on June 5th: Current Research and Inorganic Contaminants (registration required).

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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 Cindy Frickle at 703-603-8763 or frickle.cynthia@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.

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Presenters:

A photograph of Mark RothasMark Rothas, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Mark.S.Rothas@usace.army.mil)
Mark Rothas has over 35 years of environmental remediation and regulatory compliance experience working in manufacturing, corporate, consulting, and USACE positions. He has performed all facets of remediation system design, construction oversight, operation and maintenance, and project management. For USACE, Mr. Rothas has worked as a remediation technology subject matter expert as a member of its Environmental Center of Expertise, and coordinates its internal programs involving technology sharing and FUDS project remediation optimization reviews. He is also an instructor for USACE training classes involving remediation technologies and management of complex groundwater remediation projects, and has participated on ITRC complex sites management and PFAS work teams. Mr. Rothas has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Roosevelt University.


A photograph of Anthony DankoAnthony Danko, Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (anthony.danko@navy.mil)
Dr. Danko serves as an Environmental Engineer in the Environmental Restoration Division at the Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC). He is involved in various NAVFAC efforts and initiatives, including Optimization and the testing and demonstration of various innovative technologies. His current interests include RDT&E and technical support to Navy site mangers with a variety of compounds, including chlorinated solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, and emerging contaminants, such as PFAS and 1,4-Dioxane. Dr. Danko is also a licensed professional engineer.


A photograph of Michelle Lorah, Ph.D.Michelle Lorah, Ph.D., U.S. Geological Survey (mmlorah@usgs.gov)
Dr. Michelle Lorah is a Research Hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in the Maryland-Delaware-DC Water Science Center, where she directs the Fate and Bioremediation Team. She has a B.S. in Geosciences and Marine Science from Penn State University, M.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Virginia, and Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry through the Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Sciences Program at the University of Maryland. She leads multiple projects focused on understanding contaminant fate and microbial processes in complex environments, including wetlands and fractured rock, with the goal of defining natural attenuation and developing bioremediation technologies to treat water resources and improve environmental health. Much of her research has focused on halogenated organic contaminants, including chlorinated ethanes and ethenes, chlorinated benzenes, and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). For more information, please refer to Dr. Lorah's USGS profile.


Moderators:

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.


A photograph of Cindy FrickleCindy Frickle, U.S. EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (frickle.cynthia@epa.gov or 202-566-0927)
Cindy Frickle is a physical scientist with EPA's Superfund program where she reviews and propagates technical information to site cleanup professionals through Clu-In, EPA forums, and interagency channels. Prior to joining EPA, she spent time characterizing contaminated sites, coring sediments, studying microbes, and teaching. She completed her Biogeology MS and Geology BS in the University of Minnesota's School of Earth Sciences.



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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