May 14, 2003, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, EDT (18:00-20:00 GMT)

This is the second in a series of three seminars on Metals sponsored by the NIEHS Superfund Basic Research Program and the EPA Technology Innovation Office. This event will highlight recent advances in technologies for remediation of metal-contaminated hazardous waste sites. Harry Compton, of the EPA’s Environmental Response Team, has been examining a treatment technology for metals-contaminated soils that has potential for improving damaged mine lands. This technology uses soils residuals, including biosolids, to treat old mining sites and revegetate them, thus reducing the bioavailability of the contaminants. The use of the native plant species creates a viable habitat, improves land values and, potentially, helps with carbon sequestration. ERT has also evaluated the attractive nuisance issue in this scenario. Dr. Raina Maier, of the University of Arizona, will discuss her research into an alternative strategy—soil flushing using pump and treat technologies for in situ remediation of metal-contaminated soils. The research explores the use of alternative microbially-produced agents for remediation of metal contaminated sites. This work is based upon the fact that anionic surfactants have shown potential as soil washing agents. Microbially-produced surfactants—biosurfactants—have advantages over their synthetic counterparts because they are not petroleum-based, are less toxic, and are more biodegradable. Topics include an introduction to biosurfactants, the efficacy of several biosurfactants for remediation of artificially and historically metal-contaminated soils, and problems associated with application of biosurfactants to soil systems.

• Harry Compton, US Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Response Team (Compton.Harry@epamail.epa.gov)
• Raina M. Maier, The University of Arizona, Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science (rmaier@ag.arizona.edu)

• Larry Whitson, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (whitson@niehs.nih.gov)

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The seminar is available for download in both Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat formats.