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U.S. EPA Contaminated Site Cleanup Information (CLU-IN)


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

Polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs)

Additional Resources

Literature References

Adobe PDF LogoApplication of Biofilm Covered Activated Carbon Particles as a Microbial Inoculum Delivery System for Enhanced Bioaugmentation of PCBs in Contaminated Sediment: Phase 1 Final Report
Kjellerup, B. and S. Edwards.
SERDP Project ER-2135, 89 pp, 2013

Anaerobically dechlorinating biofilms were added to sediment as (1) bacteria localized and concentrated onto activated carbon (AC) surfaces in active biofilm communities or (2) enriched wastewater sludge biofilms. Both forms of dechlorinating biofilm were applied to mesocosms consisting of PCB-contaminated sediment from Grasse River, New York. The dechlorinating bacteria remained in the sediment throughout the experiment and increased almost 2-fold in numbers. Dechlorination by the biofilm-covered AC particles with DF1 culture was less extensive compared to the enriched sludge biofilm, but application of either system enhanced the dechlorination of PCBs in sediment and thus made the congeners available for subsequent aerobic degradation and removal.

Spatial Distribution of PCB Dechlorinating Bacteria and Activities in Contaminated Soil
Kjellerup, B.V., P. Paul, U. Ghosh, H.D. May, and K.R. Sowers.
Applied and Environmental Soil Science 2012(584970):2012

In analysis of soil samples contaminated with Aroclor 1260, the detection of indigenous PCB dehalorespiring activity combined with the detection of putative dechlorinating bacteria and biphenyl dioxygenase genes in the soil aggregates suggests that the potential exists for complete mineralization of PCBs in soils; however, some soil samples inhibited PCB dechlorination even when inoculated with the PCB-dechlorinating bacterium Dehalobium chlorocoercia DF-1, indicating that the observed heterogeneity of in situ dechlorination might be related to the presence of metal or organic co-contaminants.

Work Groups

None Available. Suggest a Resource

Web Sites

Region 8: PCBs and Mining Sites

Events and Media

CLU-IN Archived Webinars

SRP Progress in Research Webinar: Session I — Emergencies and Emerging Contaminants
NIEHS Superfund Research Program
April 28, 2023, 2 Hours

Climate Change and Health: Session III - Documenting Exposures and Promoting Health
NIEHS Superfund Research Program
November 18, 2022, 2 Hours

Climate Change and Health: Session II - Untangling Complex Exposures and Health Effects
NIEHS Superfund Research Program
November 4, 2022, 2 Hours

Utilizing Innovative Materials Science Approaches to Enhance Bioremediation: Session II - Chlorinated Compounds
NIEHS Superfund Research Program
April 29, 2022, 2 Hours

Superfund Research Program Progress in Research Webinar Part 4: Emerging Exposures
NIEHS Superfund Research Program
November 19, 2020, 2 Hours

Superfund Research Program Progress in Research Webinar Part 2: Legacy and Emerging Contaminants (PAHs, PCBs, PFAS)
NIEHS Superfund Research Program
October 28, 2020, 2 Hours

Former BICC Cables Site Construction Hudson River Sediment Cap Under the EPRI Building Yonkers, Westchester County, New York
Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Denver Post, SAME Philadelphia Post, and US EPA
June 10, 2020, 2 Hours

Contaminated Sediments Virtual Workshop Session 3 - Remediation Technologies
US EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD)'s Office of Science Policy
November 13, 2019, 2 Hours, 30 Minutes

Biogeochemical Interactions Affecting Bioavailability for in Situ Remediation: Session II - Bioavailability of Mixtures of PAHs, Chlorinated Compounds, and Metals
NIEHS Superfund Research Program
May 13, 2019, 2 Hours

Superfund Research Program Progress in Research Webinar Part 4: Boston University, Texas A&M University, and University of California, Davis
NIEHS Superfund Research Program
October 1, 2018, 2 Hours

NARPM Presents...Using Bioavailability to Assess Contaminated Sediment Risk: Passive Sampling and Porewater Remedial Goals (PWRGs)
EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation
August 13, 2018, 2 Hours

Analytical Tools and Methods: Session III - Fate and Transport of Contaminants
NIEHS Superfund Research Program
June 12, 2017, 2 Hours

ITRC Environmental Molecular Diagnostics: New Tools for Better Decisions
Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council
November 3, 2016, 2 Hours, 15 Minutes

SRP Water Innovation - An Integrated Approach to Sustainable Solutions: Session II - Technologies for Water Remediation
NIEHS Superfund Research Program
June 20, 2016, 2 Hours

Implementing Greener Cleanups through ASTM's Standard Guide (E2893-13)
U.S. EPA Technology Innovation and Field Services Division
November 17, 2015, 2 Hours

Progress in Research: TCE, PCBs, and Phthalates - Exposure, Mechanisms of Disease, and Clean-Up Remedies
NIEHS Superfund Research Program
August 24, 2015, 2 Hours

Session II: Biogeochemical Factors Impacting in situ Remediation of Chlorinated Contaminants
NIEHS Superfund Research Program
February 9, 2015, 2 Hours

Porewater Concentrations and Bioavailability: How You Can Measure Them and Why They Influence Contaminated Sediment Remediation - Session IV - Case Studies: PSDs for Organic Contaminants
NIEHS Superfund Research Program and the EPA Contaminated Sediments Forum
December 15, 2014, 2 Hours

Porewater Concentrations and Bioavailability: How You Can Measure Them and Why They Influence Contaminated Sediment Remediation - Session III - Metals and PSDs
NIEHS Superfund Research Program and the EPA Contaminated Sediments Forum
December 1, 2014, 2 Hours

Porewater Concentrations and Bioavailability: How You Can Measure Them and Why They Influence Contaminated Sediment Remediation - Session II - PSDs for Organic Contaminants
NIEHS Superfund Research Program and the EPA Contaminated Sediments Forum
November 19, 2014, 2 Hours

Porewater Concentrations and Bioavailability: How You Can Measure Them and Why They Influence Contaminated Sediment Remediation - Session I - Introduction to Porewater, Bioavailability, and PSDs
NIEHS Superfund Research Program and the EPA Contaminated Sediments Forum
October 6, 2014, 2 Hours

PCBs in Schools, Session II: Identifying and Reducing Health Risks
NIEHS Superfund Research Program
April 28, 2014, 2 Hours

PCBs in Schools, Session I: Overview and Exposure Assessment
NIEHS Superfund Research Program
April 21, 2014, 2 Hours

Programmed Calculators for Dioxin Toxicity Equivalence (TEQ)
EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation
February 20, 2014, 1 Hour, 30 Minutes

ITRC Development of Performance Specifications for Solidification/Stabilization
Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council
June 25, 2013, 2 Hours, 15 Minutes

Opportunities for Bringing Rapidly Emerging Technologies to Revolutionize Modeling of Chemical Contaminants in Coastal Waters
University of Washington Superfund Research Program
October 4, 2012, 1 Hour, 30 Minutes

Mining-Influenced Water: Environmental Issues, Remediation Research, and Tools for Estimating Remediation Cost
U.S. EPA, Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation, Technology Innovation and Field Services Division
September 19, 2012, 2 Hours

Incremental-Composite Sampling Designs for Surface Soil Analyses, Module 4 of 4
U.S. EPA, Technology Innovation and Field Services Division
February 27, 2012, 2 Hours

NARPM Presents...In Situ Sediment Remediation Using Benthic Waterjet Amendment Placement
U.S. EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation
November 16, 2011, 2 Hours

Community Engagement Activities at Superfund Sites
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Superfund Research Program
March 31, 2011, 2 Hours

Contaminated Sediments: New Tools and Approaches for in-situ Remediation - Session IV
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Superfund Research Program
February 14, 2011, 2 Hours

Contaminated Sediments: New Tools and Approaches for in-situ Remediation - Session I
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Superfund Research Program
November 17, 2010, 2 Hours

Biological-based Assays - Indicators of Ecological Stress
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Superfund Research Program
September 23, 2010, 2 Hours

PAH and PCB Toxicity and Adaptation - Lessons Learned from Chronically Exposed Wild Populations
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Superfund Research Program
August 19, 2010, 2 Hours

Collaborative Research on Environmental Toxicants in Rapidly Developing Settlements of the U.S.-Mexico Border
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Superfund Basic Research Program
September 16, 2009, 1 Hours

Phytoremediation: The Potential is Growing
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Superfund Basic Research Program
October 14, 2008, 2 Hours

Bioavailability of Organic Compounds: Methods and Case Studies
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Superfund Basic Research Program
June 11, 2008, 3 Hours

7th Passive Sampling Workshop and Symposium (Day 2)
Columbia Environmental Research Center, U. S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior, and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
April 25, 2007, 8 Hours

ITRC Surfactant/Cosolvent Flushing of DNAPL Source Zones
Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council
March 10, 2005, 2 Hours, 15 Minutes

NIEHS/EPA PCBs - Health Effects
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences & U.S. EPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response
December 4, 2002, 2 Hours

NIEHS/EPA PCBs - Monitoring and Detection
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences & U.S. EPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response
November 13, 2002, 2 Hours

NIEHS/EPA PCB Cleanup Technologies
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences & U.S. EPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response
October 9, 2002, 2 Hours