WRHSRC News and Events
 June 2007 - WRHSRC and the TOSC and TAB outreach programs cease operations
On June 30, 2007 the Western Hazardous Substance Research Center and its outreach programs Technical Outreach Services for Communities and Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities ceased operations. This Web site is retained as an archive of center publications and projects.
March 2007 - Professor Perry L. McCarty, director of the WRHSRC from 1989-2001, named the 2007 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate
Dr. McCarty, professor emeritus at Stanford University, received the award for his pioneering work in the design and operation of water and wastewater systems. He defined the field of environmental biotechnology that is the basis for small-scale and large-scale pollution control and safe drinking water systems. Read more...
June 2006 -
New Research Brief on the Application of Molecular Techniques to Bioremediation
Available
This short web article describes work by Michael Spoorman and Sebastian Behrens
(Stanford University) to apply polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fluorescence
in situ hybridization (FISH) for monitoring bioremediation in situ. Read more...http://wrhsrc.oregonstate.edu/briefs/brief_10.htm
January
2006 - WRHSRC Publications from 2005
Journal Articles:
- Cunningham, J.A., J.J. Deitsch, J.A. Smith, J and M. Reinhard, 2005, “Quantification
of Contaminant Sorption-Desorption Time-Scales from Batch Experiments,”
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 24 (9), 2160-2166.
- Doughty D.M., Sayavedra-Soto L.A., Arp D.J., and Bottomley P.J., 2005, "Effects
of dichloroethene isomers on the induction and activity of butane monooxygenase
in the alkane-oxidizing bacterium, ‘Pseudomonas butanovora’",
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 71(10): 6054-6059.
- Field, J. A., J. D. Istok, L. Semprini, P. Bennett, and T. E. Buscheck,
2005, “Trichlorofluoroethene: A Reactive Tracer for Evaluating the Effectiveness
of In Situ Trichloroethene Remediation,” Ground Water Monitoring
Remediation, 25(2):68-77.
- Halsey K.H., Sayavedra-Soto L.A., Bottomley P.J., Arp D.J., 2005, "Trichloroethylene
degradation by butane-oxidizing bacteria causes a spectrum of toxic effects.
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 68(6): 794-801".
- Jones, B.D., and J.D. Ingle, Jr, 2005, “Evaluation of redox indicators
for determining sulfate-reducing and dechlorinating conditions”, Water
Research, 39, 4343-435.
- Kim, Y. and L. Semprini, 2005, "Cometabolic Transformation of cis-1,2-dichloroethylene
and cis-1,2-dichloroethylene epoxide by a butane-grown mixed culture",
Water Science & Technology, 52 (8), 125-131.
- Niemet, M.R., and L. Semprini, 2005, “Column Studies of Anaerobic
Carbon Tetrachloride Biotransformation with Hanford Aquifer Material,”
Ground Water Monitoring Remediation, 25(3), 82-92.
Schroth, M.H., J.D. Istok, 2005, "Approximate solution for solute transport
during spherical-flow push-pull tests", Ground Water, 43(2), 280-284.
- Yu, S. M.E. Dolan, and L. Semprini, 2005, “Kinetics and Inhibition
of Reductive Dechlorination of Chlorinated Ethylenes by Two Different Mixed
Cultures,” Environmental Science & Technology, 39, 195-205.
Ph.D. Theses:
- Benekos, I.D., August 2005, "On the determination of transverse dispersivity:
Experiments and simulations in a helix and a cochlea", Department of
Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University.
- Luo, J., December 2005, "Hydraulic control and reactive transport simulations
for in situ bioremediation of uranium-contaminated groundwater", Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University.
- Razzetti, C. 2005. "Cometabolic degradation of 1,1,1-trichloroethane
and 1,1-dichloroethane by a butane grown Rhodococcus species: kinetic studies,
reactor operation and modeling". Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Chemical
Engineering, University of Bologna.
December
2005 - New Research Brief on Transverse Dispersion Available
This short web article describes a novel approach for determining transverse
dispersion, a process important for dilution and mixing of contaminants in groundwater.
The brief describes research by Peter Kitanidis and his research
team at Stanford University. Their experiments with helical and cochlear devices
suggest that the rate of pore-scale transverse dispersivity may be greater than
the values often assumed in aquifer modeling and cleanup simulations. Read more...http://wrhsrc.oregonstate.edu/briefs/brief_9.htm
September
2005 - New Research Brief on Aerobic Cometabolism with Butane-Grown Microorganisms
This short web article describes Center research on aerobic cometabolism,
an emerging cleanup technology that utilizes microorganisms to degrade TCE
and other chloroethenes. Research Brief
#8 describes studies by Dan
Arp and Peter
Bottomley and their research team at Oregon State University.
The term cometabolism indicates that transformation of the contaminants
is a secondary reaction. The microbes consume a hydrocarbon, such as butane
for their energy needs. In the process, they produce enzymes that fortuitously
degrade other compounds such as TCE.
August
2005 - WRHSRC Researchers present at ISSM 2005
In August, many WRHSRC researchers presented at the Joint
International Symposia for Subsurface Microbiology (ISSM 2005) and
Environmental Biogeochemistry (ISEB XVII) in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Their presentations included the following:
- Solvent Mixtures by Bioaugmented Butane-Utilizing Microorganisms --
M. E. Dolan, L. Semprini, Oregon State University; P. L. McCarty, G.
Hopkins, Stanford
University.
- Factors Controlling In Situ Uranium and Technetium Bio-Reduction
and Reoxidation -- J. D. Istok, Oregon State University; L. Krumholz,
University of Oklahoma;
A. Peacock, University of Tennessee; J. McKinley, Pacific Northwest
National Laboratories.
- Haldane Inhibitions of Reductive Dechlorination
at High CAH Concentrations -- S. Yu, L. Semprini, Oregon State University.
- Alkynes
as Reversible Inhibitors for Probing Mechanisms of Reductive Dehalogenation
of Chloroethenes -- A. R. Sabalowsky, L. Semprini,
Oregon State University.
- A Continuous Flow Column Study of Anaerobic
PCE Transformation with the Evanite Culture and Hanford Aquifer Solids
-- L. Semprini,
A. Mohammad, A.
Sabalowsky, M. Dolan, P. Ruiz-Hass, J. Ingle, Oregon State University;
S. Behrens, A. Spormann, Stanford University.
- Much Ado About Upscaling:
Microbiology to Engineering Science and Back Again -- T. Ginn, K. Scow,
University of California at
Davis;
B. Wood,
Oregon State University.
- Evaluation of Fluoroethene as an Analogue
for Aerobic Vinyl Chloride Degradation -- A. E. Taylor, L. Semprini,
P. J. Bottomley,
M.
Dolan, Oregon State University.
- Evaluation of In Situ Aerobic
Cometabolism of Chlorinated Ethenes by Toluene-Utilizing Microorganisms
Using Push-Pull
Tests --
M. F. Azizian, J. Istok, L. Semprini, Oregon State University.
For abstracts and
the complete symposium program visit http://www.issm-iseb.org/ .
August
2005 - WRHSRC Researchers Help Launch Oregon State University's Subsurface
Biosphere Initiative
This summer, OSU launched an initiative to expand research and teaching
about the subsurface biosphere. The University will invest $1.5 million
over five years in the program -- funding
will support new faculty hires and encourage collaboration between researchers
and students
in five colleges. WRHSRC Director
Lewis Semprini
and many other Center researchers were involved in development
of the initiative. It is one of six research areas that
will be promoted as part of the University's Strategic Plan.
For
more information
visit
the following links:
March
2005 - New Research Brief on Soil and Mineral Nanopores
This short web article describes Center research on the role of soil and
mineral nanopores in contaminant fate and transport. Research
Brief #7 describes
studies by Martin Reinhard and
his research team at Stanford University. Nanopores are tiny voids (<10
nanometers across) that may store molecules of contaminants and
prevent their transformation.
January
2005 - New Research Brief on Chemical Delivery and Aquifer Mixing
Available
This
short web article describes Center research on technologies that promote
aquifer mixing. Research Brief #6 describes studies by Peter
Kitanidis and his research team at Stanford
University to develop computer models that help practitioners visualize
aquifer
conditions
and design treatment systems that enhance aquifer mixing. The article
contains links to downloadable modeling tools.
December
2004 - WRHSRC Director to Speak at EPA Region 9
Lewis Semprini, Director of the Western Region HSRC will be in the EPA
Region 9 office in San Francisco on Wednesday, December 15th from 1-2pm
to discuss in-situ remediation techniques for chlorinated solvents and
their application
to
Superfund, RCRA, and Brownfields projects.
Included will be
discussions
on field demonstration conducted at McClellan Air Field and Moffett Federal
Air Field. The talk will be in the American Samoa
conference
room (1st floor).
October
2004 - Center to Participate in US EPA-HSRC Workshop on Risk Assessment
and Monitoring Research, November 4-5, Las Vegas, Nevada
WRHSRC researchers will join others from the US EPA and the Hazardous
Substance Research Centers to review and discuss research efforts by the
HSRC's and
the National Exposure Research Laboratory. The meeting will help foster
collaboration between scientists and review the state of the science and
research needs
for risk assessment and monitoring. Two presentations will be given by
WRHSRC researchers. Martin Reinhard, from Stanford University, will speak
about The
Role of Micropore Structure in Contaminant Sorption and Desorption and
Jim Ingle, from Oregon State University, will speak about Monitoring Redox
Status
in Dechlorinating Cultures and Bioaugmented Aquifer Material (for more
about this work, see Research
Brief 1 and Research
Brief 5).
Following this workshop, the WRHSRC will also hold its annual meeting with
its Scientific Advisory Committee.
September
2004 - Two New Research Briefs Available
The WRHSRC's latest research briefs focus on anaerobic reductive dechlorination
of TCE and PCE.
The process shows potential for in situ treatment of contaminant
source zones. Research Brief #4 describes
studies to define the kinetics and inhibition of the dechlorination reactions
and Research
Brief #5 describes efforts to develop "push-pull" tests to monitor
treatment sites.
January
2004 - Five New Projects Funded
WRHSRC researchers will begin five new projects this month. Two of the projects
(2-OSU-05 and 2-OSU-07) deal with intrinsic and enhanced bioremediation of
chlorinated solvents under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. One project is
developing field methods for site characterization (2-OSU-06). This project
will develop field redox sensors that will also be used in project 2-OSU-07.
The final two projects are dealing with important transport processes of dispersion
and sorption: Project 2-SU-04 will investigate transport and dispersive mixing,
while project 2-SU-05 will investigate mechanisms for slow sorption and desorption
from aquifer materials.
The projects will be funded for two years and were selected by the Center’s Science
Advisory Committee during the Center’s annual meeting in August 2003.
Click on the titles below to link to project abstracts:
2-OSU-05: Aerobic Cometabolism
of Chlorinated Ethenes by Microorganisms that Grow on Organic Acids and Alcohols.
Peter Bottomley, PI; Daniel Arp, Mark Dolan, Lewis Semprini, Co-PIs, Oregon State
University
2-OSU-06: Development
and Evaluation of Field Sensors for Monitoring Anaerobic Dehalogenation After
Bioaugmenatation. James Ingle, PI, Oregon State University
2-OSU-07: Continuous-Flow
Column Studies of Reductive Dehalogenation with Two Different Enriched Cultures:
Kinetics, Inhibition, and Monitoring of Microbial Activity. Lewis Semprini,
PI, Oregon State University, Mark Dolan, Co-PI, Oregon State University, Alfred
Spormann, Co-PI, Stanford University.
2-SU-04: Novel Methods
for Laboratory Measurement of Transverse Dispersion in Porous Media. Peter
K. Kitanidis, PI; Craig Criddle, Stanford Co-PI, Stanford University
2-SU-05: The Role of Micropore
Structure in Contaminant Sorption and Desorption. Martin Reinhard, PI, Stanford
University.
December 2003 - 2003 Annual Report Available
The WRHSRC's 2003 Annual Report is now available. It reviews progress on
the Center's research and outreach programs. Click
here to download the report (in pdf format). A
list of previous annual reports is also available for download.
December 2003 - Research Brief on Cometabolism Available
The WRHSRC's Research Brief #3 profiles
center research on cometabolism – a process where microbes create chemical
conditions that degrade contaminants. The brief focuses on a field study of
microbes that grow on butane and clean up the toxic solvent 1,1,1-Trichloroethane
(1,1,1-TCA).
July 2003 - Research Brief on Palladium Catalysts Available
Research Brief #2 profiles Dr. Martin
Reinhard's research on the use of palladium catalysts to cleanup groundwater
contaminated with halogenated volatile organic compounds.
July 2003 - WRHSRC Researcher Interviewed for a Bioremediation Story
in the San Francisco Chronicle
Dr. Craig Criddle (Stanford University) was interviewed for a story about
bioremediation of uranium contamination. The article describes some of his
work at Oak Ridge National Labs in Tennessee. Link
to the article online .
June 2003 - 7th International Symposium on In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation
The WRHSRC was a participating organization at this symposium which was held
June 2-5, 2003 in Orlando, Florida. For
more information visit the conference website.
- WRHSRC director Lewis Semprini (Oregon State University) and WRHSRC
Science Advisory Committee member Jim Spain (U.S. Air Force) chaired
symposium sessions.
- Several WRHSRC researchers gave presentations at the symposium. Click
on the presentation title to view the abstract in pdf format.
March 2003 - Research Brief on Redox Sensors Now Available
In March 2003, the Center began producing Research Briefs, short summaries
of Center research projects, written for environmental managers and cleanup
practicioners. Research Brief #1 focuses
on Dr. Jim Ingle's work to develop field tools to measure redox potential
in aquifers.
March 2003 - Searchable WRHSRC Publications Database Now Available
In March 2003 we launched an on-line database of
sponsored research projects and their products and publications. You can
search the database for projects and publications completed between 1989
and 2001.
We are in the process of adding more recent publications and encourage
person's affiliated with the Center to email corrections and additions
to Garrett Jones, garrett.jones@oregonstate.edu.
February 2003 - New Website on Push-Pull Tests for Site Characterization
and Remedial Design Available
In February 2003, center researcher Jack Istok created a
new website on his team's research on push-pull tests. These tests involve
injection (“push”) of a prepared test solution into an aquifer
followed by the extraction (“pull”) of the test solution/groundwater
mixture from the same location. The website includes project descriptions
and lists of publications.
January 2003 - Centerpoint, the National HSRC 2002 Newsletter is Now Available
The latest issue of the Centerpoint
newsletter is now available online. It highlights news events at the
phase-two hazardous substance research centers. The WRHSRC is one of the
five HSRC centers awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in
2002.
August 2002 - Annual Meeting held August 20-21, 2002
The 2002 annual summer meeting of the Western Region Hazardous Substance
Research Center was held at Oregon State between August 20-21. The meeting brought
together the Center's Science and Outreach Advisory Board members, research
scientists, and outreach specialists.
For more information, read the attached e-news story or
contact Garrett Jones.
July 2002 - News Story Highlights the Need for Programs like TOSC
On July 11, 2002, the Environmental News Service ran a story on the need
for advisors to assist communities affected by hazardous waste clean up. The
article focused on Yurom Cohen, a researcher from UCLA, and his experience
working with the Montrose neighborhood in Los Angeles, CA. For the full story click
here. Dr. Cohen worked with the WRHSRC's Technical Outreach Services for
Communities (TOSC) program and helped the Montrose community review DDT clean
up efforts in their neighborhood.
March 2002 - WRHSRC Abstracts and Final Reports available online at EPA
Approximately 180 Original Abstracts and Final Reports for the Western Region
Hazardous Substance Research Center were added to the US
EPA website in March 2002. Topic Categories include Drinking Water, General
Solicitation: Exploratory Research, Human Health, P2 and New Technologies,
Water and Watersheds.
October 2001 - A New Era for the WRHSRC
In October 2001 the WRHSRC entered a new era. Center management moved from Stanford
University to Oregon State University and Lewis
Semprini, OSU Professor of Environmental Engineering, assumed the role
of Center Director. Center researchers remain on both campuses and will
begin new research projects this year.
These changes came as a result of a new 5-year cycle of funding from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. Universities around the country competed
to be one of five region-based Hazardous Substance Research Centers. Funding
for the Stanford/Oregon State partnership was renewed, allowing it to continue
its 10-year tradition of providing environmental cleanup expertise for the
western region.
You can read more about it on other websites:
For more background information about the WRHSRC, click
here.
2002 Graduate Fellowships Available through the IGERT Program
Fellowships for doctoral study with WRHSRC researchers are available through
the National Science Foundation's IGERT program.
Faculty at Oregon State and Portland State University received a 5 year,
2.6 million dollar grant to support education programs on
subsurface, microbial processes. Applications for Fall 2002 graduate
fellowships in engineering, microbiology, geology, oceanography,
geochemistry, soil science and hydrology needed to be received by
March 15, 2002. For more information, visit the Subsurface
Biosphere IGERT program web site.
2001 HSRC Newsletter
The national program of the Hazardous Substances Research Centers (HSRC)
released their annual newletter in October 2001. It highlights research and
outreach accomplishments for each regional center and summarizes lessons learned
in the HSRC's first dozen years. You can download the newsletter or visit the National HSRC web
page to learn more about the national program.
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