American Chemical Society Division of Environmental Chemistry ...

American Chemical Society 

Division of Environmental Chemistry 

237th ACS National Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, March 22-26, 2009 

S. Al-Abed, Program Chair; R. A. Hathaway, Program Secretary 

SUNDAY MORNING 

New Energy Technology 

J. Marwan, Organizer, Presiding Papers 1-7 

Geochemistry of Engineered Nanoparticles in the Environment 

M. Chappell, Organizer, Presiding Papers 8-14 

SUNDAY AFTERNOON 





MONDAY MORNING 



Frontiers in Water Reuse: Detection, Advanced Treatment and Environmental 

Fate of Contaminants of Emerging Concern 

E. P. Kolodziej, Organizer, Presiding Papers 38-43 

MONDAY AFTERNOON 






MONDAY EVENING

Sci-Mix 

S. R. Al-Abed, Organizer Papers 128, 130, 133, 135-136, 139-140, 142, 146-147, 149, 

151, 155, 159, 162, 164, 169-170, 172, 187, 193, 199 

TUESDAY MORNING 






Exposure of Engineered Nanomaterials 

N. F. Savage, Organizer Papers 74-78 

TUESDAY AFTERNOON 

ACS Award for Encouraging Disadvantage Students into Careers in the Chemical 

Sciences: Symposium in Honor of Shirley McBay 

R. A. Hathaway, Organizer; M. G. Rosenthal, Presiding Paper 79 








WEDNESDAY MORNING 

Evaluation of the Sustainability of Drinking Water Technologies: Application in 

the Developing World 

A. T. Cooper, Organizer, Presiding; C. J. Clark, Organizer Papers 97-101 

Environmental Toxicology 

G. P. Cobb III, Organizer, Presiding; U. Friederich, Organizer Papers 102-107 

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

Environmental Distribution, Degradation, and Mobility of Explosives and 

Propellant Compounds 


Environmental Toxicology 

G. P. Cobb III, Organizer, Presiding; U. Friederich, Organizer Papers 116-119 


the Developed World 

C. J. Clark, Organizer, Presiding; A. T. Cooper, Organizer Papers 120-126 

WEDNESDAY EVENING 

General Papers 

S. R. Al-Abed, Organizer, Presiding Papers 127-201 




N. F. Savage, Organizer Paper 204 

Nanotoxicology: Ecotoxicity of Manufactured Nanomaterials 






the Developed World 

C. J. Clark, Organizer, Presiding; A. T. Cooper, Organizer Papers 215-217 





J. Marwan, Organizer, Presiding Paper 227 

THURSDAY MORNING






THURSDAY AFTERNOON 





N. F. Savage, Organizer Papers 247-249

ENVR 1 

Introducing low energy nuclear reactions 

Jan Marwan, info@marwan-chemie.fta-berlin.de, Research and Development, Dr 

Marwan Chemie, Rudower Chaussee 29, Berlin 12489, Germany, Fax: 49-30-63922566 

In 1989, the subject was announced with great fanfare, to the chagrin of many people in 

the science community. However, the significant claim of its discoverers, Martin 

Fleischmann and Stanley Pons, excess heat without harmful neutron emissions or 

strong gamma radiation, involving electrochemical cells using heavy water and 

palladium, has held strong. In recent years, LENR, within the field of condensed matter 

nuclear science, has begun to attract widespread attention and is regarded as a 

potential alternative and renewable energy source to confront climate change and 

energy scarcity. The aim of the research is to collect experimental findings for LENR in 

order to present reasonable explanations and a conclusive theoretical and practical 

working model. The goal of the field is directed toward the fabrication of LENR devices 

with unique commercial potential demonstrating an alternative energy source that does 

not produce greenhouse gases, long-lived radiation or strong prompt radiation. The idea 

of LENR has led to endless discussions about the kinetic impossibility of intense nuclear 

reactions with high coulomb barrier potential. However, recent theoretical work may 

soon shed light on this mystery. Understanding this process is one of the most 

challenging and perhaps important issues in the scientific world. This review includes 

previously unpublished studies, new and controversial theories to approach LENR with 

access to new sources and experimental results. The presentation offers insight into 

this controversial subject and will help the audience re-evaluate their perspective on 

LENR for a possible alternative energy source. 

ENVR 2 

Low-energy nuclear reaction research: 2009 ACS update 

Steven B. Krivit, steven1@newenergytimes.com, New Energy Times, 369-B 3rd. St. 

#556, San Rafael, CA 94901 

A science journalist's view of the field of low energy nuclear reactions, historically known 

as "cold fusion," is presented. The author has investigated innumerable aspects of this 

controversial subject including its strengths and weaknesses. He has engaged 

proponents and opponents alike and provides a balanced understanding and view of 

the field. This talk will be structured along four lines: 1) terminology, 2) brief history, 3) 

strengths of the fusion claim, and 4) strengths of the weak interaction claim. 

ENVR 3

Condensed matter nuclear science discoveries 

Scott R Chubb Sr., chubbscott@mac.com, Research Systems Inc, 5023 N 38 St, 

Arlington, VA 22207, and Talbot A. Chubb, tchubb@aol.com, Research Systems, Inc, 

Arlington, VA 22207 

Fleischmann and Pons discovered that overvoltage electrolysis depositing D + ions onto 

Pd metal sometimes produced excess heat (F-P effect). Arata and Zhang discovered 

that deuterium delivered to nanoPd powder produced more consistent excess heat (A-Z 

effect). McKubre discovered that deuterium fluxing into and out of Pd metal was a 

requirement for F-P excess heat to become observable (McKubre effect). Iwamura 

discovered that deuterium flow through Pd metal containing CaO-Pd interfaces 

produced non-chemical heat (Iwamura effect), A-Z demonstration of an autonomous 

heater. The above discoveries are examples of catalyzed deuterium fusion technologies 

by which sustainable energy production can be achieved. The common feature is a 

requirement for the presence of an atom or ion in a many-centers, i.e., quasiparticle, 

i.e., Bloch function form. The challenge is to convince others that many-centers nuclear 

physics is reality. 

ENVR 4 

From cold fusion to condensed matter nuclear science: 20 years of research 

Michael Charles Harold McKubre, michael.mckubre@sri.com, Energy Research 

Center, SRI International, PS385, 333 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025 

After 20 years of continuous study and tens of millions of research dollars spent 

worldwide it is appropriate to examine the basis for, and confidence in what has been 

learned since the public announcements of a new effect in March 1989. One fact that 

seems irrefutable is the existence of a heat effect in the electrolytic deuterium-palladium 

system that is quantitatively consistent with nuclear, but not chemical heat production. 

Now established as the Fleischmann-Pons Effect (or FPE) several tasks require further 

study: 1) certain identification of the pathway from reactant (presumed to be D) to 

primary product (observed in some experiments to be 4 He), 2) quantitative or upper 

bound definition of the products of secondary or tertiary reactions (the so-called ash), 3) 

complete development of a mechanistic and quantitatively predictive physical and 

mathematical model for the reaction process, and 4) evaluation of potential applications 

of any new phenomena. 

ENVR 5 

Twenty years history of LENR research using Pd/D co-deposition

Frank E. Gordon 1 , Stanislaw Szpak 2 , P. A. Mosier-Boss 2 , pam.boss@navy.mil, Melvin 

H. Miles 3 , melmiles1@juno.com, and Lawrence Forsley 4 . (1) Code 71000, SPAWAR 

System Center Pacific, 53560 Hull St., San Diego, CA 92152, (2) Code 71730, 

SPAWAR System Center Pacific, San Diego, CA 92152, (3) Dixie College Foundation, 

Dixie State College, St. George, UT 84770, (4) JWK International Corporation, 

Annandale, VA 22003 

In the Pd/D co-deposition process, working and counter electrodes are immersed in a 

solution of palladium chloride and lithium chloride in deuterated water. Palladium is then 

electrochemically reduced onto the surface of the working electrode in the presence of 

evolving deuterium gas. Electrodes prepared by Pd/D co-deposition exhibit highly 

expanded surfaces consisting of small spherical nodules. Because of this high surface 

area and electroplating in the presence of deuterium gas, the incubation time to achieve 

high D/Pd loadings necessary to initiate LENR is orders of magnitude less than required 

for bulk electrodes. Besides heat, the following nuclear emanations have been detected 

using Pd/D co-deposition: X-ray emission, tritium production, transmutation, and particle 

emission. Experimental details and results obtained over a twenty year period of 

research will be discussed. 

ENVR 6 

From the proof of principle to a working prototype 

Antonella De Ninno, deninno@frascati.enea.it, Agency for New Technologies Energy 

and Environment, Enrico Fermi 27, Frascati (Rome) 00044, Italy, Fax: 39-06-94005011 

Concluding the intensive research performed over 20 years and the hundreds of 

experiments carried out on low energy nuclear reactions (LENR), this brought 

researchers working in this field to the shared opinion that it is indeed possible to 

produce nuclear reactions at low input energies. It is time to envisage a research 

program with the aim to move from the proof of the principle directing the attention 

towards a working prototype able to produce sustainable cheaply available energy. 

Major problems still to be solved are: a) the reproducibility of the effect not yet suitable 

for use by representative users; b) the structural weakness of the cathodes and the 

inability to resist on several loading-deloading cycles; c) the design of a "reactor" able to 

collect most of the energy produced and to transfer it to an engine; and d) the existence 

of nuclear reactions different from d+d production, other nuclear fragments and its 

potential application. Even though many questions are still open and many problems 

are in need to be solved, the LENR research has made significant progress in the past 

that is to be regarded within the framework of scientific acceptance and as serious 

contribution to create an alternative energy source for our future. 

ENVR 7

Practical use of nuclear quadrupole and internal magnetic field augmented LENR 

Dennis Cravens, physics@tularosa.net, Amridge University, PO Box 1317, Cloudcroft, 

NM 88317, Rod Gimpel, rgimpel@charter.net, CERG, Richland, WA 99352, and Vince 

Golubic, golubicv@ieee.org, CERG, Plane, TX, TX 75023 

A theoretical viewpoint has been developed using both the electrical nuclear quadrupole 

interactions with the phonon induced dynamic electric field gradient tensor and the 

nuclear magnetic dipole interaction within the metal host lattice via its phonon induced 

the magnetic field. It is shown that this may result in mechanisms that allow coupling 

between nuclear states and phonons that permit enhanced low energy nuclear 

reactions (LENR) and a low radiation pathway marked by thermal release. This 

theoretical insight has guided a matrix search for materials that would increase the 

thermal energy output of such systems. The result of this material search that uses 

metallic additives that enhance LENR effects and the practical applications of such an 

understanding are shown. Additionally, the initial work seeking a self sustained system 

with demonstrable output will be discussed along with circuitry considerations. 

ENVR 8 

Influence of surface chemistry on the transport properties of multi-walled carbon 

nanotubes in porous media 

Howard Fairbrother 1 , howardf@jhu.edu, Billy Smith 1 , bsmith90@jhu.edu, Kevin A. 

Wepasnick 1 , kaw@jhu.edu, and William P. Ball 2 , bball@jhu.edu. (1) Department of 

Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, 

Fax: 410-516-8420, (2) Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, 

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218 

Oxides grafted into the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) during routine purification, 

deliberate functionalization strategies or incidental oxidation profoundly affect the CNTs' 

behavior in aquatic environments. Recent studies conducted in our laboratories have 

shown that the concentration and distribution of surface-oxide functional groups play an 

important in role in both the CNTs' aggregation properties and their sorption properties 

towards hazardous metals and organic contaminants. Following the methodology 

developed in these earlier works, we present results on the role that surface chemistry 

plays in the transport properties of oxidized, multi-walled CNTs (O-MWCNTs) in beds of 

packed silica beads. O-MWCNTs were prepared by refluxing the pristine nanomaterial 

using different oxidizing conditions (e.g., HNO3 (0–70 % w/w)). X-ray photoelectron 

spectroscopy (XPS) coupled with chemical derivitization was used to quantify the 

concentration and distribution of surface oxides on each O-MWCNT. Step-input 

deposition profiles were acquired for different O-MWCNTs as a function of electrolyte 

(NaCl and CaCl2) concentration and pH. Using the convective-dispersion equation to 

attain alpha and plotting it as a function of electrolyte concentration, critical deposition 

concentrations (CDC) were determined for each O-MWCNT studied. The extent to

which functional relationships could be developed between the CDC and the surface 

properties (chemical composition, surface charge and electrophoretic mobility) was 

assessed. Information gathered in this study could be used in the development of 

models capable of predicting the fate of surface modified CNTs released in aquatic 

environments. 

ENVR 9 

Formation and persistence of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles in aqueous 

solutions under various conditions 

Katherine M. Mullaugh 1 , mullaugh@udel.edu, Jeffrey M. Spraggins II 1 , jms@udel.edu, 

Douglas P. Ridge 1 , dougr@udel.edu, and George W. Luther III 2 , luther@udel.edu. (1) 

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Cannon Lab, 

Lewes, DE 19958, (2) College of Marine and Earth Studies and Department of 

Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Lewes, DE 19958 

Recent research has shown that naturally occurring nanoparticles are widespread in the 

environment and among these, metal sulfide nanoparticles are important species with 

regard to metal speciation and mobility. However, factors controlling their persistence, 

such as pH, salinity, oxygen levels and organics, are poorly understood. Using cadmium 

sulfide (CdS) as a model species, synthetic solutions have been prepared under various 

conditions in the laboratory and monitored using spectroscopic and voltammetric tools. 

Based on quantum confinement effects, we use UV-vis spectrophotometry to show how 

solution chemistry dictates nanoparticle size. Data will also be presented showing how 

aquatic conditions control the formation and long-term persistence of CdS 

nanoparticles. The stability of CdS nanoparticles against aggregation and sulfide 

oxidation will be discussed. In addition to identifying the geochemical processes CdS 

nanoparticles undergo, this work aims to highlight analytical tools currently available to 

characterize both naturally occurring and manufactured nanomaterials in aqueous 

conditions. 

ENVR 10 

Characterization of iron nanoparticles stabilized for enhanced delivery to TCE 

source zones 

Bahng Mi Jung 1 , jung.bahngmi@gmail.com, Nataphan Sakulchaicharoen 2 , 

nsakulch@uwo.ca, Denis M. O'Carroll 2 , docarroll@eng.uwo.ca, Jose E. Herrera 3 , 

jherrera@eng.uwo.ca, and Brent E. Sleep 1 , sleep@ecf.utoronto.ca. (1) Department of 

Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George St., Toronto, ON M5S 1A4, 

Canada, Fax: 416-978-3674, (2) Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 

University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5B9, Canada, (3) Department of

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, ON 

N6A 5B9, Canada 

In-situ dechlorination by direct injection of zerovalent iron nanoparticles (NZVI) into the 

contaminated subsurface is a promising technology to treat chlorinated hydrocarbons 

including trichloroethylene (TCE). However one significant problem is the delivery of the 

reactive NZVI to the chlorinated solvent source zone where they can react. There are 

several reports in the literature indicating the use of different polymers to stabilize both 

commercially available and synthesized iron nanoparticles. However a systematic study 

on the ability of different polymers to form stable suspensions has yet to be presented. 

Moreover reports indicate that formulations used to achieve stable suspensions vary 

widely. This contribution investigates the ability of a variety of polymers (CMC, PSS, 

PAP, and GUAR) to stabilize NZVI synthesized from sodium borohydride reduction of 

ferrous iron (Fe/B) and commercially available nanoiron particles (RNIP). Results were 

interpreted in terms of iron particle size, surface area, viscosity and zeta potential. 

Stability of the obtained Fe nanoparticles suspensions depends on the concentration of 

the polymer in the solution, its molecular weight and nature of electrostatic and steric 

interactions between the polymer molecules themselves as well as between the iron 

nanoparticles and the polymer. Zeta potential of the particles was measured over a wide 

range of pH values (5 to 10) and ionic strengths (0.01 to 10mM), and size and 

structures of particles were investigated by Zetasizer and transmission electron 

microscopy (TEM). Selection of appropriate NZVI source and polymer type will be 

discussed, as they will depend on site conditions. These will be discussed with regards 

to optimum conditions selected for remediation at an industrial site with chlorinated 

hydrocarbon contamination. 

ENVR 11 

Influence of natural organic matter on deposition rate of single-walled carbon 

nanotubes 

Navid B Saleh 1 , salehn@engr.sc.edu, Lisa D Pfefferle 2 , lisa.pfefferle@yale.edu, and 

Menachem Elimelech 2 , menachem.elimelech@yale.edu. (1) Civil and Environmental 

Engineering, University of South Carolina, 300 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29208, Fax: 

803-777-0670, (2) Department of Chemical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, 

CT 06520-8286 

Deposition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto surfaces is key to their fate, bioavailability, 

and reactivity in aquatic systems. The deposition of CNTs can be strongly influenced by 

natural organic matter (NOM) and its heterogeneous chemical structure. This study 

provides a systematic evaluation of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) deposition 

kinetics in presence of fractionated NOM using quartz-crystal microbalance (QCM-D). 

Suwannee River NOM was fractionated to obtain hydrophobic, transphilic, and 

hydrophilic fractions. CNTs were characterized using Raman scattering (for state of 

defect), thermo gravimetric analysis (for metal impurities), transmission electron

microscopy (for length and diameter distribution), Fourier transformed infrared 

spectroscopy (for functional groups), and electrophoretic mobility (for surface charge). 

Deposition experiments of SWNTs were performed using QCM-D on NOM coated 

quartz crystals for a range of ionic strength and composition. The results indicate that 

presence of NOM had a significant effect on deposition kinetics of SWNTs. The change 

in deposition rate varied with the type of NOM and the ionic composition of the solution. 

Specific interaction between the chemical structure of the NOM fractions and the SWNT 

graphitic backbone is hypothesized to be responsible for the observed deposition 

behavior. 

ENVR 12 

Surfactive quality of humic substances for stabilizing carbon nanotube 

disperisons 

Mark Chappell 1 , Aaron J. George 2 , aaron.j.george@usace.army.mil, Jingdong Mao 3 , 

jmao@odu.edu, Gerald Bourne 2 , gerald.g.bourne@usace.army.mil, and Cynthia L. 

Price 1 , cynthia.l.price@usace.army.mil. (1) Soil & Sediment Geochemistry, 

Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 3909 Halls Ferry Rd, 

Vicksburg, MS 39180, Fax: 601-634-3410, (2) SpecPro, Inc, Vicksburg, MS 39180, (3) 

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 

23529-0126 

Soil humic substances (HS) stabilize carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersions by surfactive 

mechanism. The work in this paper is designed to study the surfactive nature of HS with 

respect to their capability of to stabilize CNT dispersions. Experiments dispersing multiwalled 

CNT in solutions of dissolved Aldrich humic acid (HA) or water-extractable Catlin 

soil HS demonstrated enhanced stability at 150 and 300 mg L -1 added Aldrich HA and 

Catlin HS, respectively, corresponding with decreased CNT mean particle diameter 

(MPD) and polydispersivity (PD) of 250 nm and 0.3 for Aldrich HA and 450 nm and 0.35 

for Catlin HS. NEXAFS and solid-state 13 C NMR characterization showed the Aldrich 

HA contained highly surfactive domains while Catlin soil possessed a mostly 

carbohydrate-based structure. This work demonstrates that the chemical structure of 

humic materials in natural waters is directly linked to their surfactive ability to disperse 

CNT released into the environment. 

ENVR 13 

Influence of co-solutes on the adsorption of Cd(II) onto oxidized multi-walled 

carbon nanotubes 

Hyun-Hee Cho 1 , hcho25@jhu.edu, Jin Yang 1 , jyang59@jhu.edu, Kevin A. Wepasnick 2 , 

kaw@jhu.edu, Howard Fairbrother 2 , howardf@jhu.edu, and William P. Ball 1 , 

bball@jhu.edu. (1) Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, Johns

Hopkins University, 3400 N.Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, Fax: 410-516-9866, (2) 

Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218 

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are attracting interest as high-surface area 

sorbents for a wide variety of potential aqueous contaminants, including not only 

organic contaminants, but also heavy metals. Functionalization of CNTs with oxidizing 

acids is often used to tune sorption properties by introducing a variety of oxygencontaining 

functional groups, such as carboxyl (-COOH), hydroxyl (C-OH), and carbonyl 

(C=O), into the CNT's surface. These surface oxide groups are known to significantly 

affect the sorption capacity of MWCNTs with respect to the uptake of solutes from 

aqueous solution. In this study the competitive sorption and desorption of Cd(II) with 

Zn(II), Ca(II), Mg(II), and Fe(III) onto pristine MWCNTs and oxidized MWCNTs were 

studied. In the presence of co-sorbates, the sorption capacity of Cd(II) decreased. The 

Cd(II) sorption isotherm was found to decrease with increasing ionic strength and 

decreasing pH, consistent with the idea that carboxyl groups play a particularly 

important role in metal sorption, although sorption of Cd(II) onto graphenic carbon 

atoms present on the surface of O-MWCNTs also contributed to the overall sorption 

capacity. 

ENVR 14 

Partitioning of nanoparticles in octanol and water 

Kiril D. Hristovski 1 , kiril.hristovski@asu.edu, Paul K. Westerhoff 1 , 

p.westerhoff@asu.edu, and Jonathan D. Posner 2 , jonathan.posner@asu.edu. (1) 

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Arizona State University, PO Box 

875306, Tempe, AZ 85287-5306, (2) Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chemical 

Engineering, Arizona State University, Box 876106, Tempe, AZ 85287-6106, Fax: 480- 

965-1384 

There is a recognized need to understand and predict the fate, transport and 

bioavailability of engineered nanoparticles in aquatic and soil ecosystems. Recent 

research focuses on either collection of empirical data or precise nanoparticle 

characterization. However, it is difficult to transition from these precise measurements to 

models suitable to assess the NP behavior in the environment with complex and 

heterogeneous matrices. The U.S. EPA has developed and applies basic partitioning 

parameters and models to predict the environmental fate, bioavailability, and toxicity of 

organic pollutants. As a first step in prediction of the fate and transport of engineered 

nanomaterials in the environment, the octanol-water partitioning of several 

nanoparticles are presented. These materials include functionalized and 

unfunctionalized silver, C60, and hematite nanoparticles. The experiments conducted in 

model waters suggest that the partitioning of nanomaterials depends on the pH and 

may partition at the octanol-water interface under some conditions.

ENVR 15 

Composition of particles in heavy water electrolyte after electrolysis 

John Dash, dashj@pdx.edu and Qiongshu Wang, qoingshu@pdx.edu, Low Energy 

Nuclear Laboratory, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR 97207, Fax: 

503-725-2815 

A cell with a palladium cathode was electrolyzed in series with an identical cell. The 

electrolyte for both contained heavy water and sulfuric acid. After electrolysis solid 

particles were collected from the surface of the electrolyte and analyzed with a scanning 

electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer. The morphology 

and composition of some of the particles was observed to change with time. 

ENVR 16 

Transmutation with glow discharge 

Irina B. Savvatimova, isavvatim@mail.ru, FSUE SRI SIA "Luch", 

Zhelezhnodorozhnaya, Podolsk, Moscow Region 142116, Russia, and John Dash, 

dashj@pdx.edu, Department of Physics & Chemistry, Portland State University, 

Portland, OR 97207-0751 

The different mass-spectrometry and gamma spectrometry methods show, that lowenergy 

nuclear reactions may be achieved by glow discharge (GD) support that leads 

to: numerous increase of additional elements from 10 to 1,000 times; shift of isotopic 

ratios; element transmutation and deviation from natural isotopic abundance during and 

after the GD experimental support within a timeframe of 3-5 months; weak gamma/Xray 

emission after the experiment; alpha-, beta- and gamma emission enhanced when 

exposing the system to GD; heat effects were observed too. Gamma/X-ray 

spectrometry and thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) confirmed the decay of 

heavy isotopes (W, Ta) into the same but lighter isotopes for the same deuterium GD 

experiments. It allows the assumption that heavy isotopes decay in the process of lowenergy 

nuclear reactions supported by glow discharge. 

ENVR 17 

Reproducible generation of nuclear particles during electrolysis 

Richard A. Oriani, orian001@umn.edu, Department of Chemical Engineering and 

Material Science, University of Minnesota, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, 

MN 55455

Past research in this laboratory with CR39 plastic detectors has shown that electrolysis 

of solutions of lithium salts in either D2O or H2O can be accompanied by the generation 

of nuclear particles within the electrolyte and in the vapor phase above the electrolyte. 

However, not every electrolysis experiment yielded nuclear particles; reliable 

reproducibility was not attained. A different technique has now been developed which 

has successfully demonstrated the production of nuclear particles in each of 25 

consecutive electrolysis experiments. Concurrent blank, or control, experiments have 

negated the possibility that radioactive contamination could have been responsible for 

the effects observed. Thus, a relatively simple and transparent technique has 

demonstrated that a nuclear process of an as-yet not understood mechanism can 

accompany a simple chemical reaction. This paradigm-breaking phenomenon poses a 

formidable challenge to theoreticians for elucidation of mechanism. 

ENVR 18 

Nuclear transmutation of isotopes in biological systems: History, models, 

experiments and perspectives 

Vladimir Vysotskii, Radiophysical Department, Kiev National Shevchenko University, 

Vladimirskaya Str. 64, 01033, Kiev, Ukraine, and Alla Kornilova, Moscow State 

University 

The issue of low-energy nuclear synthesis and transmutation of stable and radioactive 

isotopes in living biological cells together with the experimental investigation of these 

processes is discussed in detail. This report reviews our experimental findings obtained 

when studying the anomalous characteristics of nuclear transmutation observed in 

biological cells (including numerous Kervran's experiments evidencing the nuclear 

transmutation of chemical elements in animals and plants). This study presents the 

results of those experiments in which the nuclear transmutation of stable isotopes such 

as 55 Mn+d2= 57 Fe, 23 Na+ 31 P= 54 Fe in microbiological clean cultures (Escherichia coli and 

Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and microbe syntrophin assemblies can be shown. This 

report gives evidence for the transmutation process of radioactive isotopes (including 

decontamination and accelerated deactivation of 137 Cs reactor isotope systems) in 

growing microbe syntrophin assemblies. At optimal conditions, the accelerated decay 

was found to be 32 times faster in comparison with the natural decay (30 years)! A 

plausible mechanism with the focus on biological and physical aspects of the nuclear 

transmutation process that occurs in different isotopes in growing biological systems is 

suggested and discussed in detail. 

ENVR 19 

Nano-nuclear reactions in condensed matter

Lawrence Forsley, JWK International Corporation, 7617 Little River Turnpike, Suite 

1000, Annandale, VA 22003, Frank E. Gordon, Code 71000, SPAWAR System Center 

Pacific, San Diego, CA 92152, and Pamela A. Mosier-Boss, bossp@spawar.navy.mil, 

Code D363, SPAWAR Systems Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92152-5001 

Since the March, 1989 announcement by Fleischmann and Pons of anomalous heat 

observed during heavy water electrolysis, there has been considerable controversy as 

to whether or not the observed nuclear reaction products are commensurate with the 

thermal measurements. Although heat is one of the reaction products, it is an 

unsatisfactory probe due to the thermal diffusion time delay between the reaction and its 

detection. Similarly, many reactions may be exothermic, but excess enthalpy doesn't 

identify the mechanism. Consequently, we have concentrated upon observing, and 

when possible, temporally, spatially and spectrally resolving, nuclear reaction products 

occurring with the Pd:D co-deposition system loaded to near unit stoichiometry. We 

have monitored cathodes incorporating various witness materials that respond to these 

nuclear emanations, including neutron-induced reactions. SEM microphotographs have 

shown a range of structures, from larger than 10 microns to smaller than 1 micron. The 

structure's size relates to the nuclear channels activated. 

ENVR 20 

Isotopic changes of elements caused by various conditions of electrolysis 

Tadahiko Mizuno, mizuno@qe.eng.hokudai.ac.jp, Department of Engineering, 

Hokkaido University, Kita-ku Kita13 Nishi 8, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan, Fax: 81-11-706- 

7835 

Palladium cathodes were subjected to electrolysis for prolonged periods of time in a 

heavy water solution at high pressure, temperature, and current density of 0.2 A cm -2 . 

Many elements were then found and detected on the palladium surface and confirmed 

using several different analytical methods. These are apparently reaction products, 

several elements ranging from hydrogen to lead with mass numbers up to 208. The 

isotopic abundance of selected elements detected after long term electrolysis was found 

to be drastically different to the natural isotopic abundance. This phenomenon was 

confirmed eight times with good reproducibility. All sources of contamination have been 

carefully eliminated by repeated pretreatments of the sample and the electrolysis 

system. From the results obtained, our conclusion is that a nuclear reaction took place 

during the electrolysis. 

ENVR 21 

Characterisation of distinctive materials with which to generate nuclear 

transmutation

Hideo Kozima, hjrfq930@yahoo.com, Director, Cold Fusion Research Laboratory, 597- 

16 Yatsu, Aoi, 421-1202 Shizuoka, Japan, Fax: 81-54-277-2376 

Low energy nuclear reactions (LENR) as part of condensed matter nuclear science 

(CMNS) and as one of the most controversial topics in science recently attracted 

widespread attention when it had come to the decision to re evaluate the almost 

forgotten experimental data generated over many years starting in 1989 with the Pons- 

Fleischmann experiment. However, the current status of this research does not allow an 

unambiguous explanation in giving the reasoning for D-D collisions at room 

temperature, at least, not on the basis of conventional knowledge. Therefore, in this 

presentation we attempt to briefly outline a new approach with which to explain the 

physics of LENR, and here, in discussing this issue, we distinguish between three kinds 

of materials with which LENR effects may be likely to be observed: 1) transition-metal 

hydrides/deuterides, 2) hydrocarbons, and 3) biological cells. We present an extensive 

phenomenological investigation on LENR effects describing, based on TNCF and ND 

models, the most crucial factors, to our mind, responsible to achieve D-D collisions. The 

most interesting common factor can be seen in the physical characteristics of the host 

nuclei that stays in strong interaction with the deuterons absorbed and placed within 

interstitial sites of the host lattice. 

ENVR 22 

Effect of hydrogen stoichiometry (x) on the lattice expansion in metal-Hx systems 

Nicolas Amanet, armanetnicolas@hotmail.com, HERA (Hydrogen Energy Research 

Agency), Corso della Repubblica 448, Velletri 00049, Italy, Fax: 40-21-4930047 

In this work we study the influence of hydrogen loading in different metal wires such as 

palladium, nickel and others, on the electrical resistance of the wire, its elongation and 

its metallurgical properties. Thermal investigations are also made. Loading is generated 

by electrolysis of light water with various electrolytes. Hydrogen concentration is 

indirectly determined by means of relative electrical resistance. Resistance is measured 

by passing an AC current in parallel to the DC current used for electrolysis. Thermal 

studies are obtained by mass flow calorimetry. 

ENVR 23 

Understanding the palladium–hydrogen (deuterium) electrochemistry as crucial 

step to approach low energy nuclear reactions 

Jan Marwan, info@marwan-chemie.fta-berlin.de, Research and Development, Dr 

Marwan Chemie, Rudower Chaussee 29, Berlin 12489, Germany, Fax: 49-30-63922566

Electrochemical deposition of metals from hexagonal lyotropic liquid crystalline phases 

produces metal films with a unique ordered nanostructure in which the cylindrical pores 

of 1.7 to 3.5 nm running through the film are arranged in hexagonal arrays. 

Nanostructured Pd films were deposited electrochemically from the hexagonal template 

mixture. Electrochemical studies showed that the metal films have a high electroactive 

surface area with the specific surface area of the order of 91 m 2 /g. These values 

together with the TEM and X-ray data are consistent with the expected H1 

nanostructure. The hydrogen region of nanostructured Pd in the cyclic voltammetry in 1 

M sulphuric acid was more resolved than that of plain Pd because of the thin walls of 

the nanostructure and the high surface area. We could distinguish the hydrogen 

adsorption and absorption processes. The permeation of hydrogen (deuterium) into the 

Pd metal lattice occurs with fast kinetics when the Pd surface is blocked by either 

crystal violet or Pt. We believe that the hydrogen absorption process takes place without 

passing through the adsorbed state so that hydrogen diffuses directly into the Pd bulk. 

This process speeds up when the formation of adsorbed hydrogen is suppressed by the 

coverage of poisons. We think that the detailed investigation of the Pd-H(D) 

electrochemistry using the nanostructure might be an important issue to approach low 

energy nuclear reactions. 

ENVR 24 

Association of single-wall carbon nanotubes with natural particulate matter under 

estuarine conditions 

Ariette Schierz, schierz@chem.sc.edu, Ben Englehart, Amber Moore, and P. Lee 

Ferguson, lee.ferguson@sc.edu, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University 

of South Carolina, 631 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208 

We have examined the partitioning, transport, and mobility behavior of single-walled 

carbon nanotubes (SWNT) in simulated estuarine sedimentary systems. For that 

purpose, the deposition of 14 C-SWNT to natural particulate matter (including clay, sand, 

and estuarine sediment) was evaluated by batch water-sediment partitioning 

experiments under simulated estuarine conditions. SWNT showed high affinity for 

natural particulate matter, with agglomeration to particles increasing under high ionic 

strength conditions. The addition of Suwanee River DOM inhibited deposition of SWNT 

to estuarine sediments under low ionic strength conditions. Furthermore, in soil column 

studies the relative mobility of 14 C-SWNT in saturated media was measured as a 

function of salt and DOM concentration. Mobility of 14 C-SWNT in porous media 

decreased at high ionic strength. Taken together, our data indicate that association with 

natural particulate matter will be an important determinant of the fate and disposition of 

SWNT released to estuarine environments. 

ENVR 25

Development of heterogeneous catalyst capable of activating hydrogen peroxide 

at neutral pH values 

Anh L. Pham 1 , anhpham@berkeley.edu, Changha Lee 1 , changhalee@berkeley.edu, 

Fiona M. Doyle 2 , fmdoyle@berkeley.edu, and David L. Sedlak 1 . (1) Department of Civil 

and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720- 

1710, (2) Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, 

Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-1702 

The catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of iron oxides has 

been used for contaminant remediation. Unfortunately, the system is relatively slow and 

inefficient under neutral pH conditions because only a small fraction of the hydrogen 

peroxide is converted into an oxidant (e.g., hydroxyl radical) capable of transforming 

recalcitrant contaminants. The production of strong oxidants during the oxidation of 

Fe(II) associated with iron nanoparticles can be increased through addition of Fe(II)complexing 

ligands. Introducing metals capable of interacting with iron, such as silica 

and alumina, into iron oxide nanoparticles also has the potential to increase oxidant 

production through a similar mechanism. To test this hypothesis, a series of different 

silica- and alumina-containing iron particles and nanoparticles were synthesized and 

examined for catalytic activity using probe compounds that are known to react with 

hydroxyl radical or ferryl ion. The catalysts were much more effective than iron oxides in 

catalyzing the oxidation of recalcitrant organic compounds and have the potential for 

use in remediation and oxidative water treatment systems. 

ENVR 26 

EXAFS investigation of the oxidation and Fe-oxide speciation of Fe 0 nanoparticles 

(NZVI) under geochemically relevant conditions 

Brian C. Reinsch, reins100@chapman.edu, Department of Civil and Environmental 

Engineering, Carnegie-Mellon University, 119 Porter Hall, 5000 Forbes Avenue, 

Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890, Christopher S. Kim, cskim@chapman.edu, Department of 

Chemistry, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, and Gregory V. Lowry, 

glowry@cmu.edu, Center for the Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology, 

Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 

The fate and potential toxicity of engineered iron nanoparticles depends on its surface 

chemistry. Redox reactions with groundwater constituents can affect nanoparticle 

surface chemistry after they are introduced into the subsurface. NZVI was aged in batch 

reactors in the presence of common groundwater anions and after 1 and 6 months Xray 

absorption spectroscopy was performed at Stanford Synchrotron Radiation 

Laboratory BL10-2. Iron K-edge XANES and EXAFS provided element-specific 

information regarding the extent of oxidation and the short range structural order around 

iron in the aged nanoparticles, respectively. Passivation of the particle surface was 

shown to be dependent on the anion and on concentration. A model compound library

of iron mineral phases was assembled in order to perform linear combination fitting 

(LCF) of the EXAFS spectra. LCF was used to identify tertiary mineral phases present 

in the aged particles and to quantify the dramatic increase in the rate of transformation 

of the oxide layer from magnetite to maghemite in the presence of dissolved oxygen 

compared to anoxic conditions. 

ENVR 27 

Measuring sorption of metals to nanoparticles using flow field-flow-fractionation– 

inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry 

Emily K Lesher, elesher@mines.edu, Environmental Science and Engineering 

Division, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, Fax: 303-273-3413, J. F. 

Ranville, jranvill@mines.edu, Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry, Colorado 

School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, and Bruce D. Honeyman, honeyman@mines.edu, 

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401 

With the boom in nanotechnology, it is likely that engineered nanoparticles will emerge 

in the environment. Nanoparticles, both engineered and naturally occurring, can bind 

metals in aqueous systems through surface complexation reactions. Thus it is important 

to be able to measure metal ion sorption to nanoparticles to understand the role they 

might play in the uptake and transport of metals in the environment, and how metals 

may change the characteristics of the particles themselves. We have used flow fieldflow-fractionation 

(Fl FFF) hyphenated with inductively coupled plasma-mass 

spectrometry (ICP-MS) to measure the pH dependent sorption of uranium onto 

synthesized hematite (Fe2O3) nanoparticles (~60nm), and compared the results to 

centrifugation followed by filtration. We will also discuss the detection limit of the 

method, and how it may be used to assess metal speciation in environmental samples. 

ENVR 28 

Reactions of gas-phase naphthalene with paint and sunscreen surfaces 

containing TiO2 nanoparticles 

Nick Ashley, nashle1@lsu.edu, Noelle McBride, nmcbri1@lsu.edu, Jason Krumholt, 

jkrumh1@lsu.edu, Breeana Baker, miracleb9@yahoo.com, and Kalliat T. Valsaraj, 

valsaraj@lsu.edu, Cain Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State 

University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, Fax: 225-578-1476 

Paint and sunscreen products containing TiO2 nanoparticles have been commercially 

available for several years. Questions have emerged as to whether these nanoparticles 

maintain their photocatalytic activity once incorporated into a paint or sunscreen matrix. 

Kinetic experiments of gas-phase naphthalene in batch reactors with two thicknesses of 

indoor and outdoor paint and a sunscreen product, demonstrate significant naphthalene

degradation. Reaction rates increase in proportion to the concentration of TiO2 

nanoparticles in each material. A consequence of this research involves the fate and 

persistence of TiO2 nanoparticles in the environment. As sunscreen materials degrade 

and as paint surfaces are weathered and abraised, TiO2 nanoparticles are released to 

the atmosphere where they degrade organic gaseous pollutants. Because the 

photooxidation products of PAHs and other VOCs are often more toxic than the parent 

compound, TiO2 UV photochemistry will have important effects on local air quality for 

long periods of time. 

ENVR 29 

Uranium(VI) removal by nanoscale zerovalent iron under anoxic conditions 

Sen Yan 1 , yans@missouri.edu, Zhengyu Bao 1 , zybao@263.net, and Baolin Deng 2 , 

dengb@missouri.edu. (1) Key Laboratory of Bio-geology and Environmental Geology of 

Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China, (2) 

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, 

MO 65211 

Reduction of hexavalent uranium(U(VI)) to less mobile forms in soil and groundwater is 

one of the most important approaches for site remediation. This study investigated U(VI) 

removal from anaerobic aqueous solutions by synthesized, nanoscale Fe 0 

particles(nano Fe 0 ). The batch tests were initiated by spiking 200.0 µM U(VI) to 27.57 

mg/L nano Fe 0 slurry at pH varied from 6.92 to 9.03. The U(VI) removal was monitored 

by analyzing aqueous U(VI) concentration with time. The results indicated that U(VI) 

removal was over 93% within 10 minutes at pH 6.92, within 20 minutes at pH 8.03 and 

within 90 minutes at pH 9.03. In the presence of 5mM bicarbonate, over 90% of U(VI) 

was removed within 12hours at all pHs, showing the potential of using nano Fe 0 for 

U(VI) reduction and immobilization in bicarbonate-containing systems. Further studies 

are underway to differentiate the adsorption and reduction through selective extractions 

and solid phase spectroscopic analysis. 

ENVR 30 

Characterization of neutrons emitted during Pd/D co-deposition 

P. A. Mosier-Boss 1 , pam.boss@navy.mil, Stanislaw Szpak 1 , Frank E. Gordon 2 , and 

Lawrence Forsley 3 . (1) Code 71730, SPAWAR System Center Pacific, 53560 Hull St., 

San Diego, CA 92152, Fax: 619-767-4339, (2) Code 71000, SPAWAR System Center 

Pacific, San Diego, CA 92152, (3) JWK International Corporation, Annandale, VA 22003 

Experiments using CR-39 detectors have shown that energetic particles and neutrons 

are emitted during Pd/D co-deposition. Using 6 micron Mylar between the CR-39 and 

the cathode, it has been shown that the majority of the tracks formed have energies on

the order of 1 MeV. This conclusion was supported by computer analysis of the pits 

using the ‘Track_Test' program developed by Nikezic and Yu. In this communication, 

additional analysis of the chips will be discussed. In particular, it will be shown that the 

size distribution of the neutron-generated tracks on the back side of the CR-39 

detectors indicate that DD and DT fusion reactions are occurring. This is supported by 

the presence of triple tracks and double tracks on the front surface of the CR-39 as well 

as the energies of the charged particles as determined in the Mylar experiments. Uses 

of neutrons for energy production and other applications will be discussed as well. 

ENVR 31 

Field–assisted electroplating 

Julie A. Yurkovic, the1julz@gmail.com, University of California San Diego, 2903 Cliff 

Cir, Carslbad, CA 92010, Stefanie J. Zakskorn, szakskorn@gmail.com, University of 

California San Diego, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, Neil D. Robertson, 

neildrobertson@gmail.com, University of California San Diego, Berkeley, CA 94720, 

and Hiroaki Saito, mechauru@hotmail.com, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 

CA 92037 

The 2007 senior class of chemical engineers at the University of California at San Diego 

was presented with several possible projects to study over a 20-week period. One 

group was given the opportunity to study the low-energy nuclear reaction (LENR) 

experiments conducted by SPAWAR Systems Center San Diego and to attempt 

replication of one of their LENR experiments. The presentation will consist of 

discussions of the field assisted electroplating experiments conducted by this group. 

Specifically the following topics will be addressed: (1) learning how to electroplate with 

copper efficiently ; (2) studying the effects of external electric and magnetic fields during 

copper electroplating; and (3) transitioning from field-assisted copper electroplating to 

the electrodeposition of Pd/D on Cr-39 detectors. 

ENVR 32 

Anomalous tritium production in CMNS 

Xing Z. Li, lxz-dmp@tsinghua.edu.cn, Department of Physics, Tsinghua University, 

Tsinghua Garden, Building for School of Science, #3401, Beijing 100084, China, Fax: 

86-10-6278-1604 

In 1989 DOE ERAB report stated "Investigations designed to check the reported 

observations of excess tritium in electrolytic cells are desirable". We are going to 

scrutinize the anomalous phenomena related to the tritium production before and after 

1989. The anomalous tritium production was found in metal deuterides in 18 technicalgrade 

metals and semiconductors, in gas-discharge, in electrolysis, in gas-loading, even

in chemical explosions, etc. The experimental evidences are so compelling that the 

opponents could not deny the existence of the tritium, but attributed it to some fictitious 

frauds. The selective resonant tunneling theory would be applied to explain this tritium 

production in condensed matter nuclear science (CMNS). The tritium production has 

justified the necessity of neutrino detection in metal deuterides. 

ENVR 33 

Advances in acoustic inertial confinement bubble nuclear fusion 

Robert C Block 1 , Richard T Lahey 1 , Robert I Nigmatulin 2 , and Rusi P Taleyarkhan 3 , 

rusi@purdue.edu. (1) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, (2) Russian Academy of 

Sciences, Russia, (3) College of Engineering, Purdue University, 400 Central Drive, 

Nuclear Engineering Building, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1290 

This paper provides an update on key developments since the first public 

announcement of the discovery of acoustic inertial confinement (bubble) nuclear fusion. 

A theoretical foundation for supercompression of acoustically driven deuterated bubble 

clusters has also been developed and published. Initially, bubble fusion experiments 

used external neutron sources for nucleating bubble clusters and despite compelling 

evidence lingering doubts remained due to the use of external neutrons for maintaining 

the chain reaction. This was overcome in 2006 using a self-nucleation method. In these 

novel experiments, seeding of nanometer bubbles was accomplished using alpha 

recoils from dissolved uranyl nitrate salt. Bubble fusion experiments have been 

successfully replicated in public demonstrations and by unaffiliated groups of scientists, 

and the results confirmed and reported at least four times since 2005. Speculative 

statements on bubble fusion have been addressed and dismissed as unfounded and 

misguided. A full-scope three-dimensional Monte Carlo based study was recently 

completed and published in archival journal after peer review in 2008. Self-nucleated 

and external neutron nucleated bubble fusion experiments were modeled and analyzed 

for neutron spectral characteristics for all successful published bubble fusion studies. 

The results of this archive confirm for the record that confusion and controversies 

caused from past reports in Nature have resulted from neglect of important details of 

bubble fusion experiments. Results from the successful bubble fusion studies and the 

2008 archive demonstrate that ice-pack shielding between detectors and source, 

gamma photon leakage and neutron pulse-pileup due to picosecond duration neutron 

pulse emission play important roles in affecting the spectra of neutrons from D-D 

thermonuclear bubble fusion experiments. 

ENVR 34 

When bubble cavitation becomes sonofusion

Roger S. Stringham, firstgate@earthlink.net, First Gate Energies, 4922 Akai Pl, 

Kilauea, HI 96754 

Twenty years have passed since the headlines of a unique energy making process, cold 

fusion. Immediately following, Photosonication Consulting's heat effects on partially 

melted and discolored Pd foil were noted in D2O experiments. Three years later, with an 

improved device, EQuest Science continued experiments. Results: standing wave 

patterns, target foil surface ejecta sites, excess heat from calorimetric measurements, 

and helium and tritium mass spectra detection. In 1998 First Gate Energies was started 

and moved from the 20 and 40 KHz massive devices to 1.6 MHz 20 gm devices. These 

produced about the same excess heat but had 0.0001 the mass and a much-improved 

performance over the higher mass devices. This cavitation process, sonofusion, shows 

none of the expected radiation. This can be explained by the very high transient, 

picosecond, densities experimentally produced. A path that explains the experimental 

sonofusion results is supported by parallel research in hot inertial confined fusion. 

ENVR 35 

Observation of high multiplicity neutron emission events from deuterated Pd and 

Ti samples at BARC: A review 

Mahadeva Srinivasan, chino37@gmail.com, Physics Group, Bhabha Atomic Research 

Centre (BARC), Mumbai (Retired), 25/15, Rukmani Road, Kalakshetra Colony, Besant 

Nagar, Chennai 600090, India 

In “LENR” devices, are neutrons generated one at a time in a random fashion following 

Poisson statistics or in bursts of 2, 3, 5 or even 10 neutrons as in a spontaneous fission 

neutron source? The multiplicity distribution of neutron emission shed some light on the 

mechanism responsible for neutron generation - are there chain nuclear events for 

example? The statistical time spread that occurs during the slowing down process when 

a bunch of simultaneously produced fast neutrons impinges on a large hydrogenous 

moderator assembly, inside which a bank of thermal neutron detectors such as 3 He 

counters are embedded, is exploited for detecting the neutrons separately in a time 

resolved manner. Studies carried out at BARC both with a Pd cathode electrolytic cell 

as well as a gas loaded TiD target indicated that about 15 % of the neutrons produced 

could be in bunches of over 10 neutrons. 

ENVR 36 

Observation of neutrons and tritium in a wide variety of LENR configurations: 

BARC results revisited

Mahadeva Srinivasan, chino37@gmail.com, Physics Group, Bhabha Atomic Research 

Centre (BARC), Mumbai (Retired), 25/15, Rukmani Road, Kalakshetra Colony, Besant 

Nagar, Chennai 600090, India 

Early in April 1989 the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, embarked on 

a massive experimental campaign involving close to 50 scientists to investigate whether 

there was any basis to the reported claims of occurrence of “fusion reactions” at room 

temperature in Pd-D2O electrolysis cells. Deuterium gas/plasma loaded titanium targets 

as well as nickel-light hydrogen electrolytic systems were also studied for nuclear 

debris. Within weeks the production of neutrons and tritium was confirmed in over a 

dozen independent experimental configurations, with neutron yield being almost eight 

orders of magnitude smaller than that of tritium. This so called “branching ratio anomaly” 

has since been identified as a unique signature of lenr devices by other groups around 

the world. Autoradiography of deuterium gas/plasma loaded cold working titanium metal 

targets indicated that tritium production occurs primarily in localized hot spots, 

predominantly defect sites created during machining of the electrodes/targets. 

ENVR 37 

Discovery of Erzion nuclear reaction tracks in the space 

Yuri N. Bazhutov, bazhutov@izmiran.ru, Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere 

and Radiowave Propagation (RAS), Troitsk, Moscow Region 142092, Russia, Fax: 7- 

095-196-9476 

To give reasonable explanations for the intensive cover of the top ream film of solidstate 

detectors by pits of high ionization and small depth after exposure in a free space 

on the satellite orbit, we suggest a mechanism to demonstrate the nuclear interaction 

between the hypothetical neutral cosmic Erzion tracks with organic matter. The 

hypothesis to claim the existence of stable massive hadrons in cosmic rays, historically 

named as Erzions, for the first time has been put forward to explain the abnormal flat 

vertical cosmic muons spectrum. In later studies, a theoretical interpretation has been 

found to be useful in creating the Erzion model to understand the interactions at low 

energy, and in this context the first preliminary results were obtained. Within the 

framework of the Erzion model, the low energy neutral Erzion tracks (E~10keV) 

penetrate into the organic film substrate due to catalytic cyclic nuclear exchange 

reactions that create the big quantity (~10 6 ) of recoil nuclei ( 3 H, 12 C, 14 C, 15 N…) with 

energy of 0.1-5 MeV. To check this hypothesis the search for tritium and radiocarbon 

( 14 C) in materials has been found to be crucial and was performed by radiochemical 

methods. The depth distribution of such tracks viewed under a high resolution 

microscope has been investigated and the film calibration in a beam of nuclei such as 

hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon with energy of 0,1-5 ÌýÂ has been carried out. The 

results of such a calibration and the finding of tritium and radiocarbon in exhibited films 

of tracks with depth distribution confirmed the existence of the Erzion nuclear reactions.

ENVR 38 

Hormones, pharmaceuticals, and other trace wastewater derived contaminants: 

Detection, fate, and environmental effects 

James L. Gray 1 , jlgray@usgs.gov, Alan M. Vajda 2 , Larry B. Barber 1 , Edward T. 

Furlong 1 , efurlong@usgs.gov, William T. Foreman 1 , wforeman@usgs.gov, Vicki Blazer 1 , 

Dana W. Kolpin 3 , dwkolpin@usgs.gov, and David O. Norris 2 . (1) National Water Quality 

Laboratory, U.S. Geological Survey, P.O. Box 25046, MS 407, DFC, Bldg. 95, Denver, 

CO 80225-0046, (2) University of Colorado, Boulder, (3) U.S. Geological Survey, Iowa 

City, IA 52244 

Recently, there has been considerable interest in the presence of wastewater-derived 

contaminants in natural waters due to their potential to induce biological effects at 

extremely low (ng/L) concentrations. Ongoing research at USGS has demonstrated the 

presence of diverse mixtures of these compounds in wastewater effluents and surface 

waters, especially in arid environments such as the U.S. southwest. Furthermore, we 

have observed abnormalities in fish living in affected waters that contain these 

contaminants in both Colorado (Boulder Creek) and the Potomac River watershed. 

There is little data to show negative human health implications associated with 

wastewater-derived contaminants. The increasing use of both direct and indirect potable 

reuse of wastewater makes their presence in drinking water sources an area of growing 

concern. 

ENVR 39 

Passive sampler with direct spectral detection for rapid screening of waters for 

emerging contaminants 

Tohren C. G. Kibbey, kibbey@ou.edu, Lixia Chen, lxchen@ou.edu, and David A. 

Sabatini, sabatini@ou.edu, School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, The 

University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019-1024, Fax: 405-325-4217 

Pharmaceutical and personal care product components, suspected endocrine 

disruptors, and other related compounds have received increased attention in recent 

years due to the potential risks they may hold for human and ecological health. Because 

many of these compounds may not be completely removed by water or wastewater 

treatment, they have the potential to find their way into a range of drinking water 

sources. This issue is of particular concern for applications of water reclamation and 

reuse, where irrigation or direct aquifer recharge may cause contaminants to enter 

drinking water sources without sufficient time for natural attenuation processes to occur. 

An important component of evaluating risk is the ability to detect and quantify emerging 

contaminants in waters. Traditional methods for detection require complex extraction 

procedures and expensive analyses which must be conducted by highly-trained

personnel. The purpose of this work was to develop a method for rapid, low-cost 

detection of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in waters, for use as a screening 

tool. The method is based on an ultraviolet-transparent polymer which is immersed in 

the water of interest. EDCs and other compounds partition into the polymer where they 

are concentrated for rapid detection. The polymer spectrum is then measured and 

deconvoluted to determine the concentrations of all partitioned compounds. Using a 

low-cost fiber-optic spectrophotometer and consumer computing hardware, the 

deconvolution process can be completed within seconds. Results show the method is 

able to accurately quantify components of complex mixtures. Implications for 

environmental detection of EDCs and other emerging contaminants will be discussed. 

ENVR 40 

Determination of pharmaceuticals identified as emerging pollutants by capillary 

electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection 

Sam F Y Li, chmlifys@nus.edu.sg, Department of Chemistry, National University of 

Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore, Fax: 65-67791691 

The existence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment has been attracting 

increasing attention due to the high lipophilicity, low biodegradability and potential 

harmful effects on human and wildlife of some of these compounds. In this paper, 

simultaneous separation of a group of pharmaceutical products by capillary 

electrophoresis (CE) with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) 

was investigated. The parameters of the background electrolyte (BGE), such as pH, 

organic additives as well as types and concentrations of cyclodextrins (CDs) were 

studied. The optimal separation conditions were, limits of detections (LODs) and the 

relative standard deviations (RSDs) for migration time and peak area were determined. 

The usefulness of the method for biomedical and environmental analysis was 

demonstrated in the determination of pharmaceuticals classified as emerging pollutants 

in water samples. 

ENVR 41 

Endocrine disrupting chemicals and other emerging contaminants in wastewater 

and drinking water treatment technologies 

Marc Mills, mills.marc@epamail.epa.gov, ORD/NRMRL, EPA, 26 W. Martin Luther 

King Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45268 

Research has shown that wastewater (WW) can be a significant source of endocrine 

disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and other Emerging Contaminants to the environment. 

WW treatment (WWT) may include centralized wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) 

or smaller on-site WWT technologies. EDCs found in WWT effluents (aqueous and

iosolids) include estrogenic and androgenic hormones, detergent metabolites, and 

plasticizers. Other emerging contaminants include a significant list of pharmaceuticals, 

personal care products, and other trace organic contaminants such as fluorinated 

chemicals, flame retardants, and antimicrobials. Many questions exist as to why WWTP 

have higher or lower removal efficiencies. Little research has been conducted to 

demonstrate how technology or plant operations contribute to the EDCs removal. The 

efficacy of the unit processes within WWTP and drinking water treatment plants (DWTP) 

are not well characterized. In addition, no significant research has been conducted to 

evaluate on-site WWT for the management of EDCs. One focus of NRMRL's EDCs 

research is to characterize the performance of existing risk management strategies. The 

results of this research program may be used to help WWT and DW operators 

understand the capability of their treatment technologies to manage EDCs and other 

emerging contaminants, how process variables and demographics influence 

performance, and how to improve the operation of their plants to minimize effluent 

levels of EDCs. In the future, if EPA concludes that EDCs or other emerging 

contaminants in effluents must be regulated, the Office of Water, state regulators, and 

facility operators will require performance information on conventional and innovative 

treatment to develop regulatory guidance. 

ENVR 42 

Macro vs. micropollutants in impaired waters: What really matters? 

William A. Mitch, william.mitch@yale.edu, Department of Chemical Engineering, Yale 

University, 9 Hillhouse Avenue, Mason Lab 313b, New Haven, CT 06520, and Spencer 

S. Walse, spencer.walse@yale.edu, Environmental Engineering Program, Department 

of Chemical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511 

The presence of micropollutants within impaired waters has raised concerns for a 

variety of toxicity endpoints, including endocrine disruption. Although significant 

impairments from these compounds to human health have not yet been demonstrated, 

further research has targeted whether treatment processes, such as disinfection, 

convert these micropollutants to more potent toxicants. However, there is no a priori 

reason to suspect that an endocrine disruptor would convert to a potent carcinogen 

during disinfection. In addition, the low concentrations of the micropollutant precursors 

reduce the likelihood that any carcinogenic products would form in high concentrations. 

We turned our attention to transformation products of the more prevalent matrix 

components. Such research has been inhibited in pristine waters due to the lack of 

definition of humic substance precursors. However, the known structures of the 

biomolecular matrix associated with impaired waters enables the prediction of products 

likely to form in high concentrations. We developed an analytical method to examine 

transformation products of polypeptides. Applying these methods to disinfected 

impaired waters, we have demonstrated the occurrence of our predicted byproducts. To 

our knowledge, this is the first instance in which significant byproduct formation has 

been successfully predicted.

ENVR 43 

Evaluation of functional groups responsible for chloroform formation during 

water chlorination using compound specific isotope analysis 

William A. Arnold, arnol032@tc.umn.edu, Department of Civil Engineering, University 

of Minnesota, 500 Pillsbury Dr. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, Fax: 612-626-7750, Jakov 

Bolotin, Institute for Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, Zurich, 

Switzerland, Urs von Gunten, vongunte@eawag.ch, Water Resources and Drinking 

Water, EAWAG, Duebendorf 8600, Switzerland, and Thomas B. Hofstetter, 

thomas.hofstetter@env.ethz.ch, Department of Environmental Sciences, Institute of 

Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics (IBP), Zurich CH-8092, Switzerland 

A complete understanding of the processes leading to disinfection byproducts (DBP) 

has the potential to optimize predictions of DBP formation and to lead to improved DBP 

control strategies. As a step towards this goal, we have used compound specific isotope 

analysis to monitor the δ 13 C signature of chloroform produced upon the chlorination of 

model compounds representing natural organic matter functional groups (resorcinol, 

acetylacetone, acetophenone, phenol, and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol) and a natural water 

sample. For each model compound, a different apparent kinetic isotope effect was 

found for chloroform formation. Normal isotope effects were found for resorcinol, 

acetylacetone, and acetophenone. For the two phenols, an inverse effect was found. 

Lake Zürich water also had a inverse effect, indicating that phenols are likely chloroform 

precursors in NOM. With additional effort, CSIA may provide mechanistic understanding 

of DBP formation from NOM and enhanced predictive capabilities beyond those allowed 

by current techniques. 

ENVR 44 

Reports of anomalous self-heating events 

Steven B. Krivit, steven1@newenergytimes.com, New Energy Times, 369-B 3rd. St. 

#556, San Rafael, CA 94901 

Several rare reactions have been reported, many of them anecdotal and none of them 

repeatable at will. Regardless, some reports have been documented, and all have been 

of sufficient magnitude to warrant notice. In 1992, Fleischmann and Pons did not 

replenish the electrolyte in a cell and allowed it to run dry. When the electrolytic circuit 

was broken as a result of the absence of the electrolyte, the cell continued to give off 

excess heat for three hours. A Kel-F plastic support melted, indicating temperatures 

above 300°C. At an MIT symposium in the early 1990s, Lawrence Forsley of JWK 

Technologies Inc. reported on a cell in which the electrolytic current was turned off 

momentarily. The cell had been running at 80°C, at equilibrium, for one day. After the 

abrupt power interruption, the cell temperature shot up to 125°C, cracked a plastic

insulator, and boiled off all the electrolyte – at a power input far below that required for 

Joule heating. In the early 1990s, Mizuno of Hokkaido University reported the boil-off of 

a cell initially running 24 Watts of input power that, in its last eight days with current 

turned off, boiled more than 15 liters of water. Mizuno had placed the cell in a bucket of 

water after disconnecting it from the power supply. According to his calculations, during 

the time the cell was turned off, it evaporated enough water to account for 8.2 x 10 7 

joules of energy. Other researchers reporting excess heat after boil-offs are Giuliano 

Mengoli of the Instituto di Polarografia in Italy and Miles of the U.S. Navy's China Lake 

Weapons Center. 

ENVR 45 

Twenty year review of isoperibolic calorimetric measurements of the 

Fleischmann-Pons effect 

Melvin H. Miles, melmiles1@juno.com, Dixie College Foundation, Dixie State College, 

301 North 200 East, Suite 3A, St. George, UT 84770, and Martin Fleischmann, Bury 

Lodge, SP3 6LJ, Tisbury, Salisbury, Wilts, United Kingdom 

Important advantages exist for selecting a Dewar type isoperibolic calorimeter for 

measurements of anomalous excess enthalpy produced by the Fleischmann-Pons 

effect(FPE). These advantages include a wide dynamic range, high accuracy, direct 

visual observations inside the cell, and heat transfer mainly by electromagnetic 

radiation. Various generations of the FP calorimetry are described along with the 

mathematical modeling. The use of control experiments show that the anomalous 

excess power is measurable within 0.1 mW using this electrochemical calorimetry. The 

applications of isoperibolic calorimetry at various other laboratories is discussed. The 

correct equations for modeling isoperibolic calorimetry using open cells are now well 

established. These calorimetric equations were used to evaluate the Caltech, MIT, and 

Harwell (U.K.) isoperibolic calorimetry performed in 1989. It appears that objectivity was 

sacrificed by these three influential institutions in order to hastily obtain the desired 

result of no anomalous excess power effects. 

ENVR 46 

“Hot” deuteron generation and charged particle emission during excitation of the 

deuterium subsystem in metal deuterides 

Andrei G. Lipson 1 , lipson@illinois.edu, Ivan P. Chernov 2 , chernov@tpu.ru, Alexei S. 

Roussetski 3 , rusets@x4u.lebedev.ru, Aslan Yu. Tsivadze 1 , tsiv@phyche.ac.ru, Boris F. 

Lyakhov 1 , Yuri P. Cherdantsev 4 , Michael E. Melich 5 , melich@alumni.rice.edu, and 

Eugeny I. Saunin 1 . (1) A.N. Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and 

Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31 Leninsky Prospect, Bldg. 4, 

119991 Moscow, Russia, (2) Department of Physics, Tomsk Polytechnic University,

634050 Tomsk, Russia, (3) P.N. Lebedev Physics Institute, Russian Academy of 

Sciences, Moscow, Russia, (4) Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, Russia, (5) Naval 

Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA 93943-5000 

Recent ab initio theoretical studies of D-desorption in metal deuterides with a high 

hydrogen solubility showed that the excitation of the hydrogen subsystem results in 

plasmon formation leading to the generation of a strong electric field (F ~ 10 8 V/cm) 

within a lattice parameter scale of a ~ 0.3-0.4 nm. As a result, significant amount of 

energy, correlated with desorbing deuterons, has been released reaching values of 

several eV (3-4 eV), effectively producing “hot” deuterons. This deuteron acceleration 

process, alongside with possible large electron screening in the metal targets, could 

potentially enhance the yield of DD-reactions in metal deuterides. Using the CR-39 track 

detector technique, we showed that the electron beam stimulation of the D-desorption 

process of Pd/PdO:Dx and TiDx targets is caused by statistically enhanced emissions of 

DD-reaction products (3 MeV protons and high energy alpha particles). 

ENVR 47 

Gas-loading experiments for self-sustaining heat in CMNS 

Xing Z. Li, lxz-dmp@tsinghua.edu.cn, Department of Physics, Tsinghua University, 

Tsinghua Garden, Building for School of Science, #3401, Beijing 100084, China, Fax: 

86-10-6278-1604 

In 1992, Pons and Fleischmann published their 'Heat after Death' work. It showed that 

electrolysis was not necessary for 'excess heat', Instead, a deuterium flux on the 

surface of the palladium electrode might be necessary to generate 'excess heat'. 

Moreover, it also showed that the high loading was not necessary; however, the higher 

working temperature might be useful to achieve the 'excess heat' due to the diffusive 

nature of deuterium flux through palladium. Three sets of gas-loading experiments have 

been carried out along this research direction: a long-thin palladium wire (250 cm X 

0.008 cm) at 50°C, 100°C, and 120°C; a thin wall palladium tube (2.3cm X 0.4cm X 

0.01cm) at 140°C; a bunch of 5 thin wall palladium tubes (20cm X 0.3cm X 0.008cm) at 

140°C. It verifies the early Fralick gas-loading experiment using hydrogen purifier. In 

addition, the direction of diffusive deuterium flux is different in this new set of 

experiment, crucial in order to build a self-sustaining heater in condensed matter 

nuclear science (CMNS). 

ENVR 48 

Excess heat and electrical characteristics of type “B” anode-plate at low energy 

nuclear reactions 

Mitchell Swartz, mica@theworld.com, JET Energy, Inc, Wellesley, MA 02481

We report the excess heat and metallurgical electrical behavior of type "B" (anode plate) 

Pd/D2O/Pt Phusor-type LENR devices, driven at their optimal operating point (OOP). 

They were examined for 4-terminal Pd conductivity, near-IR emission, and both 

calorimetric and heat flow measurements. The excess heat generated, based on the 

input power normalized delta-T data was ~175% [peak input power 1.99 watts, at the 

end 2.14 volts]. Using synchronous 4-terminal measurements, prior to and during 

excess heat, there is a supralinear rise of intrapalladial electrical resistance for applied 

voltages (to the solution) >78 volts. In addition, there are two temporal components to 

intrapalladial conductance that decreases to loading for these 6-terminal devices. The 

shorter time constant (

palladium cathode at a single spot induced significant thermal increases many times 

larger than expected from laser heating alone. This effect was observed only when the 

lasers were tuned to produce a beat frequency near specific frequencies (around 8 THz, 

15 THz and 20 THz). These preliminary experiments support the conjecture that optical 

phonons are involved in the heat producing mechanism. In recent experiments, results 

from more than 20 runs appear to confirm the three thermally sensitive frequencies at 8, 

15 and 20 THz. Further, the experiments allowed us to identify the approximate width of 

each heat-producing frequency and produce a crude thermal response spectrum. 

ENVR 51 

Deuterium gas charging experiments with Pd powders for excess heat evolution 

Akira Kitamura 1 , kitamura@maritime.kobe-u.ac.jp, Takayoshi Nohmi 1 , Yu Sasaki 1 , 

Tatsuya Yamaguchi 1 , Akira Taniike 1 , Akito Takahashi 2 , akito@sutv.zaq.ne.jp, Reiko 

Seto 2 , and Yushi Fujita 2 . (1) Graduate School of Maritime Sciences, Kobe University, 5- 

1-1 Fukaeminamimachi, Higashinadaku, Kobe, 658-0022, Japan, (2) Technova Inc, 1-1- 

1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyodaku, Tokyo, 100-0011, Japan 

We have started a series of deuterium (and hydrogen) gas charging experiments with 

Pd nano-powders to study possible heat evolution and D (or H)-loading characteristics 

by using a revised Arata-type twin system. The twin system is made of identically 

designed A1 and A2 systems, in each of which an inner gas-charging cell with flow 

calorimeter and an outer vacuum chamber are set up. The A1 system is used for D-gas 

foreground run, and the A2 system is for the H-gas blank run. Our first data with two 

commercially available Pd powders (0.1 micron Pd particles and Pd-black) are already 

meaningful. Experiments with Pd-black sample gave 2.6 kJ/g-Pd excess heat for the 

second phase of 1,300 minutes operation and D/Pd=0.85 for the first phase (about 100 

min interval from start) with zero D-gas pressure. No excess heat with H-gas charging 

was seen with H/Pd=0.78. Experiments with 0.1 micron Pd powders gave D/Pd =0.45 

for the first phase and much less excess heat for the second phase. We are extending 

experiments for nano-fabricated Pd samples to be reported at the meeting. In situ 

radiation monitors are for neutron and gamma-ray. Elemental analysis of "before/after" 

samples is done by PIXE. 4 He detection will be also tried. 

ENVR 52 

Water reuse for ecosystem support 

Martin Reinhard, reinhard@stanford.edu, Department of Civil and Environmental 

Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-4020, Fax: 650-723-7058 

The growing shortage of water forces communities to increasingly rely on degraded 

sources, such as urban and agricultural runoff, saline and treated wastewater. The for

human and ecotoxicological health issues drive the regulatory process and often 

adversely impact public acceptance of recycled water. These concerns stem mainly 

from the presence of potentially hazardous trace organic compounds in the product 

water. Most of the water contaminants that have been identified over the past years are 

not included in a regulatory framework and therefore called “emerging” contaminants. 

Initial research has focused on identifying these compounds in effluents and surface 

and groundwaters impacted by wastewater effluents and is now progressing towards 

documenting removal processes during treatment and in the environmental. Emerging 

contaminants are structurally diverse and include surfactant residues, pharmaceuticals 

and personal care products. Most of these compounds are relatively polar and watersoluble 

and their environmental behavior is largely controlled by their susceptibility to 

photo- and biotransformation. Natural attenuation of three pharmaceuticals, gemfibrozil, 

ibuprofen, and naproxen and alkylphenol ethoxylate metabolites was studied along a 

12-km stretch of a California River. Removals ranged from 50% for the alkylphenol 

metabolites to 100% for naproxen. From laboratory experiments removal through bio- or 

phototransformation was inferred. In a similar study, the discharge of perfluorinated 

surfactant residues, predominantly perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and 

perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) though wastewater effluents was investigated. These 

compounds are refractory and difficult to remove through conventional treatment and 

bioaccumulative. Because ecotoxicological effects are poorly understood, the presence 

of perfluorochemical in recycled water requires evaluation. 

ENVR 53 

Antibiotics at environmental interfaces studied by nonlinear optics 

Franz M. Geiger and Patrick L. Hayes, Department of Chemistry, Northwestern 

University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, Fax: 847-491-7713 

It is now known that the untreated discharge of pharmaceuticals into the environment 

can impact human health and development and lead to increased drug resistance in 

biota. Here, we present the first direct interface-specific studies that address the mobility 

of the widely used agricultural antibiotic morantel which is commonly present in farm 

runoff. Surface-bound morantel was spectroscopically identified using second harmonic 

generation (SHG) via a two-photon resonance of its n-p* transition, and in the C-H 

stretching region by vibrational sum frequency generation (VSFG). Resonantly 

enhanced SHG adsorption isotherm measurements carried out at the silica/water 

interface between 6x10 -7 and 5x10 -5 M morantel concentration result in a free energy of 

adsorption of 42(2) kJ/mol at pH 7. Finally, real-time tracking of morantel interaction with 

the silica/water interface shows that the binding events are fully reversible, consistent 

with its high mobility in silica-rich soil environments. This work thus indicates that 

pharmaceuticals discharged into the environment can enter the ground water supply of 

municipal water systems, at which point their removal is challenging. In addition, the 

high mobility of morantel in silica-rich soil environments could lead to increased 

interaction of this antibiotic with target organisms, which could respond by increased

drug resistance. New results regarding the antibiotic oxytetracycline are presented as 

well. 

ENVR 54 

Factors controlling the adsorption on effluent-derived pharmaceuticals on 

mineral surfaces 

David M. Cwiertny, dcwiertny@engr.ucr.edu and Shen Qu, Department of Chemical 

and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, A242 Bourns Hall, 

Riverside, CA 92521, Fax: 951-827-5696 

Recently, an array of pharmaceuticals and personal care products have been detected 

in the effluent of wastewater treatment facilities, calling into question the use of 

reclaimed water for indirect potable reuse. Here, we explore the role that adsorption to 

mineral surfaces plays in the fate of several commonly detected effluent-derived 

pharmaceuticals, lending insight to the fate of such contaminants in underground 

storage and recovery operations that use reclaimed water. For pharmaceuticals with 

ionic character, adsorption isotherms and pH-edge experiments are consistent with 

electrostatics governing pharmaceutical uptake on metal oxides typically found in soil 

and aquifer material (e.g., Si, Al, Fe, Mn, and Ti). Generally, adsorption was limited on 

pristine mineral surfaces, but increased substantially in the presence of surfactants, 

species also commonly encountered in reclaimed water. For non-ionic pharmaceuticals, 

this enhanced uptake results entirely from organic interactions with the hydrophobic tails 

of surfactant coatings on mineral surfaces. For ionic species, on the other hand, 

enhanced adsorption also arises from the ability of surfactants to alter the net charge of 

the mineral surface. Ongoing work is exploring the influence of natural organic matter 

on pharmaceutical uptake and the impact that changes in the prevailing redox state 

have on the retention of adsorbed species. Collectively, our results demonstrate that 

although pristine mineral surfaces are somewhat limited in their interactions with 

pharmaceuticals, their alteration with organic matter can considerably increase their 

ability to retain such species in subsurface storage and treatment systems. 

ENVR 55 

Mechanism for adsorption of Lincomycin from water by clay minerals 

Cuiping Wang, crisping@msu.edu, Jason Y. Ding, Brian J. Teppen, Stephen A. Boyd, 

and Hui Li, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University, East 

Lansing, MI 48824 

Lincomycin is an antibiotic widely administered as human and veterinary medicine for 

disease treatment and prevention. Wide detection of Lincomycin in soil, water, and 

effluents of wastewater treatment plants along with the growing concern of potential

adverse effects on ecosystem require a clear understanding of environmental fate in 

aqueous soil systems. In this study, we investigated the sorption of Lincomycin by 

several clays saturated with different exchangeable cations from aqueous solutions 

varying in pH and ionic strength. Lincomycin sorption was observed to a much greater 

extent at pH < pKa due to the high selectivity of organic over inorganic cation. The 

affinities of Lincomycin for clay minerals increased in the order of kaolinite < SAz-1 < 

SWy-2 < SapCa-2, which is dependent on clay surface areas and charge sources. The 

presence of CaCl2 ionic strength suppressed Lincomycin sorption indicating the 

competition between Ca 2+ and Lincomycin for the adsorptive sites. Greater sorption was 

observed for the less hydrated exchangeable cations i.e., Cs + vs. Ca 2+ and K + in clay 

interlayers. X-ray diffraction patterns of smectites reveal that Lincomycin was 

intercalated in clay interlayers. The results present here suggest cation exchange 

process is the dominant mechanism responsible for retention of Lincomycin by clay 

minerals. 

ENVR 56 

Elucidating the fate of ultraviolet filter chemicals in the aquatic environment 

Jacob Klein 1 , Michelle Wu 1 , Monica L Tse 2 , and Laura A MacManus-Spencer 1 , 

macmanul@union.edu. (1) Department of Chemistry, Union College, 807 Union Street, 

Schenectady, NY 12308, (2) Union College, Schenectady, NY 12308 

In order to make educated decisions about the use of reclaimed wastewater, it is 

imperative to understand the environmental fate of pharmaceuticals and personal care 

products (PPCPs) that are not fully removed in the treatment process. One class of 

PPCPs that is of current concern comprises ultraviolet filter chemicals (UVFCs), used in 

sunblock, lip balm, and many other personal care products to absorb and dissipate UV 

radiation. In this study, both the photochemical degradation and sediment sorption of 

three UVFCs, octinoxate, oxybenzone, and homosalate, were investigated. 

Photodegradation experiments were conducted in natural and simulated sunlight to 

determine quantum yields, environmental half-lives, and the relative importance of direct 

and indirect photodegradation. In the case of octinoxate, degradation products were 

characterized by HPLC and GC-MS. In addition, batch sorption experiments were 

conducted to determine the strength and kinetics of sorption of the UVFCs to 

characterized sediments from two local rivers. 

ENVR 57 

Reactivity of bisphenol-A with free chlorine in the presence of iodide and bromide 

E. Matthew Fiss and Peter J. Vikesland, pvikes@vt.edu, Department of Civil and 

Environmental Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 418 

Durham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061

Renewed concerns have been raised about the release of bisphenol-A from consumer 

plastics and the subsequent consumption of this potential carcinogen. In this study, we 

characterized the reactivity of bisphenol-A with free chlorine in the presence and 

absence of iodide and bromide. These ubiquitous salts rapidly react with free chlorine to 

produce iodinated and brominated oxidants that are much more reactive than free 

chlorine itself. Our results suggest that bisphenol-A rapidly degrades in the presence of 

free chlorine and that the reaction rate approaches diffusion limited kinetics when 

sufficient iodide and bromide are available at circumneutral pH values. The results 

obtained with bisphenol-A will be compared to those for other phenolic compounds and 

general reactivity trends will be discussed. 

ENVR 58 

Removal of pharmaceutical pollutants via solar photolysis and sludge digestion 

Christopher C. Ryan, ryan0347@umn.edu, David Diehl, diehl043@umn.edu, and 

William A. Arnold, arnol032@tc.umn.edu, Department of Civil Engineering, University of 

Minnesota, 500 Pillsbury Dr. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 

Synthetic organic chemicals at trace levels, including pharmaceutical compounds, have 

recently made the national spotlight because of their widespread detection in municipal 

drinking water supplies. The dominant source of many of the human pharmaceuticals is 

often the discharge from wastewater treatment plants. Processes within these plants 

are currently unable to adequately remove these trace level contaminants. Ideally, a low 

cost, low maintenance strategy should be used to remedy this problem. The focus of 

this presentation is to examine two simple strategies that could be added to current 

wastewater treatment plants to further degrade trace levels of antibiotic compounds. 

Investigations include using passive solar treatment in a retention pond to degrade 

antibiotic compounds in the effluent from a treatment plant before final discharge and 

using aerobic and anaerobic digestion to degrade antibiotic compounds in the waste 

solids before final disposal. 

ENVR 59 

Comparison of estrogen degradation under various wastewater treatment 

schemes 

LeeAnn Racz, leeann.racz@utah.edu and Ramesh Goel, rgoel@civil.utah.edu, Civil 

and Environmental Engineering, University of Utah, Suite 104, 122 S. Central Campus 

Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0610 

Natural and synthetic estrogens are some of the most potent endocrine disrupting 

compounds found in wastewater. These compounds have been linked to reproductive 

effects in aquatic species and, although controversial, also been suggested as

associated with human health effects. This presentation will discuss the mechanisms of 

estrogen degradation in wastewater treatment plants and will compare such 

degradations under two treatment schemes. Furthermore, as much effort has been 

focused on studying nitrifying biomass as a means to degrade estrogens, we will 

discuss some of the unique challenges to studying this medium. Specifically, we will 

discuss problematic laboratory techniques used to introduce and analyze estrogens in a 

bioreactor, and will offer solutions to these problems. 

ENVR 60 

Energetics of condensed matter cluster reactions in nano-structured palladium 

George H. Miley 1 , ghmiley@uiuc.edu, Xiaoling Yang 1 , yangx2007@gmail.com, Nie 

Luo 1 , nluo@uiuc.edu, and Heinz Hora 2 , hora@phys.unsw.edu.au. (1) Department of 

Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, University of Illinois at Champaign- 

Urbana, 100 NEL, 103 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL 61801, Fax: 217-333-2906, (2) 

Department of Theoretical Physics, University of New South Wales, 2052 Sydney, 

Australia 

Swimming electron layer (SEL) theory of heavy “complex nuclei” was proposed earlier 

to explain the nuclear reaction products observed in electrolytic cell experiments that 

used multi-layer thin films of metals on mm-size plastic beads. More recently a modified 

condensed matter deuterium cluster model has been developed to further explain this 

combined with related electrolytic cell experiments. As found in the original experiments 

and later thin film electrode studies, excess heat is also obtained from low energy 

nuclear reactions (LENRs) using these electrodes, and the condensed cluster theory 

also predicts that. As a result of this added understanding of cluster formation and 

reactions, a new class of electrodes has been designed to enhance cluster formation. 

These electrodes utilize a nano-manufacturing technique that mimics normal dislocation 

loop structures but with a high density per unit volume. The basis for this electrode 

concept was originated in earlier studies of low temperature superconductive states 

formed in dislocation loops and created by cyclic loading-deloading of H/D thin-film 

palladium electrodes. Further details about these new electrodes along with preliminary 

test results will be provided. Design concepts for use of these electrodes for hydrogen 

storage and also for LENR power units will be presented 

ENVR 61 

Enhanced electron screening and nuclear mechanism of cold fusion 

Konrad Czerski, czerski@physik.tu-berlin.de, Institut für Optik und Atomare Physik, 

Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstraße 36, Berlin 10623, Germany, Fax: 

030/314-22878

The enhanced electron screening effect observed in accelerator experiments for the 

2 H(d,p) 3 H and 2 H(d,n) 3 He reaction in deuterized metallic targets may be a breakthrough 

in understanding the phenomenon of cold fusion. The dielectric function theory enables 

an extrapolation of experimental cross sections determined at higher energies down to 

room temperature, leading to an enhancement of the fusion reaction rates by a factor of 

10 40 compared to the value predicted for the deuterium molecule. An additional 

enhancement can be obtained due to a 0 + resonance which should exist in the 

compound nucleus 4 He very close to the D-D reaction threshold. Combination of both 

processes offers a simple explanation of high penetration probability through the 

Coulomb barrier and the reaction branching ratio preferring the 4 He channel in heavywater 

electrolysis experiments. Consequences for future room-temperature experiments 

are discussed in detail. 

ENVR 62 

Overcoming the Coulomb Barrier and related effects through resonant 

electromagnetic dynamics and quantum mechanics in the Fleischmann-Pons 

effect 

Scott R Chubb Sr., chubbscott@mac.com, Research Systems Inc, 5023 N 38 St, 

Arlington, VA 22207 

I argue that the real barrier for understanding how cold fusion reactions can take place, 

in the Fleischmann-Pons effect (FPE), is not overcoming the “Coulomb Barrier” but 

involves understanding related to how reactions can occur, based on the known laws of 

quantum mechanics. A key aspect of this is recognizing that quantum mechanics does 

not require that the “picture” that is used in conventional fusion should apply. By 

including a more appropriate “picture” that includes electromagnetism in a timedependent 

fashion and the idea that many particles can be involved, seemingly 

“impossible” aspects of the “conventional picture” become “not so impossible,” and, in 

fact, become “quite reasonable.” In the paper, details about how this can take place are 

explained. A particular mechanism involving resonant electromagnetic dynamics is 

discussed. The associated picture is consistent with the known laws of physics, and the 

underlying ideas suggested by Giuliano Preparata. 

ENVR 63 

Simulating anomalies in metal deuterides 

Peter L. Hagelstein, PLH@aol.com, Research Laboratory of Electronics, 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 36-570, 

Cambridge, MA 02139, and Irfan U. Chaudhary, irfanc@mit.edu, Department of 

Computer Science and Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, 

Pakistan

Simple models for the loading of Pd cathodes with hydrogen or deuterium are proposed 

which allow one to better understand the interstitial concentration and chemical potential 

profiles within the cathode. Simple models for interstitial diffusion are used to study 

loading dynamics within the cathode, and to understand the connection between bulk 

resistance measurements and surface interstitial concentration. Excess heat production 

appears to be correlated with the release of 4 He into the gas. The delay in helium 

release is connected to the depth of active sites, as is the total amount of helium 

released. Modeling of helium diffusion can be used to infer the active site profiles near 

the cathode surface. Helium accumulation is proposed to limit maximum power 

production, suggesting that higher maximum power should be obtained when the 

temperature is increased, as has been reported in several experiments. 

ENVR 64 

Understanding low energy nuclear reactions 

Antonella De Ninno, deninno@frascati.enea.it, Agency for New Technologies Energy 

and Environment, Enrico Fermi 27, Frascati (Rome) 00044, Italy, Fax: 39-06-94005011 

The experimental activities on nuclear reactions at room temperature started at ENEA 

soon after the paper by M. Fleishmann and S. Pons in March 1989. As physicists we 

were very excited about the chance of a new class of nuclear phenomena inside 

condensed matter. Therefore, we decided to use the competence in solid state physics 

of our group and the skill of our technicians, in order to get rid of the puzzle, also 

involving other colleagues with complementary expertise in chemistry and nuclear 

particle detection. We have been working for more than 13 years to know what kind of 

questions to address in solving one of the most mysterious issues with which the nature 

ever challenged us and, after long term and intensive research, we found ourselves 

able to give a reasonable problem solving explanation. In this talk I will report on the 

history of a scientific project that, from all the results obtained, gives unambiguous 

evidence for low energy nuclear reactions in condensed matter. 

ENVR 65 

Basics of deuteron-cluster dynamics by Langevin equation 

Akito Takahashi, akito@sutv.zaq.ne.jp, Technova Inc, 1-1-1 Uchisaiwaicho, 

Chiyodaku, Tokyo, 100-0011, Japan 

Pertaining to the quantum mechanics, the basics of our approach using the stochastic 

differential equation (Langevin equation) is written for quantifying dynamic motion of 

known molecules as D2 + , D2 and D3 + as well as D-atom state. Role of the Platonic 

symmetry in these known molecules are discussed for deducing simple onedimensional 

(Rdd dependent; here Rdd is distance between nearest d-d pair) Langevin

equation and making ensemble averaging to obtain equation for expected values. The 

methodology is applied for more complicated D-clusters as 4D/TSC and 6D/OSC which 

would keep the Platonic symmetry, by introducing the force fluctuation deviating from 

the ideal Platonic symmetry. Time-dependent TSC and OSC trapping potentials which 

take balance to getting back to the Platonic symmetry from the distorted states were 

defined and used for numerical solution of Langevin equation. Finally, time-dependent 

fusion rate formula for simultaneous 4D interaction was obtained based on the Fermi's 

golden rule and one-pion exchange potential of strong interaction. The 4D fusion is 

regarded to cause radiation-less excess heat and 4 He ash in metal-deuterium systems 

under dynamic conditions. 

ENVR 66 

Cold nuclear fusion mechanism at crack tip spearhead located deep under the 

ground 

Anatoly V. Shestopalov, sinergo@mail.ru, Research Institute of Comprehensive 

Exploitation of Mineral Resources RAS, Moscow, Russia 

Another thermodynamics is needed to explain the CNF (cold nuclear fusion) 

phenomenon which would be based on balance of in- and out-flows of energies 

(balance of sinks and sources) rather than on conservation laws. We have developed 

such a theory at a level of phenomenology for processed fractals. The author proposes 

that the described phenomenon can occur under the effect of a mechanical energy flow 

through aligning of defects (conductive channels for this flow) along field force lines. 

The mechanism of cold nuclear fusion (CNF) for crack tip spearhead developed by the 

author is thought to fit all cases of CNF described in the scientific literature, e.g., in the 

fields of asymmetrical plasma electrolysis, sonofusion or sonoluminescence, produced 

by acoustic cavitation, effect of powerful nanosecond electromagnetic pulses on 

aqueous solutions of salts and melts of metals, etc. 

ENVR 67 

Oxidation of bulk and trace organics in reverse osmosis concentrate 

Paul K. Westerhoff, p.westerhoff@asu.edu, Department of Civil and Environmental 

Engineering, Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, Arizona State University, PO Box 

875306, Tempe, AZ 85287-5306, Fax: 480-965-0557 

The goal of this project is to develop a post-treatment oxidation process for removing 

organics in membrane concentrates. Research was conducted with reverse osmosis 

concentrate from partially denitrified wastewater. UV/TiO2 treatment removes nearly all 

of several pharmaceuticals from the RO concentrate to below detection limits (1 ng/L). 

UV/TiO2 treatment alone can achieve in excess of 90% DOC removal. The rate of DOC

emoval is nearly zero-order (1.9 mgDOC/L per kWhr/m 3 ) up to 80-85% DOC removal. 

To achieve higher DOC removals the rate is also zero order (0.67 kW-hrm 

3 /(mgDOC/L)). The higher energy requirement is needed to continue oxidation of 

byproducts that react slow with hydroxyl radicals. Without UV/TiO2 treatment less than 

5% of the DOC in the RO concentrate was biodegradable. Upon UV/TiO2 treatment 

specific organic acids (oxalate, acetate, propionate, pyruvate and formate) were present 

at concentrations from 0.1 to nearly 5 mgC/L. 

ENVR 68 

Oxidation of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) using boron-doped diamond film 

electrodes 

Brian P. Chaplin, chaplin1@email.arizona.edu, Craig Duncan, 

cduncan@email.arizona.edu, Glenn Schrader, schrader@email.arizona.edu, and 

James Farrell, farrellj@engr.arizona.edu, Department of Chemical and Environmental 

Engineering, University of Arizona, 1133 E James E Rogers Way, Tucson, AZ 85721 

The disinfection byproduct N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) has been categorized as a 

probable human carcinogen. While no federal regulation has been mandated, many 

states have established their own drinking water standards. For example, the state of 

California has set a 10 ng/L “action level” in drinking water. This compound is of 

particular concern in water reuse applications when treated wastewater is used as a 

source for drinking water. This study investigated the oxidation of NDMA at borondoped 

diamond film electrodes. Results from batch experiments showed that the 

oxidation of NDMA occurred at low current densities (5-10 mA/cm 2 ) with good Faradaic 

current efficiencies. The NDMA reaction rate in a flow through reactor was mass 

transfer limited and pseudo-first order with respect to NDMA concentration, yielding a 

half life of 2.0 min at a current density of 10 mA/cm 2 . Extended reaction times resulted 

in mineralization of NDMA to end products of carbon dioxide and nitrate. The reaction 

mechanism of NDMA oxidation is also discussed based on experimental results and 

density functional theory calculations. 

ENVR 69 

Detoxification of water contaminated with the cyanotoxin, microcystin-LR, by 

utilizing thin TiO2 photocatalytic films 

Maria G. Antoniou 1 , antonim@email.uc.edu, Persoulla A. Nicolaou 2 , 

nicolapa@email.uc.edu, Armah A. de la Cruz 3 , delacruz.armah@epamail.epa.gov, and 

Dionysios D. Dionysiou 1 , dionysios.d.dionysiou@uc.edu. (1) Department of Civil and 

Environmental Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0071, Fax: 

513-556-2599, (2) Department of Pharmacology and Cell Biophysics, University of

Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0575, (3) Office of Research and Development, U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268 

Cyanotoxins are secondary metabolites produced and released by the harmful strains of 

cyanobacterial algal blooms (cyano-HABs). Because of their increasing appearance in 

water resource and high lethality, cyanotoxins are now part of the emerging 

contaminants that necessitate treatment. The hepatotoxic microcystins are the family of 

cyanotoxins that has mostly been detected in surface waters, especially its derivative 

microcystin-LR (MC-LR). In our study we have used an environmentally friendly 

chemical oxidation technology, TiO2 photocatalysis in the form of thin photocatalytic 

films for the detoxification of water contaminated with MC-LR. In this presentation, we 

will elaborate on the effects of different operating parameters on the MC-LR degradation 

efficiency, as well as the effects on MC-LR degradation following changes in the 

structural properties of the catalyst. The PP1 enzyme assay will also show that the 

treatment with our photocatalytic films can achieve water detoxification. 

ENVR 70 

Removal of acetaminophen in enzyme-mediated oxidative coupling process: 

Reaction rates and pathways 

Junhe Lu, junhelu@uga.edu and Qingguo Huang, qhuang@uga.edu, Department of 

Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, 1109 Experiment St., Weed Science 

Bldg, Griffin, GA 30223 

The potential of using laccase mediated coupling process to removal acetaminophen 

from water was investigated. The reaction exhibited a second-order kinetics with firstorder 

to both the enzyme and substrate. The activity of laccase remained constant 

during reaction. HPLC/MS/MS analysis revealed that instead of degradation the 

reaction generated coupling products. The ortho sites of both hydroxyl and acetyl amine 

group are can serve the active position where covalent bond generated between 

individual building blocks. The coupling products with hydroxyl and amine functionalities 

remained were still the active substrates to laccase. Therefore, oligomers and polymers 

are formed according to the extent of the reaction and these products are presumed to 

be biological inactive and more readily to be removed. Laccase using dissolved oxygen 

as the cofactor and the coupling process doesn't rely on external input of oxidants. This 

provides a cost-effective strategy to address the trace microcontaminants in water 

reuse. 

ENVR 71 

Relevance of emerging chemical pollutants in water reclamation and groundwater 

recharge

Thomas Wintgens 1 , thomas.wintgens@fhnw.ch, Christian Kazner 2 , 

christian.kazner@avt.rwth-aachen.de, Mathias Ernst 3 , mathias.ernst@tu-berlin.de, and 

Thomas Melin 2 . (1) Institute for Ecopreneurship, University of Applied Sciences 

Northwestern Switzerland, Gründenstrasse 40, Muttenz 4132, Switzerland, (2) 

Chemical Engineering Department, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52056, 

Germany, (3) Centre for Water in Urban Areas, TU Berlin, Berlin 10623, Germany 

The utilization of alternative water sources like reclaimed municipal wastewater is one of 

the most promising options in integrated water management. Among the various 

beneficial uses of reclaimed wastewater managed aquifer recharge (MAR) receives 

growing attention. In the international European Union funded project RECLAIM 

WATER a set of water reclamation and aquifer recharge methods has been assessed. 

The studies included investigations of eight case study sites practicing water 

reclamation and managed aquifer recharge in full scale. Different water reclamation 

technologies including membrane processes, activated carbon and ozonation as well as 

extensive treatment options such as reed beds have been included. The treatment 

technologies were complemented by column fate studies and batch tests for selected 

target contaminants. Risk assessment and management components outlined possible 

concepts to be applied in the case study sites. The relevance of emerging chemical 

contaminants will be discussed on basis of comprehensive results gained in the project. 

ENVR 72 

Novel osmotically driven hybrid process for potable reuse of impaired water 

Tzahi Y. Cath, tcath@mines.edu, Jörg Drewes, jdrewes@mines.edu, and Carl Lundin, 

Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 

Illinois St., Golden, CO 80401 

In a new approach, osmotically driven membrane processes (forward osmosis (FO)) 

and RO are coupled to provide low-energy pretreatment and multi-barrier system to 

contaminants, including nutrients and emerging organic contaminants of concern. 

Recent progress in research has demonstrated that FO can be successfully 

implemented in a range of applications including wastewater treatment, desalination, 

and pharmaceutical and food industries. The objectives of the study were to investigate 

the performance of FO for pretreatment of impaired water and understand the 

mechanisms of mass transport of organic contaminants across FO/RO membranes. 

The process was tested on bench and pilot scale in the lab and at Denver Water 

Recycling Plant. Results form the pilot testing demonstrated that almost complete 

rejection of a wide range of organic contaminants present in the secondary effluent can 

be achieved using the hybrid FO/RO process. The authors will also present the 

analytical challenges and successes in quantifying organic micropollutants. 

ENVR 73

Water treatment using hybrid ozonation-membrane filtration 

Simon H. R. Davies 1 , davies@egr.msu.edu, Alla L. Alpatova 1 , Melissa J. Baumann 2 , 

Lindsay M Cornell 2 , Jeonghwan Kim 3 , Volodymyr V Tarabara 1 , and Susan J Masten 1 . 

(1) Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University, A127 

ERC-North, East Lansing, MI 48824, (2) Department of Chemical Engineering and 

Materials Science, Michigan State University, East lansing, MI 48824, (3) Department of 

Environmental Engineering, INHA University, Nam-gu Incheon 402-751, South Korea 

The use of membranes in water treatment has increased dramatically in recent years. 

Membrane fouling remains a problem despite many attempts to address this issue. An 

innovative hybrid ozonation-membrane filtration system for water treatment to control 

membrane fouling will be discussed. In this system, ozone degrades the organic matter 

present, both in bulk solution and at the membrane surface. The ceramic membranes 

used in the system may be coated with a suitable catalyst (iron or manganese oxide) to 

enhance their performance. The catalytic decomposition of ozone at the membrane 

surface results in the formation of hydroxyl radicals which can degrade organic matter at 

or near the surface. At similar ozone dosages, the removal of organic matter by the 

hybrid system (up to 95%) is much higher than can be achieved by conventional 

ozonation (ca. 30%). Potential applications of this system for wastewater reuse will be 

discussed. 

ENVR 74 

Aggregation kinetics of carbon nanotubes in the presence of biomacromolecules 

Navid B Saleh 1 , salehn@engr.sc.edu, Lisa D Pfefferle 2 , lisa.pfefferle@yale.edu, and 

Menachem Elimelech 2 , menachem.elimelech@yale.edu. (1) Civil and Environmental 

Engineering, University of South Carolina, 300 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29208, Fax: 

803-777-0670, (2) Department of Chemical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, 

CT 06520-8286 

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have a widespread potential for application due to their 

unique physicochemical properties. There has been lack of studies aimed at 

understanding the aggregation behavior of CNTs in the presence of macromolecules of 

environmental and biomedical relevance. A systematic study of CNT aggregation 

kinetics is essential in order to predict their fate and interaction in environmental and 

biological systems. Effects of macromolecules such as natural organic matter, 

polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids on the aggregation kinetics of single-walled and 

multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs and MWNTs) were evaluated in this study. 

CNTs were characterized using Raman scattering (for state of defect), thermo 

gravimetric analysis (for metal impurities), transmission electron microscopy (for length 

and diameter distribution), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (for functional 

groups), and electrophoretic mobility (for surface charge). The aggregation kinetics of 

CNTs were slowed down considerably in the presence of the macromolecules with

proteins having the most profound effect. Calcium ions showed specific interaction with 

alginate (polysaccharide) and resulted in enhanced aggregation. Steric repulsion is 

proposed to be the mechanism of enhanced stability in presence of the 

macromolecules. 

ENVR 75 

Bacterial toxicity of carbon-based nanomaterials: Implication for natural and 

engineered aquatic system 

Seoktae Kang 1 , seoktae.kang@yale.edu, Meagan S. Mauter 1 , and Menachem 

Elimelech 2 , menachem.elimelech@yale.edu. (1) Department of Chemical Engineering, 

Environmental Engineering Program, Yale University, Mason Laboratory 204, 9 

Hillhouse Ave., New Haven, CT 06520, Fax: 203-432-2895, (2) Department of Chemical 

Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520 

We compare the toxicity of four carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs) in gram negative 

and gram positive bacteria and evaluate the potential impacts of CBN in natural and 

engineered aquatic systems. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) consistently 

inactivate the highest percentage of cells in monocultures of Escherichia coli, 

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus epidermis, as well as 

in the diverse microbial communities of river water and wastewater effluent. Bacterial 

cytotoxicity displays time dependence in these systems, with longer exposure times 

accentuating toxicity in monocultures with initial tolerance for SWNTs. The 

physicochemical properties, and thus the bacterial cytotoxicity, of CBNs are also 

affected by the chemical composition of the receiving water body. Adsorbed NOM on 

SWNT aggregates reduces the attachment of bacteria but does not mitigate the 

antimicrobial activity of SWNT for cells that are successfully deposited. This study 

further evaluates the effectiveness of model organisms in predicting the cytotoxicity of 

CBN in chemically and biologically complex natural and engineered aquatic systems. 

ENVR 76 

Behavior of natural and laboratory prepared metal oxyhydroxides in a 

constructed wetland system receiving acid mine drainage 

Brandy N. Gartman, bgartman@mines.edu and James F. Ranville, jranvill@mines.edu, 

Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois, 

Golden, CO 80401 

Natural nanoparticulate (NNP) metal oxides and oxyhydroxides are important in acid 

mine drainage systems (AMD). NNPs influence trace metal speciation through sorption 

and coprecipitation. The behavior of NNP is influenced by aggregation and settling. 

NNPs may also serve as surrogates for examining the environmental behavior of

engineered nanoparticles (ENP). We examined NNP and laboratory-prepared ENPs in 

a series of constructed wetlands receiving AMD. The NNPs and ENPs were 

characterized for particle size, specific surface area, morphology, and surface 

chemistry. Specifically, the behavior of Fe, Al, Zn, Ni, and Cu was examined. We 

identified the transformation of trace metals between NP, colloidal, and suspended 

sediment phases. The effectiveness of the wetlands for removing NP-associated metals 

was investigated. Furthermore differences between a system receiving AMD-only and 

AMD mixed with wastewater effluent were investigated. 

ENVR 77 

Detection of nanosilver and fullerenes in several commercial products 

Paul K. Westerhoff, p.westerhoff@asu.edu, Troy M. Benn, Troy.Benn@asu.edu, and 

Bridget Cavanagh, Bridget.Cavanagh@asu.edu, Department of Civil and Environmental 

Engineering, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 875306, Tempe, AZ 85287-5306, Fax: 

480-965-0557 

Over a dozen commercial products (crèmes, perfumes, toys, toothpaste, medical 

devices) have been obtained and analyzed for the presence of nanosilver or fullerenes. 

For nanosilver, the products were acid digested to determine total silver content. 

Electron microscopy of non-digested samples was analyzed to determine the 

morphology of the nanosilver products. Water soluble silver was measured by ISE, 

sequential filtration and electron microscopy. Products advertized to contain fullerenes 

were processed (solvent extraction, thermal heating, oxidant treatment) as needed and 

then fullerenes (C60 and C70) were measured by LC/MS. The findings of this study are 

important to assess which products contain nanomaterials that may enter the 

environment or come into contact with humans. 

ENVR 78 

Effects of pH and hardness on the environmental stability of ZnS and CdS 

nanoparticles 

Byung-Tae Lee, btlee@mines.edu, Anneliese Striz, astriz@mines.edu, and James F. 

Ranville, jranvill@mines.edu, Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry, Colorado 

School of Mines, 1500 Illinois, Golden, CO 80401, Fax: 303-273-3629 

Rapid growth of nanotechnology may lead to the exposure of the aquatic environment 

to engineered nanoparticles (ENPs). Understanding the behavior of ENPs in the aquatic 

environment is a prerequisite for assessing the risk to aquatic life. ENPs are retained in 

the water column by dispersive and diffusive processes; however they may also 

agglomerate and/or dissolve. ENPs of ZnS and CdS were synthesized by an aqueous 

low-temperature method using polyethylenimine (PEI) as a surface modifier. The

esulting ENPs were characterized using spectroscopy and TEM. The effects of pH and 

hardness on dissolution or aggregation were assessed. ENP stability was characterized 

over time using spectroscopic, microscopic (TEM), and elemental analysis (ICP-MS) 

methods. Serial filtration and ultrafiltration followed by ICP-MS analysis were used to 

determine dissolved or colloidal concentration of Zn and Cd. The results can be used to 

examine the relative importance of metal exposure by dissolved or NP metal species. 

ENVR 79 

Environmental justice: A leadership role for enviornmental chemists 

Shirley McBay, smmcbay@qem.org, QEM Network, 1818 N St. NW, Suite 350, 

Washington, DC 20036, Fax: 202-659-5408 

Environmental chemists are concerned with the potential negative impact of chemicals 

on the environment and seek to apply chemistry to understanding and solving 

environmental and sustainability issues. Chemists also investigate the health effects 

associated with exposure to various hazards. Research on environmental health and its 

link to socioeconomic status finds that residents of high-poverty neighborhoods are 

disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards that adversely affect their health 

and quality of life. Overexposure to toxic environments (e.g., asbestos, lead, mold, 

arsenic in drinking water, power plants, and toxic waste dumps) also leads to 

associated health risks along racial/ethnic/SES lines, disproportionately affecting 

communities of color and the poor. Hazardous waste sites on or near tribal lands are a 

special concern. Evidence exists on persistent disparity in the health status of racial and 

ethnic populations when compared with the overall health status of the U.S. population. 

As the Nation is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse, the need for appropriate 

interventions is clear. Communities must become more empowered -- through 

increased knowledge of environmental chemistry, related science, potential hazards, 

abatement strategies -- to make more informed decisions and to impact policies 

affecting community well-being. A multi-faceted effort is required at the community, 

state, and national levels to bring about the needed changes in environmental policies 

and practices. Environmental chemists are in a unique position to help move this effort 

forward. 

ENVR 80 

Physical model and direct experimental observation of water memory and 

biophysical activity of magnetic-activated water 

Vladimir Vysotskii, Radiophysical Department, Kiev National Shevchenko University, 

Vladimirskaya Str. 64, 01033, Kiev, Ukraine, and Alla Kornilova, Moscow State 

University

The experimental results on studying the water memory and to investigate biophysical 

and biochemical characteristics of water, activated by a nonionized low frequency 

magnetic field (MRET water), are presented. This low frequency magnetic field 

enhanced distinctive modifications of basic physical-molecular properties of distilled 

water: decrease of viscosity of activated water by 100 or more times in comparison with 

the same, but nonactivated distilled water; change of electrical conductivity of activated 

water by 10 or more times with respect to the spectral range of low frequencies; and 

steep increasing and time-dependent oscillations of pH exponent during several weeks 

etc. It was discovered that these abnormal characteristics that occurred with activated 

water lasted for several hours, days or weeks at low temperature. We have estimated 

the parameters of water memory on the basis of the model provided by the water 

clathrate nano-cells and the results obtained are close to the experimental data. A 

theoretical biophysical model is presented to discuss this issue. 

ENVR 81 

Kinetics in a unique sodium borohydride regenerative fuel cell 

George H. Miley, ghmiley@uiuc.edu, Nie Luo, nluo@uiuc.edu, Xiaoling Yang, 

yangx2007@gmail.com, Kyu-Jung Kim, kyujung@illinois.edu, and Grant Kopec, 

gkopec@gmail.com, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, 

University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, 100 NEL, 103 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL 

61801, Fax: 217-333-2906 

A unitized direct sodium borohydride regenerative battery-type fuel cell is being 

developed to compete with other advanced regenerative fuel cells and chemical 

batteries. In its discharged state, this cell contains an aqueous solution of sodium 

metaborate in both the anode and cathode sides. During recharge, the cell is designed 

to electrochemically produce sodium borohydride in the anode and hydrogen peroxide 

in the cathode. The work described here is focused on cell kinetics based on 

measurements of the species produced during recharge. Nuclear magnetic resonance 

spectroscopy and other supporting measurements are employed. Results confirm that 

sodium borohydride is electrochemically regenerated in aqueous solution via a one-step 

process from a solution of sodium metaborate at the anode. It is shown that an optimal 

pH of order 12-13 balances the stability of any sodium borohydride produced during 

recharge with the oxidizing species necessary for sodium borohydride oxidation during 

discharge. 

ENVR 82 

Catching CO2 in a bowl 

John A. Tossell, tossell@chem.umd.edu, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 

University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, Fax: 301-314-9121

Increased concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere aggravate global climate change. 

Methods are needed for directly removing CO2 from the atmosphere, i.e., we need CO2 

absorbers. CO2 dissolves in DMSO solution to produce HCO3 - and/or CO3 -2 anion. A 

macrocyclic amidourea recently synthesized by Brooks, et al., reacts with CO2 from the 

atmosphere in DMSO to form a complex in which a CO3 group is held by a number of 

O—H-N H-bonds within a bowl-shaped cavity. We have calculated the structure, 

stability and vibrational spectra of this complex, using density functional techniques and 

polarized double zeta basis sets. Both basis set superposition effects and polarizable 

continuum effects on the complex geometry and stability have been evaluated. We 

correctly predict that this CO3 -2 complex (and its HCO3 - analog) are significantly more 

stable than the analog complex with Cl - . 

ENVR 83 

Photoelectrochemical characterization of semiconductor materials for solar water 

splitting 

Todd G. Deutsch, Todd_Deutsch@nrel.gov and John A. Turner, 

John_Turner@nrel.gov, Hydrogen Technologies & Systems Center, National 

Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401 

Visible light has sufficient energy to split water, but since water can not directly absorb 

this radiation, a semiconductor must be used to allow photoelectrolysis. The utilization 

of solar energy for water splitting requires a semiconductor that satisfies several welldefined 

criteria. Any potentially promising material must be evaluated to determine if the 

charge carriers (electrons and holes) are injected in to the solution at the appropriate 

potentials to allow simultaneous reduction and oxidation of water. Then the material 

absorption efficiency and operational stability must be evaluated to gauge material 

viability. No known material satisfies all of the requirements necessary for efficient, 

unbiased water splitting. This paper will summarize our recent findings on a variety of 

nitride, carbide, and transition metal chalcogenide semiconductor characterizations. 

ENVR 84 

Advanced treatment technologies for removal of pathogens and chemical 

pollutants for water reuse 

Karl G. Linden, karl.linden@colorado.edu, Department of Civil, Environmental, and 

Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado - Boulder, 428 UCB, Boulder, CO 

80309, Fax: 303-492-7317 

To address rising public concern over emerging contaminants, the reuse water 

community will need to provide evidence that currently available and emerging 

treatment technologies can meet regulations and protect the public. This research

project was designed to help water users select appropriate reuse water treatment 

technologies. The eliminations of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and 

pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) through field and laboratory scale 

reclaimed water technologies were evaluated. The field-scale technologies tested at 

wastewater treatment pilot plants included ozonation, microfiltration, UV/peroxide, 

titanium dioxide (TiO2)/UV, and UV/peracetic acid (PAA). In bench-scale experiments, a 

variety of PPCPs were spiked into reclaimed water and treated with an expanded suite 

of treatment technologies (including O3, chlorination, chloramination, UV/H2O2, TiO2 

peracetic acid (PAA), PAA/UV and microfiltration). The experiments were used to 

evaluate the technologies and observe the elimination kinetics of the contaminants. 

Concentrations of EDCs/PPCPs and estrogenicity were determined by GC/MS and the 

yeast estrogen screen (YES) assay. 

ENVR 85 

Removing beta-lactam antibiotics from contaminated waters using radical 

reactions 

Michelle K. Dail 1 , michelle_college86@hotmail.com, Stephen P. Mezyk 1 , 

smezyk@csulb.edu, and Julie R. Peller 2 , jpeller@iun.edu. (1) Department of Chemistry 

and Biochemistry, California State University at Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long 

Beach, CA 90840, Fax: 562-985-8557, (2) Department of Chemistry, Indiana University 

Northwest, Gary, IN 46408 

The β-lactam antibiotics are one of the most prevalent groups of pharmaceutical drugs 

found in aquatic environments today. Their presence, even at trace levels, may 

adversely affect aquatic ecosystems and even contribute to the production of resistant 

strains of bacteria. Therefore, active removal of these antibiotics may be necessary 

under some water use, or reuse applications. Radical-based treatment processes 

(advanced oxidation processes, AOPs) continue to gain interest as the technology of 

choice for the quantitative removal of trace amounts of contaminant chemicals in 

different quality waters. However, to ensure that any AOP treatment process occurs 

efficiently and quantitatively, a complete understanding of the kinetics and mechanisms 

of all the chemical reactions involved under the conditions of use is necessary. In this 

study, we report on our kinetic measurements involving the oxidation and reduction of 

11 representative β-lactam drugs in aqueous solution over a range of temperature. 

ENVR 86 

AO/RP radical chemistry of mixed aliphatic-aromatic nitrosamines in water 

Edsel Abud 1 , edsel_abud@yahoo.com, Stephen P. Mezyk 1 , smezyk@csulb.edu, Katy 

L. Swancutt 1 , k_swancutt@yahoo.com, Trent Foust 1 , and James J. Kiddle 2 , 

james.kiddle@wmich.edu. (1) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California

State University at Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840, (2) 

Department of Chemistry, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008 

Removing trace amounts of nitrosamines from waters is one of the biggest challenges 

facing water utilities today, with various treatment technologies being proposed. One of 

the most promising of these technologies is the advanced oxidation and reduction 

processes (AO/RPs). While AO/RPs have been shown to be efficient for some 

nitrosamine removal from waters, cost optimization requires that these processes occur 

efficiently and quantitatively. To achieve full optimization, an understanding of the 

chemistry involved (kinetics and reaction mechanisms) under the conditions of use is 

essential. While this understanding has been achieved for some aliphatic nitrosamine 

species no equivalent chemistry has yet been established for nitrosamines containing 

aromatic rings. In this work, we have measured oxidation and reduction reaction kinetics 

for eight synthesized, mixed aliphatic-aromatic nitrosamines, and constructed structureactivity 

relationships for these data through comparison of the measured values to 

previously reported literature values. 

ENVR 87 

Sonolytic degradation of aqueous film forming foams (AFFFs) 

Chad D. Vecitis 1 , vecitis@its.caltech.edu, Ya-Juan Wang 2 , Jie Cheng 1 , Brian Mader 3 , 

bmader@mmm.com, and Michael R. Hoffmann 1 , mrh@caltech.edu. (1) Department of 

Environmental Science and Engineering, California Institute of Technology, W. M. Keck 

Laboratories 138-78, 1200 E. California Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91125, (2) Department of 

Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, (3) Environmental 

Research Laboratories, 3M Corporation, Maplewood, MN 55144-1000 

Aqueous film forming foams (AFFFs) are used to combat fires at airport and oil 

refineries and fluorochemicals (FCs) as an active component. FCs are oxidatively 

recalcitrant and thus persistent in the environment. Ultrasonic irradiation of 

aqueuous/aquatic solutions has been shown to degrade and subsequently mineralize 

any FCs present. Here we present work on the sonochemical degradation of AFFFs. 

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), the primary AFFF-FC and other organic components 

of the AFFF were decomposed sonolytically. Unlike sonolysis of pure PFOS, fluoride did 

not account for the fluorine mass balance indicating that in the more complicated AFFF 

matrix the perfluorinated chain was not completely mineralized. Implications of this 

study for the use of sonochemistry to destroy AFFFs will be discussed. 

ENVR 88 

Advances in the treatment of wastewater-derived micropollutants with 

permanganate and ferrate oxidizing agents

Timothy J. Strathmann 1 , strthmnn@illinois.edu, Lanhua Hu 1 , lhu2@illinois.edu, and 

Heather M. Martin 2 , hmartin4@illinois.edu. (1) Department of Civil and Environmental 

Engineering and Center of Advanced Materials for the Purification of Water with 

Systems, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 North Mathews Avenue, 

Urbana, IL 61801, (2) Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of 

Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801 

Growing population in regions with scarce freshwater supplies is putting increased 

pressure on limited drinking water supplies. As a result, many utilities are increasing 

potable water supplies by implementing wastewater reuse operations. However, 

wastewater contains a number of emerging micropollutants that are recalcitrant towards 

conventional treatment processes (e.g., pharmaceuticals, nitrogenous disinfection 

byproducts), and current processes used to remove these compounds (e.g., reverse 

osmosis) are non-selective and energy-intensive. Thus, there is growing interest in the 

identification of more selective and efficient processes for achieving treatment goals. 

This contribution will describe recent work examining the utility of treating wastewaterderived 

organic micropollutants with permanganate (Mn(VII)) and ferrate (Fe(VI)) salts. 

Results show that Mn(VII) and Fe(VI) are selective oxidants that target specific 

functional groups, including phenolic and olefinic groups present in the structure of 

several target micropollutants. Oxidation pathways are derived from LC-MS 2 and 1 H- 

NMR analyses. Kinetic models are developed that incorporate the effects of individual 

non-target water constituents (e.g., Mn 2+ , HS - , natural organic matter), and model 

accuracy is validated during treatment of utility source waters. The residual 

pharmaceutical potency of selected micropollutants following Mn(VII) treatment will also 

be discussed. 

ENVR 89 

Aqueous electron reduction of fluorochemicals 

Chad D. Vecitis 1 , vecitis@its.caltech.edu, Hyunwoong Park 1 , hpark@caltech.edu, 

Brian Mader 2 , bmader@mmm.com, and Michael R. Hoffmann 1 , mrh@caltech.edu. (1) 

Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, California Institute of 

Technology, W. M. Keck Laboratories 138-78, 1200 E. California Blvd., Pasadena, CA 

91125, (2) Environmental Research Laboratories, 3M Corporation, Maplewood, MN 

55144-1000 

Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) are distributed throughout the environment. In the case 

of perfluorinated alkyl carboxylates and sulfonates, they can be classified as persistent 

organic pollutants since they have relatively high water solubilities and are resistant to 

oxidation. We report on the reductive defluorination of perfluorobutanoate, 

perfluorohexanoate, perfluorooctanoate, perfluorobutane sulfonate, perfluorohexane 

sulfonate, perfluorooctane sulfonate by hydrated electrons, e(aq) - , that are generated 

from the UV photolysis (λ = 254 nm) of iodide. The ionic headgroup (-SO3- vs. -CO2-) 

has a significant effect on the reduction kinetics and extent of defluorination (F-Index; -

[F-]produced/[PFC]degraded). Perfluoroalkylsulfonate reduction kinetics and the F- 

Index increase linearly with increasing chain length. In contrast, 

perfluoroalkylcarboxylate chain length appears to have a negligible effect on the 

observed kinetics and the F-Index. H/F ratios in the gaseous fluoroorganic products are 

consistent with measured F-indexes. Incomplete defluorination of the gaseous products 

suggests a reductive cleavage of the ionic headgroup occurs before complete 

defluorination. Detailed mechanisms involving initiation by aquated electrons are 

proposed. 

ENVR 90 

Absolute kinetics and efficiencies of hydroxyl radical and hydrated electron 

reactions with sulfa drugs in water 

Thomas Neubauer 1 , knupizan@yahoo.com, Stephen P. Mezyk 1 , smezyk@csulb.edu, 

William J. Cooper 2 , wcooper@uci.edu, and Julie R. Peller 3 , jpeller@iun.edu. (1) 

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University at Long Beach, 

1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840, (2) Department of Civil and 

Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, (3) 

Department of Chemistry, Indiana University Northwest, Gary, IN 46408 

The removal of pharmaceutical drugs such as sulfonamides from aquatic environments 

is one of the most pressing problems facing the water industry today. As these sulfabased 

antibiotic aquatic residence lifetimes may be many hundreds of hours active 

removal may be necessary under some water use, or reuse, applications. Advanced 

oxidation/reduction processes (AO/RPs) are one option for removing trace amounts of 

contaminant chemicals in different quality waters. AO/RPs are based in the reactions of 

oxidative hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and reducing hydrated electrons (eaq - ) and hydrogen 

atoms (H·) to destroy contaminant chemicals. However, to ensure that the AOP 

treatment process occurs quantitatively, a full understanding of the chemistry of all the 

reactions involved is necessary. Here we report on our measurements of absolute 

oxidative and reductive reaction rate constants and efficiencies for hydroxyl radicals and 

hydrated electrons with multiple sulfonamindes containing various heterocyclic ring 

substituents in different quality waters. 

ENVR 91 

Absolute rate constant measurements for the hydroxyl radical (·OH) with effluent 

organic matter 

Devin F. R. Doud 1 , devindoud@yahoo.com, Stephen P. Mezyk 1 , smezyk@csulb.edu, 

and Fernando Rosario-Ortiz 2 , Fernando.Rosario@Colorado.EDU. (1) Department of 

Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University at Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower 

Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840, Fax: 562-985-8557, (2) Department of Civil,

Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 

80309 

AO/RPs (advanced oxidation/reduction processes) are technologies based on the in situ 

generation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) that non-selectively remove chemical 

contaminants from water. The two most common AO/RPs used for the removal of micro 

contaminants from waters are UV- and ozone-based. Here, increased hydroxyl radical 

(•OH) production is accomplished by the addition of hydrogen peroxide. However, one 

of the most important interferences in an AOP is the scavenging by the water quality 

components, most importantly, the organic carbon which is commonly referred to as 

effluent organic matter (EfOM). In order to understand this •OH loss process, detailed 

information on the chemistry and dynamics of the •OH-EfOM reaction are required. 

Here we report on the quantitative, direct, evaluation of these oxidative reaction rate 

constants for a series of EfOM-containing waters from across the U.S. We have also 

correlated these values to measured EfOM characteristics, allowing a structure-activity 

relationship to be constructed. 

ENVR 92 

Extraction of fullerene (nano-C60) from artificial sediment 

Jiafan Wang, jiafan.wang@tiehh.ttu.edu, Qingsong Cai, qingsong.cai@tiehh.ttu.edu, 

Todd A. Anderson, todd.anderson@tiehh.ttu.edu, and George P. Cobb III, 

gcobb@ttu.edu, Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of 

Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Box 41163, Lubbock, TX 

79409-1163, Fax: 806-885-4577 

Nanotechnology applications and uses have expanded rapidly. Nanomaterials have 

been used for electronics, textiles, drug delivery, waste remediation, cosmetics, and 

agriculture. These compounds are unique due to their small unit size and large surface 

area. The emerging presence of engineered nanoparticles in the environment may 

introduce new toxicological issues. Few investigations have been performed to 

determine the toxicity of fullerenes to aquatic invertebrates, especially those that inhabit 

the benthos. In order to have a better view of how nano-C60 affects sediment 

communities, reliable extraction methods are needed. Because sediment and soil are 

more complex matrices than is water, existing methods of nano-C60 extraction from 

water samples are not applicable. Standardized artificial sediment was prepared 

following OECD guideline 225, and extracted nano-C60 was quantitated by HPLC. 

Toluene extraction of nano-C60 from 10.5 g portions of sediment using accelerated 

solvent extraction (ASE) and normal shaking method were compared. ASE was 

evaluated using different operating parameters to obtain an optimal recovery. Extracts 

were concentrated using a nitrogen evaporator. At 1,000 psi and 150 °C heating with 

two flushing cycles the best recovery was about 65.51 ± 14.37%. No significant 

difference (p=0.340) was found between using 0.20 µm and 0.45 µm Teflon syringe 

filters for the filtration of ASE extracts. A normal shaking method was employed for 60

min at 350 rpm followed by 5 min centrifugation at 2,000 rpm. Extracts were 

concentrated using a rotary evaporator. Preliminary results revealed that using 20 mL 

toluene alone recovered 50.32 ± 4.24%, using 20 mL toluene with 8 mL water added 

before shaking performed poorly, recovering 6.29 ± 1.17%, and shaking sediments with 

20 mL toluene followed by addition 8 mL water recovered 61.46 ± 3.69%. Water 

addition after toluene extracts was to force toluene from sediment interstitial spaces. 

ENVR 93 

Fe0 nanoparticles remain mobile in porous media after eight months aging due to 

slow desorption of polymeric surface modifiers 

Hye-Jin Kim 1 , hyejink@andrew.cmu.edu, Tanapon Phenrat 1 , 

tphenrat@andrew.cmu.edu, Robert D Tilton 2 , tilton@andrew.cmu.edu, and Gregory V. 

Lowry 3 , glowry@cmu.edu. (1) Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, 

Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave. PH119, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890, (2) 

Department of Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 

15213, (3) Center for the Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology, Carnegie 

Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 

Surface modification of nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI) with anionic polyelectrolytes is 

used to minimize nZVI aggregation and enhance mobility in the subsurface. The 

ultimate fate of nZVI, and its exposure potential, depends in part on the stability of these 

surface coatings against desorption and biodegradation. This study measured the rate 

and extent of desorption of polyelectrolyte coatings used to stabilize nZVI, including 

polyaspartate, carboxymethyl cellulose and polystyrene sulfonate. Desorption of 

polyelectrolyte was very slow, with less than 30 wt % of each polyelectrolyte desorbed 

after 4 months. For PAP and CMC, the higher molecular weight polyelectrolyte had a 

greater adsorbed mass and a slower desorption rate. nZVI mobility in sand columns 

after 8 month of desorption was similar to freshly modified nZVI, and significantly 

greater than unmodified nZVI aged for the same time under identical conditions. Based 

on these results, polyelectrolyte modified nanoparticles will remain more mobile than 

their unmodified counterparts even after long term desorption and aging. 

ENVR 94 

Microbiological fate of nanoparticles commonly found in personal care products 

Cyndee L. Gruden, cgruden@eng.utoledo.edu and Olga Mileyeva-Biebesheimer, 

Department of Civil Engineering, University of Toledo, 3801 W. Bancroft St, Toledo, OH 

43606, Fax: 419-530-8116 

The focus of this research is on inorganic nanoparticles, specifically metal oxides, which 

have been incorporated into personal care products (PCPs). To date, little attention has

een given to the fate of nano-sized metal oxides present in PCPs or their 

environmental impact, specifically on microorganisms. We studied the impact of titanium 

dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (0, 10, 50, 100, and 500 µg/mL) on bacterial viability (pure 

cultures of E. coli) using fluorescent microscopy and the viability stain propidium iodide. 

Our data suggest that an increase in TiO2 results in a statistically significant decrease in 

sample viability (down to approximately 15%) even in samples exposed to 10 µg/mL for 

less than 1 hour. Ongoing studies will focus on other metal oxides and will include 

culturability in comparison to viability. To date, it is unclear as to whether the benefits of 

nanotechnology outweigh the risks associated with environmental release and exposure 

to nanoparticles. 

ENVR 95 

Safe handling and disposal of nanomaterials: Lessons from and challenges for 

exposure research 

Hilary Arnold Godwin, hgodwin@ucla.edu and Elizabeth Suarez, esuarez@ucla.edu, 

Environmental Health Sciences Department, School of Public Health, UCLA, 66-062B 

CHS, BOX 951772, Los Angeles, CA 90095 

Specific, practical guidelines for safe handling and disposal of engineered 

nanomaterials are needed. Here, we review the existing exposure literature on both 

ultrafine particles and engineered nanomaterials and discuss the implications of these 

studies for training workers and researchers who manufacture and use engineered 

nanomaterials. Engineering challenges that complicate exposure assessment for 

nanomaterials and gaps in our current knowledge will also be highlighted, with the goal 

of framing and prioritizing future research in this area. In addition, the need for publicprivate 

partnerships in the area of environmental health and safety of nanomaterials will 

be discussed. 

ENVR 96 

Uptake and depuration of nanoscale titanium dioxide particles (nTiO2) by Daphnia 

and zebrafish 

Xiaoshan Zhu 1 , xiaoshan.zhu@asu.edu, Yung Chang 2 , and Yongsheng Chen 1 , 

Yongsheng.Chen@asu.edu. (1) Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ira 

A. Fulton School of Engineering, Arizona State University, 1711 S Rural Rd, Tempe, AZ 

85287, (2) School of Life Sciences, CIDV, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State 

University, Tempe, AZ 85287 

The present study characterized uptake and depuration of nTiO2 by Daphnia (Daphnia 

magna) and zebrafish (Danio rerio) in aquatic environment. The exposure concentration 

for nTiO2 was environmental relevantly of 0.1 mg/L. Whole body nTiO2 concentrations in

Daphnia and zebrafish were found to increase with exposure time increasing. It reaches 

a plateau (saturation) after exposing 12 h and 5 d for daphnia and zebrafish 

respectively. The whole body nTiO2 concentration at saturation in Daphnia and 

zebrafish were 4.52 g/kg and 1.52 g/kg (dry weight), respectively. The nTiO2 

bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for Daphnia was up to 56,562.50 while BCFs for 

zebrafish was 25.38. The exposure time needed for the accumulated nTiO2 to reach 

90% (tu0.9) of saturated level in Daphnia was estimated to be 34.84 hours. Times 

needed for Daphnia depurate 90% (td0.9) of saturated level nTiO2 was approximated at 

69.45 hours which was longer than the one needed for uptake. However, the values of 

td0.9 for zebrafish was 10.34 days and shorter than tu0.9 of 19.83 days. Therefore, the 

results showed different accumulation profiles of nTiO2 in different aquatic organisms. 

ENVR 97 

Reduction of perchlorate from contaminated waters using zero valent iron and 

palladium enhanced by UV light 

Amy Q. Zhao, zhao.amy@epa.gov, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive, Mail Stop 

443, Cincinnati, OH 45268, Fax: 513-487-2514, E. Sahle-Demessie, sahledemessie.endalkachew@epamail.epa.gov, 

Sustainable Technology Division, U.S. EPA, 

ORD, National Risk Management Research Lab, Cincinnati, OH 45268, and George A 

Sorial, George.Sorial@uc.edu, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 

University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0071 

Perchlorate has been recognized as an endocrine disruptor chemical because of its 

potential human health hazard in drinking water which may inhibit normal iodide uptake 

by thyroid glands to cause mental retardation, hearing and speech degradation. 

Perchlorate removal from the drinking water has become an urgent and difficulty 

challenge because of its molecular structure and demand to reduce to extremely low 

concentrations. The current treatment technologies have shown some but limited 

advancing in perchlorate removal, especially the biological treatment. The limitations of 

these treatments, however, have made the development of a more effective technology 

necessary to serve as basis for purifying surface water or ground water in target zones 

at a large scale. Laboratory studies have shown perchlorate can be reduced 

significantly by zero valence iron. This proposal project focuses on reduction of 

perchlorate by zero valent iron fillings and other metal oxidant enhanced by UV light. 

The reduction reaction rate kinetic will also be studied. The effectiveness of the metal 

dosage will be evaluated. 

ENVR 98 

Removing bacteria and heavy metals from drinking water with cactus mucilage

Audrey Buttice 1 , audball32@aol.com, Dawn I. Fox 1 , difox@mail.usf.edu, T. Pichler 2 , 

Joyce Stroot 3 , jstroot@cas.usf.edu, Daniel V. Lim 3 , Daniel H. Yeh 4 , 

dhyeh@eng.usf.edu, Peter Stroot 4 , and Norma Alcantar 1 , alcantar@eng.usf.edu. (1) 

Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 

East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620, Fax: 813-974-3651, (2) IFW- Dresden, 

Dresden, Germany, (3) Department of Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 

33620, (4) Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South 

Florida, Tampa, FL 33620 

In recent years, a great deal of attention has been drawn to the issue of water 

contamination, in developing countries where unsanitary water storage and arsenic 

exposure are public health problems. We have been studying an alternative to the 

modern technology that relief attempts are currently implanting in troubled areas. 

Through simple separation techniques a natural compound, known as mucilage, can be 

extracted from the Opuntia ficus-indica cactus that is commonly found throughout the 

world. Experiments preformed with sediments and heavy metals have suggested that 

this mucilage is an effective tool for clearing contaminants from water supplies. The use 

of this type of green chemistry shows promise as a resource for achieving potable 

water, and overcomes many of the problems witnessed with current relief projects. Its 

characteristics of use without maintenance and concerns regarding environmental 

impacts, grant it the possibility of reaching a large range of populations. 

ENVR 99 

Studies on the removal of nitrate from water by Ca/Al chloride hydrotalcite-like 

compound 

Rajkishore Patel, rkpatelnitr@gmail.com, Department of Chemistry, NIT, Rourkela- 

769008, India, Fax: 91-246-2999 

In the present study Ca-Al-Cl HTlc was synthesized and characterized. The HTlc was 

added to nitrate solutions and the effect of different variables (calcinations temperature, 

dose, time, pH, initial nitrate concentration, effect of other anions etc.) on the removal of 

nitrate from solution was studied. The removal of nitrate was 84.6% under neutral 

condition. There was a slight decrease in percentage removal of nitrate with an increase 

in pH. The percentage removal was increased for 5 min to 40 min of contact time The 

adsorption process followed first order kinetics. Adsorption data were fitted to Langmuir 

isotherm with R 2 (correlation coefficient) > 0.99. Thermodynamic parameters indicate 

that, the removal process is a spontaneous process. From D – R isotherm studies it is 

inferred that the process was ion exchange. On the basis of the above studies it is 

concluded that the removal of nitrate is feasible by this process. 

ENVR 100

Experiences in southern India 

Mirat D. Gurol, mgurol@mail.sdsu.edu, Department of Civil and Environmenntal 

Engineering, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA 92182- 

1324, and Can Sirin, csirin@pureotech.com, PureOTech, Inc, Escondido, CA 92029 

In many parts of southern India, because of drought conditions and/or overuse of water 

resources, rural residents have to rely on ever-receding groundwater as their only water 

resource. Groundwater in these areas is prone to contamination by human and animal 

wastes. In addition, the salt levels rise to values many times the allowable limits set by 

human health organizations. In certain locations, elevated levels of other contaminants, 

e.g., arsenic or fluoride can also create potential health problems. To produce potable 

water from such extremely polluted sources reliably and economically is a challenge. 

San Diego State University and Pure O Tech have successfully collaborated with local 

communities and authorities in southern India to place several water treatment systems 

with state-of-the-art technologies, such as ozonation, RO, and UV radiation. This 

experience gained over four years will be presented from technical, economical and 

social points of view. 

ENVR 101 

The best option? Drinking water treatment or advances in supply and storage 

James R. Mihelcic, jm41@eng.usf.edu, Maya A. Trotz, matrotz@eng.usf.edu, and 

Erlande Omisca, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of South 

Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, ENB 118, Tampa, FL 33620, Fax: 813-974-2957 

Many development projects focus on improving water supplies. Improving a water 

supply can be done with many types of projects, from protecting a water source to 

building a distribution system to treating an existing source of water. Under the 

constraint of limited resources, which is better for improving the health of individual 

household members? Treating an existing source of water at the household, developing 

and delivering a new supply (i.e., providing access), or increasing the capacity of 

household storage? On the one hand, point-of-use treatment interventions have been 

shown to significantly reduce diarrhea morbidity. However, on the other hand, it is well 

known that providing access to sufficient supplies of water can greatly improve health 

as well. This talk will provide results from studies looking at both questions. Also briefly 

discussed, in addition to water quality and quantity, is the effectiveness of other 

interventions such as hygiene behavior and sanitation. 

ENVR 102 

Assessing exposures to pesticides

James N. Seiber, James.Seiber@ARS.USDA.GOV, Director, USDA-ARS, Western 

Regional Research Center, 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA 94710, Fax: 510-559-5963, 

R. I. Krieger, bob.krieger@ucr.edu, Department of Entomology, University of California- 

Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, and James E. Woodrow, jwoodrow@unr.nevada.edu, 

Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 

89557 

Assessing incidental human exposures to pesticides in homes, outdoors, workplace, 

etc., can involve a variety of approaches ranging from obtaining external concentration 

data to determining diagnostic metabolites in urine, blood, and/or body tissues. The 

focus of this presentation will be on determining concentrations of pesticides in air, 

water, soil, and other media to which people may be exposed during and following 

pesticide applications. Also discussed will be the use of those data in determining 

exposures and setting buffer zones, in risk assessment and model validation, and in 

other exposure mitigation strategies. Studies concerned with exposures to fumigants, 

such as methyl bromide and metam sodium, and to various insecticides will be 

emphasized. 

ENVR 103 

Pharmaceuticals in fish: Perspectives of an analytical chemist 

Pilar Perez-Hurtado 1 , Alejandro J. Ramirez 1 , Bryan W. Brooks 2 , 

bryan_brooks@baylor.edu, and C. Kevin Chambliss 1 , Kevin_Chambliss@baylor.edu. 

(1) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, P.O. Box 97348, 

Waco, TX 76798, Fax: 254-710-4272, (2) Department of Environmental Science, Baylor 

University, Waco, TX 76798 

Pharmaceuticals represent a class of emerging contaminants that have received 

considerable attention in recent years. As compared to more widely-studied compounds 

(e.g., pesticides, PAHs, etc.), pharmaceuticals possess unique physicochemical 

properties that may influence their environmental behavior. Knowledge of contaminant 

occurrence in fish tissues has obvious implications for human health. Fish are also an 

integral component of aquatic food webs and can potentially facilitate the transfer of 

contaminants from aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems via trophic transfer. From an 

analytical perspective, increased polarity and ionizability of pharmaceuticals has 

consequently led to LC-MS being the predominant technique employed for their 

determination. This presentation will highlight analytical challenges and solutions 

affiliated with quantifying contaminants in complex matrices and compare recent 

occurrence data for pharmaceuticals in fish collected in the United States and Germany. 

Accumulation trends observed in these studies suggest that the detected 

pharmaceuticals do not conform to traditional ecotoxicological assumptions regarding 

contaminant partitioning.

ENVR 104 

RDX fate in saturated surface sediments: Biological transformation and plant 

uptake 

Andrew Jackson 1 , Andrew.jackson@ttu.edu, Sameera Sanka 1 , Darryl Low 1 , and Todd 

A. Anderson 2 , todd.anderson@tiehh.ttu.edu. (1) Department of Civil Engineering, Texas 

Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, (2) Department of Environmental Toxicology, The 

Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 

79409-1163 

Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) has been found on numerous military 

bases at firing ranges, storage facilities, and other sites exposed to explosives and 

other energetics. There may be a significant environmental risk posed by these 

compound and non-point source cleanups are both challenging and economically 

taxing. Environmental exposure can occur through ingestion of water or by more 

complex pathways such as trophic transfer (e.g., plants growing in contaminated 

sediment). In addition RDX can be transformed under anaerobic conditions to form the 

products MNX, TNX, and DNX of which relatively little is known regarding their 

environmental toxicity. In order to better evaluate the overall risk to the environment 

from RDX a number of studies were conducted. These studies evaluated both the 

transformation of RDX in saturated sediments and the production of MNX, DNX, and 

TNX as well as the impact of plants both with respect to RDX transformation and plant 

uptake. Experiments were conducted in constant flow wetland mesocosms planted with 

Graceful Cattails (Typha laxmanil). RDX transport and transformation potential was 

studied for a 2 year period in which time the impact of RDX concentration, and presence 

of other electron acceptors were evaluated with respect to production and stability of 

RDX byproducts as well as plant uptake and sequestration. A follow on study was 

conducted with giant bull rush to better evaluate the uptake of RDX and TNX in plants. 

These studies evaluated RDX uptake and distribution in both actively growing juvenile 

plants and mature bull rush. The stability of RDX in plant tissue following exposure was 

also examined as well as the uptake of TNX. Results from this study will be presented 

and discussed in light of their impact on the fate of RDX in the environment and the 

implications for ecosystem exposure. 

ENVR 105 

Occurrence and potential toxicity of pyrethroids and other insecticides in bed 

sediments of urban streams in central Texas 

Jason Belden, jbelden@okstate.edu, Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State 

University, 430 LSW, Stillwater, OK 74078, Emily Hintzen, Department of Environmental 

Studies, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, and Michael J. Lydy, Fisheries and Illinois

Aquaculture Center, Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 

Cabondale, IL 62901 

Despite heavy insecticide usage in urban areas, only a few studies have investigated 

the impact of current-use insecticides on benthic invertebrates in urban streams. The 

objective of this study was to measure the presence and concentration of current-use 

pesticides in sediments of residential streams in central Texas. Additionally, toxicity of 

these sediments to Hyalella azteca was evaluated. Sediment samples were collected 

from several sites in urban streams over the course of a year, of which, 66% had 

greater than one toxic unit (TU) of insecticide. Bifenthrin was the greatest contributor 

accounting for 65% of the TUs, and sediment toxicity to H. azteca correlated with the 

magnitude of total insecticides and bifenthrin TUs. The results of this study further raise 

concerns over the environmental consequences posed by many current-use 

insecticides, especially pyrethroids, in urban settings. 

ENVR 106 

Toxicity testing: Integration of potential chemicals of concern using 

bioavailability 

William L. Goodfellow Jr., bgoodfellow@eaest.com, John C. Baummer III, Wayne L. 

McCulloch, Michael C. Ciarlo, and R. Joseph Neubauer, EA Engineering, Science, and 

Technology, Inc, 15 Loveton Circle, Sparks, MD 21152, Fax: 410-771-4204 

Determining whether a potential chemical of concern contributed to or caused the 

observed toxicity in environmental samples is often challenging and can be greatly 

contested. Many times, a stakeholder group, regulatory agency, or permitee is asked to 

identify the chemical(s) that caused or contributed to the observed toxicity in an effluent, 

assess the potential risk of a chemical in sample, determine the safe exposure to a 

specific ecological system, etc. Often an environmental sample may be determined to 

be unacceptably toxic; however, the chemical of concern may not be identified. Other 

times a sample may have elevated levels of a specific chemical and not have the level 

of toxicity that might be anticipated based on the analytical results. Toxicity testing 

evaluates how the organism exposed to various chemicals integrates various physical 

and chemical variables which contribute to the bioavailability of the chemical of concern. 

Using case examples, this paper will discuss techniques and strategies to use the 

relationship of bioavailability of chemicals as forensic tools as part of the toxicity 

identification evaluation (TIE) process. Other case studies of risk assessment at both 

hazardous waste sites and dredged material placement sites will be presented to 

demonstrate how these analyses can be used on their own or in combination with 

toxicity testing to predict chemical mobility and toxic impact with greater relevancy and 

defensibility than modeling based on total concentrations alone. 

ENVR 107

Environmental impacts and biogeochemical evaluation of stormwater retention 

ponds: Red Run watershed, MD case study 

David R. Ownby, downby@towson.edu, Ryan E. Casey, racasey@towson.edu, Steve 

M. Lev, slev@towson.edu, and Joel W. Snodgrass, jsnodgrass@towson.edu, 

Environmental Science Program, Towson University, 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 

21252 

Stormwater ponds are a common best management practice (BMP) for the 

management of runoff from impervious surfaces in suburban and urban landscapes. 

The Red Run watershed contains approximately 250 discrete wetland areas created to 

manage stormwater. Multiple classes of land use have been identified in the watershed, 

including: agricultural, forest, wetlands, roads, intersections, parking lots, driveways, 

and buildings. Road salt, metals, and PAHs have been identified as the main 

contaminants present. The Urban Environmental Biogeochemistry Laboratory at 

Towson University has been involved in a range of environmental toxicology research 

within this watershed. At the geochemical level studies are evaluating the exchange of 

salt and metals on clay surfaces. Toxicity and kinetic experiments utilizing earthworms 

provide insight into trophic transfer of contaminants into the food web. Amphibian use of 

ponds and effects associated with sediments are being evaluated. Landscape scale 

correlations between land use, pollutant loads, and organism effects are being 

developed. These integrated projects illustrate the interdisciplinary nature of 

environmental toxicology and the success of cross-discipline exchanges of ideas. 

ENVR 108 

Assessing sample processing and sampling uncertainty for energetic residues on 

military training ranges: Method 8330B 

Alan D. Hewitt 1 , alan.d.hewitt@usace.army.mil, ME. Walsh 2 , 

marianne@crrel.usace.army.mil, Michael R. Walsh 3 , 

michael.r.walsh@erdc.usace.army.mil, Susan Bigl 3 , and Mark Chappell 4 . (1) Geological 

Sciences Division, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, 72 Lyme Road, 

Hanover, NH 03755-1290, (2) U.S. Army ERDC, Hanover, NH 03755-1290, (3) Cold 

Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Hanover, NH 03755-1290, (4) Soil & 

Sediment Geochemistry, Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 

Vicksburg, MS 39180 

The Office of Solid Waste EPA released Test Method 8330B Nitroaromatics, Nitramines 

and Nitrate Esters by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to the public in 

November of 2006. This revision of Method 8330 recommended collecting multiincrement 

(>30 increments) samples that weighed 1 kg or more for establishing the 

concentration of energetic residues in areas of concern and the subsequent laboratory 

processing of the entire sample.When field samples of this size are processed following 

the guidelines in Method 8330B the 10-g subsample taken for analysis is representative

of the mean concentration the entire sample. Sampling strategies and designs involving 

multi-increment samples and traditional discrete samples were evaluated by comparing 

means and 95% upper confidence limits for means generated with the computer 

program ProUCL. Samples were from actual military training area. The results of this 

evaluation, including a cost analysis, will be presented. 

ENVR 109 

Predicting releases of munition constituents from breached shells in the marine 

environment 

Pei-Fang Wang 1 , pei-fang.wang@navy.mil, Qian Liao 2 , liao@umw.edu, Robert 

George 1 , robert.george@navy.mil, and William Wild 1 , bill.wild@navy.mil. (1) 

Environmental Sciences Code 71750, SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific, 53475 Strothe 

Road, San Diego, CA 92152, (2) EMS E363, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 

Milwaukee, WI 53211 

Release of munition constituents (MC) from breached shells in the marine environment 

was studied by multiple approaches. First, an analytical release function for MC from 

breach shells was developed. Specifically, MC release depends on five (5) variables, 

including 1) size of the breach hole (radius of b), 2) ambient current speed (U), 3) cavity 

volume inside the shell (R), 4) in-cavity mixing coefficient (D), and 5) dissolution rate of 

MC. The release function was then compared with results from both numerical 

simulations and empirical studies. When applied to expected field scenarios, the values 

of the five variables are often associated with uncertainties. To account for these 

uncertainties, Monte-Carlo based statistical methods are used to estimate and predict 

their relative importance to the overall MC release rate. Both deterministic and 

probabilistic predictions provide useful quantitative information that can be used to 

estimate MC release in marine environments. 

ENVR 110 

Optimization of TNT partitioning coefficient (Kd) in marine sediments 

Mark Chappell 1 , Cynthia L. Price 1 , cynthia.l.price@usace.army.mil, Beth E. Porter 2 , 

beth.e.porter@usace.army.mil, Gerald Bourne 2 , gerald.g.bourne@usace.army.mil, 

Lesley Ford 2 , lesley2247@msn.com, and Aaron J. George 2 , 

aaron.j.george@usace.army.mil. (1) Soil & Sediment Geochemistry, Environmental 

Laboratory, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 3909 Halls Ferry Rd, Vicksburg, MS 39180, 

Fax: 601-634-3410, (2) SpecPro, Inc, Vicksburg, MS 39180 

Ocean-bottom munition dumps are expected to release munition constituents (MC) as 

canisters corrode and burst open under marine conditions. To account for the potential 

MC exposure to marine organisms, predictive models are under development to

quantify the partitioning of MC between the marine water and ocean bottom sediments. 

However, models consistently over-predict MC release into solution. It is believed that 

part of this problem arises from the use of distribution coefficients (Kd) largely obtained 

from soils systems. Thus, the purpose of this work is to assess the true Kd values for 

the explosive TNT in three marine sediments. Kd values were calculated from kinetic 

determinations, when the sorption kinetics reached steady state. Our data shows that 

abiotic, non-transformative equilibrium of TNT to marine sediments requires 

approximately 300 h, and that the "customary" 24 h equilibrium time period produces Kd 

values representing only 20 to 25 % of the true equilibrium. Thus, Kd values are 

consistenly under-predicted. We discuss our efforts to develop a specialized function for 

adjusting the current database of Kd values in the scientific literature not only to account 

for this discrepancy, but to fine-tune Kd values for sediments based on the physical and 

chemical properties of the materials and the activation energy associated with biotic 

transformations. 

ENVR 111 

TNT, RDX, and HMX association with organic fractions of marine sediments and 

bioavailability implications 

Judith C. Pennington 1 , Guilherme R. Lotufo 1 , Guilherme.Lotufo@erdc.usace.army.mil, 

Charolett Hayes 2 , Beth Porter 2 , and Robert George 3 , robert.george@navy.mil. (1) 

Environmental Laboratory, ERDC-USACE, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 

39180, (2) SpecPro, Huntsville, AL 35805, (3) Environmental Sciences Code 71750, 

SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific, 53475 Strothe Road, San Diego, CA 92152-6325 

Explosives may enter marine environments from unexploded ordnance, thus the 

potential for marine sediments to act as a sink for released explosives was evaluated. 

Relative distributions of TNT, RDX, and HMX in volatile, overlying water, pore water and 

sediments were quantified, and their respective partitioning behaviors into various 

components of organic matter in marine sediments were determined. Marine sediments 

were incubated with radiolabelled explosives, held at 15°C for periods varying from 1 to 

90 days and fractionated to the solvent extractable, cellulose, fulvic acid, humic acid, 

and humin organic carbon sediment pools. Studies of incubated sediment systems 

designed to trap CO2 and volatile organic compounds were also performed. For TNT 

and RDX, sediment is the principal sink, whereas for HMX, mineralization to CO2 is 

important. Mineralization is negligible for TNT, but significant for RDX. Contact time with 

sediment had a decreasing effect on the bioavailability of TNT, RDX, and HMX. 

ENVR 112 

Environmental hazard and distribution resulting from explosives contamination 

and high pressure liquid and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopic analogs

Temitope Debora Adepoju, rexmac20002001@yahoo.com, Microbiology, Obafemi 

Awolowo University, 28 Festac Avenue, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, Rex C. Nwokoma, 

rexmac20002001@yahoo.com, Industrial Chemistry, Abia State University, #201 

Tenant Road Aba, Uturu, Nigeria, and Nneamaka R. Nwokoma, 

rexmac20002001@yahoo.com, Library Science and Informatiom Technology, Madona 

University Okija, 201 Tenant Rd Aba off Ngwa Rd by East, Aba, Nigeria 

Careful statistical studies have clearly demonstrated that analysis based on randomly 

collected samples of soils frequently produce a false picture of the extent of explosives 

contamination. Well designed sampling plans which employ multiple samples taken 

from small areas and which consider the distribution of the soil particles are mandatory 

for the understanding the true extent of contamination. Because site remediation is such 

a costly venture, there is a strong need for analytical procedures which are capable of 

quantifying explosives in soil and groundwater samples quickly and accurately using 

equipment and methods which may be operated reliably by nontechnical personnel. For 

that reason, scientific interest is gradually moving away from the completely laboratorybased, 

statistically validated, and highly technical standardized methods, such as highpressure 

liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC) and their mass 

spectroscopic analogs towards the many field able analytical techniques. Some of 

these, such as ion mobility spectrometry and the various magnetic resonance 

techniques are still in their infancy. Their potential and utility are still to be fully 

developed. Others, such as the colorimetric and enzyme-based field test kits have been 

fully tested and in some cases have been adopted as standard methods themselves. 

Still others such as the various mass spectrometric methods involve highly technical 

equipment which must be simplified before it can be used routinely in the field. 

However, the extreme sensitivities characteristic of these state-of-the-art instruments 

partially offset the need for extensive operator training. A variety of mass spectrometric 

techniques may yet be used routinely for explosives residue analysis in the field. Some 

of these new methods may be used in, or even be derived from, forensic applications. 

ENVR 113 

Using compound-specific carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis for the 

assessment of nitroaromatic compound transformation 

Thomas B. Hofstetter 1 , thomas.hofstetter@env.ethz.ch, Akané E. Hartenbach 1 , Jim C. 

Spain 2 , jspain@ce.gatech.edu, Shirley F Nishino 2 , sn81@ce.gatech.edu, and René P. 

Schwarzenbach 1 . (1) Department of Environmental Sciences, Institute of 

Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics (IBP), Universitatsstr. 16, ETH Zurich, Zurich 

CH-8092, Switzerland, Fax: 41-44-633-11-22, (2) Environmental Engineering Program, 

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0512 

Nitroaromatic explosives and related soil- and groundwater contaminants can be 

degraded via different, sometimes competing, enzymatic and abiotic reactions. Our 

recent advances in the compound-specific isotope analysis of various nitroaromatic

compounds suggest that such transformation processes can be identified via changes 

of the residual contaminant's isotopic composition (e.g., 13 C/ 12 C-, and 15 N/ 14 N-ratios). 

Under oxic conditions, nitrobenzene dioxygenation and partial reduction to catechol and 

aminophenol, respectively, are characterized by distinctly different C and N enrichment 

behavior in agreement with the underlying reaction mechanisms. Abiotic reduction of 

mono- and polynitroaromatic compounds by a variety of mineral-bound reductants 

reveal large 15 N enrichment factors (up to -40‰) that are independent of the aromatic 

substituent and in agreement with the cleavage of the first N-O bond as rate-limiting 

step. The combined evaluation of C and N isotope signature changes of nitroaromatic 

compounds based on the isotope enrichment behavior found in our laboratory studies 

provide an excellent starting point for the assessment of the extent of explosives 

(bio)degradation in contaminated environments. 

ENVR 114 

Use of Raman/SERS to evaluate chemistries for the detection and/or remediation 

of perchlorate in aqueous systems 

P. A. Mosier-Boss, pam.boss@navy.mil, Code 71730, SPAWAR System Center 

Pacific, 53560 Hull St., San Diego, CA 92152, Fax: 619-767-4339 

Perchlorate is highly soluble and non-reactive with soil sediments. As a result 

perchlorate is exceedingly mobile in aqueous systems. Because of its resistance to 

react with other available constituents, perchlorate can persist for many decades under 

typical ground and surface water conditions. Detection and remediation of perchlorate 

often rely on the use of resins and coatings to selectively extract./concentrate 

perchlorate from its aqueous environment. In this communication, the use Raman 

spectroscopy and SERS to evaluate the effectiveness of the chemistries used in the 

resins and coatings to selectively extract perchlorate will be discussed. Specifically 

SERS has been used to evaluate the selectivity of cationic SAMs for anions and Raman 

spectroscopy has been used to compare the performance of two similar bifunctional 

resins, Purolite A-530 and Amberlite PWA-2. 

ENVR 115 

Decontamination of TNT, RDX, and HMX explosive wastewaters using zero-valent 

iron nanoparticles 

Kuen-Song Lin, kslin@saturn.yzu.edu.tw, Kun-Yu Li, s921714@mail.yzu.edu.tw, So- 

Fu Jeng, sof520@yahoo.com.tw, and Ming-June Hsien, h_mj912@hotmail.com, 

Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science/Fuel Cell Center, Yuan Ze 

University, 135, Yuan-Tong Rd., Chung-Li City, Tao-Yuan County 320, Taiwan, Fax: 

886-3-4559373

The high-explosives are toxic to human beings and very difficult to be removed from the 

environment. Therefore, the main objective of the present study was to treat the 

explosives-contaminated wastewaters using zero-valent iron nanoparticles (ZVINs). 

Experimentally, ZVINs with a diameter of 20-50 nm and specific surface area of 42.56 

m 2 g -1 were measured using FE-SEM and BET isotherms. Moreover, the 

thermodynamics study was also carried under 298-308 K and the activation energies of 

TNT, RDX, and HMX were 9.743, 10.079, and 12.460 kcal mol -1 , respectively. The 

substitution of high-explosives was reduced by different quantities of nitroso group into 

hydroxylamine. The ring structure of the explosives became destabilized when nitroso 

group was further reduced to a hydroxylamine group resulting into ring cleavage via a 

hydrolysis route eventually. From the EXAFS spectra, the coordination numbers of Fe 

atom were close to 4 and the bond distance of Fe-O was 1.94 ± 0.05 Å, respectively. 

ENVR 116 

Bioaccumulation of radioactively labeled multi-walled carbon nanotubes by 

Daphnia magna 

Elijah J. Petersen 1 , epeterse@umich.edu, Jarkko Akkanen 2 , Jussi Kukkonen 2 , and 

Walter J. Weber Jr. 1 . (1) Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, 

2200 Bonisteel Blvd., Room 1215, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, Fax: 734-936-3182, (2) 

University of Joensuu 

Determining the bioaccumulation behaviors of carbon nanotubes is critical given their 

numerous expected applications and inevitable release into ecosystems. While previous 

research has indicated that several terrestrial and benthic organisms do not accumulate 

nanotubes spiked to soils or sediments, here we find distinctly different uptake and 

depuration behaviors with an aquatic organism, Daphnia magna, in a water-only 

system. After 24 hours of exposure to nanotube solutions, bioconcentration factors were 

significantly greater than typically found for hydrophobic organic chemicals. Additionally, 

Daphnia were unable to excrete nanotubes after 24 hours of depuration in clean 

artificial freshwater or filtered Lake Kontiolampi water (20.9 mg/L dissolved organic 

carbon). The addition of algae to the water during the depuration period, however, 

caused a significant fraction of the nanotubes to be removed within the first few hours 

(~50%), but little thereafter. Unique considerations for ecotoxicological testing of 

nanomaterials will also be discussed. 

ENVR 117 

Nanoparticle adhesion leads to impaired locomotor function and mortality in 

adult Drosophila 

Daniel Vinson 1 , Daniel_Vinson@Brown.edu, Xinyuan Liu 2 , Xinyuan_Liu@brown.edu, 

David Rand 3 , David_Rand@brown.edu, and Robert H. Hurt 1 , Robert_Hurt@brown.edu.

(1) Division of Engineering, Brown University, Brown University Box 4105, Providence, 

RI 02912, (2) Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, (3) 

Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI 

02912 

The study of nanomaterial interactions with living systems in the natural environment is 

in the early stages with many basic principles yet to be discovered. The fruit fly, 

Drosophila, is a superb model for the study of genetics and cell biology with a long 

history of contribution to toxicology. Here we studied the effects of a panel of carbon 

nanomaterials (C60, carbon black, single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes) 

suspended in Drosophila larval food. We found they were internalized in the larvae but 

were non-toxic, even at high concentrations that rendered the food optically dark. Upon 

extending the study to adults, we made the surprising finding that some carbon 

nanomaterials adhere to the external surface of Drosophila to such a degree that they 

overwhelm natural grooming mechanisms leading to whole-body coverage, impaired 

locomotor function, and early death. This novel contact toxicity was dependent on the 

size and structure of aggregates rather than the properties of the primary nanoparticles. 

The implications of these results for ecosystems and for the environmental transport of 

nanoparticles will be discussed. 

ENVR 118 

Nanoparticle CuO displays significant cytotoxicity: Implication for oxidative 

stress 

Xiaoping Pan 1 , X-Pan@wiu.edu, Karthika Yarlagadda 1 , Krishna Priyanka Gidda 1 , J. 

Scott McConnell 1 , JS-McConnell@wiu.edu, and Baohong Zhang 2 , Zhangb@ecu.edu. 

(1) Department of Chemistry, Western Illinois University, 1 University Circle, Macomb, 

IL 61455, (2) Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 61455 

Human and animal exposure to metal oxide nanoparticles is unavoidable. Six metal 

oxide nanoparticles (TiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, Co3O4, CuO, and ZnO) were screened using 

the Ames reverse mutation assay with and without S9 metabolic activation to determine 

the biological risk. Strains included TA 97, TA 100, and the E. coli WP2 trp uvrA pKM 

101 which is sensitive to oxidative stress. No mutagenicity or cytotoxicity was observed 

for all the six tested nanoparticles at nominal exposures ranged from 0-1,000 µg/plate to 

all the tested strains without S9 activation. Weak mutagenicity of TiO2 and ZnO was 

suggested using the pre-incubation procedure with high S9 (9%) activation at high 

exposure levels. Strong cytotoxicity of CuO to the E. coli WP2 trp uvrA pKM 101 was 

found. Inhibition of cell growth by CuO followed a dose-response pattern. Cell growth 

was inhibited (>90%) by CuO at the highest dosage of 1,600 µg/plate. 

ENVR 119

Wearable nanosensor array for real-time monitoring of diesel and gasoline 

exhaust exposure 

Donglai Lu, Donglai.Lu@asu.edu and Joseph Wang, dlv01@asu.edu, The Biodesign 

Institute of ASU, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 

Diesel and gasoline exhaust is known to be one of the main causes of air pollution. 

Several studies have suggested that diesel and gasoline exhaust causes lung cancer, 

cardiovascular disease, abnormal reproductive function, and central nervous system 

damage as well as type I allergy in the airway. Field detection of diesel and gasoline 

exhaust requires that a powerful analytical performance be coupled to miniaturized lowcost 

instrumentation. Electrochemical devices offer attractive opportunities for 

addressing the growing diesel and gasoline exhaust sensing needs. The advantages of 

electrochemical systems include high sensitivity and selectivity, speed, a wide linear 

range, compatibility with modern microfabrication techniques, minimal space and power 

requirements, and low-cost instrumentation. Recent activity in various laboratories has 

led to the development of disposable nanosensor arrays, novel electrode materials, and 

electrochemical detectors for on-site electrochemical detection of diesel and gasoline 

exhaust. The attractive behavior of these electrochemical monitoring systems makes 

them very promising for addressing diesel and gasoline exhaust problems. 

ENVR 120 

Influence of water chemistry on the stability of lead-containing phases present in 

drinking water distribution systems 

Daniel E. Giammar, giammar@wustl.edu, Katherine Nelson, James D. Noel, 

jnoel@wustl.edu, and Yanjiao Xie, Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, 

Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1180, St. Louis, 

MO 63130, Fax: 314-935-5464 

The presence of lead pipe in aging water distribution systems requires management of 

water chemistry to maintain low lead concentrations at the tap. Changes in treatment 

processes that influence the distribution system water chemistry can induce the release 

of lead from lead-containing corrosion products that have developed on the pipe 

surface. The dissolution rates of three important corrosion products have been 

measured as a function of pH, dissolved inorganic carbon, orthophosphate 

concentration, and the presence or absence of chloramines. The solid phases 

remaining at the conclusion of selected experiments were characterized by infrared and 

Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction to identify 

transformations in solid phases. Dissolution rates were strongly influenced by pH. The 

presence of phosphate lowered dissolution rates and induced the formation of a lead(II) 

phosphate in systems that initially contained only lead(II) carbonate solids. The 

ammonia present with chloramines enhanced dissolution rates.

ENVR 121 

Isolation of natural organic mater in source water and characterization of 

trihalomethanes precursors by fluorescence spectroscopy 

Krit Punburananon, kp26@njit.edu and Taha F. Marhaba, Marhaba@adm.njit.edu, 

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of 

Technology, 323 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102 

Natural organic matter (NOM) in source water is the precursor of trihalomethanes 

(THMs) formation during chlorination process of drinking water. Water samples were 

collected from Delaware and Raritan canal in New Jersey as well as its outfalls along 

the canal. Outfall samples are basically runoff and its discharge could be very large 

after raining. NOM in water samples was isolated by resin adsorption into six 

categories: hydrophobic acid (HPOA), hydrophobic neutral (HPON), hydrophobic base 

(HPOB), hydrophilic acid (HPIA), hydrophilic neutral (HPIN), and hydrophilic base 

(HPIB). HPOA, HPON, HPIN were the three fractions usually found at high 

concentration in most of samples. HPOA was the highest fraction in the rainfall runoff, 

whereas it was HPIN in the source water from the canal. All the six fractions were 

incubated by chlorine for seven days to determine THMs formation. HPOA was highly 

reactive, while HPIN had moderate reactivity. HPOA was not only the most reactive but 

also usually found at high concentration, thus making a major contribution to THMs 

formation. This also indicated that the contamination of rainfall runoff to the canal would 

increase THMs formation due to its higher percentage of HPOA in NOM. Furthermore, 

the six fractions were also characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy to obtain threedimensional 

fluorescence spectra. Among the spectra of six fractions, HPOA spectra 

were large and its peak intensity was also high. Therefore, fluorescence spectroscopy 

could be a very promising technique for characterization of HPOA or THMs precursors. 

Although resin adsorption provides information of HPOA concentration, it is very timeconsuming 

and not practicable for routine operation. Fluorescence spectroscopy is fast 

and affordable, as a result, practical for characterization of THMs precursors and the 

contamination of runoff to source water. 

ENVR 122 

Determination of disinfection by-products formation using multivariate statistical 

analysis of fluorescence spectra 




Disinfection is an essential process to kill pathogens (i.e., disease causing organisms) 

in the production of drinking water. Chlorine is the most widely used disinfectant.

Nonetheless, chlorine also reacts with natural organic matter in source water and forms 

potentially carcinogenic disinfection by-products (DBPs). The major DBPs from 

chlorination process are dominantly trihalomethanes (THMs) followed by haloacetic 

acids. However, not all organic compounds in source water are equally reactive to 

THMs formation. Water samples were characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy to 

obtain three-dimensional fluorescence spectra. The spectra are the total sum of 

emission intensity of organic compounds in a sample at different excitation 

wavelengths. These are recorded as a matrix of fluorescence intensity in coordinates of 

excitation and emission wavelengths. Spectra shape and peak locations are 

characteristics of each organic compound while its intensity is related to its 

concentration. In this study, over two thousand fluorescence intensities covering a wide 

range of excitation and emission wavelengths were obtained for each sample and then 

were pre-processed to remove spectra scatters and interferences. Principle component 

analysis was used for data reduction by transforming the fluorescence intensities into 

new parameters called principle components (PCs). By this process, a large number of 

the fluorescence intensities could be represented by a few PCs. Multiple linear 

regression analysis of PCs was applied to develop a THMs formation prediction model. 

The model proved to have prediction performance with R-square of 88.3%. 

ENVR 123 

Innovative approach for treating oxidant-laden residual streams 

Jess Brown 1 , jbrown@carollo.com, Rick D. Wheadon 2 , Cory Christiansen 2 , and Edwin 

J. Hansen 3 . (1) Carollo Engineers, 401 N. Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota, FL 34232, (2) 

Carollo Engineers, Salt Lake City, UT, (3) Magna Water District, Magna, UT 

A disadvantage of using separation-based oxidant (i.e., perchlorate, nitrate, bromate) 

treatment technologies (e.g., ion exchange or membranes) is that they produce an 

oxidant-laden concentrate that must be disposed or further treated. “Conventional” 

biological processes can be used to treat oxidant residuals but typically require a 

dedicated deoxygenation step, inoculation with exogenous salt-tolerant bacteria, long 

residence times due to high solution salinities, and the addition of a costly exogenous 

substrate such as ethanol. This paper describes the development of a novel approach 

for treating oxidant-laden residuals by blending them with scalped municipal wastewater 

followed by treatment in a fixed-bed (FXB) bioreactor. The novel approach for treating 

oxidant-laden residuals involves blending the residual stream with scalped municipal 

wastewater followed by treatment in a FXB bioreactor (biodestruction of blended 

residual oxidants or BIOBROx). The BIOBROx process eliminates the target oxidant 

from the residuals stream prior to sewer discharge or reuse application. In effect, 

blending the residuals stream with municipal wastewater decreases the DO 

concentration and salinity of the untreated stream (i.e., increases degradation kinetics) 

and eliminates the need to add a substrate or bacterial seed to the bioreactor system. 

Resulting reactor volumes and consumable costs are minimized and process stability 

improves.

ENVR 124 

Treatment of reverse osmosis concentrate to improve overall recovery: 

Parameter effects on antiscalant oxidation and subsequent precipitation 

Lauren F. Greenlee 1 , lauren_greenlee@yahoo.com, Benoit Marrot 2 , 

benoit.marrot@univ-cezanne.fr, Philippe Moulin 2 , philippe.moulin@univ-cezanne.fr, 

Benny D. Freeman 1 , freeman@che.utexas.edu, and Desmond F. Lawler 3 , 

dlawler@mail.utexas.edu. (1) Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of 

Texas at Austin, 1 University Station C0400, Austin, TX 78712, (2) Laboratoire 

Mécanique, Modélisation et Procédés Propres, Université Paul Cézanne, 13545 Aix en 

Provence, France, (3) Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Texas at 

Austin, Austin, TX 78712 

Brackish water reverse osmosis (RO) membrane desalination product recovery (volume 

of product water per volume of feed water) is limited by sparingly soluble salt (CaCO3) 

precipitation; at least 10% of the feed water becomes the RO waste stream 

(concentrate). The costs and technical feasibility of concentrate disposal severely limit 

the application of inland RO. This paper presents a novel three-stage process to treat 

the concentrate from a brackish water RO system. The process achieves problematic 

salt removal through (I) antiscalant deactivation (ozonation), (II) precipitation (pH 

elevation), and (III) solid/liquid separation (microfiltration). The effects of several 

parameters, including pH, ozonation time, antiscalant concentration and type, ozone 

dose (mg O3 per mg dissolved organic carbon (DOC)), and [H2O2]/[O3] ratio 

(mole:mole), on phosphonate antiscalant oxidation were evaluated. The effect of 

oxidation on the precipitation and separation stages was then studied. In all 

experiments, ozonation prior to precipitation allowed greater calcium precipitation. 

ENVR 125 

Evaluation of nanoscale zero-valent iron in drinking water technology: 

Degradation of bromate in water treatment 

Qiliang Wang 1 , qlwang@gist.ac.kr, Shane A. Snyder 2 , shane.snyder@snwa.com, and 

Heechul Choi 1 , hcchoi@gist.ac.kr. (1) Department of Environmental Science and 

Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 1 Oryongdong, Bukgu, 

Gwangju 500712, South Korea, Fax: 82-62-970-2434, (2) Water Quality Research and 

Development, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Las Vegas, NV 89193-9954 

Nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) was evaluated for the reduction of bromate which is a 

highly persistent and carcinogenic oxyhalid formed as an ozonation by-product during 

oxidative disinfection in drinking water treatment. Solid-phase NZVI with different 

surface areas was controllably synthesized using a liquid phase reduction. TEM, XRD, 

and BET surface area and porosity analyzer were utilized to characterize particle size,

surface morphology, surface area, and corrosion layers formed onto NZVI before and 

after bromate reduction. Surface area of synthesized NZVI was found to be influenced 

strongly by ethanol contents during synthesis with a maximum surface area of 

67.51±0.35 m 2 /g in a 90 % ethanol aqueous solution. Subsequent XRD and TEM results 

revealed that in a 20 min bromate reduction NZVI mostly converted to Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 

corrosion products mixed with iron hydroxides. Additionally, the effects of sonication 

pretreatment showed that the bromate reduction efficiency could be enhanced by 

increasing the actual reactive surface area. 

ENVR 126 

Colorimetric-solid phase extraction (C-SPE) for the determination of trace level 

indicators of water quality 

Lorraine M. Siperko 1 , lorraine.siperko@utah.edu, Marc D. Porter 1 , 

Marc.Porter@utah.edu, and Robert J. Lipert 2 , blipert@ameslab.gov. (1) Departments of 

Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, University of Utah, 383 Colorow 

Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, (2) Institute for Physical Research and Technology, 

Ames Laboratory USDOE, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011 

Colorimetric-solid phase extraction (C-SPE) was introduced in 2002 as an on-board 

method for NASA to detect biocides in spacecraft potable water supplies. It is a 

sorption-spectrophotometric platform that entails the selective extraction and 

concentration of analytes with a solid phase extraction (SPE) membrane followed by 

detection and quantification of a surface-bound colored complex by diffuse reflectance 

spectrophotometry. The solution concentration of the analyte captured on the 

membrane is related to the fractional reflectance of the complex at a given wavelength 

by the Kubelka-Munk function (F(R)), and can be determined by use of a standard 

calibration curve. Studies have shown that that most trace level analyses can be 

completed in 1–2 min, and concentration factors between 100–1000 can be achieved. 

The methodology was initially developed to fill NASA's need for a rapid, reliable, and 

easy-to-use means to monitor silver(I) and iodine (I2) in the ppm – ppb range, but has 

since been expanded to include a variety of water contaminants. This presentation will 

discuss C-SPE instrumentation, accessories and technical approaches used to detect 

and quantify several trace metals, formaldehyde and a pathogenic bacterium. A 

comparison of ground-based and microgravity determinations of silver(I) and iodine will 

be made. Prospects for multiplexing (MC-SPE) capabilities will also be presented. 

ENVR 127 

Biodistribution and toxicity of systemically-introduced ceria engineered 

nanomaterial

Robert A. Yokel 1 , ryokel@email.uky.edu, Rebecca L. Florence 1 , 

rlstep2@email.uky.edu, Jason M. Unrine 2 , Jason.Unrine@gmail.com, Michael T. 

Tseng 3 , mttsen01@louisville.edu, Uschi M. Graham 4 , graham@caer.uky.edu, 

Rukhsana Sultana 5 , rsult2@uky.edu, D. Allan Butterfield 6 , dabcns@uky.edu, Peng Wu 7 , 

peng.wu@uky.edu, and Eric Grulke 7 , egrulke@engr.uky.edu. (1) Department of 

Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536- 

0082, Fax: 859-323-6886, (2) Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of 

Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, (3) Departments of Anatomical Sciences & 

Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, (4) Center for Applied 

Energy Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40511-8479, (5) Department of 

Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, (6) Department of Chemistry, 

Center of Membrane Sciences, and Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of 

Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, (7) Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of 

Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506 

The objective was to characterize nanoscale ceria biodistribution from blood and its 

toxicity. Ceria (0 to 750 mg/kg) was given via i.v. to rats, and terminated 1 or 20 hr later. 

Biodistribution was assessed by microscopy and ICP. Neurotoxicity was assessed by 

HNE, 3-NT, and protein carbonyls. Evans blue (EB)-albumin and Na fluorescein (Na2F) 

were given via i.v. as blood-brain barrier integrity markers. It was shown that ceria t½ 

was 

liver > brain > serum. HNE, 3-NT, and protein carbonyls changes were small. Therefore, 

it was shown that reticulo-endothelial tissues clear ceria. These results provide a 

foundation to study the physico-chemical properties of ENMs on peripheral organ 

distribution, brain entry and resultant toxicity. Supported by US EPA STAR Grant RD- 

833772. 

ENVR 128 

Evaluating the impact of varying synthesis methods on surface charging and 

aggregation of silver nanoparticles 

Amro El Badawy 1 , Todd Luxton 2 , Luxton.Todd@epa.gov, Thabet Tolyamat 2 , and Kirk 

G. Scheckel 3 . (1) Pegasus Technical Services, Inc, 46 E. Hollister Street, Cincinnati, OH 

45219, (2) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, 

Cincinnati, OH 45268, Fax: 513-569-7879, (3) Land Remediation and Pollution Control 

Division, US-EPA, Cincinnati, OH 45268 

Synthesis methods reported in the literature for silver nanoparticles rely on various 

capping agents and reagent chemicals to control the size and morphology of 

synthesized nanoparticles. However, currently there is little information regarding how 

synthesis techniques influence nanoparticle surface charge or aggregation potential. 

Changes in the in surface charging properties can have a dramatic influence on the 

reactivity of nanomaterials designed for specific industrial and chemical applications,

and ultimately influence their potential fate and transport of the in natural and 

engineered environments. The current research demonstrates how the functionality, 

reactivity and speciation of capping agents and synthesis reactants profoundly effects 

on the resulting surface charging properties and aggregation potential of the silver 

nanoparticles. 

ENVR 129 

Silver speciation and leachability from silver nanomaterial containing consumer 

fabric 

Amro El-Badawy 1 , Todd Luxton 2 , Luxton.Todd@epa.gov, Kirk Scheckle 2 , Thabet 

Tolaymat 2 , and Makram Suidan 1 , msuidan@boss.cee.uc.edu. (1) Department of Civil 

and Environmental Engineering, University of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 210071, Cincinnati, 

OH 45221, Fax: 513-556-2599, (2) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, 

OH 45268 

Silver is one of the Research Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) 8 metals. The 

use of silver nanomaterial as antibacterial has increased dramatically in the past few 

years. The research presented here will evaluate the leachability of silver from a 

consumer fabric that contains silver nanomaterials. Three pH values (3, 6 and 9) were 

evaluated to see the effect pH has on the mobility of silver nanomaterials. Also, the ionic 

strength of the extraction solution was varied from 0.01 to 3 to evaluate the effect of 

ionic strength on the mobility and speciation of silver nanomaterials. Along side these 

two variables, the extraction solutions were also evaluated for their conductivity and 

chloride content. The effect of contact time on the leachability of silver was evaluated. 

Leachate samples and fabric samples were collected over a period of 24 hours. Fabric 

samples were also collected and examined by X-ray absorption spectroscopy in order to 

identify the speciation of Ag. 

ENVR 130 

Studying the interaction of particulate matter with biological media 

Denis Berube, denis_berube@hc-sc.gc.ca, Xiangjun Liao, and Tahir Yapici, 

Environmental Health Centre, Health Canada, 50, Promenade Columbine Driveway, 

0800B3, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0L2, Canada, Fax: 613-946-3573 

Air particulate matter (PM) is associated with numerous adverse health effects. Inhaled 

PM components can act on the respiratory system but also translocate to affect other 

organs. Their effects can be caused by soluble but also dispersed particulate forms 

located outside or inside cells. Considering the present knowledge gaps regarding their 

mode of action, solubility investigations can be useful to differentiate surface from core 

components as well as to define their transformation and translocation potentials. In the

present work, ICPMS multi-element determinations were used to define soluble, lesssoluble 

and insoluble fractions of PM metals. These investigations aimed at identifying 

factors influencing their interaction with biological fluids as well as ways to improve 

exposure assessment to these metals. The methodology was to simulate the sequence 

of events that occurs when PM becomes in contact with biological media. The 

behaviours of these metal mixtures also provided finger printings of particles. 

ENVR 131 

Synthesis of a novel Schiff base ethane-1,2-diyl(bis)nitrobenzylidene ethane-1,2diamine 

as an ionophore for sulfate selective electrode 

Amarchand Sathyapalan, a.sathyapalan@usu.edu and Anhong Zhou, Department of 

Biological and Irrigation Engineering, Utah State University, 4105 Old Main Hill, Logan, 

UT 84322 

A new Schiff base (N 2 E,N 2' E)-N 1 ,N 1' -(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis(N 2 -(3- nitrobenzylidene)ethane- 

1,2-diamine) was synthesized by the condensation between 3-nitrobenzaldehyde and 

triethylene tetramine in methanol. The pale yellow product was filtered and 

recrystallized in methanol and have explored as ionophores for preparing PVC-based 

sulfate membrane ion selective electrode. Yield 76%, mp 182°C. MS 445. 1 HNMR 

(DMSO): δ7.01–7.06 (m, 5H, Ar-H), 2.62 (m, 1H-NH), 3.4, 0.83–1.32 (m, 6H, CH2), 2.60 

(s, 3H). IR (KBr) 3,373-3,406 cm -1 (νN-H), 2,914-2,968 cm -1 (νO-H), 1,637 cm -1 (νCN) and 

1,532 cm -1 , 1,315 cm -1 (νNO). The PVC-based membranes were prepared by dissolving 

appropriate amounts of Schiff base, cation excluder (CTAB), solvent mediators, dioctyl 

phthalate (DOP) with an ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolinium hexafluorophosphate 

and appropriate amount of PVC in THF (10mL). After complete dissolution of all 

components and thorough mixing, the resulting mixture was poured into glass rings 

placed on a smooth glass plate. THF was allowed to evaporate for about 24 h at 25°C. 

The optimized membranes were used for the fabrication of ion selective electrodes. The 

slope 32.5 mV/decade (R= 0.99) was close to the theoretical Nernstian value of 30 

mv/decade. The electrode showed a broad working pH range from pH 3-9. The sulfate 

selective electrode was highly selective over closely associated elements. The 

electrode was highly selective in presence of chloride and iodide with selectivity 

coefficients -5.42×10 -4 and -5.39×10 -4 , respectively. More characteristics of the sulfate 

ion selective electrode will be discussed in detail. 

ENVR 132 

Synthesis of nano-hydroxyapatite and its application for uranium remediation 

S. R. Kanel 1 , sushil.kanel@ce.gatech.edu, Mark O. Barnett 2 , 

mark.barnett@auburn.edu, and T. P. Clement 2 , clement@auburn.edu. (1) Civil and 

Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta,

GA 30332-0512, Fax: 404-894-8266, (2) Department of Civil Engineering, Auburn 

University, Auburn, AL 36849 

Synthetic nano-scale hydoxyapatite (NHA) were prepared and characterized using Xray 

diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD confirmed the 

crystalline structure and chemical composition (Ca5OH(PO4)3) and SEM confirmed the 

size of the NHA (

Environment Standards Institute, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental 

Sciences, BeiJing 100012, China 

Some studies find that the weakness of CMB lies in its collinearity problem. There are 

some factors which make the collinearity problem severe. In this study, the effects of the 

unknown source on the collinearity problem in CMB model were discussed. Six “known 

sources” (contain three collinear source profiles) and one “unknown source” obtained 

from real ambient air were applied in the construction of the synthetic receptors. The 

experiment software was implemented for producing a series of synthetic receptor 

datasets and apportioning them by CMB algorithm. The results show that the calculated 

contributions of these six “known sources” would reach negative values when a high 

proportion of the “unknown source” was presented in the synthetic receptor. And the 

calculated contributions of the three collinear sources varied largely as the proportion of 

synthetic unknown source increased in the synthetic receptor dataset, while the 

noncollinear sources contributions varied mildly. 

ENVR 135 

Unsteady-state chemodynamic fate and transport model for in-home pollutants 

following hurricane katrina 

Nick Ashley 1 , nashle1@lsu.edu, Kalliat T. Valsaraj 1 , valsaraj@lsu.edu, and Louis 

Thibodeaux 2 , thibod@lsu.edu. (1) Cain Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana 

State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, Fax: 225-578-1476, (2) Cain Department of 

Chemical Engineering & Department of Geology and Geophysics, Louisiana State 

University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 

The short- and long-term effects of in-home sediment pollutants in New Orleans, 

Louisiana, as a result of Hurricane Katrina, remains a primary concern of local 

residents, emergency response agencies, and environmental scientists in the region. As 

was seen in the floods in Iowa and Missouri during the summer of 2008, the problem of 

contaminated sediment and floodwaters inundating homes and businesses is not 

unique to the Gulf Coast region. An unsteady-state model is constructed, which builds 

upon the knowledge gained from previous experimental analysis and thermodynamic 

models of Katrina pollutants, that evaluates the local environmental conditions inside 

flooded homes in the initial days, weeks, and months after Katrina's landfall. Model 

results for the concentrations of pollutants in the sediment, gas-phase, and mold phases 

(both film and spores) are presented. Implications of the results to first responders and 

returning residents are discussed. 

ENVR 136 

Use of poly(4-vinylpyridine) for removal of perchlorate from aqueous solution 

through polyelectrolyte enhanced ultrafiltration

Jim D. Roach, jroach@alfaisal.edu, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Fax: 620- 

341-6055, and Rachael F. Lane, rlane2007@gmail.com, Chemistry Department, 

Emporia State University, Emporia, KS 66801 

Polyelectrolyte enhanced ultrafiltration (PEUF) is a well-established membrane-based 

separation technique that can be used to remove ions from aqueous solution. General 

PEUF techniques can use cationic polyelectrolytes to electrostatically bind anionic 

species. The colloid and target ion are then concentrated using an ultrafilter, producing 

a filtrate with a lower concentration of the target ion. This study investigated the 

application of PUEF for the selective removal of perchlorate from aqueous solution 

using poly(4-vinylpyridine). Use of perchlorate salts in military activities and the 

aerospace industry is widespread. These salts are highly water-soluble and are, to a 

large extent, kinetically inert as aqueous species. As a groundwater contaminant, 

perchlorate is now being detected in an increasing number of locations and is believed 

to interfere with the uptake of iodide by the thyroid which can result in decreased 

hormone production. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has 

established a reference dose for perchlorate of 0.0007 mg/kg/day, which translates to a 

Drinking Water Equivalent Level of 24.5 ppb. Through ultrafiltration experiments, the 

effectiveness and efficiency of PEUF in the removal of perchlorate from other aqueous 

solution components was investigated using both poly(diallyldimethylammonium) 

chloride and poly(4-vinylpyridine). The influences of pH, ionic strength, and colloid 

concentration were studied. In addition, poly(4-vinylpyridine) regeneration and 

subsequent reuse was also investigated. 

ENVR 137 

Utilization of steam to recover the caustic and alumina from red mud slurry 

Rajkishore Patel, rkpatelnitr@gmail.com, Department of Chemistry, NIT, Rourkela- 

769008, India, Fax: 91-246-2999 

Earth's most powerful greenhouse gas-water vapor causes fast global climate change. 

Slight increase in the Earth's atmospheric water vapor concentration plays a far greater 

role in global warming than CO2 or other minor gases. The highly energetic water vapor 

(waste steam) of thermal power plant forms a brown cloud along with CO2, CO, other 

gaseous pollutants, carbon particles, dust particles, light metal ions, etc. To prevent 

burning of the earth, to some extent, steam is used in the laboratory scale as a source 

of energy and distilled water for the recovery of caustic and alumina from red mud 

slurry. The pH of highly alkaline red mud slurry decreased from 13.9 to 10.5 by this 

process and can be brought to standard environmental level (pH < 9) by addition of a 

small amount of common salt. The recovered caustic, pH ≥ 13.5, can be used for the 

further digestion of bauxite ore. The use of steam led to many benefits, including 

conservation of distilled water, prevention of the brown cloud formation and reduces the 

cost of waste management.

ENVR 138 

Water uptake of humic and fulvic acid: Aerosol and thin film measurements 

Courtney D. Hatch 1 , hatch@hendrix.edu, Kelly M. Gierlus 2 , James Zahardis 2 , Jennifer 

D Schuttlefield 2 , jennifer-schuttlefield@uiowa.edu, and Vicki H. Grassian 2 . (1) 

Department of Chemistry, Hendrix College, 1600 Washington Ave, Conway, AR 72032, 

(2) Department of Chemistry, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242 

Humic and fulvic acids are macromolecular, multifunctional, polyacidic compounds that 

are important proxies for humic-like substances (HULIS), which are ubiquitous 

components of tropospheric particulate matter. The water uptake of humic and fulvic 

acid aerosols was determined by hygroscopic tandem differential mobility analysis 

(HTDMA) and extinction Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The 

hygroscopic growth of monodisperse, 100 nm (dry) Suwannee River fulvic acid (SRFA) 

and humic acid sodium salt (NaHA) aerosols was determined and modeled using Köhler 

theory. A single parameter, the ionic density (ρion), containing physical properties that 

are not well-established for these substances was used. The values of ρion for SRFA 

and NaHA were calculated to be 3.0x10 -3 and 8.0x10 -3 mol cm -3 , respectively. The 

hygroscopic growth was then modeled using the ρion–Köhler equation and the critical 

parameters determined. κ-Köhler theory was also used to calculate the critical 

supersaturation. Results were in agreement with the ρion representation. 

ENVR 139 

Preliminary study on immobilization of heavy metals in municipal solid waste 

incineration fly ash with geopolymer 

Mantong Jin 1 , jmtking@zjut.edu.cn, Qiong Zhang 2 , and Lianjun Wang 1 , 

wanglj@mail.njust.edu.cn. (1) School of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of 

Science & Technology, Xiaolingwei Street, Nanjing 210094, China, (2) College of 

Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, 

Hangzhou 310032, China 

The ability of immobilization of heavy metals in municipal solid waste incineration 

(MSWI) with the geopolymer was evaluated by the compressive strength and leaching 

test. The geopolymerization was found to have a strong fixing capacity of heavy metals. 

The experimental results showed that the compressive strength of the resulting 

solidified body achieved 31.2 MPa after 7 days of curing at 20 °C. Meanwhile, the 

leaching concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu and Cr were 0.23, 0.024, 0.072, and 0.37 mg/L, 

respectively. Hence, geopolymerization seems to be an effective tool in the treatment of 

various heavy metals contaminants and should be received more attention.

ENVR 140 

Raw humics extract and military smoke dye as extracellular electron shuttles 

Man Jae Kwon 1 , mankwon@illinois.edu, Brendan Powers 2 , Bpowers4@illinois.edu, 

and Kevin T. Finneran 1 , finneran@uiuc.edu. (1) Department of Civil and Environmental 

Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 N. Matthews Ave, Urbana, 

IL 61801, Fax: 217-333-6968, (2) Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at 

Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801 

Anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) is an extracellular electron shuttle (EES) that 

has been reported to stimulate transformation of contaminants such as nitramine 

compounds (e.g., hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX)) and metals (e.g., 

uranium). We investigated alternative EES compounds for in situ bioremediation 

application. Quinone containing EES compounds tested include AQDS, humic acid 

(Sigma Aldrich), raw humics extract (from mulch), military smoke dyes (Red9, Red11, 

Violet1), and henna. The electron donating capacity to Fe(III) or nitrate by each reduced 

EES compound was measured and compared. All reduced EES compounds produced 

Fe(II) or ammonium with varying capacities: AQDS>raw humics extract>>humic 

acid~dyes~henna. Reduced raw humics extract also directly reduced RDX. Geobacter 

metallireducens utilized raw humics extract and Red9 as EES to stimulate the rates of 

RDX reduction. The results suggest that raw humics extract would be an optimal EES 

for in situ environmental application, being inexpensive and environmentally benign. 

Smoke dyes are also potential EES for military application. 

ENVR 141 

Reactive activated carbon impregnated with Fe/Pd: PCBs dechlorination 

reactivity and capacity, ageing, and oxidation 

Hyeok Choi 1 , choi.hyeok@epa.gov, Souhail R. Al-Abed 1 , al-abed.souhail@epa.gov, 

Shirish Agarwal 2 , agarwash@email.uc.edu, and Eric Graybill 2 , graybill.eric@epa.gov. 

(1) National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45268, Fax: 513-569-7879, (2) 

Pegasus Technical Services, Inc, Cincinnati, OH 45221 

In spite of tremendous efforts to treat polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the 

environment, limited success has been achieved owing to their persistent and 

hydrophobic nature. Recently, we have introduced a trap and treatment strategy for 

PCBs clean up by introducing activated carbon impregnated with Fe/Pd bimetallic 

nanoparticles (named reactive AC or RAC) (i.e., integration of the physical adsorption of 

PCBs with their chemical dechlorination). In this presentation, we will discuss several 

practical points of the RAC system, including dechlorination capacity, long term 

performance and changes in the physicochemical properties of RAC under various

oxidation environments, effect of oxygen in water, and mechanical stability and 

dissolution of Fe/Pd particles. Results from this study will therefore be interesting to 

chemists and engineers working for remediating environmentally contaminated sites 

with PCBs and other chlorinated organic compounds. 

ENVR 142 

Recycling of plasma-melted slags utilized in TIMs 

Hsin-Liang Huang, hlhuang@nuu.edu.tw, Department of Safety, Health and 

Environmental Engineering, National United University, No. 1, Lien Da, Kung Ching Li, 

Miao-Li 36003, Taiwan, Fax: 886-37-333187 

Due to demand for a large amount of electronic products such as light emitting diode 

(LED) and central processing units (CPUs), a variety of functions, small sizes, and high 

performances during manufacturing is also requested. Therefore, the efficiency of 

thermal dissipation in thermal interface materials (TIMs) such as greases should be 

promoted. Aluminum in greases causes an increase of thermal conductivity. However, 

the unit price of aluminum is about 2,500 USD/ton. It can diminish the budgets at least 

four-fifth by coating aluminum on the surface of microsize plasma-melted slags for 

TIMs. The thermal conductivity of the aluminum/plasma-melted slags/grease was 

increased by about 20%. 

ENVR 143 

Reductive degradation of personal care products using zero-valent metals 

Young-Hun Kim, youngkim@andong.ac.kr, Department of Environmental Engineering, 

Andong National University, Andong 760-749, South Korea, Fax: 82-54-820-6187, 

Seok-Oh Ko, soko@khu.ac.kr, Department of Civil Engineering, Kyunghee University, 

Suwon, South Korea, Myung-Chul Kim, mckim@kiu.ac.kr, Department of Fire Protecting 

Information Technology, Kyungil University, Gyeongsan-si, South Korea, Jong Hyun 

Kim, Division of Cosmetic, Kyongbuk College of Science, South Korea, and Hyung Suk 

Oh, Department of Applied Chemistry, Andong National University, Andong, South 

Korea 

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) such as antiseptic agents, 

detergents, household cleaners, cosmetic products, and antibiotics are generally low or 

moderate toxic compounds. However, a large quantity of use leads to detection of these 

chemicals in aquatic environments and causes concerns. Some of PPCPs are 

chlorinated compounds and the chlorinated compounds can be degraded through 

dechlorination. Zero-valent iron and palladium coated iron were applied for 

dechlorination of some chlorinated PPCP, anticeptics. Chloro-cresols which are 

common antiseptics could be degraded by the palladium coated iron. Non-chlorinated

products, cresols, are the dechlorination products and the kinetics is highly dependent 

on the nature and position of substituent on the aromatic ring. Current study suggests 

that reductive dechlorination using zero-valent metals could be an alternative for 

chlorinated PPCPs in aqueous environments. 

ENVR 144 

Seasonal variation of atmospheric CH4, N2O and CO2 and causes analysis in 

Tianjin offshore area of Bohai Sea 

Shaofei Kong, kongshaofei@mail.nankai.edu.cn, Bin Han, Zhipeng Bai, 

zbai@nankai.edu.cn, Zhun Xu, Can Wu, wucan@mail.nankai.edu.cn, and Bowen 

Zhang, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Weijin 

Road #94, Tianjin 300071, China, Fax: 86-02223503397 

To study the contaminated condition of greenhouse gases in Tianjin offshore area of 

Bohai Sea, CH4, N2O and CO2 were observed from November 2007 to August 2008, 

and the sources were analyzed using backward trajectory model. The results indicated 

all the three gases were influenced by continent sources during sampling periods. The 

ocean may lead to fluctuation of the concentrations to some extend. They may be 

influenced by some same sources, especially CO2 and N2O according to the correlation 

coefficients within them and meteorology factors. It also showed that the concentration 

of CH4 varied from 1.87-2.61 ppm with the highest value appearing in summer and 

lowest in winter. The concentration of N2O changed from 319.33-347.67 ppb. As to CO2, 

it was higher in heating season than non-heating season. Close attention should be 

paid as the three gases all exceeded the mean global background value of 2005. 

ENVR 145 

Selective adsorption of heavy metals onto porous materials 

Young Hun Kim 1 , youngkim@andong.ac.kr, Won Sik Shin 2 , wshin@mail.knu.ac.kr, 

Sang June Choi 2 , sjchoi@knu.ac.kr, Inseong Hwang 3 , ihwang@pusan.ac.kr, Jeong-Hak 

Choi 4 , jhchoi@dgi.re.kr, Woo Taik Lim 5 , wtlim@andong.ac.kr, Hyung Suk Oh 5 , and Won 

Suk Jang 5 . (1) Department of Environmental Engineering, Andong National University, 

Andong 760-749, South Korea, (2) Department of Environmental Engineering, 

Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, South Korea, (3) Department of 

Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea, (4) 

Environment Research Team, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Development Institute, Daegu, South 

Korea, (5) Department of Applied Chemistry, Andong National University, Andong 760- 

749, South Korea 

Adsorption is one of the simplest and cost effective alternatives for the removal of 

inorganic ions from water. However, the adsorption is not compound specific and

elatively less toxic or harmless ion species are also removed leading to quick 

saturation of the employed adsorbent in sorption processes. Three adsorbents, 

silicotitanate, mica, zeolite Rho were tested for selective adsorption of six metal ions, 

Cs + , Pb 2+ , Zn 2+ , Cd 2+ , Cu 2+ , and Mg 2+ in the presence of background ions Na + or Ca 2+ . 

The three tested sorbents were selective for Cs, Pb and Cu. The selectivity of 

silicotitanate, mica, zeolite Rho are in order of Cu > Pb > Cs, Cu > Pb > Cs and Cs>> 

Pb ≅ Cu respectively. The sorbents showed higher selectivities with Na than Ca except 

zeolite Rho for Cs. Current results showed mica and zeolite Rho also could be an 

alternative for removal of heavy metals selectively in the presence of background ions. 

ENVR 146 

Software tools facilitating QSPR studies of congeneric sets of organic pollutants 

Maciej Haranczyk, mharanczyk@lbl.gov, Computational Research Division, Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory, One Cyclotron Road, Mail Stop 50F-1650, Berkeley, CA 

94720, Fax: 510-486-5812, and Tomasz Puzyn, puzi@pcb.chem.univ.gda.pl, 

Department of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Gdansk 80-952, Poland 

Various persistent organic pollutants (POPs) exist in the environment as families of 

halogen substituted congeners. To facilitate computational studies on these species we 

developed ConGENER software package. The program combinatorially generates 

library of all congeners of a parent molecule and facilitates its characterization at 

quantum chemical level. The resulting quantum chemical molecular descriptors can be 

easily imported into QSAR/QSPR programs to estimate parameters related to 

environmental fate and toxicity, like n-octanol/water, n-octanol/air, and air/water partition 

coefficients. The presentation discusses the latest features of ConGENER package as 

well as demonstrate its application to explore molecular feature space of emerging 

chloro-/bromo- (mixed) congeners. In addition, the results obtained with ConGENER 

package are analyzed by number of chemometric pattern recognition techniques to 

select the most representative mixed derivatives of mono- to tetracyclic POPs for further 

theoretical and experimental studies. This work is supported by the U.S. Department of 

Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231. 

ENVR 147 

Soil transport and microbial impact of magnetite nanoparticles 

Kimberly F. Starr 1 , freelke@auburn.edu, Qiqi Liang 2 , qzl0001@auburn.edu, Yucheng 

Feng 1 , yfeng@auburn.edu, and Dongye Zhao 2 , zhaodon@auburn.edu. (1) Department 

of Agronomy and Soils, Auburn University, 202 Funchess Hall, Auburn, AL 36849, (2) 

Department of Civil Engineering, Auburn University, 238 Harbert Engineering Center, 

Auburn, AL 36849, Fax: 334-844-6290

Magnetite nanoparticles have been used in in-situ removal of arsenic from 

contaminated soil and water. To understand the environmental fate and potential risks 

associated with releasing these nanomaterials into the environment, we studied the soil 

transport and microbial impact of magnetite nanoparticles. While commercial magnetite 

nanoparticles failed to move through a sandy soil column, carboxymethyl-cellulose 

stabilized nanoparticles prepared in our lab were highly mobile with a full breakthrough 

level of 91% of its influent concentration. The microbial impact experiments were 

conducted using Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well 

as Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis in the presence and 

absence of ultraviolet light. Under both light and dark conditions, the commercial 

nanomagnetite showed insignificant effect on protein synthesis in P. aeruginosa, B. 

subtilis, and E. faecalis, while protein synthesis in E. coli was reduced slightly. The 

presence of magnetite nanoparticles did not affect the survival of these four organisms 

in natural water. 

ENVR 148 

Sorption of lead and cadmium from aqueous solutions by Nasturtium officinale 

Vivianette Alicea-Vázquez 1 , valicea7@yahoo.com, Maylisa Romero-Perez 1 , 

m_romero1987@yahoo.com, Maiella Ramos-Fontán Ph D 1 , 

maiellaramos2001@yahoo.com, and José Arbelo-García 2 , josearbelo@yahoo.com. (1) 

Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo, P.O. Box 

4010, Arecibo, PR 00614, (2) Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico at 

Arecibo, Arecibo, PR 00614-4010 

There has been a strong interest in the use of aquatic plants as a potentially useful 

group for pollutant uptake and biological indicators of heavy metals in aquatic systems. 

Nasturtium officinale (watercress) is a promising candidate for metal removal. It is well 

known that heavy metals cannot be degraded like most organic compounds. Toxic 

metals including lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are environmental toxins, and its 

accumulation seems to be a significant problem in water systems, human and animal 

life. In a previous work we quantified the uptake of lead and chromium by Nasturtium 

officinale from natural waters in the Central Region of Puerto Rico. In this study we 

investigated the uptake of Pb and Cd by Nasturtium officinale after being treated with 

different concentrations of the ions individually in separate containers. Plant samples 

were digested using a microwave laboratory oven (CEM MARS X). Analysis was 

performed by means of a flame-graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (PE 

AAnalyst 800). Preliminary results indicate that Nasturtium officinale has been utilized 

for the removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II) from samples of aqueous solutions. Bioaccumulation 

factors for plant tissue are also reported. The results of this study can provide the basis 

for understanding the bioaccumulation and phytoremediation capabilities of Nasturtium 

officinale for environmental cleanup purposes.

ENVR 149 

Bioaccumulation and toxicity of silver nanoparticles in animal and plant tissues 

Ioana E. Pavel 1 , ioana.pavel@wright.edu, Jennifer Monahan 1 , Marjorie M. 

Markopoulos 1 , Zofia E. Gagnon 2 , zofia.gagnon@marist.edu, and Britney NeJame 2 . (1) 

Department of Chemistry, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, 

OH 45435-0001, Fax: 937-775-2717, (2) Department of Environmental Science and 

Policy, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are currently receiving considerable attention because of 

their numerous applications in biology, pharmacy, and medicine. However, very little is 

known about their bioaccumulation and toxicity in living organisms. Animal model: To 

examine these aspects, developing chick embryos were injected twice with AgNPs 

(borohydride-reduced, 5-20 nm) solutions of various concentrations. Embryos' organs, 

blood, and tibiotarsus were harvested on the 20th day of incubation and examined. 

Plant model: Tomato, bean, and lettuce seeds were germinated in culture media of 

various concentrations of AgNPs. 1) The AgNPs accumulation in plant and animal 

tissues was quantified by GFAAS spectrometry on ground tissue powder. 2) The bone 

architecture was examined by micro-Raman spectroscopy imaging on embedded bone 

sections. 3) The DNA and oxidative damage in tissues was determined using a Comet 

and glutathione peroxidase assay, respectively. 4) The hematological analysis revealed 

the relationship between white blood cell counts and AgNPs treatment. 

ENVR 150 

Photoformation of hydroxyl radical from water-soluble organic matter in 

atmospheric aerosol 

Hiroaki Kondo, Kazuhiko Takeda, takedaq@hiroshima-u.ac.jp, and Hiroshi Sakugawa, 

hsakuga@hiroshima-u.ac.jp, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima 

University, 1-7-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan 

Hydroxyl radical in atmospheric liquid phase is formed from photolysis of nitric acid and 

nitrous acid, and photo-Fenton reaction. Recently, some reports suggested on hydroxyl 

radical formation from photo-irradiated organic matter such as atmospheric humic-like 

substances (HULIS). In this study, we extracted and isolated HULIS from atmospheric 

aerosol and determined hydroxyl radical photoformation rate. Aerosol sample was 

collected on quartz filter using a high volume air sampler. After collection, an aliquot of 

the filter was extracted with pure water by shaking for three hours. HULIS were isolated 

by using a solid phase extraction method. Hydroxyl radical was largely photoformed in 

aqueous HULIS solution by solar simulator irradiation, suggesting that HULIS were the 

main source of hydroxyl radical photoformed in the water-soluble fraction of 

atmospheric aerosol.

ENVR 151 

Sorption of ultraviolet filter chemicals to sediment 

Michelle Wu, wuh@union.edu and Laura A MacManus-Spencer, 

macmanul@union.edu, Department of Chemistry, Union College, 807 Union Street, 

Schenectady, NY 12308 

Ultraviolet filter chemicals (UVFCs), frequently used in personal care products, are 

introduced into the aquatic environment via direct and indirect paths, such as swimming 

and wastewater treatment plants. Designed to be photochemically stable, organic 

UVFCs pose the potential threat of long-term persistence in the environment. The 

concern that UVFCs may accumulate in sediment-dwelling organisms, biomagnify, and 

ultimately affect human health motivates the study of the transport of three UVFCs 

(benzophenone-3, homomenthyl salicylate, and octyl methoxycinnamate) to sediment. 

Batch sorption experiments were conducted by spiking a known concentration of UVFC 

to sediment samples from two local rivers, Alplaus and Indian Kill. The strength and 

kinetics of sorption to aquatic sediments were determined by varying either the initial 

UVFC concentration or the duration of sorption, respectively. Samples were analyzed 

by HPLC-UV and GC-MS. Results show that the strength and kinetics of sorption 

depend on sediment composition and type of UVFC. 

ENVR 152 

Oak Grove Tire Shreds Project: Tire shreds below the seasonal groundwater table 

Robert D Edstrom, robert.edstrom@dot.state.mn.us and John Sampson, 

john.sampsom@dot.state.mn.us, Office of Environmental Services, Minnesota 

Department of Transportation, 395 John Ireland Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155, Fax: 

651-366-3603 

The Minnesota Department of Transportation constructed a low traffic volume road 

section to determine the environmental fate and effects of chemicals from tire shred 

materials placed below the seasonal groundwater table. The road base was constructed 

during November of 2002 with over seven million pounds of tire shreds enclosed in 

geotextile fabric in the road base. Surface and well water samples were analyzed for 

pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductivity (SpCond), hardness, chemical 

oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), biochemical oxygen demand 

(BOD), aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, total chromium, copper, iron, 

lead, manganese, nickel, selenium, zinc, mercury, gasoline range organics, diesel 

range organics, total polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and carcinogenic 

polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) and eight tire specific semi-volatile organic 

compounds. Selected parameter data are presented. Elevated levels of barium, iron, 

and manganese were measured in all of the monitoring wells but not in the background

well or surface water. The tire shreds contributed some PAHs to the well water but in 

very low concentrations. Four tire material semi-volatile organics were detected in well 

water but not surface water. 

ENVR 153 

PAH concentrations in PM2.5 generated during prescribed burns of the Coconino 

and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests 

Marin S. Robinson 1 , marin.robinson@nau.edu, Pierre Herckes 2 , 

Pierre.herckes@asu.edu, and Lillian Portz 1 . (1) Department of Chemistry, Northern 

Arizona University, Box 5698, Building 20, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5698, Fax: 928-523- 

8111, (2) Department of Chemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287 

Prescribed fire is a preferred way to reduce the risk of catastrophic fire and reduce 

heavy fuel loads in forest ecosystems. However, fire is also a well-known source of fine 

particulate matter (particles ≤2.5 µm in diameter or PM2.5). Both the concentration and 

composition of PM2.5 can affect human health, raising concerns for both firefighters and 

nearby communities. One component of PM2.5 with potential exposure risk is polycyclic 

aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), many of which are known or suspected carcinogens. In 

this work, we used GC/MS to measure concentrations of 21 particle-phase PAHs 

generated during 12 prescribed burns of the Coconino and Apache Sitgreaves National 

Forests (predominantly ponderosa pine) in northern Arizona. PAH levels were 

compared across burn type (pile vs. broadcast burn), fire stage (ignition/flaming vs. 

smoldering stage), and moisture level (20 to 100% relative humidity). 

ENVR 154 

Paraoxon-induced acute brain dysfunction: Increase of EEG 

(electroencephalography) delta power spectra in rats 

Zengfa Gu, zengfa.gu@amedd.army.mil, Richard A. Bauman, and Joseph B. Long, 

Department of Polytrauma & Resuscitation Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of 

Research, 503 Robert Grant Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910 

Exposure to paraoxon, a metabolite of the insecticide parathion, is of concern in 

environmental toxicology and chemical defense researches. Paraoxon elicits toxicity via 

acetylcholinesterase inhibition and results in headaches, convulsions and respiratory 

arrest as well as even death. However, the effects of paraoxon on brain function are still 

poorly understood. We investigated EEG changes after paraoxon exposure. Twenty 

seven male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups, testing group 

(exposure to paraoxon, n=24) and sham exposure group (paraoxon was replaced by 

saline, n=3). Each rat was anesthetized using 3% isoflurane. Bilateral EEG electrodes 

were placed into the skull (1mm lateral and 1 mm anterior to lambda) and an EEG

telemetric transmitter was placed in the back. Before paraoxon or saline injection, EEG 

was recorded for 30 min as the baseline. Atropine and 2-pam were injected as the 

pretreatment just 1 minute before paraoxon (1.575 mg/kg) or saline was injected. Sixty 

minutes after paraoxon or saline injection, Diazepam was injected. All chemicals were 

injected subcutaneously. In the testing group, all animals developed seizures, whereas, 

in the sham exposure group, animals showed normal behavioral activities. EEGs of the 

baseline and at the 1, 24, 48 and 72 hours after paraoxon or saline injection were 

analyzed using the software Spike 2 (CED, Cambridge, England). EEG delta power 

spectra in the testing group were significantly increased and were 4.7, 3.3, 2.0 and 2.1 

folds higher than those in the sham exposure group respectively (p < .05). These results 

suggested that sudden exposure to paraoxon can cause acute cortical/subcortical brain 

injury and dysfunction. The increase of Delta power spectra of EEG may be useful for 

the detection of acute paraoxon poisoning. 

ENVR 155 

Pesticides in your food: Is organic really organic? 

Andria J. Marsh, amarsh2@stedwards.edu and Donald L Wharry Jr., Department of 

Chemistry, Saint Edwards University, 3001 S. Congress, Austin, TX 78704, Fax: 512- 

448-8764 

Determine a method of analyzing the residues of pesticides on leafy vegetables. 

Diazinon, Chlorpyrifos and Permethrin are the three pesticides to be identified using the 

HPLC and GC/MS. These pesticides are used widely in agricultural practices for pest 

control. These substances have been known to have adverse effects when released 

into the environment beyond certain levels. My undergraduate research will focus on 

utilizing HPLC and GC/MS to identify and relatively quantify the levels of these different 

pesticides on leafy vegetables. Green leaf lettuce and spinach will be tested to 

determine how much of each pesticide remains on the vegetable by the time of 

consumption and whether those levels exceed federal regulation issued by the 

Environmental Protection Agency. 

ENVR 156 

Photocatalytic degradation of trichloroethylene on zinc oxide nanorods 

T.-F. Hsu 1 , momocos0830@yahoo.com.tw, T.-L. Hsiung 1 , p5892106@mail.ncku.edu.tw, 

Y.-L. Wei 2 , yulin@mail.thu.edu.tw, and H. Paul Wang 1 , wanghp@mail.ncku.edu.tw. (1) 

Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 

City, Taiwan, Fax: 886-6275-2790, (2) Department of Environmental Science and 

Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung City, Taiwan

Chlorinated volatile organic compounds are carcinogenic and extremely persistent in 

the environment. Of which, trichloroethylene (TCE) is chosen as the probe molecule 

because it is associated with emissions from a wide range of industrial processes and 

its vapor is of great environmental concern, as it represents one of the most commonly 

detected pollutants in hazardous waste sites and landfills. Photodegradation of TCE has 

been catalyzed by the ZnO nanorods that have a well hexagonal structure with a 

diameter of about 400 nm. Under UV irradiation for 300 min, about 41% of TCE can be 

photocatalytically degraded. The photoactive species (OH•) formed on the ZnO 

nanorods under UV irradiation may be attributed to the effectively photocatalytic 

dechlorination. The intermediate dichloroacetyl chloride yielded during the 

photocatalytic degradation of TCE has also been observed by on-line FTIR and 

eventually is oxidized to CO2 and HCl. 

ENVR 157 

Photochemical degradation of ultraviolet filter chemicals in surface waters 

Jacob Klein 1 , Monica L Tse 2 , and Laura A MacManus-Spencer 1 , 

macmanul@union.edu. (1) Department of Chemistry, Union College, 807 Union Street, 

Schenectady, NY 12308, (2) Union College, Schenectady, NY 12308 

Ultraviolet filter chemicals (UVFCs) found in sunscreens and cosmetics have been 

detected in wastewater and surface waters. Due to their hydrophobicity, UVFCs have 

been shown to accumulate in sediment and in aquatic organisms. This poses potential 

environmental health hazards because of the endocrine disrupting activities of some of 

these chemicals. Experiments have been conducted characterizing the photo- and 

thermodegradation patterns of two FDA-approved UVFCs: octyl methoxycinnamate 

(OMC) and homomenthyl salicylate (HMS), in deionized water as well as synthetic and 

natural surface waters under simulated and natural sunlight. Plots displaying the photo- 

and thermodegradation of these UVFCs will be presented alongside the relative 

importance of direct and indirect photodegradation pathways. The photodegradation 

products of OMC have also been characterized by HPLC and GC-MS. A proposed 

mechanism for the photodegradation of OMC will also be presented. 

ENVR 158 

Improved understanding of Pd/Mg systems through a study of critical system 

parameters 

Shirish Agarwal 1 , agarwash@email.uc.edu, Souhail R. Al-Abed 2 , alabed.souhail@epa.gov, 

and Dionysios D. Dionysiou 1 , dionysios.d.dionysiou@uc.edu. 

(1) Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cincinnati, P.O. 

Box 210071, Cincinnati, OH 45221, (2) National Risk Management Research 

Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268

Palladium/magnesium bimetallic systems (Pd/Mg) have been developed for 

dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) – environmental contaminants 

notorious for their toxicity, prevalence and recalcitrance. In this phase we aim to better 

understand Pd/Mg systems through a study of parameters that will be important in 

natural systems. Often PCB contamination does not exist in isolation but is 

accompanied by a variety of organic solvents and inorganic ions in the waters overlying 

the sediments and in its interstitial pores. The organic solvents when present in 

significant proportions will lower the polarity of water, reducing its readiness for 

electrolysis. This in turn reduces hydrogen production critical for PCB dechlorination. 

Some solvents such as acetone may compete for reduction adversely effecting PCB 

dechlorination rates. Naturally abundant inorganic anions namely nitrate, sulfate, 

chloride, carbonate and phosphate will affect the rate of corrosion (by attacking the Mg 

surface and by changing the ionic strength) and hence alter the PCB dechlorination 

rates. Near neutral pH in water bodies will likely lead to accelerated corrosion of Pd/Mg 

and hence dechlorination rates higher than in bench-scale systems where pH is 

constant at 10.5 as regulated by Mg 2+ chemistry. Results on these aspects of the Pd/Mg 

systems will be presented. 

ENVR 159 

Influence of environmental temperature and relative humidity on photocatalytic 

oxidation of toluene adsorbed on activated carbon fibers coated TiO2 

Can Wu 1 , wucan@mail.nankai.edu.cn, Ting Guo 2 , guoting1008@126.com, Zhipeng 

Bai 1 , zbai@nankai.edu.cn, Tan Zhu 1 , zhutan@nankai.edu.cn, and Xiang Li 1 , 

lindbergh.li@gmail.com. (1) College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai 

University, Weijin Road #94, Tianjin 300071, China, Fax: 86-022-23503397, (2) College 

of Chemistry and Life Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321000, 

China 

TiO2 supported on active carbon fiber (TiO2/ACF), an absorbable photocatalyst, is a 

new kind of material applied in air purification. In this paper, the influence of 

environmental temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) on the gas-solid adsorption of 

toluene and the photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) efficiency of adsorbed toluene on 

TiO2/ACF were studied, and then, the purification capability of TiO2/ACF was estimated. 

PCO results showed that although the PCO efficiency increased under high RH and T 

levels, the amount of adsorption of toluene decreased. Moreover, quantitative analysis 

results of intermediates indicated that more environmental risk emerged when PCO of 

toluene was carried out at higher environmental T and RH levels because more toxic 

intermediates would be accumulated on the TiO2/ACF. So, it is significant to control the 

environmental T and RH conditions in the application of the PCO technique. T=25°C 

and RH=30% is the optimal condition for purifying toluene in our experimental system. 

ENVR 160

Influence of relative humidity on the photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) of toluene by 

TiO2 loaded on activated carbon fibers: PCO rate and intermediates accumulation 

Ting Guo 1 , guoting1008@126.com, Can Wu 2 , wucan@mail.nankai.edu.cn, Zhipeng 

Bai 2 , zbai@nankai.edu.cn, Tan Zhu 2 , zhutan@nankai.edu.cn, and Xiang Li 2 , 

lindbergh.li@gmail.com. (1) College of Chemistry and Life Science, Zhejiang Normal 

University, Yingbin Road 688#, Jinhua Zhejiang 321000, China, (2) College of 

Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Weijin Road 94#, Tianjin 

300071, China, Fax: 86-022-23503397 

Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) tests were carried out for toluene adsorbed on 

TiO2/ACFs photocatalyst in an environmental condition controlled chamber. Results 

showed that; (1) during the gas–solid PCO process of toluene, byproducts of aromatic 

ring oxidation were observed on the TiO2/ACF catalyst which had not been reported; (2) 

with the increase of RH in the chamber (15%, 30%, 45% and 60%) the PCO conversion 

rate of toluene was positive correlated and the amounts of the byproducts of aromatic 

ring oxidation were increased; and (3) elevated RH increased the accumulation of 

benzyl alcohol but assuredly decreased the accumulation of benzaldehyde. These 

results suggested that (1) RH affects both the PCO rate and the PCO reaction path of 

toluene; (2) aromatic ring oxidation is enhanced when the RH increases; (3) water 

molecule also directly takes part in the PCO process. A hypothesis has been 

suggested: Transition species comprised of benzaldehyde, hydroxyl and water molecule 

exists in the PCO conversion process from benzaldehyde to benzoic acid, though the 

hypothesis has not been confirmed. 

ENVR 161 

Measurement of criteria air pollutants in a residential area of Kuwait 

Karim N. Jallad, KJALLAD@AUK.EDU.KW, College of Arts & Sciences, American 

University of Kuwait, P.O. Box 3323, Safat 13034, Kuwait, Fax: 965-573-7039 

Air pollution may be defined as an atmospheric problem, which results in the 

deterioration of environmental quality and the air we breathe. Air pollution may be 

classified into two types according to the nature of formation: primary air pollutants or 

criteria air pollutants which are emitted from their sources directly to the atmosphere 

and secondary air pollutants which result from the chemical reaction between the 

primary pollutants. Examples of primary pollutants or criteria air pollutants are sulfur 

dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), and nonmethane 

hydrocarbons (NMHC). Examples of secondary pollutants are photochemical 

oxidants and ozone (O3). Traffic is a major source of air pollution in the urban area in 

Kuwait. In this study, we report the measurement of ozone levels in a residential area of 

Kuwait. The data collected illustrated that the levels of ozone during daytime ranged 

from moderate 45 ppb to levels reaching higher than 80 ppb. It was concluded that 

ambient air temperature and sunlight intensity in the presence of NOx and VOC sources

(plenty of cars and absence of vegetation) played a major role in the production of 

ozone. At night time, lower ozone levels were detected. In addition, levels of SO2, CO, 

and Pb in the same residential area of Kuwait were both collected and compared to 

data belonging to O3, NO2 and NMHC. Such comparison will determine whether the 

levels of primary air pollutants are seasonal or correlated with heavy traffic movement 

during rush hours. 

ENVR 162 

Mixed metal oxide nanocomposites: Novel extractants for the remediation of 

arsenate from aqueous solutions 

Tarek M. Trad, tarek.trad@utb.edu, Department of Chemistry and Environmental 

Sciences, University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, 80 Fort 

Brown, M-0 1.128, Brownsville, TX 78520, Fax: 956-882-6692, and Mohamed 

Chehbouni, mchehbouni@se.edu, Department of Chemistry, Computer and Physical 

Sciences, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK 74078 

Capped nickel ferrite nanoparticles were shown to be effective adsorbents for the 

magnetic extraction of arsenic from water. The possibility of removing more than 99% of 

As (V) from aqueous solutions using very small quantities of the nanoparticulate 

adsorbents is reported. In this project, we describe a new nonhydrolytic single precursor 

route for the synthesis of capped magnetite and nickel ferrite nanoparticles. The surface 

composition and thermal stability of these materials was studied using infrared 

spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis respectively. Average particle size (as low 

as 5 nm) was determined using transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light 

scattering techniques. Structural characterization of all precursor and nanoparticle 

samples was carried out by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Nonhydrolytic 

techniques hold great potential for producing metal oxide nanoparticles with superior 

properties related to surface composition and defect structure. Advantages resulting 

from nonhydroxylated surfaces are of interest in catalysis, ceramics, magnetic data 

storage, and environmental applications. 

ENVR 163 

Element characteristic of atmospheric PM10 and source identification based on 

qualitative methods in Teda,Tianjin 

Shaofei Kong, kongshaofei@mail.nankai.edu.cn, Bin Han, Zhipeng Bai, 

zbai@nankai.edu.cn, Zhun Xu, Xiang Li, lindbergh.li@gmail.com, and Bowen Zhang, 

College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Weijin Road 

94#, Tianjin 300071, China, Fax: 86-02223503397

To investigate the concentrations and elemental compositions of ambient particulate 

matter in Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA), PM10 and PM2.5 

samples were collected from June 2007 to February 2008 at Teda college, Nankai 

University. Collected filter samples were conducted gravity analysis for mass 

concentration and analyzed 18 kinds of elements (Na, K, Fe, Al, Ca, Mg, Mn, Sc, V, Cr, 

Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Sn, Ba, Pb) using ICP-MS and Si was detected by AAS. The results 

showed that the particle pollution was heavy in TEDA. 74% of the daily average PM10 

concentration exceeded the China Class II standards and 70% exceeded the US EPA 

annual PM2.5 standards averagely. The main sources for PM-bound elements were coal 

combustion, vehicle emission, industrial process, soil and fugitive dust and sea salt by 

qualitative methods including ratios, characteristic elements, correlation analysis, and 

cluster analysis. 

ENVR 164 

Effect of functional groups in dispersants for the transport of titanium dioxide 

nanoparticles in quartz sands 

Sung Hee Joo 1 , Joo.Sunghee@epa.gov, Todd Luxton 2 , Luxton.Todd@epa.gov, and 

Souhail R. Al-Abed 2 , Al-Abed.Souhail@epa.gov. (1) Pegasus Technical Services, Inc, 

46 E. Hollister Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219, Fax: 513-569-7879, (2) U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268 

There has been little information on the fate and transport of nanomaterials in the 

environment. In order to provide quantitative information regarding the fate and 

transport of manufactured nanoparticles, titanium dioxide was chosen as a model 

compound because of its use in cosmetic and other commercial products. We have 

characterized TiO2 coated with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and found that carboxyl 

groups that are present in sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) endow the ability 

to strongly chelate Ti 4+ ions of anatase, enhancing dispersability and mobility of TiO2 

nanoparticles while TiO2 mixed with PVP or ethylene glycol, which has no carboxyl 

group, showed significant agglomeration. Column study on the transport of a new type 

of CMC-stabilized TiO2 nanoparticles in quartz sands in the presence and absence of 

arsenic shall be presented and discussed under different experimental parameters. 

ENVR 165 

Extraction of toxic metal ions with nanosize hollow carbon spheres 

Chun-Kuo Tsai 1 , arthur6963@gmail.com, Chien-Hua Huang 1 , T.-L. Hsiung 1 , C.-J. G. 

Chou 2 , george@ccms.nkfust.edu.tw, and H. Paul Wang 1 , wanghp@mail.ncku.edu.tw. 

(1) Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 

City, Taiwan, Fax: 886-6275-2790, (2) Department of Safety, Health, and Environmental

Engineering, National Kaoshiung First University, Science and Technology, Kaoshiung 

City, Taiwan 

The hollow carbon spheres (H@C) were synthesized by leaching out of copper from the 

Cu@C core-shell nanoparticles prepared by carbonization of Cu 2+ -cyclodextrin 

complexes. The H@C or Cu@C nanoparticles are highly dispersed and uniformly (in 

size) distributed. The shell carbons of the Cu@C or H@C nanoparticles are consisted of 

mainly diamond-like and graphite carbons. In the H@C nanoparticles, micropores with a 

pore opening of about 0.5 nm in the carbon shell and cages with diameters of 7, 14, or 

20 nm (2.5-8.2 × 1017 cages/g) are found. Toxic metal ions (such as Cr 3+ and Cu 2+ ) in 

wastewater can be extracted in the cages and micropores of the H@C. Note that the 

pore opening of 0.5 nm in the carbon shell is accessible for many other toxic metal ions 

in the waste or contaminated ground water diffused through the micropores and 

enriched in the cages of the H@C. 

ENVR 166 

Fecal coliform source identification using chemical tracers 

Nicole Fahrenfeld 1 , nfahren@vt.edu, Alan Elzerman 2 , awlzrmn@clemson.edu, and 

John T. Coates 1 , coates@clemson.edu. (1) Department of Environmental Engineering 

and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, 342 Computer Ct, Anderson, SC 29625, (2) 

Departments of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences and Geological 

Sciences, Clemson University, Anderson, SC 29625 

Fecal sterols and fluorinated whitening agents (FWA) were used as chemical tracers for 

fecal coliform source tracking in two mixed land use creeks in Walhalla, SC. Fecal 

sterols were quantifiable in both stream sediments and suspended particulates. Only 

human sterol source identification ratios were able to be calculated using the chosen 

sterol suite. Human fecal signatures were seen in both the sediment and the water 

column at various points along both creeks, indicating human fecal pollution is 

contributing to the fecal coliform pollution. FWA was never above presumptive sewage 

detection levels in the creeks even when sediment samples indicated some historical 

human fecal pollution at sites. Results were compared to microbial source tracking 

(MST) methods by a collaborating researcher and showed consistencies for only some 

of the sample sites, possibly due to false negatives or differences in sampling dates and 

matrices. 

ENVR 167 

Host-guest interactions of cyclodextrins and cyanotoxins

Lin Chen, lchen001@fiu.edu and Kevin E. O'Shea, osheak@fiu.edu, Department of 

Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, 

Miami, FL 33174, Fax: 305-348-3772 

Cyanotoxins are potent toxic compounds produced by cyanobacteria during algal 

blooms, which can poison and kill animals and humans. The host-guest interaction of α- 

, β-, γ-cyclodextrins (CD) with several cyanotoxins, such as microcystins (MC) and 

nodularin (NOD) was investigated as a potential method for the removal of these toxins 

from drinking water. MCs have a hydrophobic Adda chain which contains diene and 

benzene groups. We studied host-guest interactions of MCs with CDs by proton NMR. 

The 1 H NMR for MCs is unchanged upon addition of α-CD (smallest host). β-CD and γ- 

CD lead to significant changes in chemical shift of benzene resonance or diene on the 

Adda chain. pH and salt have minimal effects on the complexation. The binding 

constants for MCs and NOD with γ-CD range from 506.7 M -1 to 1,155 M -1 . Based on the 

observed chemical shifts and competitive binding experiments, Adda chains on MCs 

insert into the CD rings. 

ENVR 168 

Immobilization of heavy metals using slag and phosphates 

Feng Li 1 , bluelifeng@hotmail.com, Won Sik Shin 1 , wshin@mail.knu.ac.kr, and Inseong 

Hwang 2 , ihwang@pusan.ac.kr. (1) Department of Environmental Engineering, 

Kyungpook National University, 1370 Sankyuk-Dong, Buk-Gu, Daegu 702-701, South 

Korea, Fax: 82-53-950-6579, (2) Department of Environmental Engineering, Pusan 

National University, Busan, South Korea 

Solidification/stabilization (S/S) has been considered as a promising remediation 

technology for immobilizing heavy metals in contaminated sites. In this study, the 

feasibility of immobilization of heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Zn, Cu and Cr) using industrial 

byproduct, ladle slag and phosphates (K3PO4 and diammonium phosphate (DAP)) was 

investigated. Various binder matrices such as slag, DAP, K3PO4, slag + DAP and slag + 

K3PO4, were applied for the immobilization of heavy metals. The immobilization 

efficiency of heavy metals was evaluated by toxicity characteristic leaching procedure 

(TCLP), 0.1N HCl extraction (Korean regulation) and BCR sequential extraction. The 

effect of aging on the immobilization of heavy metals was also investigated. Among the 

tested binder matrices (single binders: slag, DAP and K3PO4) and binary binders: slag + 

DAP and slag + K3PO4), slag (0.06 g/g soil) + DAP (0.10 g/g soil) showed the highest 

immobilization efficiency. The results also indicated that aging increased the 

immobilization efficiency. 

ENVR 169

Dechlorination of trichloroethylene (TCE) using zero-valent iron in organic 

solvents 

Rita E. Cook, Kristen A. Thoreson, and Kristopher McNeill, Department of Chemistry, 

University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 

Zero-valent iron (ZVI) is currently employed to remediate ground water contaminated 

with TCE, however the mechanism of the dechlorination reaction is not well understood. 

In order to compare the mechanism of ZVI-mediated dechlorination to that of a well 

characterized phosphino-iron(0) model complex, dechlorination of TCE with ZVI was 

studied in organic solvents. The reaction was carried out with 100 mesh iron(0) in 

oxygen and water-free conditions using THF and toluene as solvents. TCE loss was 

monitored by GC/MS. The reaction in water-free THF resulted in complete degradation 

of TCE after several days, but only a 10% decrease in TCE concentration was observed 

in water-free toluene over the same timescale. The dechlorination reaction in water-free 

toluene with tert-butanol as a proton source was also evaluated. 

ENVR 170 

Distribution and characteristics of PAHs in sediments from the coastal 

environment of Egypt. 

Alaa Mostafa 1 , amostafa24@gmail.com, Terry L. Wade 2 , terry@gerg.tamu.edu, 

Stephen T. Sweet 2 , Nadia B. El Sayed 1 , and Assem O. Barakat 1 , 

abarakat18@hotmail.com. (1) Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of 

Science, Alexandria University, Moharrem Bek, Alexandria 21511, Egypt, Fax: 002 03 

3911794, (2) Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University, 

College Station, TX 77845 

To assess the contamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the coastal 

environment and coastal lakes of Egypt, 40 sediment samples were collected and 

analyzed. This study provides perspectives on concentration ranges and on geographic 

distributions of PAHs. Total concentration of 46 PAHs studied in the sediments, 

expressed as ΣPAH, varied from 17.5 to 23,701.8 ng g -1 dry wt. with a mean of 2,724.9 

ng g -1 . While the total amount of the non-substituted parent PAHs in sediment samples 

ranged from 5.4 to 15,765.1 ng g -1 dry weight. Industrialized and urbanized region 

showed high level of PAHs contamination. The PAH-fingerprints of the sediments in 

most of the sampling sites is varied, which is in turn indicated dissimilarity in the 

compositional pattern of PAHs. Major PAHs sources inferred from diagnostic indices 

were both pyrogenic and petrogenic. The ratio COMB/ΣEPA-PAHs was high to very 

high (0.7-10.8) in most of the sediment samples of the study area indicating that there is 

extensive combustion activities along the coastal environment. Generally, The 

concentration of total PAHs in the northern coastal sediments are high compared with 

those reported for other similar world areas, indicating that the PAH pollution in the 

sediments of the study area is comparatively high. In the investigated coastal sediments

of Egypt, 7.5% sites had a mean PAH ERL quotient >1.0, indicating the potential to 

cause adverse effects in sensitive species. The boats waiting area of the Eastern 

harbour of Alexandria was recognized as highly contaminated with PAHs, and 

recommended to be managed with special plan. 

ENVR 171 

Effects of endosulfan on soil respiration 

Ricardo Joseph, ricardo.joseph@ars.usda.gov, USDA, ARS/SHRS, USDA-ARS, 

Miami, FL , Florida International University, 13601 Old Cutler Rd, Miami, FL 33158, 

Stewart T. Reed, stewart.reed@ars.usd.gov, USDA, ARS/SHRS, USDA-ARS, Miami, 

FL, Miami, FL 33158, Cristina S. Clark-Cuadrado, cristinasilvia@yahoo.com, West 

Chester Field Office, USDA-NRCS, West Chester, PA 19380-0990, and Krishnaswamy 

Jayachandran, Krish.Jayachandran@fiu.edu, Department of Environmental 

Studies/SERC, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199 

Endosulfan (6,7,8,9,10-hexachloro-1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-6,9-methano-2,4,3benzodioxathiepin-3-oxide) 

is an organochlorine compound commonly applied to 

agricultural crops as an insecticide. However, little is known about its effect on nontarget 

soil microorganisms. The effects of endosulfan on soil respiration were 

investigated. Moisture, temperature and net CO2 production were measured in a bean 

field where endosulfan had been applied. Beans were grown in 11.4 x 2.4 m 2 field with 

a 2.0 slope emanating from the center. At the base of each slope were 4, 4.1 x 1.8 m 

plots. Half the plots were planted to switch grass and half were bare soil. Endosulfan 

was applied to bean area. The experimental design included 2 treatments, no 

endosulfan and endosulfan. Soil microbial analysis was also conducted from soil 

samples collected at 0.3 and 0.9 meters from the edge of bean field. The data from the 

studied treatments was compared to determine the effects of the pesticide on observed 

readings. 

ENVR 172 

Electrochemical oxidation of 4-chlorophenol with granular graphite electrodes 

Jiann-Long Chen, chenjl@fcu.edu.tw, Guan Chang Chiou, Chih-Chao Wu, and Kung- 

Yuh Chiang, Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Feng Chia 

University, 100 Wenhwa Rd., Seatwen District, 40724 Taichung, Taiwan, Fax: 886-4- 

2451-7686 

Electrochemical oxidation of 4-chlorophenol in a flow-through reactor equipped with 

granular graphite electrodes was conducted. The reactor is constructed with a block of 

Teflon and is divided into two compartments separated by a Nafion membrane. The 

applied current and oxidation potential of the electrode was controlled with a

potentialstat. The solution matrix was DI water spiked with methanol containing 4chlorophenol. 

Adsorption of 4-chlorophenol by granular graphite is linear with a Kd 

value of 12.6 L/kg. The oxidation of 4-chlorophenol was observed at applied currents of 

50, 100, and 300 mA, respectively. The apparent degradation rate varied insignificantly 

with the applied current, which indicates the reaction rate is transport-controlled. This 

was verified with the degradation rate being higher with higher flow rate. A calculation 

on the mass balance of 4-chlorophenol and chloride show nearly all the target 

compounds in both solution and solid phases were completely dechlorinated. 

ENVR 173 

Electrodeposited selenium for mercury removal from aqueous solutions 

E. J. Bain, Euan.Bain@abdn.ac.uk, J. M. Calo, JMCalo@brown.edu, and R. Spitz, 

Division of Engineering, Brown University, Box D, Providence, RI 02912 

Carbon-supported, nanostructured selenium has been shown to be a very effective 

sorbent for vapour-phase mercury capture. Unfortunately, for mercury capture from 

aqueous solutions we have found that this adsorbent results in unacceptable selenium 

leaching. Consequently, we have developed an electrodeposited selenium adsorbent 

for enhanced mercury capture from aqueous solutions. In the current report, 

electrodeposition of “red selenium” on a Pt electrode of a quartz crystal microbalance 

was accomplished by cycling at 5 mV s -1 between -300 mV and +500 mV (vs. 

Ag|AgCl|Cl - -3M KCl) in a Na2SeO3 solution. It was shown that 1 µg Se cm -2 

electrodeposited on a Pt electrode was able to take up over 1 µg cm -2 of mercury from a 

1000 µg l -1 mercury solution. In addition, no measurable Se loss was observed in 

solutions down to pH 2. The application of electrodeposited Se to adsorbent materials, 

such as carbons, will also be discussed. 

ENVR 174 

Chelating polymers for removal of Pb on ppb levels: Capacity and kinetic studies 

Prince Amoyaw, Conrad W. Ingram, and Xiu R. Bu, xbu@cau.edu, Department of 

Chemistry, Clark Atlanta University, 223 James P. Brawley Drive, S.W, Atlanta, GA 

30314, Fax: 404-880-6890 

A chelating polymer with salicylaldehyde functionality has been evaluated for removing 

low concentration of lead(II) from aqueous media. The removal is found to be highly 

dependent on the pH condition. In addition, the effect of the initial lead concentrations 

on removal has also been studied at pH5.5. It is found that the metal absorption is 

better described with the Langmuir model. The RL value has been determined, 

indicating the favorable absorption in a wide range of concentrations. The kinetic study 

has revealed the metal removal proceeds in a very fast pace-less than 20 sec to reach

the maximum capacity. The data fits the description of pseudo-second-order rate. The 

dynamic column study for real time practical absorption has been investigated. The 

breakthrough volume is determined to 500 mL. 

ENVR 175 

Chlorine-free disinfection of water contaminated with Salmonella typhimurium by 

treatment with an alternating current: Role of hydroxyl radicals formation 

Nikolay N. Barashkov 1 , nikolay@microtracers.com, David Eisenberg 1 , Sylvan 

Eisenberg 1 , Laila Lam 1 , Tamara S. Novikova 2 , tamara1206@hotmail.com, Gaukhar S. 

Shegebaeva 3 , and Irina S. Irgibaeva 3 . (1) Micro Tracers, Inc, 1370 Van Dyke Ave., San 

Francisco, CA 94124, Fax: 415-822-6615, (2) Karpov Institute of Physical Chemistry, 

Moscow, Russia, (3) Department of Chemistry, Eurasian National University, Astana, 

Kazakhstan 

Aqueous solution containing ammonium sulfate at concentration 0.025-0.5% as an 

electrolyte and highly contaminated with Salmonella typhimurium, was treated in a 

circulating system with use of electrochemical cell with 10 stainless steel electrodes and 

low alternating current, AC (from 0.12 to 1.1 A), relatively low current densities (from 40 

to 320 ma/sq.cm) and the initial voltage demand 20-70 volts. The formation of hydroxyl 

radicals during AC electrolysis of aqueous solutions of ammonium sulfate, which has 

been experimentally confirmed by using N,N-dimethyl-p-nitrosoaniline as a spin trap, 

seems to make a significant contribution in sanitizing action of electrochemical 

treatment. Several parameters, such as electrode surface area, water volume and rate 

of pumping through the electrochemical cell, changes in AC frequency and different 

electrode materials were analyzed and recommendations how to increase the 

disinfection efficiency and decrease time of treatment were discussed. 

ENVR 176 

Cloud point extraction for the detection of radionuclides in water samples 

Sarah Pepper 1 , sarah.pepper@inl.gov, Dean R. Peterman 2 , dean.peterman@inl.gov, 

and Troy J. Tranter 2 , Troy.Tranter@inl.gov. (1) Interfacial Chemistry, Idaho National 

Laboratory, P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-2208, Fax: 208-526-8541, (2) 

Aqueous Separations and Radiochemistry Department, Idaho National Laboratory, 

Idaho Falls, ID 83415-7113 

The identification of nuclear weapons production activities, nuclear fuel reprocessing 

operations, disposal of nuclear waste and accidents involving nuclear materials can be 

achieved through the detection of plutonium, neptunium or fission products such as 

technetium. Their concentrations can be extremely low in aqueous samples and 

consequently large volumes of solution may need to be collected and pre-concentrated

prior to analysis. Cloud point extraction, based on the clouding phenomenon of 

surfactants above a certain temperature, offers an attractive alternative to more 

traditional methods. The technique employs water as the predominant component along 

with small amounts of an inexpensive, environmentally-benign surfactant. In the case of 

metal extraction, chelating ligands are essential to facilitate quantitative separation. 

Previous studies with uranium have demonstrated that the selective ligands used in 

solvent extraction are compatible with this method. Here we report on our ongoing 

efforts to design a selective cloud point extraction scheme capable of pre-concentrating 

the target radionuclides, thus facilitating their rapid detection in aqueous samples. 

ENVR 177 

Contaminant diffusion and degradation studies with alginate encapsulated iron 

nanoparticles 

Rabiya Y Shabnam 1 , rabiya.shabnam@gmail.com, Senay Simsek 2 , 

senay.simsek@ndsu.edu, Jay M Thompson 1 , jayt@stanford.edu, Eakalak Khan 1 , 

eakalak.khan@ndsu.edu, and Achintya Bezbaruah 1 , a.bezbaruah@ndsu.edu. (1) 

Department of Civil Engineering, North Dakota State University, Environmental 

Conservation Science Program, 1410 14th Avenue North, Fargo, ND 58105, (2) 

Department of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105 

Zero-valent iron (nZVI) is the most popular among the metal nanoparticles used in 

environmental remediation. However, because of magnetic and Van der Waals forces 

they agglomerate very easily and settle into subsurface media pores when used for 

groundwater remediation. Again, if dispersed, the particles become mobile. To 

overcome these problems nZVI have been encapsulated in calcium alginate and 

evaluated for their diffusion and degradation characteristics. Diffusion studies conducted 

for a monosaccharide (xylose) and pesticide (alachlor) showed good diffusion of 

substrate/contaminant into the alginate capsules. Alachlor degradation studies also 

showed promise. Furthers studies are underway to improve the degradation rate using 

encapsulated nZVI. The authors have demonstrated for the first time the possible use of 

a biopolymer to encapsulate metal nanoparticles. The Ca-alginate capsules were 

optimized for size, membrane thickness, and bursting force keeping in mind their 

possible use in permeable reactive barriers for groundwater remediation. 

ENVR 178 

Continuous flow fixed-bed biodiesel production from algae oil 

Ben Wen, b-wen@unitedee.com, Jessica P Zhang, p-zhang@unitedee.com, and 

Guang Wen, g-wen@unitedee.com, United Environment & Energy LLC, 111 Ridge 

Road, Horseheads, NY 14845

This study concerns a highly energy efficient, high throughput continuous flow fixed-bed 

reactor technology for cost-effective algae oil biodiesel production. Algae oil has 

emerged as one of the most promising sources for mass biodiesel production to replace 

all transportation fuel in the U.S. However, the current commercial biodiesel production 

process (a homogeneous catalyst based transesterification process) has not changed 

much in the last two decades and is far from being efficient. In addition to the significant 

capital costs required for this homogeneous alkali-catalyzed process, the neutralization 

and washing processes, along with the production of waste water, are energy and labor 

intensive and not environmentally friendly. To achieve the algae biodiesel economy, a 

new highly energy efficient and high throughput biodiesel production process needs to 

be developed. In this presentation, the results on the algae oil composition, the fixedbed 

reactor configuration and operating conditions will be reported. 

ENVR 179 

Correlation of the common water quality parameters pH, nitrate, phosphate, iron, 

total carbonate, and natural organic matter with the mulifactorial 

photodegradation of N-octanoyl-DL-homoserine lactone 

Rebecca L. Frey 1 , frey@mail.chem.sc.edu, Alan Decho 2 , and John L. Ferry 1 , 

ferry@mail.chem.sc.edu. (1) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of 

South Carolina, 631 Sumter St., Columbia, SC 29208, Fax: 803-777-9521, (2) 

Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of South Carolina 

The relationship between photodegradation of quorum sensing molecules N-octanoyl- 

DL-homoserine lactone (C8) and microbial ecology is explored. A combinatorial 

multifactor experiment was conducted to investigate the role of initial pH, nitrate/nitrite, 

phosphate, Fe(III), total carbonate, and natural organic matter (NOM) in the indirect 

photodegradation of homoserine lactones. The correlation between the five factors and 

the corresponding interfactor terms with the rate of HSL degradation is reported. The 

causality of these relationships was determined with the addition of selective reactive 

species probes, such as diazabicyclooctane for singlet oxygen, methanol for HO•, 

catalase for organoperoxides, etc., at the center point condition of the multifactorial 

experimental matrix. Correlation and causality are determined for acid and neutral 

extractable forms of the HSLs and the statistically significant factors controlling HSL 

photodegradation identified. Major oxidation products were determined by LC-MS 

techniques. The effect of oxidation of on the biological activity of the HSL was 

determined by the Agrobacterium tumefaciens bioluminescence assay. 

ENVR 180 

Effect of temperature on the performance and biomass characteristics in EBPR 

system

Nan Li, nanlee@yahoo.cn, Xiuheng Wang, xiuheng@hit.edu.cn, Nanqi Ren, 

rnq@hit.edu.cn, Han Kang, and Kun Zhang, Department of Environmental Science & 

Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 2614, No. 202 Haihe Road, 

Nangang District, Harbin, 150090, China 

The effect of temperature on biomass characteristics and operation performance in 

enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process were investigated. Three 

well-controlled, strictly anaerobic–aerobic SBRs were operated at different temperatures 

(5, 15, and 25ºC). The start-up time of EBPR process at 5, 15, and 25ºC was 20 days, 

28 days and 40 days, and phosphorus removal efficiency reached 70%, 88% and 80% 

respectively. Both the specific P-release rate and the specific P-uptake rate increased 

with the increase of temperature. The observed phosphorus content of the biomass (mg 

P/mg MLVSS) decreased with the increase of temperature from 0.112 (5ºC) to 0.098 

(15 ºC) and 0.075 (25ºC), respectively. Based on the results of energy dispersive 

spectrum, decreasing the temperature (25, 15, 5 ºC) resulted in the increase of mass 

fraction of phosphorus (11.35%, 7.31%, 5.82%) in extracellular polymeric substances 

(EPS) of activated aerobic sludge. 

ENVR 181 

Arsenic redox on porous carbon electrodes 

J. M. Calo 1 , JMCalo@brown.edu, E. Morallon 2 , morallon@ua.es, J. Arias-Pardilla 2 , and 

D. Cazorla-Amorós 3 , cazorla@ua.es. (1) Division of Engineering, Brown University, Box 

D, Providence, RI 02912, (2) Departamento de Química Física and Instituto 

Universitario de Materiales, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain, (3) Departamento 

de Química Inorgánica and Instituto Universitario de Materiales, Universidad de 

Alicante, Alicante, Spain 

The interactions of arsenic species with porous carbon and Pt electrodes were 

investigated with an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) and cyclic 

voltammetry in alkaline solutions. It is shown that arsenic reduction/deposition, 

oxidation/desorption, and electrocatalyzed oxidation can be readily distinguished with 

the EQCM. For the porous carbon electrode, a continual mass loss was always 

observed during potential cycling, with or without arsenic in the solution. This was 

attributed to electrogasification of the carbon. The apparent mass loss per cycle was 

observed to decrease with increasing arsenic concentration due to a net mass increase 

in adsorbed arsenic per cycle that increased with arsenic concentration, offsetting the 

carbon mass loss. Additional carbon adsorption sites involved in arsenic species 

interactions are created during electrogasification, thereby augmenting the net uptake of 

arsenic per cycle. The relationship of this work to the development of more effective 

arsenic removal processes will also be presented. 

ENVR 182

Arsenic removal in particulate iron spouted beds 

J. R. Kirchner, Johannes_Kirchner@brown.edu, E. J. Bain, Euan.Bain@abdn.ac.uk, 

and J. M. Calo, JMCalo@brown.edu, Division of Engineering, Brown University, Box D, 

Providence, RI 02912 

Most zero-valent iron (ZVI) technologies operate with static metal or mineral surfaces, 

such as in packed beds. The effectiveness of these systems can be limited by iron 

corrosion rates, as well as arsenic mass transfer through the solid product diffusion 

layer. In spouted particulate beds, however, where the particles are in constant 

mechanical contact with one another in a moving bed, continuous abrasion between 

particle can result in continual surface renewal. Batch experiments were conducted with 

1/8 in. carbon steel (98 wt% iron) spheres at pH 4 and 7, comparing fixed and agitated 

bed operations. At pH 4, iron oxidation was visible 48h earlier in the agitated bed than in 

the fixed bed, and the formation of a corrosion layer was observed under fixed bed 

operation, whereas surface regeneration occurred for the agitated bed. Additional 

findings of bench scale experiments, as well as the use of spouted ZVI particles for 

arsenic removal will also be discussed. 

ENVR 183 

Assessment of phytoavailability of arsenate in soils using the iron oxideimpregnated 

filter paper extraction method 

Wan-Ching Kuo, nini.ntu@m2k.com.tw, Tzu-Huei Lin, amythlin@yahoo.com.tw, and 

Dar-Yuan Lee, DYLEE@NTU.EDU.TW, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National 

Taiwan University, 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan, Fax: 886-2-23638192 

To estimate the availability of As in soils is essential for risk assessment. The major As 

form in soils is arsenate and its behavior in soils is similar to that of phosphate. The iron 

oxide-impregnated filter paper extraction method was successfully used to estimate the 

amounts of soil available phosphorus. The feasibility of using iron oxide-impregnated 

filter paper method for determining the availability and thus for estimating the 

phytotoxcity of As(V) was tested in this study. The results showed that the amount of 

soil filter paper-extractable As was positively correlated with the plant uptake As and 

negatively correlated with the plant height of wheat seedlings. Thus, the iron oxideimpregnated 

filter paper extraction method can be used to assess the availability and 

phytotoxicity As(V) in soils. 

ENVR 184 

Black carbons dominate sorption and desorption of polycyclic aromatic 

hydrocarbon onto lake sediments

Qi Wu, wuqi80@hotmail.com and Won Sik Shin, wshin@mail.knu.ac.kr, Department of 

Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 1370 Sankyuk-Dong, Buk- 

Gu, Daegu 702-701, South Korea, Fax: 82-53-950-6579 

Batch sorption and sequential desorption of PAHs (naphthalene, phenanthrene and 

pyrene) in 4 lake sediments and their black carbons (BCs) were investigated. Several 

sorption models (Freundlich, solubility-normalized Freundlich, Langmuir, dual-mode, 

Polanyi-Manes, Polanyi-Dubinin-Manes, Dubinin-Radushkevich) and a biphasic 

desorption model were used to fit the sorption and desorption data, respectively. The 

result of model analysis showed that BC has a major contribution on sorption affinity in 

lake sediments. The sorption model parameters were positively correlated with and 

elemental C/N ratio. Appreciable size of desorption-resistance fractions were observed 

in sediments and BCs after several desorption steps. Desorption-resistance in BCs 

were higher than those in their original sediments. The size of desorption-resistance 

fraction in sediments or BCs increased with organic carbon (foc) or BC content (fBC). A 

frequently used liner-free-energy relationship (LFER) showed that an increased value of 

amorphous organic carbon was observed for the total organic carbon–water distribution 

coefficients (KTOC). 

ENVR 185 

Cadmium accumulation and distribution in pak choi (Brassica chinensis) 

cultivated in the peri-urban areas of Hangzhou city, China: Implications for 

human health 

Sen Yan 1 , yans@missouri.edu, Qicong Ling 1 , lingqicong@126.com, Zhengyu Bao 1 , 

zybao@263.net, Zhongda Chen 2 , Sha Yan 1 , Zhicheng Dong 1 , and Bo Zhang 1 . (1) Key 

Laboratory of Bio-geology and Environmental Geology of Ministry of Education, China 

University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China, (2) Zhejiang Institute of Geological 

Survey, Hangzhou 311203, China 

Heavy metal contamination of vegetables is a worldwide problem. This study 

investigated cadmium (Cd) distribution and translocation in pak choi (Brassica 

chinensis) based on biomass accumulation. Results showed that average biomass for 

leaf was larger than root, while the average Cd concentration in leaf was lower than 

root. In comparison, the Cd concentrations were generally higher than those reported in 

other countries and areas, with 90% of samples exceeding the Chinese Food Standard 

for Cd (0.05 mg/kg, fresh weight). The avearge Cd stock in pak choi (Brassica 

chinensis) was 6.23 µg and transfer factor indicated that over 80% (on average) of total 

Cd burden was allocated to leaf (edible portion). Since pak choi (Brassica chinensis) is 

the staple vegetable in the study area and of great relevance to human health, the 

dietary intake of Cd and risk index to local residents through food chain are evaluated. 

ENVR 186

Catalytic reduction of nitrate with bimetallic iron nanoparticles 

Haiyan Kang 1 , seahaier@sohu.com, Zongming Xiu 2 , Lianshan Li 1 , Zhaohui Jin 2 , and 

Zhiguang Yang 1 . (1) Department of Environment Engineering, Pingdingshan Institute of 

Technology, Pingdingshan City, Henan Province 467044, China, (2) College of 

Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 

300071, China 

Nanoscale bimetallic particles (Fe/Ni, Fe/Cu) have been synthesized in laboratory for 

catalytic reduction of nitrate (NO3 - ) pollutant at initial neutral pH condition. Compared to 

nanoscale Fe 0 particles, reactivity has been highly enhanced with the introduction of Ni 

or Cu. The maximum removal rate was achieved with 5.0% loading of the second metal, 

and Fe/Cu nanoparticles behaved much higher reaction rate than Fe/Ni nanoparticles. 

Ammonium (NH4 + ) was the primary end-product from these reactions, amount to 90.6% 

of the transformation rate with Fe/Ni particles and 79.4% with Fe/Cu. Nitrate reduction in 

the two reaction systems undergo two similar steps that firstly NO3 - was reduced to 

nitrite (NO2 - ) and then to NH4 + or N2, however, for each step, different metal catalyst 

exhibited distinct reactivity. Catalyst Cu has better selectivity to NO2 - than Ni, so caused 

the transformation quickly from NO3 - to NO2 - , but slowly from NO2 - to NH4 + or N2. 

ENVR 187 

Changes in water quality and prediction of acidity decay in 40 above drainage 

mines in West Virginia 

Jeffrey G. Skousen, jskousen@wvu.edu and Ben Mack, Plant and Soil Sciences, West 

Virginia University, 1106 Agric. Sci. Bldg, Morgantown, WV 26506, Fax: 304-293-2960 

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the most prevalent pollution problems in many parts 

of the world where coal and metals are mined. The duration of AMD flowing out of 

underground mines is important in watershed restoration and abandoned mine land 

reclamation projects. Past studies report that AMD flows from underground mines for 

hundreds of years with little change in chemistry, while others find that poor drainage 

quality only lasts 20 to 40 years. In northern West Virginia, 40 above-drainage 

underground mines with AMD discharges were located and sampled in 1968, 1980, 

2000 and 2005. The objective of this study was to determine the average amount of 

acidity lost over time. Measurements of acidity concentrations from these mines were 

plotted against selected acidity decay curves of 2, 5, and 10%. The 40 sites were split 

into two main groups by coal seam (Upper Freeport and Pittsburgh). Acidity values from 

the 34 Upper Freeport sites were split further into four different groups (by 1968 acidity) 

and an exponential declining trend line was drawn through the data to determine how 

well the groups matched the decay curves. Both the Pittsburgh and Upper Freeport 

groups most closely matched the 5% decay curve. Acidity values from the T&T #2 mine, 

a much younger mine which was closed 12 years ago, were also plotted against the 

same three decay curves. T&T most closely matched the 10% decay curve during its

first 12 years after closure. This is likely due to the relatively short time since mine 

closure of T&T compared to the 50-70 years since mine closure for the 40 sites, and 

therefore T&T is still going through its initial flushing phase, which includes the flushing 

of accumulated metal salts from the mine. 

ENVR 188 

Characterization of elements in ambient particulate matter collected in Tianjin 

offshore area of Bohai Sea in summer and its source apportionment 

Bin Han, Shaofei Kong, kongshaofei@mail.nankai.edu.cn, Zhipeng Bai, 

zbai@nankai.edu.cn, Zhun Xu, Xiang Li, lindbergh.li@gmail.com, and Bowen Zhang, 

College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Weijin Road 

#94, Tianjin 300071, China, Fax: 86-02223503397 

Total suspended particulate samples were collected in Tianjin offshore area of Bohai 

Sea in August, 2006 to characterize ambient particulate matter pollution in the offshore 

area and identify its sources. Collected filter samples were conducted gravity analysis 

for mass concentration and analyzed 20 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, 

Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ba, Hg, Pb, and Cd) using ICP-AES. Meteorological conditions 

during sampling period was analyzed and results showed that the land pollution could 

be transmitted to the atmosphere over the sea affected by land breeze. Enrichment 

factors and CMB receptor model were applied on to determine main source types of 

anthropogenic particles in the studying area. Source apportionment results indicated 

that coal combustion ash (36.1%) was the largest contributor to ambient TSP 

concentrations of the Bohai Sea, followed by crustal source (33.3%), sea-salt aerosol 

(3.7%), and the other unidentified sources (26.9%). 

ENVR 189 

Characterization of residual nonaqueous phase liquids in different fractional 

wettability porous media 

Riyadh I. Al-Raoush, riyadh@engr.subr.edu, Department of Civil and Environmental 

Engineering, Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA 70813, Fax: 225- 

771-4320 

The objective of this research was to investigate the impact of wettability of porous 

media on pore-scale characteristics of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs). 

Synchrotron X-ray microtomography was used to obtain high-resolution threedimensional 

images of fractional wettability sand systems with mean grain size of 250 

µm. Pore-scale characteristics of NAPLs such as volumes, lengths, interfacial areas and 

shape factors were computed using three-dimensional image processing algorithms. 

Four systems of different NAPL-wet mass fractions containing the residual NAPL were

imaged and analyzed. In systems comprised of 100%, 50%, 25%, and 0% NAPL-wet 

mass fractions, residual NAPL saturations were 0.125, 0.067, 0.083, and 0.121; mean 

blob volumes normalized by the volume of a sphere with mean grain diameter were 

0.97, 1.23, 1.93, and 2.39; normalized mean blob interfacial areas were 43.75, 35.86, 

34.25, and 30.88 mm -1 ; and mean sphericity index values were 0.216, 0.262, 0.455, and 

0.569, respectively. Findings revealed that spatial variation in wettability of porous 

media surfaces has a significant impact on pore–scale characteristics of residual NAPL. 

ENVR 190 

Application of green waste biochar for removal of pesticide residues 

Wei Zheng 1 , wzheng@istc.illinois.edu, Mingxin Guo 2 , mguo@desu.edu, Nandakishore 

Rajagopalan 1 , kishore@wmrc.uiuc.edu, and Teresa Chow 1 . (1) Illinois Sustainable 

Technology Center, University of Illinois, 1 E. Hazelwood Drive, Champaign, IL 61820, 

(2) Agriculture and Natural Resources Department, Delaware State University, Dover, 

DE 19901 

It is of increasing interest in the use of biochar as a soil amendment because it has 

enormous potential for protecting the environment and enhancing agricultural economy. 

Biochar as a charcoal-like material has a high adsorption capacity. In the present study, 

we develop a pyrolysis system to produce biochar from a variety of green wastes. The 

effects of a range of pyrolysis conditions on biochar yields were investigated. A 

laboratory experiment was further conducted to explore the sorption capacity of each 

biochar to two widely used herbicides (atrazine and halosulfuron methyl). The sorption 

kinetics and mechanism of two pesticides on biochar were comprehensively 

investigated. The experimental results suggest that the biochar produced from 

agricultural wastes using pyrolysis has great potential to remove pesticide residues from 

agricultural drainage effluents and thereby prevents their leaching to the environment. 

ENVR 191 

Arsenic and heavy metals survey of rural ground waters in Nigeria 

Edu Inam, edu@gist.ac.kr, International Environmental Research Center, Gwangju 

Institute of Science and Technology, 261 Cheomdan Gwagiro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 500- 

712, South Korea, Fax: 826-297-03394, Godwin Ebong, goddyebong@yahoo.com, 

Department of Chemistry, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, and 

Kyoung-Woong Kim, kwkim@kjist.ac.kr, Department of Environmental Science and 

Engineering, Kwangju Institute of Science and Technology (K-JIST), Gwangju 500-712, 

South Korea 

A recent study revealed that the Niger Delta of Nigeria has some similarities with the 

well-known high-arsenic aquifers of the Bengal Delta (Bangladesh and West Bengal).

The ground waters are anaerobic with high concentrations of iron and manganese. 

Organic matter is also known to be abundant in the aquifer sediments to generate 

anaerobic conditions necessary for arsenic mobilization. Hence, the Niger Delta region 

of Nigeria may likely contain some ground waters with arsenic concentrations above 

acceptable limits. This research investigates the occurrence or otherwise of arsenic and 

selected heavy metals in rural groundwater in Niger Delta basin of Nigeria. The 

processes controlling their mobilization and retention in these aquifers are studied. The 

results are analyzed in relation to the suitability of these sources for human 

consumption. Results from preliminary screening reveals levels of lead and aluminium 

to be higher than WHO limits. 

ENVR 192 

Adsorption of heavy metals (zinc, cadmium and lead) which are commonly 

present in our atmosphere (Nigeria), and Western world using tigernuts' chaff 

(Cyperus escunlutus), carboxymethylation and thioline modification processes 

Chidinma Pricilia Nwokoma, rexmac20002001@yahoo.com, Microbiology, Abia State 

University Uturu Okigwe, 201 Tenant Road off Ngwa Road by East Aba, P. M. B. 2000, 

Uturu, Aba, Nigeria, Chinwe Esther Ubani, rexmac20002001@yahoo.com, 

Biochemistry, Institute of Management and Technology, No 28 Redemer Street, Aba 

Abayi, Nigeria, Nwokoma Chinedu Princewell Nwokoma, 

rexmac20002001@yahoo.com, Computer Science, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, 

Nigeria, and Chigozie Rex Nwokoma, rexmac20002001@yahoo.com, Industrial 

Chemistry, Abia State University, 210 Tenant Road off Ngwa Road by East Aba, Uturu, 

Aba, Nigeria 

This paper talks about the adsorption of heavy metals like zinc ions, lead ions and 

cadmium ions present in our environment or that are commonly in Nigeria as a result of 

products we use. These are made up of basically from PVC materials, using 

carboxymethylation and thyoline modification method. Another area of interest is that of 

the diphenylamine which is a compound from the third European Union. This compound 

and it's derivative are basically used as stabilizers in nitrocellulose-containing 

explosives and propellants, in the perfumery, and as antioxidants in the rubber and 

elastomer industry. DPA is also widely used to prevent post-harvest deterioration of 

apple and pear crops. DPA is a parent compound of many derivatives, which are used 

for the production of dyes, pharmaceuticals, photography chemicals and further smallscale 

applications. Some ecotoxicological studies demonstrated the potential hazard of 

various diphenylamines to the aquatic environment and to bacteria and animals. Studies 

on the biodegradability of DPA and its derivatives are very sparse. 

ENVR 193

Adsorptive removal of cobalt, strontium and cesium using AMP-PAN in laundry 

wastewater from nuclear power plant 

Yeon-Jin Park 1 , yjpark82@knu.ac.kr, Young-Chae Lee 2 , chae0110@hanmail.net, Won 

Sik Shin 1 , wshin@mail.knu.ac.kr, and Sang-June Choi 1 , sjchoi@knu.ac.kr. (1) 

Department of Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 1370, 

Sankyuk-Dong, Buk-Gu, Daegu 702-701, South Korea, Fax: 82-053-950-6579, (2) Fuel 

Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, 

South Korea 

AMP-PAN was applied to decontaminate laundry wastewater from nuclear power plant 

that includes salts, surfactants and dissolved solids. Single- and bi-solute competitive 

adsorption of Co, Sr and Cs onto AMP-PAN were investigated. Freundlich, Langmuir, 

Dubinin-Radushkevich models were fitted to the single-solute adsorption data. 

Generally Freundlich and Langmuir models fitted better than Dubinin-Radushkevich 

model. Bi-solute competitive adsorptions were analyzed by competitive Langmuir model 

(CLM) and ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) coupled to the single-solute adsorption 

model. The predictions of those models were successful in most of adsorption except a 

few cases. The effect of cations and surfactants were also investigated. The distribution 

coefficients (Kd) of cesium slightly decreased in the presence of Na + and Ca 2+ ions. The 

presence of surfactants (non-ionic, cationic and anionic) also affected the adsorption of 

metals onto AMP-PAN due to the change in surface charge of AMP-PAN and the 

formation of metal-surfactant complexes. 

ENVR 194 

Advanced treatment and targeted remediation of chlorinated compounds using 

supported nanoscale zerovalent iron 

Vijay T. John 1 , vijay.John@tulane.edu, Yunfeng Lu 1 , Jingjing Zhan 1 , 

jzhan@tulane.edu, Bhanukiran Sunkara 1 , bsunkara@tulane.edu, Gerhard Piringer 2 , 

piringer@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu, and Gary McPherson 3 , garym@tulane.edu. (1) 

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Tulane University, New 

Orleans, LA 70118, Fax: 504-865-6744, (2) Department of Earth and Environmental 

Sciences, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, (3) Department of Chemistry, 

Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118 

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (ZVI) particles are a preferred option for the reductive 

dehalogenation of trichloroethylene (TCE). However, it is difficult to transport these 

particles to the source of contamination due to aggregation. This study describes a 

novel approach to the preparation of ZVI nanoparticles that are efficiently and effectively 

transported to contaminant sites. The technology developed involves the encapsulation 

of ZVI nanoparticles in porous sub-micron silica spheres which are easily functionalized 

with alkyl groups. These composite particles have the following characteristics: (1) They 

are in the optimal size range for transport through sediments; (2) dissolved TCE

adsorbs to the organic groups thereby bringing tremendously increasing contaminant 

concentration near the ZVI sites; (3) they are reactive as access to the ZVI particles is 

possible; (4) when they reach bulk TCE sites, the alkyl groups extend out to stabilize the 

particles in the TCE bulk phase or at the water-TCE interface; and (5) the materials are 

environmentally benign. We have extensively demonstrated these concepts through 

reactivity studies, and transport studies using column transport, capillary and 

microcapillary transport studies. These iron/silica aerosol particles with controlled 

surface properties also have the potential to be efficiently applied for in situ remediation 

and permeable reactive barriers construction. In extensions of the work, we have shown 

that these particles function effectively as reactive adsorbents for TCE. Our work will 

describe the synthesis of such composite nanoscale materials through an aerosolassisted 

method and through solution methods, to illustrate the versatility and ease of 

materials synthesis, scale up and application. We will also describe the development of 

carbon submicron particles that serve as supports for zerovalent iron with optimal 

transport and reactivity characteristics. Research funded by the Environmental 

Protection Agency through Grant EPA – GR832374 

ENVR 195 

Aldehyde emission measurements from ethanol fueled passenger vehicle 

Hiroyuki Yamada, h-yamada@ntsel.go.jp, Kotaro Suzaki, Takashi Sakamoto, and 

Yuichi Goto, National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory, 7-42-27 Jindaiji- 

Higashimachi, Chofu, Tokyo 182-0012, Japan, Fax: 81-422-76-8604 

Formaldehyde, acetoaldehyde and benzoaldehyde emissions from a spark ignition 

passenger vehicle with ethanol doped gasoline was investigated. By doping ethanol up 

to 13.5%, no increased emissions were observed in formaldehyde and benzoaldehyde. 

However in case of acetoaldehyde, twice higher emission than no ethanol addition case 

was observed with a cold start mode. An acetoaldehyde reduction efficiency in catalyst 

was obtained by observing an acetoaldehyde concentration upstream and downstream 

of the catalyst using a FTIR system. The reduction efficiency was nearly 100% 

regardless the ethanol doped fraction once the catalyst had been warmed up. During 

the warming up process, the reduction efficiency fell to nearly 0% without ethanol 

doping case. And in this condition, the negative reduction efficiency (higher 

acetoaldehyde emission at downstream of catalyst than upstream) was observed in 

ethanol doping case. It is suggested from these results that unburned ethanol was 

transformed to acetoaldehyde on the three way catalyst. 

ENVR 196 

Experimental study on the alage removal by microwave irradiation

Qingjie Xie, xieqingjie73@163.com, School of Environmental Engineering, University of 

Jiangsu, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China 

Microwave irradiation (MI) found that it had significant treatment efficiency for removal 

of pollutants. It was developed to treat the alage. The granular activated carbon(GAC) 

was used as a catalyst. The effect of the acting time, MI power, GAC amount and the 

initial concentration on alage removal were studied. The results showed with the 

increasing of the acting time, MI power and GAC amount the alage removal rates were 

increased. The effect of the initial concentration to alage removal was the opposite. The 

optimum value of acting time, MI power and GAC amount were 5min, 450W and 3g 

respectively with the alage removal efficiency reached up to 100%. It also showed that 

with the alage removed under the MI the COD, SS were removed too. The function 

mechanism of the alage removal by microwave irradiation was primarily enquired into 

and it was discovered that the oxidation process was basically in conformity with the 

first-order dynamic reaction (ln(C/C0)((-0.9371t+0.6744)iR 2 =0.9472(j). 

ENVR 197 

Deeper insight to Hg bioaccumulation in the bat population in Kentucky and 

Tennessee 

Lindsey Clark, lindsey.clark@wku.edu, Erika Whitehouse, erika.whitehouse@wku.edu, 

and Cathleen Webb, cathleen.webb@wku.edu, Department of Chemistry, Western 

Kentucky University, 1 Big Red Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101 

Mercury (Hg) is a persistent neurotoxin that is readily transported through karst aquifer 

systems such as the South Central Kentucky Karst (SCKK) ecosystem, which includes 

Mammoth Cave National Park (MCNP). The largest source of mercury to MCNP is 

atmospheric deposition, largely produced by coal-fired power plants. Hg from the 

atmosphere deposits in rivers, sediments, and organisms through rain, wind, and 

bioaccumulation. Over 350 individual bat hair samples have been analyzed for Hg from 

MCNP with a wide variety of species diversity. Our project will expand throughout the 

year to three national parks in Kentucky and Tennessee including Abraham Lincoln, 

Cumberland Gap, and Big South Fork National Parks. Hg levels in hair of different bat 

species, including federally listed endangered species have been determined and found 

to range between 1-13 parts per million (ppm). Further analysis will be performed on 

insects to gain additional information regarding how bats bioaccumulate Hg through the 

food chain. Many insect species that we believe to be the primary food source for the 

bats have been collected at MCNP and Abraham Lincoln National Park. They are 

undergoing analysis at this time to determine the Hg concentrations present in the bats' 

food supply. Quality analysis and quality control tests were done using human hair 

reference standards. This multiyear project began in late summer 2002 and will 

continue through the end of 2009.

ENVR 198 

New method for high-throughput perchlorate analysis 

Katarzyna H Kucharzyk 1 , kkucharzyk@vandals.uidaho.edu, Ronald Crawford 2 , 

Andrzej J Paszczynski 2 , and Thomas F Hess 3 . (1) Environmental Biotechnology 

Institute, University of Idaho, Food Research Center 202, P.O. Box 441052, Moscow, ID 

83843, Fax: 208-885-5741, (2) Environmental Research Institute, University of Idaho, 

Moscow, ID 83844, (3) Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, University 

of Idaho, Moscow 83843 

Low concentrations(µg/L) of the perchlorate anion, ClO4 – , have been measured in 

surface and ground waters supplies in many states throughout the U.S. A drawback to 

analysis of perchlorate is the currently accepted method of ion chromatography (IC) that 

is neither fast nor easy to use. This study employed the dye resazurin as a redox 

indicator and was developed to measure perchlorate reduction by bacterial consortia in 

a high-throughput, multi-well, culture plate format. Perchlorate concentration was 

measured using IC to compare to fluorescent excitation measurements of resazurin. A 

model showing correlation between perchlorate degradation and resazurin fluorescence 

level was determined with a high degree of confidence (R² = 0.96). This study 

demonstrated a simple fluorescent excitation assay used as a replacement for the IC 

method. Other redox indicators, reactive azo dyes and electron shuttles, are being 

tested to investigate their suitability for high-throughput use in assays for perchlorate 

degradation. 

ENVR 199 

A priori prediction of Hg(II) complexation by natural organic matter 

Aliyar Mousavi, amousavi@unm.edu and Stephen E. Cabaniss, cabaniss@unm.edu, 

Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University of New Mexico, MSC03 

2060, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001 

Mercury (II) complexation by natural organic matter (NOM) plays a crucial role in 

mercury toxicity and transport, and is thought to be strongly influenced by the presence 

of reduced sulfur groups within the NOM mixture. By combining a quantitative structureproperty 

relationship (QSPR) for the prediction of equilibrium binding constants with an 

agent-based model of NOM, Hg(II) binding can be predicted as a function of 

environmental conditions and precursor molecules. The evolution of sulfur-containing 

NOM is simulated using the AlphaStep agent-based model, which treats NOM as an 

assemblage of molecules derived from specific precursors and environmental 

conditions. Organo-sulfur groups are assumed to derive from a combination of 

biochemical S in precursor molecules (e.g., cysteine residues in peptides) and from 

inorganic sulfur reaction with NOM in the environment. The Hg(II) QSPR is calibrated

using literature data for Hg(II) ligands, including ligands with carboxylate, amine and 

thiol ligands. Results of the model are compared to literature data on Hg(II)-NOM 

binding. 

ENVR 200 

Adsorption of Co 2+ , Sr 2+ and Cs + on phosphate-modified montmorillonite (PMM) 

Bin Ma 1 , phonix311@hotmail.com, Won Sik Shin 1 , wshin@mail.knu.ac.kr, Young Hun 

Kim 2 , youngkim@andong.ac.kr, and Sang June Choi 1 , sjchoi@knu.ac.kr. (1) 

Department of Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 1370 

Sankyuk dong, Buk-Gu, Daegu 702-701, South Korea, Fax: 82-053-950-6579, (2) 

Department of Environmental Engineering, Andong, Andong 760-749, South Korea 

Montmorillonite was modified with potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) and 

applied for the removal of Co 2+ , Sr 2+ and Cs + from low level radioactive water. 

Phosphate-modification increased the specific surface area and pore size of 

montmorillonite. Single-solute and bi-solute batch adsorption experiments were 

conducted at pH 5. The amounts adsorbed onto phosphate-modified montmorillonite 

was in the order Cs + > Co 2+ > Sr 2+ . The adsorption characteristics of the adsorbent was 

analyzed by Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Kaganer-Radushkevick models. The bisolute 

adsorption data could be reasonably predicted by the competitive Langmuir 

model (CLM). The effects of co-existing cations (Na + and Ca 2+ ) and surfactants such as 

sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), Tween 80 and hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) 

on the adsorption of Co 2+ , Sr 2+ and Cs + were also investigated. The presence of Na + or 

Ca 2+ was negligible, however, that of surfactant was significant due to the formation of 

metal-surfactant complexes and the competition with metal ions for available sorption 

sites. 

ENVR 201 

Experiment research of attapulgite clay on its modification and the removal of 

nitrogen and phosphorus 

Wu Chundu 1 , liuxingszy@hotmail.com, Liu Chunxia 1 , taihubaiyu.122@163.com, and 

Xie Qingjie 2 , xieqingjie73@163.com. (1) Department of Environment, School of 

Environment, University of Jiangsu, No. 301, Xue Fu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China, 

Fax: 0511-88190955, (2) Environmental Science Research Institute, Huazhong 

University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China 

Attapulgite clay has quite good adsorbability and ion exchange property. It is a kind of 

adsorbent which has excellent property and developing prospect. In this research, the 

experiment material is a natural attapulgite which is attained from indigenous. It was 

activated by different activating methods. By water washed, acid treated, ultrasonic

treatment and heat treatment modified, the adsorbability of attapulgite clay is enhanced 

in various degrees. The dose of attapulgite, adsorption time and pH of sample waste 

water which affect the elimination of nitrogen and phosphorus from the sample were 

investigated. By simulating water tests in the laboratory, capacities of the phosphorus 

removal effect of the modified attapulgite clay samples are obviously enhanced. 

ENVR 202 

Preparation and characterization of a magnetic nano-sized poly-aluminum and its 

application in wastewater treatment 

Wu Chundu, liuxingszy@hotmail.com, Liu Xing, liuxingszy@163.com, and Xie Qingjie, 

xieqingjie73@163.com, Department of Environment, School of Environment, University 

of Jiangsu, No. 301, Xue Fu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China, Fax: 0511-88190955 

An α-Fe2O3-SiO2 composite was prepared by the sol-gel method followed by calcination 

at 400-700°C for 30 min starting from tetraethoxysilane and iron nitrate. Upon further 

coating with SiO, and nano-sized Al13 which was separated and purified with adoption of 

SO4 2- /Ba 2+ deposition-replacement technique from PAC with the adoption of AlCl3•6H2O 

and NaOH. The nano-Al13/SiO/α-Fe2O3-SiO2 magnetic photocatalyst was obtained. In 

this paper, the feasibility and potential of transformation of freshly formed Al-OH 

precipitate into Al13 species were studied by using Ferron colorimetric method and the 

characterization of Al13 form was made by the techniques of SEM and XRD. Finally,the 

effect of turbidity and color removals of the magnetic nano-sized poly-aluminum were 

studied. 

ENVR 203 

Oxidation of zero-valent iron nanoparticles: Implications for reactivity and 

opportunities for regeneration 

Yang Xie, yxie001@student.ucr.edu and David M. Cwiertny, dcwiertny@engr.ucr.edu, 

Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, 

Riverside, Bourns College of Engineering, A242 Bourns Hall, Riverside, CA 92521, Fax: 

951-827-5696 

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) represents an emerging technology used in 

groundwater remediation, but these highly reactive particles are subject to a variety of 

oxidative processes in the environment that will alter their surface composition, 

reactivity, and transport properties. Here, we explore the identity, reactivity, and stability 

of the products generated from the oxidation of NZVI particles under environmentally 

relevant conditions. The identity of NZVI oxidation products was heavily influenced by 

pH. At pH values less than 7, air oxidation resulted in the near-complete conversion of 

NZVI into passive Fe(III) oxides such as lepidocrocite, whereas oxidation at pH 8

esulted in a significant fraction of Fe(0) being preserved in the particle core due to the 

formation of a passive Fe(III) surface layer that prevented complete particle oxidation. 

For NZVI oxidized at high pH values, changes in the prevailing redox state to anaerobic, 

iron-reducing conditions resulted in the reduction of the passive Fe(III) surface layer and 

restored the original reducing capacity of NZVI. These results demonstrate the critical 

and dynamic role that geochemical parameters, namely pH and redox state, play in the 

fate, surface chemistry, and reactivity of metallic nanoparticles in the environment. 

ENVR 204 

Investigation of photochemical properties of C60 aggregates in water 

Lingjun Kong, kong.lynn@epa.gov, National Research Council Associate, U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, NERL/ERD, 960 College Station Road, Athens, GA 

30605, Kyle Chen, Student Services, Ecosystems Research Division, U.S. EPA, 

Athens, GA 30605, and Richard Zepp, zepp.richard@epa.gov, NERL/ERD, U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, GA 30605 

As an emerging new material with unique structure and properties, the behavior and 

fate of Buckminster fullerene (C60) in natural waters has gained increasing attention. 

Although the water solubility of C60 is extremely low, the formation of C60 aggregates in 

water could alter the mobility and reactivity of C60 with variations of environmental 

conditions such as light, pH, ionic strength, and presence of natural organic matter. This 

research focused on investigating the photochemical properties of C60 aggregates in 

water. To be more environmentally relevant, the C60 aggregates were prepared by 

mixing the C60 in water without involving organic solvents (i.e., THF, etc). C60 irradiation 

kinetics with simulated solar and monochromatic irradiation was investigated. The direct 

photoreaction of C60 water suspension following the initial six days exhibited first-order 

kinetics with an initial quantum yield of 1.4×10 -5 at an irradiation wavelength of 366 nm. 

No apparent change in average particle size and surface charge was observed 

following the irradiation. The photoreactivity of C60 aggregated in water prepared by 

different methods was also compared. 

ENVR 205 

Cytotoxicity study of nano engineered C60 colloidal suspensions 

Satish Kuriyavar 1 , satish124@gmail.com, Yongbin Zhang 2 , 

yongbin.zhang@okstate.edu, Joshua Damron 3 , joshua.damron@okstate.edu, Randall 

Maples 3 , randall.maples@okstate.edu, Befrika Murdianti 3 , 

befrika.murdianti@okstate.edu, Martha Hilburn 3 , beth.hilburn@okstate.edu, Carey 

Pope 2 , carey.pope@okstate.edu, and Kevin Ausman 3 , ausman@okstate.edu. (1) 

School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma, 

Norman, OK 73019, (2) Physiological Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences,

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, (3) Department of Chemistry, 

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078 

Nano-engineered C60(n-C60) materials are extensively investigated in variety of 

applications from fuel cells to lubricants. Their tunable properties, high absorptivity, 

catalytic reactivity, and size scales in the range of many cellular organelles make them 

excellent candidates in the field of nano-medicine area for targeted diagnostics and 

therapies. Their increased use in variety of applications also raises the question of their 

long-term effect on environment and in turn toxicity to humans. This still remains a point 

of great debate in the scientific community. In this work we have studied the cytotoxicity 

of n-C60 colloidal suspension on human HepG2 cells. The colloidal suspensions studied 

were synthesized by four common methods, namely THF-nC60, SON-nC60, TTA-nC60, 

and AQ-nC60. Cell viability was determined at the end of the 24-hour incubation period 

using MTT assay. Differential toxicity of n-C60 aggregates based on their synthetic 

routes will be discussed. 

ENVR 206 

Cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of gold nanorods: Molecular origin of cytotoxicity 

and surface effects 

Alaaldin M. Alkilany 1 , alkilany@mail.chem.sc.edu, Pratik K. Nagaria 2 , Catherine J. 

Murphy 1 , murphy@mail.chem.sc.edu, Cole R. Hexel 1 , Timothy J. Shaw 1 , and Michael 

D. Wyatt 2 . (1) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, 

631 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, Fax: 803-777-9521, (2) Department of 

Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina 

Gold nanorods of different aspect ratios were prepared using the growth-directing 

surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), which forms a bilayer on the gold 

nanorod surface. Toxicological assays of CTAB-capped nanorod solutions with human 

colon carcinoma cells (HT-29) revealed that the apparent cytotoxicity is caused by free 

CTAB in solution. Overcoating the nanorods with polymers substantially reduced 

cytotoxicity. The number of nanorods taken up per cell, for the different surface 

coatings, was quantitated by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry on washed 

cells; the numbers of nanorods per cell vary from 50 to 2,300, depending on the surface 

chemistry. Serum proteins from the biological media adsorbed to gold nanorods, leading 

to the all nanorod samples bearing the same effective charge, regardless of the initial 

nanorod surface charge. 

ENVR 207 

Canadian approach to the environmental characterization and risk assessment of 

military training activities

Sylvie Brochu 1 , sylvie.brochu@drdc-rddc.gc.ca, Richard Martel 2 , 

Richard_Martel@inrs-ete.uquebec.ca, Guillaume Comeau 2 , guillaume.comeau@inrsete.uquebec.ca, 

Valérie Nadeau 2 , and Alan D. Hewitt 3 , alan.d.hewitt@usace.army.mil. 

(1) Energetic Materials Section, Defence Research Development Canada - Valcartier, 

2459 Pie-XI Blvd North, Québec, Québec, QC G3J1X5, Canada, Fax: 418-844-4646, 

(2) Institut national de la recherche scientifique - Eau, Terre et Environnement, 

Université du Québec, Québec, QC G1K 9A9, Canada, (3) Geological Sciences 

Division, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Hanover, NH 03755- 

1290 

The Canadian sustainable military training R&D program is aimed at maintaining both 

military readiness and environmentally friendly defense activities in order to ensure the 

long-term usage of military training areas. Canadian bases are typically characterized in 

multiple phases using a soil surface study and a hydrogeological study under a 

collaborative effort of DRDC Valcartier and INRS ETE, respectively. These data are 

used to build geological and hydrogeological 3D models as well as water and soil 

quality maps. Vulnerability maps are built to describe the time of transportation from the 

surface of the soil to the groundwater. Risk maps are also produced using past firing 

records, the amount of energetics, their solubility, their persistency and the area of each 

training site. The risk analysis associated with military training is performed by 

combining the vulnerability and risk maps. This communication will present the 

approach using Canadian Force Base Petawawa as an example. 

ENVR 208 

Environmental assessment of small arms live firing: Study of gaseous and 

particulate residues 

Sylvie Brochu 1 , sylvie.brochu@drdc-rddc.gc.ca, Isabelle Poulin 1 , isabelle.poulin@drdcrddc.gc.ca, 

Dominic Faucher 1 , Emmanuela Diaz 1 , emmanuela.diaz@drdc-rddc.gc.ca, 

and Michael R. Walsh 2 , michael.r.walsh@erdc.usace.army.mil. (1) Energetic Materials 

Section, Defence Research Development Canada - Valcartier, 2459 Pie-XI Blvd North, 

Québec, Québec, QC G3J1X5, Canada, Fax: 418-844-4646, (2) Cold Regions 

Research and Engineering Laboratory, Hanover, NH 03755-1290 

In order to properly advise the U.S. and Canadian Forces to sustain military training, 

and to help design alternative gun propellant formulation with better combustion 

properties than current ones, it is necessary to increase the knowledge on the buildup of 

contamination by propellant residues on the ground, and also on the gaseous emissions 

resulting from the live fire of the weapons. A study was thus undertaken to estimate the 

amount of unburned energetic residues deposited per round fired for 15 different 

caliber/weapon systems (9-, 7.62-, 5.56-mm, .50- and .338-cal). For all trials, samples 

were collected in aluminum plates strategically located on the ground in front of the gun. 

To identify the most common air contaminants and their concentrations, air samples 

were also collected for the three most commonly used systems. All samples were

analyzed for nitroglycerin and 2,4-dinitrotoluene. Gas samples were analyzed for 

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, total cyanides, the BTEX suite, aldehydes, and nitric 

acid. 

ENVR 209 

Gaseous and particulate matter emitted during live firing of artillery guns 

Emmanuela Diaz, emmanuela.diaz@drdc-rddc.gc.ca and Isabelle Poulin, 

isabelle.poulin@drdc-rddc.gc.ca, Energetic Materials Section, Defence Research 

Development Canada - Valcartier, 2459 Pie-XI Blvd North, Val-Bélair, Québec, QC 

G3J1X5, Canada, Fax: 418-844-4646 

During live firings of howitzer artillery guns, particles and gases from the gun propellant 

combustion are emitted at the muzzle of the gun. Some particles settle directly in front 

of the gun and some others are transported with gases. This may induce a change in 

the air quality and create contamination in the environment. This study focussed on the 

air emissions produced during the live firing of LG1 Mark II (105-mm) and M777 (155mm) 

howitzers and two shoulder-launched weapons (Carl Gustav 84-mm and M72 (66mm) 

light anti-tank weapon). Sampling was carried out during military training to ensure 

representative conditions. Size distribution, morphology and chemical composition of 

the particles was determined using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive 

X-ray spectrometry. Sampling of selected compounds in the gaseous plume (HAPs, 

BTEX, aldehydes cyanide, nitric acid) was done using sorbent tubes and the 

concentrations were determined by various analytical methods. 

ENVR 210 

Remediation of surface soils contaminated with energetic materials by thermal 

processes 

Isabelle Poulin, isabelle.poulin@drdc-rddc.gc.ca, Energetic Materials Section, Defence 

Research Development Canada - Valcartier, 2459 Pie-XI Blvd North, Quebec, QC 

G3J1X5, Canada, Fax: 418-844-4646 

As a result of military training, many ranges and training areas (RTAs) are contaminated 

with energetic materials (EMs). In Canada, for many sites characterized, more than 

80% of the overall contamination was found in the first 10 cm of the surface soil for the 

propellant residues at the firing positions. Military personnel can be exposed to these 

compounds which may eventually be transported to surface and ground water. At this 

moment, there is no protocol for routinely removing propellant residues from surface 

soils. Various remediation strategies are currently being studied (phytoremediation, fire 

ecology, etc.) in order to address the problem of surface soils contamination by EMs. 

This presentation will show the results of trials aimed at evaluating up to which extent

the combustion of selected liquid and gelled fuels could be used as a remediation 

method for the thermal decomposition of propellant in surface soils. 

ENVR 211 

Residues from open burning of gun propellant 

Emmanuela Diaz, emmanuela.diaz@drdc-rddc.gc.ca, Isabelle Poulin, 

isabelle.poulin@drdc-rddc.gc.ca, Sylvie Brochu, sylvie.brochu@drdc-rddc.gc.ca, André 

Marois, and Annie Gagnon, Energetic Materials Section, Defence Research 

Development Canada - Valcartier, 2459 Pie-XI Blvd North, Val-Bélair, Québec, QC 

G3J1X5, Canada, Fax: 418-844-4646 

Military live fire artillery training involves the burning of the excess propellant bags at the 

end of the exercise. This is done by burning the propellant bags directly on the ground, 

on a yearly basis without consideration for the pertaining meteorological conditions. The 

combustion process is incomplete and leaves residues on the soil surface, such as 

nitroglycerine, dinitrotoluenes, dioxins and furans. To better assess the amount of 

contaminants released during this process, burning tests were conducted using 

propellant bags from 105- and 155-mm howitzers munitions. Various burning patterns 

were realized, i.e., the number of bags was modified and the burning was performed 

directly on pristine snow cover and on the ground. Samples were collected and 

analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography and a characterization by 

scanning electron microscopy was also performed on selected residue samples. 

ENVR 212 

Soil vadose zone chemistry of TNT and RDX under water-unsaturated conditions 

Cynthia L. Price 1 , cynthia.l.price@usace.army.mil, Mark Chappell 1 , Aaron J. George 2 , 

aaron.j.george@usace.army.mil, Gerald Bourne 2 , gerald.g.bourne@usace.army.mil, 

Lesley Ford 2 , lesley2247@msn.com, and Beth E. Porter 2 , 

beth.e.porter@usace.army.mil. (1) Soil & Sediment Geochemistry, Environmental 

Laboratory, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 3909 Halls Ferry Rd, Vicksburg, MS 39180, 

(2) SpecPro, Inc, Vicksburg, MS 39180 

TNT and RDX are munition constituents (MC) that are traditionally attributed with low 

retention on the soil surface. However, studies have shown that TNT readily degrades 

once introduced into soil – suggesting intimate contact with soil surfaces either through 

biotic or abiotic pathways. Furthermore, the mechanisms for MC degradation is purely 

reductive (-300 mV) – a condition that never exists in soils unless continuously waterlogged 

over several weeks – which possible linkages to Fe oxide redox loops may 

provide the degradative pathway. For this paper, we discuss ongoing work studying the 

equilibrium chemistry of TNT and RDX in water-unsaturated soils using column mobility

studies. Soils were eluted with solutions containing dissolved TNT and RDX and a 

calcium bromide tracer. Moisture content was strictly controlled and monitored at each 

soil's individual permanent wilting point (matric potential = -15 bars) using NIR 

reflectance spectroscopy. Preliminary work demonstrates that TNT and RDX are highly 

retained at pore volumes higher than predicted by literature Kd values under waterunsaturated 

conditions. 

ENVR 213 

Reductive perchlorate degradation under water-unsaturated soil conditions 

Mark Chappell 1 , Aaron J. George 2 , aaron.j.george@usace.army.mil, Beth Porter 3 , and 

Cynthia L. Price 1 , cynthia.l.price@usace.army.mil. (1) Soil & Sediment Geochemistry, 

Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 3909 Halls Ferry Rd, 

Vicksburg, MS 39180, Fax: 601-634-3410, (2) SpecPro, Inc, Vicksburg, MS 39180, (3) 

SpecPro, Huntsville, AL 35805 

The enzyme-mediated degradation of perchlorate has been shown to occur by the 

following pathway: perchlorate to chlorate to chlorite to chloride. The typically low 

sorptive retention promotes the traditional view that perchlorate degradation is strictly a 

solution phase, biotic phenomenon. Yet, little is known about the potential interaction 

chemistry of perchlorate with the soil surface. For this study, we incubated different Ferich 

soils at 15 and 30 % moisture. Replicates were sacrificed with time and extracted 

with dilute sodium nitrate to extract perchlorate from the soil. Preliminary results have 

shown a decrease in perchlorate corresponded with increased recovered chloride 

concentration with no intermediate products found. Ongoing studies are designed to 

determine whether abiotic and/or biotic mechanisms are controlling this transformation. 

ENVR 214 

Thermal treatment of composition B residues by wildfire and managed burns 

Richard A. Price, richard.a.price@usace.army.mil, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 

3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180 

The use of live munitions in U.S. Army training activities has the unintentional 

consequence of unexploded ordnance or residual explosive compounds remaining on 

training ranges and potentially contributing to transport of toxic compounds off-site. 

Occasional fires that result from exploding ordnance or as a result of land management 

activities to control invasive or non-native plant species has been shown to provide a 

natural remedial alternative. Tests conducted in a wind tunnel and in the field have 

demonstrated as much as 90% of Comp-B in vegetated training ranges can be 

consumed by fire. Results will be discussed.

ENVR 215 

Interpretation of fluorescence spectra for characterization of trihalomethanes 

precursors in source water: Scatters removal and principle component analysis 




Fluorescence spectroscopy is a quick, inexpensive, and reagent-free technique for 

characterization of natural organic matter (NOM) in source water. Samples are excited 

by high-energy light, and emission intensities are obtained as fluorescence spectra on 

the coordinates of excitation and emission wavelengths. However, the interpretation of 

fluorescence spectra could be complicated due to scatters and interferences. The first 

order Rayleigh scatter line is centered at the emission (Em) wavelength equals 

excitation (Ex) wavelength, and second order Rayleigh scatter at Em wavelength equals 

twice the Ex wavelength. Rayleigh scatters originate from an interaction between the 

excitation light and water molecules and therefore usually much larger than NOM 

spectra. Peaks of NOM spectra usually lie between the first and second order Rayleigh 

scatters. Additionally, the spectra in the range of either low excitation or high emission 

wavelengths are usually affected by interferences and thus should not be used. After 

the scatters and interferences removal, fluorescence spectra could be applied for 

quantitative analysis of trihalomethanes (THMs) formation. Although a large number of 

fluorescence intensities are generated, many are highly correlated. Principle component 

analysis is used to convert the intensities into a new data set of un-correlated 

parameters called principle components (PCs). Theoretically, each PC could be referred 

to one of variables related to fluorescence spectra. The correlation matrix between 

THMs formation and PCs shows strong relationship. As a result, PCs could be used for 

THMs formation prediction. 

ENVR 216 

Solar photocatalytic disinfection of water in developing countries 

Dionysios D. Dionysiou 1 , dionysios.d.dionysiou@uc.edu, Miguel Pelaez 1 , 

pelaezma@uc.edu, Erick R. Bandala 2 , erick.bandala@udlap.mx, Liliana González 2 , 

erick.bandala@udlap.mx, Patrick Dunlop 3 , psm.dunlop@ulster.ac.uk, and J. Anthony 

Byrne 3 , j.byrne@ulster.ac.uk. (1) Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 

University of Cincinnati, 765 Baldwin Hall, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0071, Fax: 513-556- 

2599, (2) Departamento de Ingeniería Civil y Ambiental, Universidad de Las Americas- 

Puebla, Cholula 72820 Puebla, Mexico, (3) Nanotechnology and Integrated 

Bioengineering Centre, University of Ulster, United Kingdom

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.1 billion people in developing 

countries live without access to clean water supplies. In order to meet the Millennium 

Development Goal, to “half by 2015 the proportion of people without sustainable access 

to safe drinking water and basic sanitation”, the WHO and the United Nations Children's 

Fund (UNICEF) now advocate the use of low-cost, point-of-use, household level 

drinking water treatment. Photocatalytic disinfection is an efficient, inexpensive process 

which utilises solar energy to kill pathogenic microorganisms in water. This poster will 

present results of collaborative research at the University of Cincinnati, Universidad de 

Las Américas-Puebla and University of Ulster focused on the development of novel 

TiO2-based photocatalysts showing activity under both UV and visible light. Low-cost 

photoreactors are currently being tested, under real solar radiation conditions in Mexico 

and Spain, to determine the efficiency of the novel photocatalyst materials for point-ofuse 

water disinfection in developing regions. 

ENVR 217 

Application of the principles of negligible depletion to colorimetric-solid phase 

extraction (C-SPE) 

Lorraine M. Siperko 1 , lorraine.siperko@utah.edu, Marc D. Porter 1 , 

Marc.Porter@utah.edu, and Robert J. Lipert 2 , blipert@ameslab.gov. (1) Departments of 

Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, University of Utah, 383 Colorow 

Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, (2) Institute for Physical Research and Technology, 

Ames Laboratory USDOE, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011 

This presentation describes an analytical methodology (C-SPE) that couples selective 

sorption via solid phase extraction (SPE) with the quantitative colorimetric measurement 

of a surface-bound extract by diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry. The extraction 

membrane serves to hold a highly specific chromogenic reagent and to concentrate the 

extract. From reflectance data, the Kubelka-Munk function (F(R)) is calculated and the 

solution concentration of an extracted analyte can be determined from a standard 

calibration curve. Initially developed for NASA as an on-board means to monitor 

biocides in spacecraft potable water, C-SPE has also been used for ground-based 

quantification of several trace metals in the ppm - ppb range. A pressing problem arises 

when assessing water quality under microgravity conditions - air bubbles are dispersed 

throughout the liquid, thus preventing accurate metering of sample volumes. Mechanical 

manipulation of the sampling syringe can alleviate the problem, but ideally the syringe 

should be filled without concern for the presence of air. This can be accomplished by 

applying the principles of negligible depletion (ND) to C-SPE measurements. Technical 

approaches used to detect and quantify the biocide silver(I), experiments performed to 

determine the efficiency of the SPE membrane for retaining the chromogenic reagent 

and the effects of membrane loading will be discussed. Finally, application of ND 

principles to determine the volume required for volume-independent extraction and 

quantification of the analyte will also be presented.

ENVR 218 

Comparison of extraction and derivatization methods for use in GC/MS analysis 

of endocrine-disrupting compounds in water 

Won-Seok Kim, wkim2@mail.usf.edu, Anh Do, atdo@mail.usf.edu, Daniel H. Yeh, 

dhyeh@eng.usf.edu, and Jeffrey A. Cunningham, cunning@eng.usf.edu, Department of 

Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler 

Ave, ENB 118, Tampa, FL 33620, Fax: 813-974-2957 

Two methods for extracting and concentrating analytes from aqueous samples prior to 

analysis by GC/MS are solid-phase extraction (SPE) and solid-phase microextraction 

(SPME). Both of these can be employed with chemical derivatization of the target 

analytes. When only small sample volumes are available, SPME is preferable to SPE. 

However, when larger sample volumes are available, it is not inherently clear which 

method provides a lower detection limit. Here, we consider the analysis of bisphenol-A 

(BPA) and 17β-estradiol (E2) in water samples. We determine the detection limits of 

these two target analytes as a function of sample volume when the samples are 

prepared by SPE. Then, by comparing those detection limits to the detection limits 

obtained with SPME, we determine which method is preferable depending on the 

sample volume available. We also compare two candidate derivatization agents, 

MSTFA and BSTFA, for the derivatization and analysis of BPA and E2. 

ENVR 219 

Evaluation of chemically assisted MF and UF systems for PPCP removal 

Sandeep Sathyamoorthy, sandeep.sathyamoorthy@tufts.edu and C. Andrew 

Ramsburg, andrew.ramsburg@tufts.edu, Department of Civil and Environmental 

Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Room 113 Anderson Hall, Medford, 

MA 02155-5530 

The utility of membrane bioreactor (MBR) processes in water reuse systems arises from 

the typically long solids retention times associated with the removal of PPCPs. Removal 

of PPCPs and EDCs in MBR systems may result from biodegradation and sorption to 

solids present in the sludge and membrane cake layer. While MBRs are a viable 

process for removal of PPCPs, energy requirements for treatment of PPCPs using 

MBRs may present a challenge to broad application of this promising technology. Lower 

energy alternatives may include use of sequencing batch reactors with chemical 

addition prior to tertiary membrane filtration. Chemically assisted membrane filtration 

may result in PPCPs removal through attenuation in the membrane fouling layer that 

contains coagulant and organic matter. Here the removal of selected PPCPs through 

chemically enhanced microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration of clarified secondary and

nitrification system wastewater effluents is examined in the context of removal and 

operating cost benefits. 

ENVR 220 

Examination of the role of excited state triplet natural organic matter in the 

photodegradation of organic contaminants 

Kelly E. Daumit 1 , daumitk@seattleu.edu, Douglas E. Latch 1 , Courtney N. Goodwin 1 , 

James L. Gray 2 , jlgray@usgs.gov, and George R. Aiken 3 , graiken@usgs.gov. (1) 

Department of Chemistry, Seattle University, 901 12th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122, (2) 

National Water Quality Laboratory, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO 80225-0046, 

(3) U.S. Geological Survey, Boulder, CO 80303 

We have performed experiments designed to elucidate photodegradation mechanisms 

for a set of sixteen steroid hormone pollutants known to affect the sexual maturation of 

aquatic organisms. We compared photodegradation rates for these hormonal pollutants 

in deionized water and in deionized water to which we added natural organic matter 

(NOM) isolated from the Suwannee River and the Florida Everglades. In another set of 

experiments, we added exogenous quenchers or removed endogenous quenchers to 

the NOM solutions and monitored their affect on photodegradation rates. Through these 

experiments, we have found that excited state triplet NOM mediates the indirect 

photolysis pathway. Model studies using synthetic sensitizers (e.g., perinaphthenone) 

with well-defined triplet energies confirmed that excited state triplets rapidly degraded 

the phenolic subset of hormonal pollutants. Purging dissolved oxygen, a potent triplet 

quencher, from systems containing either NOM or synthetic sensitizers increased 

photodegradation rates, which further supports triplet-mediated indirect photolysis 

mechanisms. By elucidating the reaction mechanisms for these compounds, we will 

improve our ability to determine reaction products and to estimate environmental halflives. 

ENVR 221 

Mechanisms of tolytriazole corrosion protection in cooling systems using 

secondary treated municipal wastewater as makeup water 

Ming-Kai Hsieh 1 , mingkaih@andrew.cmu.edu, Heng Li 2 , Shih-Hsiang Chien 2 , David A. 

Dzombak 1 , dzombak@cmu.edu, and Radisav Vidic 2 , vidic@engr.pitt.edu. (1) 

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 

Forbes Ave, Porter Hall 207C, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, (2) Department of Civil and 

Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh 

Tolyltriazole (TTA) has been widely used as a corrosion inhibitor for heat exchanger 

copper alloy components in power plant cooling water systems. In this work the

effectiveness of TTA protection mechanisms has been studied for the case of reuse of 

secondary treated municipal wastewater as makeup water. The kinetics and equilibrium 

state for TTA adsorption onto copper alloy in contact with secondary treated municipal 

wastewater are described. The electrochemical polarization resistance method was 

used to study the strength of TTA protection film. Preliminary results indicate that the 

protection film follows Langmuir adsorption isotherm behavior. The negative impact of 

ammonia in secondary treated wastewater on copper corrosion is not significant in the 

presence of TTA. The influence on corrosion of other operational parameters such as 

temperature, flow velocity, and oxidizing chemical concentration will also be discussed. 

ENVR 222 

Mineral deposition in cooling systems when secondary municipal wastewater is 

used: Modeling, kinetics, and inhibition 

Heng Li 1 , liheng07@gmail.com, Radisav Vidic 1 , vidic@engr.pitt.edu, Ming-Kai Hsieh 2 , 

and David A. Dzombak 2 , dzombak@cmu.edu. (1) Department of Civil and 

Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3700 Ohara Street, 972 Benedum, 

Pittsburgh, PA 15217, Fax: 412-624-0135, (2) Department of Civil and Environmental 

Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 

Water used for industrial cooling demands high quantity but relatively low quality. Reuse 

of treated municipal wastewaters for cooling can be a viable solution to serious water 

shortages in many parts of the world. Secondary treated municipal wastewater is 

typically characterized by low to moderate organic content and TSS content, but 

moderate to high content of common mineral ions. Under typical cooling tower 

operations involving elevated temperature and evaporative loss of water, mineral 

scaling is one of the primary concerns when reusing treated wastewater. Existing 

methods widely used in assessing scaling potentials of cooling water are reviewed. The 

results of applying multiple analytical and modeling tools to describe and predict the 

chemistry of secondary wastewater under simulated cooling conditions are presented. 

Mineral deposition and control through addition of inhibitors were studied employing 

both a bench-scale water recirculating system and a pilot-scale cooling tower. Some 

minor species typically present in the secondary wastewater (i.e., phosphate and 

ammonia) significantly affected calcium scaling via mechanisms involving 

coprecipitation or complexation. The interplay of the chemicals added for the 

concomitant control of corrosion and biofouling is also discussed. 

ENVR 223 

Permanganate oxidation of pharmaceutically-active compounds in utility source 

waters: Kinetic model validation

Heather M. Martin 1 , hmartin4@illinois.edu, Lanhua Hu 2 , lhu2@illinois.edu, and Timothy 

J. Strathmann 2 , strthmnn@illinois.edu. (1) Department of Civil and Environmental 

Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 North Mathews Avenue, 

Urbana, IL 61801, (2) Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Center of 

Advanced Materials for the Purification of Water with Systems, University of Illinois at 

Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801 

A number of studies in recent years have detected pharmaceutical compounds in a 

variety of source waters, raising questions about the safety of the nation's drinking water 

supplies. As a result, there is growing interest in the effectiveness of drinking water 

treatment facility processes for removing these compounds, including processes that 

employ potassium permanganate (KMnO4). Permanganate is a strong oxidant 

commonly used in water treatment (e.g., Mn and Fe removal). Recent laboratory 

experiments show that KMnO4 oxidizes many important pharmaceutical compounds. In 

this report, the accuracy of kinetic models developed from laboratory experiments 

conducted with high reagent concentrations and well-defined solution conditions is 

validated in utility source waters at conditions representative of water treatment 

operations (e.g., mg/L KMnO4, ng/L-µg/L pharmaceutical). Experiments were conducted 

with a representative group of pharmaceutical compounds (carbamazepine, 17α-ethynyl 

estradiol, trimethoprim, and lincomycin) in diverse surface water sources (reservoirs, 

rivers) provided by several drinking water utilities. 

ENVR 224 

Potential effect of micropollutant (TCEP) in reclaimed water for reuse purpose 

Xianghao Ren 1 , sanghoim74@hanmail.net, In S. Kim 1 , iskim@gist.ac.kr, YuJin Lee 2 , 

crony213@hanmail.net, and HoJae Han 2 , hjhan@chonnam.ac.kr. (1) Department of 

Environmental Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 

261 Cheomdan-gwagiro(Oryong-dong), Buk-gu, Gwangju 500-712, South Korea, Fax: 

82-62-970-2434, (2) Department of Veterinary Physiology, Chonnam National 

University, Gwangju 500-757, South Korea 

Reclaimed water has been an alternative way to overcome water scarcity. However, 

potential effect of micropollutants on ecosystem and human health has been rising in 

reclaimed water. Unfortunately, rare tools are available to investigate potential effect of 

these micropollutants at environmental concentrations (ng/L-µg/L). Ion and non-ion 

transportation is a typical function in renal proximal tubule cells (PTCs) and was used as 

marker function for investigating molecular level effect of tris-(2-chloroethyl)-phosphate 

(TCEP), an organophosphate flame retardant and one of typical micropollutants. The 

results showed that TCEP from 10 µg/L significantly inhibited cell viability, DNA 

synthesis, cell number, ion and non-ion transportation, and ion and non-ion transporter 

proteins in the PTCs. Thus, not only TCEP at environmental level has potential effect on 

ecosystem and human health, but also ion and non-ion transportation of primary

cultured rabbit renal PTCs can be a useful tool for investigating potential effect of 

micropollutants in reclaimed water. 

ENVR 225 

Quantifying pCBA radical chemistry: Kinetics of hydroxylated product formation 

and decay 

Stephen P. Mezyk 1 , smezyk@csulb.edu, Devin F. R. Doud 1 , devindoud@yahoo.com, 

Fernando Rosario-Ortiz 2 , Fernando.Rosario@Colorado.EDU, and Shane A. Snyder 3 , 

shane.snyder@snwa.com. (1) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California 

State University at Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840, Fax: 

562-985-8557, (2) Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, 

University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, (3) Water Quality Research and 

Development, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Las Vegas, NV 89193-9954 

The compound pCBA (4-chlorobenzoic acid, Cl-C6H4-CO2H) has been successfully 

used as a chemical probe for measuring the concentrations of hydroxyl radicals in water 

at bench-scale level over the last several decades. However, for its use in full-scale, 

real-world, advanced oxidation reduction processes (AO/RPs) water purification 

applications, it is extremely important that pCBA radical reaction kinetics and final 

product distributions be quantitatively established over a wide range of conditions. In 

this study we report on our determination of absolute temperature-dependent reaction 

rate constants for the reactions of oxidizing hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and reducing 

hydrated electrons (eaq - ) and hydrogen atoms (H·) with pCBA and its two monohydroxylated 

derivatives using pulsed electron radiolysis techniques. We have also 

combined these data with steady-state irradiations of pCBA and the derivatives under 

different redox conditions to determine reaction efficiencies for all three radical species. 

ENVR 226 

Transformation of sulfonamide antibiotics in agricultural soils under varying 

biogeochemical conditions 

Jessica L. Mohatt 1 , jmohatt2@illinois.edu, Kevin T. Finneran 1 , finneran@uiuc.edu, and 

Timothy J. Strathmann 2 , strthmnn@illinois.edu. (1) Department of Civil and 

Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 North 

Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL 61801, (2) Department of Civil and Environmental 

Engineering and Center of Advanced Materials for the Purification of Water with 

Systems, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801 

Antibiotics are widely used in agriculture to promote growth and prevent disease in 

livestock. Up to 90% of the parent compounds are excreted unmetabolized by livestock, 

and land application of animal waste leads to a large inputs of these contaminants into

agricultural soils. This contribution examines the mechanisms controlling transformation 

and degradation of widely used sulfonamide antibiotics in soil systems under varying 

biogeochemical conditions. Microcosm studies were performed to assess the effects 

different terminal electron accepting processes (TEAPs) on the degradation of 

sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in an agricultural surface soil. Results indicate that the rate of 

SMX degradation is significantly dependent on the prevailing TEAP. Unexpectedly, the 

greatest rate of transformation was observed under Fe(III)-reducing conditions, and 

followup experiments in sterile systems shows that Fe(II) reduces SMX via a surfacecatalyzed 

reaction. Detailed results of the mechanistic investigation will be presented, 

including mass spectrometry analysis of products and kinetic structure-reactivity 

studies. 

ENVR 227 

Low energy nuclear reactions in gas phase experiments: An update 

Jean-Paul Biberian, jpbiberian@yahoo.fr, Département de Physique, Faculté des 

Sciences de Luminy, Université d'Aix-Marseille, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 

Marseille cedex 9, France 

Even before the announcement of the discovery of cold fusion by Stan Pons and Martin 

Fleischmann in 1989, scientists in Russia had observed production of neutrons in gas 

loaded materials. The possibility of producing large amounts of energy out of 

electrochemically loaded palladium opened a new route to gas loaded systems. During 

the past 20 years, experiments have been realized with various substrates: palladium, 

titanium, metal oxides, showing the production of neutrons, gamma rays, helium-4, 

anomalous heat and transmutation. Many scientists from various backgrounds and 

originating from different countries have contributed. It is the purpose of this paper to 

review this very promising field and to show that gas loading is certainly the direction to 

follow in order to reach applications. 

ENVR 228 

Degradation products of TNT after Fenton oxidation 

Curt W. Jarand 1 , cjarand@uno.edu, Kan Chen 1 , Richard B. Cole 1 , rcole@uno.edu, 

Duc-Truc Pham 2 , Stephen F. Lincoln 2 , and Matthew A. Tarr 1 , mtarr@uno.edu. (1) 

Department of Chemistry, University of New Orleans, 2000 Lakeshore Drive, New 

Orleans, LA 70148, (2) Department of Chemistry, University of Adelaide, Adelaide S.A. 

5005, Australia 

Fenton chemistry has demonstrated utility in the remediation of soils containing 

recalcitrant explosives, such as TNT. However, the method suffers from a lack of 

specificity and precipitation of the iron catalyst when conducted at typical soil pH values.

This lack of specificity can lead to a large number of degradation products with varying 

levels of toxicity and mobility in the soil matrix. In the current study we have examined 

the ability of two commercially available and two synthetic cyclodextrins (CDs) with 

metal chelating functionalities to enhance Fenton degradation of TNT through formation 

of TNT/Fe/CD complexes. All CDs examined demonstrated a significant enhancement 

of TNT degradation rates compared to identical conditions with no CDs present. In 

addition to kinetic studies, we have identified a variety of both oxidative and reductive 

TNT transformation products in the CD complex reactions by HPLC-UV-Vis and ESI- 

MS-MS analysis. 

ENVR 229 

Computational predictions of environmentally important physical properties of 

explosives 

Yana Kholod 1 , yana@ccmsi.us, Leonid Gorb 1 , lgorb@ccmsi.us, Frances Hill 2 , Mo 

Qasim 2 , 601-634-3422, and Jerzy Leszczynski 1 , jerzy@ccmsi.us. (1) Computational 

Center for Molecular Structure and Interactions, Department of Chemistry, Jackson 

State University, Jackson, MS 39217, (2) U.S. Army ERDC, Vicksburg, MS 39180 

We will present the results of three years of extensive computational simulations of 

environmentally important physical properties of such classes of explosives as 

nitroaromatics, nitroamines and nitrogen rich compounds. These studies were 

performed at the Environmental Laboratory of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 

ERDC, Vicksburg, MS and at the Computational Center for Molecular Structure and 

Interactions, Jackson State University. The proposed technique of calculations is based 

on quantum-chemical methods and covers the prediction and comparison with 

evaluable experimental data of vapor pressure, Henry's law constants, water solubility, 

octanol-water partition coefficients and reduction potentials. Since the major component 

that determines the migration and ultimate fate of chemicals in the environment is 

solubility, this property was analyzed with special care. In particular, the temperature 

dependence of explosive solubilities has been predicted at the quantum-chemical level 

and compared for accuracy with the values obtained with QSAR based predictions. 

ENVR 230 

Transport of RDX and TNT from Composition B explosive during simulated 

rainfall 

Richard A. Price 1 , richard.a.price@usace.army.mil, Michelle Bourne 1 , 

michelle.bourne@usace.army.mil, James Lindsay 2 , jay.lindsay@usace.army.mil, and 

Jim Cole 2 , jim.cole@usace.army.mil. (1) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 3909 Halls 

Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180, (2) Bowhead, Vicksburg, MS 39180

A complete understanding of the fate of munitions constituents (MC) on U.S. Army 

training lands is needed to develop the fundamental framework for the contaminant 

transport, transformation and fate (CTT&F) model for predicting the impacts of training 

activities on the distribution of MC in the environment. Explosive compounds RDX, TNT, 

and HMX derived from Composition B explosive are of particular concern due to their 

toxicity potential and widespread use. Distribution of these compounds from particulate 

Comp-B exposed to rainfall was determined in the laboratory using a rainfall simulator. 

Results will be discussed. 

ENVR 231 

Fate and effects of TNT and RDX released from Composition B fragments in 

marine microcosm exposures 

Gunther Rosen 1 , gunther.rosen@navy.mil, Guilherme R. Lotufo 2 , 

Guilherme.Lotufo@erdc.usace.army.mil, and William Wild 1 , bill.wild@navy.mil. (1) 

Environmental Sciences Code 71750, SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific, 53475 Strothe 

Road, San Diego, CA 92152-6325, (2) Environmental Laboratory, ERDC-USACE, 


Exposure of munitions constituents (MC) to ecological receptors in marine environments 

may result from underwater leakage of unexploded ordnance over time, or as a result of 

dissolution of undetonated fragments of MC following low-order detonations. To 

simulate such exposure, the fate and effects of TNT and RDX from Composition B ) 

fragments were assessed in marine microcosm experiments under a variety of 

scenarios. The presence or absence of flow and positioning of the fragments (sediment 

surface or buried) resulted in marked differences in the degree of dissolution over a 35day 

period and in measurable bioaccumulation and toxicity for marine vertebrate and 

invertebrate indicators. Solid phase microextraction (SPME) fibers were also shown to 

be valuable surrogates for estimation of bioavailable MC in sediment. The overall 

conclusion of the study supports other investigations by the authors that suggest low 

potential for exposure or effects to the biota. 

ENVR 232 

Photolysis of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in seawater: Effects of salinity and nitrate 

concentration. 

Daniel W. O'Sullivan, osulliva@usna.edu, Jeffrey R. Denzel, m091746@usna.edu, and 

Dianne J. Luning Prak, Department of Chemistry, United States Naval Academy, 572 

Holloway Road, Annapolis, MD 21402, Fax: 410-293-2218 

The photolysis rate of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) was examined in a variety of natural 

waters from pure water to a seawater end member. Photolysis experiments were

performed using a Suntest CPS+® solar simulator equipped with an optical cell holder 

with eight positions for long-pass cutoff filters ranging from 295 to 495 nm. Photolysis of 

TNT followed first order kinetics in all water types examined. Photolysis of TNT occurred 

at wavelengths less than 320 nm, but not significantly at wavelengths above 395 nm. 

The rate of photolysis decreased in the order seawater > estuarine water > fresh water 

>> pure water, with the photolysis half-life for each water type at wavelengths less than 

320 nm of 70, 120, 200 and 700 minutes, respectively. Changes in ionic strength from 

fresh to seawater do not account for the observed differences. Photolysis rates of TNT 

were not affected by the concentration of nitrate over the range expected in natural 

waters. 

ENVR 233 

Photolysis of TNT examined by multinuclear NMR 

KA. Thorn, kathorn@usgs.gov and Larry G. Cox, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver 

Federal Center, Box 25046 M.S. 408, Denver, CO 80225-0046, Fax: 303-236-3934 

Aqueous phase photochemical degradation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is an important 

pathway in several environments, including washout lagoon soils, impact craters from 

partially detonated munitions that fill with rain or groundwater, and shallow marine 

environments containing unexploded munitions that have corroded. Previous laboratory 

studies have indicated that UV irradiation of aqueous TNT solutions results in a 

multicomponent product mixture, including polymerization compounds, that has been 

only partially resolved by mass spectrometric analyses. Here multinuclear NMR is used 

to characterize the total product mixture from aqueous photolysis of TNT, and the effect 

of reaction matrices and conditions. Degradation products from photolysis of TNT in 

distilled water include aromatic amine, primary amide, phenylhydroxylamine, azoxy, 

azo, and carboxylic acid compounds, in addition to ammonia. These degradation 

products are also present in the photolysate of TNT in natural pond water (pH 8.3), 

except for ammonia and the azo compounds. 

ENVR 234 

Quantifying natural attenuation of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) in 

groundwater using compound specific δ 15 N and δ 18 O isotope analysis 

Anat Bernstain 1 , anat.bernstein@helmholtz-muenchen.de, Zeev Ronen 2 , 

zeevrone@bgu.ac.il, Eilon Adar 2 , eilon@bgu.ac.il, Rainer Meckenstock 1 , 

rainer.meckenstock@helmholtz-muenchen.de, and Willibald Stichler 1 . (1) Institute for 

Groundwater Ecology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 

Neuherberg D-85764, Germany, Fax: 49 (0)893187-3361, (2) Department of 

Environmental Hydrology and Microbiology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, J.

Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Sede Boker Campus, 84990, Israel, Fax: 972-7- 

659-6831 

Compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) was used for the first time to examine the 

biodegradation extent of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) along a ~1.35 km 

contaminated plume. The changes in the δ 15 N of RDX- N along the plume was from - 

8.1‰ in the source area to + 2.7‰ down gradient. Based on previously obtained 

enrichment factors, biodegradation extent was found to reach up to 99.5% of the initial 

mass, 1.15-1.35 km down to the contamination sources. A range of first order 

biodegradation rates were calculated, with half-life values ranging between 4.4 to 12.8 

years at most sampling locations along the plume. Biodegradation rates were found to 

be correlated with depth, decreasing in deeper groundwater layers. Our findings clearly 

indicated that RDX is naturally biodegraded in the contaminated aquifer. The use of 

CSIA for mentoring RDX degradation combined with microbial and geochemical data 

are effective in proving natural attenuation of these classes of compounds. 

ENVR 235 

Aquatic toxicity of carbon-based nanomaterials at sediment-water interfaces 

Baolin Deng, dengb@missouri.edu, Department of Civil and Environmental 

Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, Fax: 573-882-4784 

This study examined the toxicity of carbon-based one-dimensional (1-D) nanomaterials 

toward aquatic organisms that inhabit sediment-water interfaces and to identify factors 

controlling the toxicity towards these sediment-dwelling organisms. Tested materials 

include silicon-carbide nanowires, single-walled carbon nanotubes, and multi-walled 

carbon nanotubes. The testing results up to 14-day in water showed that these 

nanomaterials demonstrated toxicity to amphipods (Hyalella azteca), midge 

(Chironomus dilutus) and oligochaetes (Lumbriculus variegatus) under at some tested 

conditions. Efforts were devoted to differentiate the toxic effect derived from (i) soluble 

metals released from metal-loaded nanomaterials, (ii) toxicity due to metal-free 

nanomaterials, and (iii) metals bound to the nanomaterials. It appeared that metals such 

as nickel solubilised from the nanomaterials contributed to the observed toxic effect, but 

could not explain all toxic effect, indicating that nanomaterials had intrinsic toxicity. 

Tests with 1% of nanomaterials dispersed in sediments also showed toxic effect to H. 

azteca. 

ENVR 236 

Bacteria–quantum dot interactions: Towards an environmental perspective 

Deborah M. Aruguete 1 , aruguete@vt.edu, Jeremy S. Guest 2 , jsguest@umich.edu, 

Nancy G. Love 2 , nglove@umich.edu, and Michael F. Hochella Jr. 1 , hochella@vt.edu. (1)

Department of Geosciences, Virginia Tech, 4044 Derring Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 

(2) Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann 

Arbor, MI 48109 

Colloidal semiconductor nanoparticles, or quantum dots (QDs) are highly applicable in 

multiple nanotechnologies. Significant quantities of QDs may be released into the 

environment in the future. To understand the potential environmental fate and impact of 

QDs, the interactions between CdSe/CdS QDs and an environmentally-common 

bacterial species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, have been studied. Polymer-micelle 

encapsulated QDs were studied due to their commercial relevance, and studies were 

conducted in minimal media. The physical state of QDs before and after exposure to 

bacteria was examined with fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy, and 

transmission electron microscopy. Bacterial growth with QDs was measured and 

compared to growth with equimolar amounts of ionic cadmium and selenium. While 

ionic cadmium and selenium inhibited growth, the QDs remained intact and did not 

affect growth. These results suggest that under these conditions, QDs remain stable 

and are not detrimental to P. aeruginosa, which may have implications for 

environmental systems. 

ENVR 237 

Correlations between surface structure and toxicity of nanoparticles 

Prabir K. Dutta, Dutta.1@OSU.edu, Department of Chemistry, Ohio State University, 

100 W 18th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, and W. James Waldman, The Ohio State 

University 

Our work focuses on correlations between biological activity and physicochemical 

characteristics of minerals and particulates. Naturally occurring zeolite erionite is highly 

toxic and causes mesothelioma and is more carcinogenic than crocidolite asbestos. For 

erionite, its toxicity is commonly associated with the iron that accumulates on its surface 

via ion-exchange, however, mordenite also has ion exchange abilities and to some 

extent a fibrous morphology, but, it is not carcinogenic. Thus, our studies on the 

difference in the biological and chemical reactivity of these two minerals provide insight 

about mineral toxicity. We have examined carbon-based particles to identify specific 

particulate physicochemical characteristics which determine bioactivity. The differential 

ability of the various particulates to induce oxidative stress was determined by 

measuring extracellular reactive oxygen species, as well as assays for induction of 

inflammatory endothelial adhesion molecule expression by immunofluorescence flow 

cytometry. These studies have relevance to the environmental impact of engineered 

nanomaterials. 

ENVR 238

High throughput screening as an enabling technology for studying the 

ecotoxicology of nanomaterials 

Hilary Arnold Godwin, hgodwin@ucla.edu, Environmental Health Sciences 

Department, School of Public Health, UCLA, 66-062B CHS, BOX 951772, Los Angeles, 

CA 90095 

Of the more than 50,000 chemicals that are currently used commercially, fewer than 

1,000 have been fully assessed for toxicology and environmental impact. As a result, 

the National Research Council and National Academy of Sciences have recently issued 

a report recommending that new, high-throughput approaches be used to test the 

biological activity and toxicology of existing compounds to enable the development of 

predictive models of toxicology. The use of high-throughput screening should prove 

particularly useful for investigating the toxicology of nanomaterials, where the 

possibilities for the creation of new materials with diverse properties are astronomical. 

The role that high-throughput screening will play in the new UC Center for 

Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology and both the challenges and the 

opportunities afforded by this approach will be highlighted in this presentation. In 

addition, the need for the establishment of standard reference materials, standard 

protocols, and IT infrastructure for sharing toxicology data internationally will be 

discussed. 

ENVR 239 

Nanostructured metal oxides: Syntheses, properties, and nanotoxicology 

Won Hyuk Suh 1 , Allison M. Horst 2 , John H. Priester 2 , Galen D. Stucky 1 , and Patricia A. 

Holden 2 . (1) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Materials Department, 

University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, Fax: 805-893-4120, 

(2) Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, University of California, 

Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106 

Materials incorporating sub-100 nm size scales exhibit distinctive physicochemical 

properties compared to their bulk physical states. Metal oxides, for instance, have been 

the focus of multiple research projects both from industry and academia in the 

nanoparticle form that includes TiO2, SiO2, ZnO, and CeO2. The syntheses and 

materials' properties of such nanomaterials will be reviewed and discussed based on 

research conducted in our labs as well as others. Our multidisciplinary research findings 

will be discussed using key properties such as surface chemistry and crystallinity of 

materials. The cell biology of eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms is further discussed 

and multiple examples of nanostructured materials' control over biological properties are 

presented under the context of nanotoxicology - the toxicology evaluation of 

nanomaterials. A special focus will be given to titanium dioxide based nanomaterials 

and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an environmentally-prevalent bacterial species.

ENVR 240 

Novel sensors for quantitation and cytotoxicity of selected nanomaterials 

Samuel. N Kikandi 1 , skikand1@binghamton.edu, Qiong Wang 1 , 

qwang3@binghamton.edu, Omowunmi. A Sadik 1 , osadik@binghamton.edu, and 

Katrina. E Varner 2 , varner.katrina@epamail.epa.gov. (1) Department of Chemistry, 

State University of New York at Binghamton, 4400 Vestal Pkwy E, Binghamton, NY 

13902, (2) Characterization Research Division, U.S. EPA/NERL, Las Vegas, NV 89193 

Environmental nanotechnology—the science of engaging matter at the nanoscale level, 

and its potential application for “green” chemical products and processes, risk 

assessment, remediation, and exposure studies—offers a variety of new products and 

problems. Intentional or incidental release of these materials into the environment 

creates associated risks that are difficult to monitor than those previously encountered. 

With this emerging technology, one area of specific interest to the EPA is the detection 

of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) that can be accurately assessed and monitored. 

The desired technology should be capable of in situ, remote and continuously reflecting 

the concentrations of these materials. In this presentation, we will describe the 

development of electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance sensor for continuous 

monitoring of engineered nanomaterials. This sensor is capable of distinguishing 

between engineered nanomaterials (e.g., hybrid organic metal nanoparticles), and 

naturally occurring nanomaterials (e.g., living bacteria and spores) that may be present 

in the environment. 

ENVR 241 

RDX and HMX destruction by sulfides and black carbons 

Kathryn Dana, kathryn.dana@yale.edu and William A. Mitch, william.mitch@yale.edu, 

Department of Chemical Engineering, Yale University, Mason 308, 9 Hillhouse Ave, 

New Haven, CT 06520, Fax: 203-432-4387 

The explosive nitramines RDX and HMX are present in groundwater and soil near 

military testing sites and represent a threat to human health. Although these explosives 

undergo both biotic and abiotic attenuation under certain conditions, many of these 

mechanisms feature slow kinetics and generate nitrosated byproducts. We demonstrate 

that these explosives rapidly degrade in the presence of black carbons and hydrogen 

sulfide to release nitrite and formaldehyde, relatively innocuous byproducts. Our 

investigations indicate that the breakdown of these explosives occurs via one-electron 

transfers mediated by graphene regions in the carbon. Given the prevalence of black 

carbon in soil systems and the mM concentrations of hydrogen sulfide produced under 

anaerobic conditions, particularly in marine sediments, we believe that a black carbonsulfide 

mechanism may play an important role in natural attenuation of these explosive

nitramines. In particular, this natural system may serve as a protective blanket beneath 

UXO sites preventing offsite migration. 

ENVR 242 

Fate of nitroaromatic (TNT) and nitramine (RDX and HMX) explosives on mineral 

surfaces 

Thomas A. Douglas 1 , thomas.a.douglas@usace.army.mil, Michael R. Walsh 2 , 

michael.r.walsh@erdc.usace.army.mil, Ashley M. Jones 3 , fsamj@uaf.edu, Thomas P. 

Trainor 3 , fftpt@uaf.edu, Christian J. McGrath 4 , christian.j.mcgrath@usace.army.mil, and 

Charles A. Weiss 5 , charles.a.weiss@usace.army.mil. (1) Biogeochemical Sciences, 

Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Post Office Box 35170, Fort 

Wainwright, AK 99703-0170, Fax: 907-361-5142, (2) Cold Regions Research and 

Engineering Laboratory, Hanover, NH 03755-1290, (3) Department of Chemistry and 

Biochemistry, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6160, (4) 

Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, 

Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199, (5) Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory, U.S. Army 

Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS 39180 

We studied interactions between explosives compounds (TNT, RDX and HMX) and 

pure mineral surfaces using a series of geochemical measurements. One kg of eleven 

different pure minerals was detonated with a TNT, RDX and HMX mixture (composition 

B). Detonated and pristine minerals were investigated using attenuated total 

reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction, 

scanning electron microscopy, and gas adsorption surface area measurements. Batch 

slurries were created by mixing detonated minerals with deionized water and measuring 

concentrations of primary explosives and secondary breakdown products over a 100 

day period. Detonated samples generally exhibited lower gas adsorption surface areas 

perhaps due to explosives residue coating, shock induced consolidation and/or partial 

melting. TNT, HMX and RDX exhibited analyte loss in almost all batch solutions but loss 

was greater in vermiculite, bentonite and biotite than in muscovite and quartz. ATR- 

FTIR measurements show evidence of interactions between explosives nitro groups 

and mineral surfaces. 

ENVR 243 

TiO2 photocatalytical degradation of phenylarsonic acid 

Shan Zheng, szheng@fiu.edu, Yong Cai, cai@fiu.edu, and Kevin E. O'Shea, 

osheak@fiu.edu, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International 

University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, Fax: 305-348-3772

Phenyl substituted arsenic compounds are used widely as feed additives in the poultry 

industry and have become a serious environmental concern. We have demonstrated 

that phenyarsonic acid (PA) is readily degraded upon TiO2 photocatalysis. PA is 

adsorbed strongly on the surface of Degussa P 25 TiO2 photocatalyst. The TiO2 

photocatalytic degradation of PA follows first-order rate kinetics, and the mineralization 

of PA follows the Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model, with an apparent rate constant 

(kr) of 2.8 µmol/L•min and the pseudo-equilibrium constant (K) for PA is 34 L/mmol. The 

pH of the solution influences the adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of PA due to 

the surface charge of TiO2 photocatalyst and speciation of PA. Phenol, catechol and 

hydroquinone are formed during the degradation. The roles of •OH, O2 - • and hVB + in 

TiO2 photocatalytic degradation of PA were probed by adding, tert-butyl alcohol, sodium 

azide, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and formic acid. The results suggest •OH as the 

main oxidant for degradation of PA. TiO2 photocatalysis results in the rapid destruction 

of PA and may be attractive for treatment of water contaminated with a variety of 

organoarsenic compounds. 

ENVR 244 

Ecotoxicology of munitions constituents in the marine environment 

Guilherme R. Lotufo 1 , Guilherme.Lotufo@erdc.usace.army.mil, Gunther Rosen 2 , 

gunther.rosen@navy.mil, and William Wild 2 , bill.wild@navy.mil. (1) Environmental 

Laboratory, ERDC-USACE, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180, (2) 

Environmental Sciences Code 71750, SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, 

CA 92152-6325 

The explosives TNT, RDX and HMX are likely to present low ecological risk under 

expected exposure scenarios in the marine environment. They undergo transformation 

upon contact with sediment, require high concentrations to produce toxic effects, and 

have low potential for trophic transfer to fish. TNT, the most toxic explosive, required 

high concentrations to induce effects (1-20 mg/L or 23-674 mg/kg) and its 

transformation via amination reduced potential for effects. RDX and HMX were 

consistently non-toxic to marine invertebrates, while fish mortality occurred at > 10 

mg/L. Significant lethal or sublethal effects were not observed for invertebrates in 

aqueous or sediment exposures. Relatively low toxicity corresponded with low 

bioaccumulation potential in organism tissues (bioconcentration factors

Jason Belden, jbelden@okstate.edu, Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State 

University, 430 LSW, Stillwater, OK 74078, C. Kevin Chambliss, 

Kevin_Chambliss@baylor.edu, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor 

University, Waco, TX 76798, and Guilherme R. Lotufo, 

Guilherme.Lotufo@erdc.usace.army.mil, Environmental Laboratory, ERDC-USACE, 


Exposure to trinitrotoluene has been reported to result in unextractable residues, or 

residues not readily extracted by traditional solvent techniques. However, limited 

information is available about the chemical nature and biological half-life of 

unextractable residues. In this study, two aquatic invertebrates, Lumbriculus variegatus 

and Hyalella azteca, and a terrestrial invertebrate, Eisenia fetida, were exposed to 14 Clabeled 

trinitrotoluene. In each case, a large fraction of recovered radioactivity was 

collected in the remaining tissue following acetonitrile extraction. The biological halflives 

of the unextractable residues were twice that determined for extractable residues. 

Further studies, indicated that greater than 50% of the unextractable residue is liberated 

by weak acid solutions, potentially through hydrolysis. Ongoing HPLC-MS(/MS) studies 

are directed at gaining more specific information on the chemical identity of liberated 

components derived from TNT. Currently, the ecological and toxicological importance of 

these residues is unclear. However, since these residues are persistent and seemingly 

ubiquitous among organisms, further study is warranted. 

ENVR 246 

2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene mineralization and incorporation by natural bacterial 

assemblages in the coastal ecosystems 

Michael T. Montgomery 1 , michael.montgomery@nrl.navy.mil, Thomas J. Boyd 2 , 

thomas.boyd@nrl.navy.mil, Joseph P. Smith 1 , joseph.smith@nrl.navy.mil, Shelby E. 

Walker 3 , sewalker@nsf.gov, and Christopher L. Osburn 4 , closburn@ncsu.edu. (1) 

Marine Biogeochemistry Section, Naval Research Laboratory, Code 6114, 4555 

Overlook Ave SW, Washington, DC 20375, (2) Marine Biogeochemistry, Naval 

Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, (3) Division of Ocean Sciences, National 

Science Foundation, Arlington, VA 22203, (4) Department of Marine, Earth & 

Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8208 

We hypothesized that TNT would be transient in coastal ecosystems where bacterial 

growth was nitrogen limited. During 14 sampling events in coastal waterways (2002- 

2007), we measured TNT mineralization rates in surface sediment and water that were 

often within one order of magnitude of the bacterial production rate. In freshwater, TNT 

may be metabolized dissimilatorily rather than as a carbon or nitrogen source. Some 

areas of exceptionally high mineralization rates may be the result of rapid lignin 

metabolism. These areas include the Pawtuxant River mouth and convergence zones 

between water masses in Kahana Bay. Bacterial assemblages in coastal ecosystems 

may be assimilating TNT in a similar manner as other common organic nitrogen

sources. This would explain the covariance between TNT mineralization and 

heterotrophic production. If TNT is preferentially incorporated into bacterial proteins 

rather than catabolized for energy, then mineralization rates measured may actually be 

remineralization of bacterial macromolecules by protozoan grazers. 

ENVR 247 

Metal-containing nanoparticles: Effects on a beneficial soil pseudomonad 

Anne J Anderson 1 , anderson@biology.usu.edu, Priyanka Gajjar 2 , 

p.gajjar@aggiemail.usu.edu, David W. Britt 2 , dbritt@cc.usu.edu, Wenjie Huang 3 , 

Wenjie.Huang@utah.edu, and William Paul Johnson 4 , william.johnson@utah.edu. (1) 

Department of Biology, Utah State University, Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-5305, 

Fax: 435-797-1575, (2) Department of Biological Engineering, Utah State University, 

Logan, UT, (3) Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, 

UT 84112, (4) Department of Geology & Geophysics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, 

UT 84112 

Ag, CuO and ZnO nanoparticles (NP) have antimicrobial effects for human pathogenic 

bacteria. However, beneficial environmental bacteria may be compromised by release 

of such NP. A light-emitting biosensor constructed in an environmental isolate, 

Pseudomonas putida KT2440, showed rapid loss in light output upon exposure to each 

type of NP. Sharp thresholds for toxicity were observed. Reduced culturability was seen 

for nano-Ag and nano-CuO but not for nano-ZnO which was bacteriostatic. A 

combination of nano-Ag and nano-CuO was more effective than either treatment alone. 

The size of the NP was important; the bulk products were inactive. Fast field flow 

fractionation revealed aggregates of about 390 nm as well as 5 nm particles in nano- 

CuO and ZnO suspensions. Filtrates containing particles of size less than 200 nm were 

active from these preparations. These findings suggest that the antimicrobial 

nanoparticles can impose a risk singly and in combinations to beneficial bacteria in the 

environment. 

ENVR 248 

Quantification of the interaction between manufactured nanomaterials and 

bacteria using atomic force microscopy 

Yongsheng Chen, Yongsheng.Chen@asu.edu, Department of Civil and Environmental 

Engineering, Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 

875306, Tempe, AZ 85287 

The rapid growth in production of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) due to the 

advances in nanotechnology has increased public concerns about potential human and 

environmental impacts of nanomaterials. This paper presents a method of atomic force

microscopy (AFM) that quantifies the interactions between microbial cells and 

nanomaterials through measuring adhesion force in aqueous media. This method can 

be potentially employed as a standard tool to investigate the effect of MNMs on 

biological systems, which gives us fundamental information about their potential 

environmental impact. We investigated the effects of electrolyte concentration (ionic 

strength) and particle size on adhesion force between hematite and E. coli and the 

results showed that adhesion force is highly dependent on particle size and ionic 

strength of the aqueous medium. Adhesion force reached a peak force level of a certain 

ionic strength range (150~300mM). The experimental results showed that when particle 

size decreases from 100nm to 23nm, the adhesion force seems to increase 

exponentially from 150pN to 1,100pN but when size increases from 100nm to 205nm 

the adhesion force increasing slightly. This suggests that nanoparticles (NPs) may have 

a high affinity to adhere to biological surfaces due to the high adhesion force which is 

the first step of bioaccumulation and related cytotoxicity. Adsorption experiments were 

carried out to determine the adsorption capacity of E. coli cells for hematite NPs of 

different sizes. Results showed that for particle size ranging from 32nm to 205nm the 

adsorption capacity gradually increased from 0.02 to 0.17mgNPs/mgVSS whereas for 

sizes of 23.8nm adsorption capacity increased to around 0.07mgNPs/mgVSS, indicating 

that large particles (not NPs) and ultra small NPs (23.8nm) may have a potentially high 

level of accumulation concentrations due to interfacial adsorption of cells. 

ENVR 249 

Stability of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots in freshwater and the acute toxicity to 

Daphnia magna 

Heather E Pace, hpace@mines.edu, Department of Environmental Science and 

Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, James F. Ranville, 

jranvill@mines.edu, Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry, Colorado School of 

Mines, Golden, CO 80401, and Brian P. Jackson, Brian.Jackson@darmouth.edu, 

Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755 

We investigated the acute toxicity of CdSe/ZnS QDs on Daphnia magna using 48hr 

exposure studies. We used QDs with two different CdSe core diameters, 2nm green 

emitting QDs and 5nm red emitting QDs, and two separate surface coatings, 

polyethylene oxide (PEO) and 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA), to investigate 

potential metal toxicity and particle effects. Using a fluorescence scan of the QDs we 

monitored the QD concentrations during exposures. In addition, we characterized the 

QDs before and after exposure via filtrations and ICP-OES metal analysis (unfiltered, 

0.02µm and 3kDa filtrations). Finally, fluorescence microscopy and synchrotron micro- 

XRF demonstrated accumulation of nanoparticles within exposed daphnids.

American Chemical Society Division of Environmental Chemistry ...

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