Accelerated Bioremediation of Xenobiotics

in Soil and Water

NEBRASKA NSF/EPSCoR

The National Science Foundation and the State of Nebraska provide joint funding of merit-based research through the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). "Accelerated Bioremediation of Xenobiotics in Soil and Water" is one of several program research clusters focusing on priority areas in research and education, with potential for growth, resource development and technology transfer between universities, state agencies and the private sector.

ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION

Natural resource protection through restoration of contaminated environments has become a focus of world-wide attention. The capacity of the soil-water environment to detoxify and assimilate xenobiotics (biologically foreign chemicals) is limited and without proper management recalcitrant compounds can be ecologically damaging, with profound effects on environmental quality and human health. Processes governing the fate and toxicity of xenobiotics and their degradation products must be understood to develop successful and environmentally sound remediation strategies. Natural and inducible detoxification processes must be identified. Our research addresses interactions among physical, chemical, and biological processes contributing to the fate and detoxification of xenobiotic compounds in soil and water. We are challenged to develop effective and environmentally sound strategies that can be used to remediate sites with variable concentrations of contaminants. In highly contaminated soil, biodegradation rates cannot be expected to exceed dissolution rates and otherwise degradable compounds are at concentrations toxic to microorganisms and plants. Natural oxidation-reduction processes, augmented through abiotic treatments, have an excellent potential to remediate grossly contaminated soil and water. Abiotic approaches can be combined with plant and microbial methods for detoxification and restoration of contaminated sites. Our research will provide basic information on fundamental processes taking place in the soil-water environment during remediation. A strong scientific basis will be used to develop efficient and cost-effective strategies to remediate and restore contaminated soil and water, while preserving and improving environmental quality.

RESEARCH APPROACH AND GOALS

Our research group takes an integrated approach to remediation, recognizing the diversity of contamination in situ and that technologies resulting from interdisciplinary research are needed to achieve environmental goals. Activities include physico-chemical processes, plant-soil-microbe interactions, microscale environmental measurements, and integrated abiotic-biotic remediation strategies. Organonitrogen contaminants, including nitroaromatics (nitrotoluenes) and heterocyclic nitramines (triazines) are the immediate target. Our shared research goal is to increase understanding of processes governing the environmental fate and toxicity of these contaminants, and design cost-effective and environmentally sound remediation strategies for contaminated soil and water. Remediation technologies under study include:

Microelectrode and microslicing techniques are being used to quantify the effects of microenvironment oxygen, redox, and pH on xenobiotic transformations and fate. We will determine the potential to use plants, plant-rhizosphere and microbial systems to remediate marginally contaminated soil and complete the remediation process following abiotic treatment. Research results will provide technologies that can be transferred to industry and used to remediate and restore contaminated sites.

EPSCoR PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

This research activity meets a key EPSCoR objective to develop innovative interdisciplinary research groups which promote greater collaboration among researchers in the State of Nebraska, and increase interactions between basic and applied science. We seek to conduct science, engineering and technology that will promote economic development, competitiveness, and increased levels of funding in the State. We are interested in transferring scientific and technical knowledge and discoveries to industry for commercialization.

FACILITIES

Researchers have access to laboratories, greenhouses and controlled environment chambers within the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and College of Arts and Sciences (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), College of Engineering and Technology (Omaha and Lincoln campuses), and the Eppley Institute (University of Nebraska Medical Center). Field research laboratories (ARDC) are also available. Additional analytical facilities are located at the UNL Water Sciences Laboratory and the Department of Chemistry. Computer facilities include super mini-computers, networks of desk-top computers and workstations. Commercial analytical services, including LC/MS/MS instrumentation, are locally available.

EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

This project contributes to science and education and provides linkages between the University of Nebraska Water Center/Environmental Programs, the Center for Biotechnology, and Environmental Toxicology at the Eppley Institute of the University of Nebraska Medical Center. There is much interest among students seeking careers in environmental management and engineering, and expertise is needed word-wide. The market for remediation services is growing and will continue to increase as new technologies and products are developed. This project will complement teaching programs and provide education and training opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students.

For program information, please e-mail to Dr. Patrick J. Shea at agro056@unlvm.unl.edu .

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