United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Research and
Development
Washington DC 20460
EPA/600/R-94/092
June 1994
Environmental Research
Laboratory - Athens, GA
1993 Highlights
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Cover: Biochemical remediation research
uses plastic pools at field site to test plant
nitroreductase process for cleaning up
TNT-contaminated soil.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5, Library (PL-121)
77 West Jackson Boulevard, Uthfioof
Chicago, IL 60604-3590
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Research Laboratory at
Athens, Georgia, conducts and manages basic and applied research to predict, assess, and
reduce human and environmental exposures and risks from pollutants in freshwater,
marine, and terrestrial ecosystems and the emission of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
ERL-Athens researchers identify and characterize the natural biological and chemical
processes in soils, surface waters, and sediments that affect the environmental fate of toxic
substances, such as solvents, pesticides, or metals. The results are applied in state-of-the-
art multimedia models for predicting and assessing exposures and managing environmental
pollution problems. A second emphasis involves the development of ecological risk assess-
ment methods to evaluate pollutant stresses on ecosystems such as the Great Lakes, Chesa-
peake Bay, the Everglades, and large agricultural areas.
Lab-developed fate and process data and assessment techniques provide the scientific basis
that supports EPA's environmental management, regulation, and enforcement activities.
Major research areas include global climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, eco-
logical risk assessment, pollution prevention, sediment quality evaluation, computational
chemistry, identification of complex organic pollutants, environmental chemistry of metals,
nonpoint source pollution management, agroecosystem monitoring and assessment,
multimedia nitrogen impacts, bioremediation, biochemical remediation, and wellhead
protection. The Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling distributes models and user's
guides to environmental managers throughout the world by mail and via electronic bulle-
tin board and Internet.
Rosemarie C. Russo, Ph.D., Director
Robert C. Ryans, Technical Information Manager
environmental Research Laboratory
Office of Research and Development
U.S. environmental Protection flgency
960 College Station Road
flthens Gfl 30605-2720
The Office of Research and Development (ORD) conducts an integrated program of scientific
research and development on the sources, transport and fate processes, monitoring, control, and
the assessment of risk and effects of environmental pollutants. These activities are implemented
through its headquarters offices, technical support offices, and twelve research laboratories across
the country. The research focuses on key scientific and technical issues to generate knowledge
supporting sound decisions today, and to anticipate the complex challenges of tomorrow. With a
strong and forward-looking research program, less expensive, more effective solutions can be
pursued and irreversible damage to the environment can be prevented.
Printed on Recycled Paper
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Highlights 1993
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Biochemical Remediation Using Plant Cnzymes
The transformation of trinitrotoluene (TNT) to environmentally
acceptable compounds is achieved through a Lab-developed process
that uses common aquatic weeds containing a nitroreductase enzyme.
This research breakthrough provides an efficient and inexpensive
technology for the cleanup of soils contaminated with munitions
waste at military installations and other sites.
Dr. N. Lee Wolfe, research chemist, has a patent pending for the
process, which is the first successful use of plant enzymes to remediate
sites contaminated with chemicals. The remediation potential of the
enzyme system was discovered through basic research at the Athens
Lab on the degradation of pollutants in sediments.
Process development, which was partially funded by the Department
of Defense's Strategic Environmental Research and Development
Program, has occurred over the last 3 years and has involved the
contributions of biochemists, analytical chemists, organic chemists,
and engineers. The rapid development of the process was made
possible by assembling a world class team of scientists and engineers
at the Lab as soon as it became evident that the basic research had
produced a viable, innovative technology.
Dr. Steven McCutcheon, lead engineer for the team, estimates that
their interactive approach has reduced the time from lab bench
studies to field demonstration by as much as 5 years. And, in just 3
years, the biochemical remediation process has caught up with other
TNT-remediation technologies that have been in development for 10-
12 years.
According to Dr. Wolfe, several plants, including stonewort, horn-
wort, and parrotfeather, possess the nitroreductase enzyme that
mediates the cleanup process. In laboratory studies, the plants were
successful in remediation of TNT-contaminated soil samples from
seven munitions sites. A pilot-scale field study currently underway
using parrotfeather shows predicted progress in TNT remediation.
Several TNT-contaminated sites in the Southeastern United States are
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Highlights 1993
TNT remediation
technique con be
applied to solvents and
other orgonics
being considered for an in situ remediation study in Spring 1994 to
demonstrate the practical application of this remediation technique.
Conventional remediation of munitions waste sites usually involves
the incineration of TNT-contaminated soils. Incineration costs about
$400 per ton and the resulting ash represents a continuing contami-
nation and disposal problem. The use of composting to degrade
these wastes has met with only limited success. Composting involves
the use of bacteria to break down the TNT, but these bacteria are
difficult to control. Moreover, they do not completely break the
TNT down into environmentally benign products.
Biochemical site remediation using the aquatic plant process involves
construction of an earthen berm around a TNT-contaminated site to
create an artificial, shallow pond. Aquatic weeds would be grown in
this pond, allowing the nitroreductase enzymes to attack the nitro
group on the TNT molecule, producing triaminotoluene. The weeds
also contain a laccase enzyme that rapidly oxidizes the
triaminotoluene to harmless compounds.
This remediation process is based on using redox proteins (or the
whole plant) to convert contaminants to environmentally acceptable
compounds. In general, redox proteins observed to be effective for
selected pollutants are isolated from soils or sediments, the proteins
are purified and characterized, the monoclonal antibodies are pro-
duced, and a field immuno-specific assay is developed to identify the
source of the redox protein in the environment. The use of an
immunoassy to identify the plants that produce the required enzyme
avoids the time-consuming study of potentially thousands of plants to
determine which ones work.
In continuing work, the process is being applied to two other muni-
tions, RDX and HMX, and to industrial nitroaromatics, chlorinated
solvents, aromatic nitriles, anisoles, and other organic pollutants of
soils, sediments, and aquifers. Successful application of the biochemi-
cal remediation process to chlorinated solvents would be particularly
important. The thousands of sites across the United States that are
contaminated with chlorinated solvents are one of the country's most
pervasive cleanup problems. Chlorinated solvents are found at almost
all problem sites at Department of Defense and Department of
Energy installations and at a majority of hazardous waste sites that are
being cleaned up under Superfund.
The EPA Lab work is already being extended by collaborating re-
searchers at the University of Idaho, the University of Houston, and
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Highlights 1993
the Georgia Institute of Technology. As articles by Dr. Wolfe and his
Lab colleagues appear in the peer- reviewed literature, this exciting
science approach to remediation will be quickly applied by other
investigators in public and private laboratories, resulting in improved
environmental cleanup. (N.L. Wolfe, 706-546-3429)
Pesticides In On-Form UJells
First results are in from the Lab's groundwater quality research
project in the Little Coharie Watershed in North Carolina. Relatively
high levels of nitrate-N were found in the sampling of 21 research
wells and 78 on-farm drinking wells. Only two of the wells had
pesticide concentrations (atrazine and metolachlor) that were higher
than EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level.
The Little Coharie Watershed is one of the fastest-growing, highest-
production agricultural areas in the eastern United States.
Agrichemicals applied in these fields can move rapidly into the under-
lying shallow aquifers.
The continuing study provides data concerning potential exposure to
agricultural chemicals and information about the advantages and
disadvantages of using existing wells versus new stainless-steel-cased
"research" wells designed specifically for monitoring nitrates and
pesticides in shallow groundwater. The database developed in the
study also will be used to conduct watershed-scale performance
testing of exposure assessment and nonpoint source models.
The study is being conducted in cooperation with the North Carolina
Cooperative Extension Service, North Carolina State University, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the landowners within the Little
Coharie Watershed. The monitoring program has received strong
cooperation from the landowners. (C.N. Smith, 706-546-3175)
Study compares
pesticides data from
research wells and
on-farm wells
Assessing Soil Carbon Policies
The goal of EPA's BIOME Agroecosystems Assessment Project,
which is part of the Global Climate Change Research Program, is to
evaluate the degree to which agroecosystems can be technically
managed, on a sustainable basis, to conserve and sequester carbon,
reduce accumulation of atmospheric carbon dioxide, and provide
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Highlights 1993
Conservation tillage
alternatives and cover
crops appear to have
significant potential for
increased carbon
sequestration
reference data sets and methodologies for agricultural assessment.
Carbon sequestration potential is being estimated through application
of integrated methods employing existing soil carbon mass balance
models, analysis of agricultural production cycles, and data bases on
agroecosystem carbon pools and dynamics.
The Lab's first major BIOME product is a preliminary estimate of
carbon sequestration potential for the Central United States. The
study area includes the Corn Belt, the Great Lakes, and portions of
the Great Plains. About 44% of the land area and 60% of the agricul-
tural cropland of the conterminous United States is represented. The
integrated assessment methodology uses the BAMS economic model,
the CENTURY soil carbon model, and meteorologic and soils data
bases in investigating impacts on soil carbon of current agricultural
trends and conditions, alternative tillage practices, use of cover crops,
and Conservation Reserve Program policy.
Study results indicate a 26 to 53% increase in soil carbon for the 40-
year projection period from 1990 to 2030 under assumptions repre-
senting current agricultural trends and alternative policy scenarios.
Conservation tillage alternatives and cover crops appear to have
significant potential for increased carbon sequestration. Assessment
of soil carbon changes on Conservation Reserve land yielded mixed
results across the study region with both increases and decreases. The
study also identifies refinements needed to improve the assessment
methodology and extend it to other regions of the United States.
(LA. Mulkey, 706-546-3129)
South Florida €cosystem Restoration
Federal agencies and the state of Florida have launched a massive new
effort "to address and solve the myriad issues involved in restoring
and maintaining the unique world resources embodied in the South
Florida ecosystem." EPA and the Departments of Interior, Com-
merce, Army, Justice, and Agriculture, along with the Florida Depart-
ment of Environmental Protection and the South Florida Water
Management District are providing expertise to the first coordinated
government attempt to promote genuine ecosystem management and
restoration.
The ORD lead for the project's Science Working Sub-Group is Dr.
Lawrence Burns, a research ecologist at ERL-Athens. The Sub-
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Highlights 1993
Group's initial task is to develop ecological restoration goals for the
entire flood control system in South Florida, suggest hydrologic
modifications to support those goals, and establish initial criteria for
measuring their success.
The thrust of the restoration efforts will be to return the control of
the South Florida ecosystem to the natural hydrologic processes that
created and maintained the system long before human activities
interacted to produce the current crisis. Reliance on natural hydro-
logic processes is the only sure way to recover the desired ecosystem
values. (LA. Burns, 706-546-3511)
Protecting Wells in Agricultural Areas
A new modeling system simulates ground water flow and pesticide-
nutrient transport in three-dimensional, variably saturated porous
media. The system was developed to implement the assimilative
capacity criterion for delineating wellhead protection zones in agricul-
tural regions. The assimilative capacity criterion is considered to be
the most accurate basis for delineating wellhead protection zones
because it considers the specific nature of potential contaminant
sources, the effect of human activities, and the complexity of the
groundwater flow system through which contaminants travel. The
system's two companion models, 3DFEMWATER and 3DLEWASTE,
can be used to establish wellhead protection zones based either on
flow criteria alone or on flow and contaminant criteria combined.
(R.F. Cartel, 706-546-3210)
Reliance on natural
hydrologic processes is
the only sure way to
recover the desired
ecosystem values
Improved Pesticide Fate Model
The second version of the Pesticide Root Zone Model (PRZM-2)
allows improved assessments of potential risks to groundwater from
agricultural chemicals. Other useful applications are to provide
guidance for monitoring compliance with conditional pesticide
registrations, to develop information for selecting alternative land
management practices to reduce leaching, and to evaluate the leach-
ing potential of new chemicals. PRZM-2 simulates the transport and
transformation of pesticides through the plant root zone and the
unsaturated zone in agricultural areas. Features added to the original
1984 model are soil temperature simulation, volatilization and vapor
phase transport in soils, irrigation simulation, microbial transforma-
tion, and a method-of-characteristics algorithm to eliminate numeri-
3DF€MWAT€ft ond
3Dl€UJAST€ con be
used to establish
wellhead protection
zones
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Highlights 1993
8
cal dispersion. PRZM-2 is capable of simulating transport and trans-
formation of the parent compound and as many as two daughter
products. (R.E Cartel, 706-546-3210)
PRZM-2 simulates the
transport and
transformation of
pesticides
PATRIOT helps develop
local management
plans For pesticides
PATRIOT Assesses Leaching Potential of Pesticides
A new model called PATRIOT helps state environmental agencies
develop local management plans for pesticides as required by the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. The Pesticide
Assessment Tool for Rating Investigations of Transport permits the
rapid analysis of groundwater vulnerability to pesticides on a regional,
state, or local basis. To make sound decisions, environmental manag-
ers need to understand the potential for pesticides to leach from
application sites through the underlying soils' unsaturated zone and
into aquifers. Pesticide leaching is highly site-specific, and predicting
the expected extent is not a simple task. The tendency of a pesticide
to leach to groundwater is determined by the combined factors of
climate, pesticide chemodynamics, soil properties, agricultural prac-
tices and depth to groundwater. The personal-computer-based
PATRIOT software provides all the methods and databases necessary,
in a highly user-friendly environment, to analyze pesticide leaching
potential anywhere in the conterminous United States. (R.F. Carsel,
706-546-3210)
Cleanup of Pesticide Contamination
ERL-Athens has launched a research effort to address the problem of
soil and water contamination by mixtures of pesticides at sites where
agrichemicals are mixed, loaded, and distributed. The Agricultural
Retailers Association, as well as others involved in agrichemical manu-
facture or regulation, are keenly interested in cleaning up these sites.
Unfortunately, the needed remediation technologies are not available.
Basic research at the laboratory and field levels are needed to support
the development of the appropriate technologies.
Through inhouse and extramural research the Laboratory is develop-
ing cost-effective technologies. Pesticides of importance are atrazine,
alachlor, metolachlor, chlordane, toxaphene, parathion, dicamba,
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Highlights 1993
trifluralin, 2,4-dichlorophenol, dinaseb, simazine, butylate,
chlorpyrifos, fonofos, glyphosphate, metribuzine, pendimethlin, and
diazinon. The research addresses major information gaps in six
important areas: physical and chemical controls, biodegradation
process and pathway characterization, contaminant loading rates
(based on degradation kinetics), toxic intermediate identification,
bioavailability, and extent of degradation. (J.E. Rogers, 706-546-3592)
Multimedia Model for Disposal Sites
The MULTIMED model simulates the transport and transformation
of contaminants released from a hazardous waste disposal facility into
the multimedia environment. Contaminant release to air and soil,
including the unsaturated and saturated zones, and possible intercep-
tion of the subsurface contaminant plume by a surface stream is
modeled. The model further simulates contaminant movement in
these media to humans and other potentially affected receptors.
MULTIMED is intended for general exposure and risk assessments of
waste facilities and for analysis of the impacts of engineering and
management controls at waste sites. MULTIMED documentation
includes an application manual for using the model to characterize
Subtitle D landfills. G.F. Lnniak, 706-546-3310)
Through inhouse and
extramural research
the Lob is developing
cost-effective
technologies
Difficult-to-ldentify Byproducts in Tapujater
Three ERL-Athens chemists, Dr. Susan Richardson, Dr. Tim Collette,
and Mr. Al Thruston, identified more than 40 disinfection
byproducts, most of which had not been observed previously, in
treated drinking water. The research was conducted in cooperation
with the Drinking Water Research Division of EPA's Risk Reduction
Engineering Laboratory, which is studying the chlorine dioxide
disinfection of drinking water at a pilot plant in Evansville IN.
Samples from that plant were analyzed here.
Chlorine dioxide is being considered as an alternative to chlorine as a
disinfectant because it produces lower concentrations of
trihalomethanes than chlorine. Our study indicates that other
byproducts are also produced at lower concentrations than those
produced by chlorine. In the Agency's efforts to reduce the incidence
of gastrointestinal infections through improved disinfection, it is
essential that the byproducts be identified so their potential health
effects can be evaluated. ERL-Athens' unique capabilities in multi-
MULTIMCD simulates
transport and
transformation of
contaminants released
from a hazardous
waste disposal facility
into the multimedia
environment
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Highlights 1993
10
Cftl-Athens1 unique
capabilities in
multlspectral
identification allouis
the characterization of
difficult-to-identify
organic chemicals
New structural
information may lead
to methodology to
identify dyes in
complex waste streams
spectral identification (various mass-spectrometric and molecular
spectroscopic techniques) allows the characterization of these diffi-
cult-to-identify organic chemicals. (S.D. Richardson, 706-546-3199)
New Method for Monitoring Textile Dyes
Dr. Susan Richardson, Mr. Al Thruston, Dr. John McGuire, and Dr.
Eric Weber have developed new structural information about reactive
textile dyes and information about how the dyes fragment to produce
a characteristic mass spectrum. The latter development may lead to
methodology to identify the dyes in complex waste streams. Applica-
tion of negative ion liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry/tandem
mass spectrometry to Reactive Blue 19 and its reactive and hydro-
lyzed forms revealed ions due to the loss of sulfur dioxide for all three
dyes. Fragment ions, therefore, could be useful in screening sul-
fonated reactive dyes in complex environmental mixtures. Reactive
dyes constitute one of the fastest growing groups of commercial dyes
in use today. In 1985, 12% of the dyes marketed were reactive dyes.
Unfortunately, reactive dyes are resistant to traditional water treat-
ment methods, and because they are electrophilic, there is concern
about their possible ecotoxicity and mutagenicity. (S.D. Richardson,
706-546-3199)
Fate Constants for €PA's Hazardous Waste
Identification Projects
The most comprehensive and reliable information ever assembled for
assessing chemical persistence and the potential of chemicals to
migrate in the aquatic and subsurface environment is now available.
Approximately 200 organic chemicals are being considered as com-
pounds to be regulated under Section 301 of the Resource Conserva-
tion and Recovery Act. The new information base lists each of 202
parent compounds by its common name and most widely used syn-
onyms and Chemical Abstracts Services Number. Sorption values are
listed as octanol-water partition coefficients and carbon-adjusted
octanol-water partition coefficients; second order chemical hydrolysis
rates are provided for acid, base, and neutral hydrolysis.
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Highlights 1993
The potential application of this information (and other data being
developed) is likely to extend far beyond the RCRA regulations. As
EPA moves toward comprehensive assessment of risks so that it can
focus on the most important risks first, it must be able to address
rapidly and reliably the literally thousands of chemicals that are not
currently regulated but that are present in the environments to which
humans and critical ecosystems are exposed every day. This informa-
tion base will be a major support for the assessment process. Com-
prehensive risk assessment holds promise of averting thousands of
premature deaths annually and of saving hundreds of billions of
dollars over the course of a decade by addressing the truly significant
risks and enhancing the preservation of important ecosystems.
The information was assembled by the Lab's Pathway Analysis Team--
Mr. Heinz Kollig, Dr. Jackson Ellington, Dr. Sam Karickhoff, Ms.
Brenda Kitchens, Dr. Mac Long, Dr. Eric Weber, and Dr. Lee Wolfe.
The Team's work began with an analysis of theoretical considerations
that help to identify likely transformation processes and products on
the basis of chemical structure. Next, the transformation rates and
equilibrium constants are arrived at by considering measured values
from the literature, applying computational chemistry methods,
postulating values from chemical structure, and making laboratory
measurements of important parameters. (H.P. Kollig 706-546-3198)
Comprehensive risk
assessment holds
promise of averting
thousands of
premature deaths
annually and of saving
hundreds of billions of
dollars by addressing
risks and enhancing
the preservation of
ecosystems
Version 10 of HSPF
A new release of HSPF, the widely used model for simulating various
water quantity and quality processes, is available for distribution. The
Hydrologjcal Simulation Program--FORTRAN is a set of computer
codes that can simulate the hydrologic, and associated water quality,
processes on pervious and impervious land surfaces and in streams
and well-mixed impoundments. Release 10 of HSPF incorporates
code modifications and corrections to earlier versions and documents
selected algorithm enhancements. (T.O. Earn-well) 706-546-3180)
Lob Work Adopted as RCftfl Methods
Two techniques for analyzing soil samples for organic chemicals
developed by Dr. Jackson Ellington and Dr. Tim Collette have been
adopted by EPA's Office of Solid Waste to meet requirements of the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The methods are 8145
Qualitative Analysis of Alkyl Phosphates Using Automated Cool On-
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Highlights 1993
12
HSPF simulates various
water quantity and
quality processes
column Injection and 8430 Identification of Bis(2-chloroethyl) Ether
Hydrolysis Products by Direct Aqueous Injection GC/FT-IR.
(J.J. Ellington, 706-546-3197)
Water Quality and the Hydrologist
Two Lab Engineers have contributed to a new standard reference for
the practicing hydrologist and others interested in the science of the
earth's waters. Dr. Steve McCutcheon and Mr. Tom Barnwell ad-
dressed the topic of water quality for Handbook of Hydrology, pub-
lished by McGraw-Hill. Their chapter covers the basic concepts of
water chemistry, the physical properties of water, and the constituents
and impurities of water. To aid in the interpretation of measure-
ments, water quality standards and criteria for various uses are pre-
sented. The information should be of interest to those who are
planning for and adapting to limitations on the use of water as well as
those who are protecting valuable water resources. (S.C. McCutcheon,
706-546-3301)
SPflRC Manual Developed
A user manual for the prototype version of the chemical properties
program of SPARC is now available. SPARC (SPARC Performs
Automated Reasoning in Chemistry) is an expert system developed by
ERL-Athens for the estimation of chemical and physical reactivity. Its
computational algorithms are based on considerations of molecular
structure that are arrived at using the reasoning process that a chemist
might undertake in evaluating reactivity. This approach allows for a
broad range of reactivity parameters-pKa's, equilibrium and rate
constants, sunlight absorption spectrum, or any parameter that
depends on molecular structure. (S. W. Karickhoff, 706-546-3349)
CCflM Activities
The Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling distributed 4852
copies of CEAM-supported models to requesters throughout the
world during 1993. Models were distributed by diskette, download-
ing from the electronic bulletin board, or over Internet. CEAM also
assisted EPA Regional Offices and Program Offices, and State envi-
ronmental agencies. Major assistance efforts involved the Nyanza
Superfund Site (Region 1), the Everglades (Region 4), Clear Lake
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Highlights 1993
Superfund Site (Region 9), South San Francisco Bay (Region 9),
mercury risk (Office of Air and Radiation), and the States of North
Carolina and Florida. (D.C. Bouchard, 706-546-3130)
23rd Chemistry Symposium
The 23rd International Symposium on Environmental Analytical
Chemistry, held in May 1993 at Jekyll Island GA, focused on recent
advances in analytical chemistry applicable to environmental studies.
In the 3-day meeting cosponsored by EPA, invited speakers in gov-
ernment, industry, and university laboratories presented 19 papers on
the latest developments in the analysis of organic and inorganic
pollutants as well as research to define the mechanisms of chemical
transformations and to improve measurement of equilibrium and
kinetic constants. The plenary theme for the symposium was "Waste
Incineration." Plenary lecturers were Professor Dwight R Lee,
Department of Economics, University of Georgia; Dr. Steven P.
Bayard, Office of Research and Development, EPA; and Dr. Gio Gori,
The Health Policy Center, Bethesda MD. Approximately 150 scien-
tists attended the symposium, which is sponsored by EPA, the Uni-
versity of Georgia, the American Chemical Society, and the Interna-
tional Association of Environmental Analytical Chemistry. A work-
shop on Metal Speciation and Contamination of Aquatic Sediments
was held in conjunction with the symposium. (W.T. Donaldson, 706-
546-3183)
Center for exposure
Assessment Modeling
distributed 4852
copies of C€flM-
supported models to
requestors throughout
the world
Lob Sets Reseorch Teoms
Six Research Teams were established in May to address the Lab's
Research Issues. The issues are (a) Global Climate, (b) Stratospheric
Ozone, (c) Human Exposure, (d) Groundwater, (e) Drinking Water,
(f) Ecological Risk Assessment, (g) Contaminated Sediments, (h)
Large Lakes and Rivers, (i) Bioremediation, (j) Environmental Review
of New Chemicals, (k) Nonpoint Sources, and (1) Pollution Preven-
tion. Teams and their leaders are: Global Climate (a and b), Mr. Lee
Mulkey; Bioremediation (i), Dr. John Rogers; Ecological Risk (f, g
and h), Dr. Lawrence Burns; Nonpoint Sources (k and 1), Mr. Robert
Carsel; Human Exposure (c, d and e), Mr. Lee Mulkey; and Environ-
mental Review of New Chemicals (j), Dr. Samuel Karickhoff. (R.C.
Ryans, 706-546-3306)
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Highlights 1993 14
LAB, CAU Set Joint Program
Through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in January, ERL-
Athens and Clark Atlanta University have established a cooperative
program to enhance the education and training of students and to
assist EPA in achieving its mission of environmental protection. The
Memorandum was signed by Dr. Thomas W. Cole, Jr., President of
Clark Atlanta University, and Dr. Rosemarie C. Russo, Lab Director.
The collaborative program includes joint research projects, research
participation (visits, sabbaticals, etc., by faculty, staff, and students),
student internships, mutual access to facilities and instrumentation,
technical assistance through consultations and workshops, staff
appointments (adjunct faculty and visiting scientists), and guest
lectures and instruction.
Significant positive effects are expected in three areas: the quality of
science and technical education; the relevance of Clark Atlanta Uni-
versity research to EPA's environmental mission; and the number of
African Americans and other minority students electing to pursue
graduate study and research careers in science, engineering, environ-
mental policy, and economics. It is anticipated that Clark Atlanta
University's capacity to develop contributors to environmental fields
will be significantly enhanced while important contributions are made
to EPA's overall research and development programs. (W.C. Steen,
706-546-3103)
Ufespon Center Opens
Approximately 60 persons attended the Grand Opening and Ribbon
Cutting in August for the new Lifespan Center, a child development
center provided by EPA to the Athens area Federal agencies and the
community. The Lifespan Center, located at the EPA Laboratory,
provides quality daycare for families, emphasizing a nurturing envi-
ronment and featuring an environmentally focused educational
curriculum. Classes for infants, toddlers, and pre-school children are
managed by the Athens Montessori School, under an EPA license
agreement. The facility allows the Athens area Federal community to
join the small number of Federal locations across the country that
offer quality daycare for their employees' children. (S.L. Bird, 706-
546-3476)
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Highlights 1993
lob Doubles CFC Goal
Proving they can "give where it helps," Lab staff contributed $8253
to the 1993 Combined Federal Campaign. This overwhelming
response reached 209% of the goal for the Lab. Contributions were
received from 60% of the staff (47 of 76). Lab Director Dr. Rosemarie
Russo was Chairperson for the Athens area CFC and Mr. Paul Smith
served as coordinator. The campaign resulted in donations of
$73,387 from 17 Athens agencies to the annual charity drive. (R.C.
Ryans, 706-546-3306)
Bou Scout Jamboree
Ms. Kate McDaniel, the Lab's Environmental Education Program
Manager, organized and presented environmental displays at the
Quadrennial Boy Scout Jamboree in August at Ft. A.P. Hill VA.
Other EPA displays were from ERL-Narragansett, ERL-Duluth,
Breidenbach Research Center, Office of Water, and Office of Air and
Radiation. (V.K. McDaniel, 706-546-3524)
The Lifespon Center
provides quality
doucare, emphasizing
o nurturing
environment and
featuring on
environmentally
focused educational
curriculum
Teacher Workshop at Lab
Twenty-four high school teachers representing school districts across
Georgia participated in a 7-day workshop in July at ERL-Athens
entitled "Environmental Science in the Classroom As It Relates to the
Community." The workshop, now in its third year, is sponsored by
EPA and the American Chemical Society and is coordinated by Ms.
Kate McDaniel, the Lab's Environmental Education Program Man-
ager. High school teachers who are certified by the ACS presented
the course. The teachers enhanced their capabilities for teaching
science in the high school classroom and for motivating more of their
students to pursue careers in science as related to the environment.
(V.K. McDnniel, 706-546-3524)
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Highlights 1993 16
STAFF HONORS AND AWARDS
Barnwell Named CPfl's engineer of Veor
Mr. Thomas O. Barnwell, Jr., research civil engineer, was named
EPA's Engineer of the Year for 1994. The award recognizes Mr.
BarnwelPs contributions since he joined the Agency in 1971 and, in
particular, his recent activities in developing pollutant fate models,
providing technical assistance in water quality modeling for EPA and
state environmental agencies, and coordinating soil carbon research in
global climate change studies.
Mr. Barnwell participates in the activities of several professional
engineering groups, including the American Society of Civil Engi-
neers (ASCE) and the International Association for Water Quality
(IAWQ). He is secretary of the lAWQ's Specialist Group on Systems
Analysis and Computing and a member of the executive committee of
ASCE's Technical Council on Computer Practices.
He began his EPA career as a sanitary engineer on the Surveillance
and Analysis Division staff of Region 4 after receiving his Masters in
Environmental Systems Engineering from Clemson University. He
joined ERL-Athens in 1977.
Mr. Barnwell is the third ERL-Athens engineer to be awarded the
annual honor from EPA. The other honorees were Mr. Robert
Ambrose (1989) and Mr. Steve McCutcheon (1991).
Bornuuell, Jackson Win Science Award
EPA's Scientific and Technical Careers Advisory Committee selected
Mr. Thomas O. Barnwell, Jr., and Mr. Robert B. Jackson, IV, as
winners of the 1993 EPA Science Achievement Award in Earth
Sciences. The award was presented "for creative and innovative
application of simulation models and use of data bases in developing
estimates of the carbon sequestration potential of agricultural land in
the Central United States." Each year, as part of the EPA Honors
Awards Program, Agency scientists and engineers are recognized for
outstanding contributions in several scientific-technical fields.
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17
Highlights 1993
Lob Articles UJIn Awards
Three journal articles by Lab staff were recognized in the Office of
Research and Development's 1992 Scientific and Technological
Achievement Awards competition. Mr. Robert Jackson was honored
for "On Estimating Agriculture's Net Contribution to Atmospheric
Carbon." Dr. Samuel Karickhoff and Ms. Kate McDaniel were
recognized for "Predicting Chemical Reactivity by Computer." Dr.
Richard Zepp was honored for "Hydroxyl Radical Formation in
Aqueous Reactions (pH 3-8) of Iron(II) with Hydrogen Peroxide:
The Photo-Fenton Reaction." Each article was recognized with a
Level III award, which consists of a certificate and a monetary award.
The STA Awards are granted by ORD upon the recommendation of
the Science Advisory Board. In the 1992 competition, the SAB
reviewed 137 submissions and selected 39 for award.
lewis UJfns Sigma XI Award
Dr. David Lewis, research microbiologist, won the 1993 research
award given by the University of Georgia Chapter of Sigma Xi. The
winning paper was "Cross-infection Risks Associated with Current
Procedures Using High-speed Dental Handpieces" (/. Clinical
Microbiology). Dr. Lewis' work on contamination of dental
handpieces was carried out totally separate from his EPA duties. The
work prompted national and state dental associations, as well as the
Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration,
to issue new guidelines for heat sterilizing the dental devices.
Journal articles bu Lob
staff were recognized
lnORD'sl992
Scientific and
Technological
Achievement Awards
competition
ftusso Choirs Sci-Tech Careers Committee
Dr. Rosemarie Russo, Laboratory Director, was elected Chair of the
Agency's Scientific and Careers Advisory Committee. The Commit-
tee was established in 1985 to advise the Administrator, Deputy
Administrator, and Office of Human Resources Management on
improving the quality of work life of EPA's scientific and technical
staff. The Committee also provides advice on incorporating the latest
scientific and technical information and methods into the Agency's
work.
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Highlights 1993
18
Sci-Tech provides
advice on incorporating
the latest scientific and
technical information
and methods into the
Agency's work
Lewis elected Sigma XI President
Dr. David Lewis, research microbiologist, was elected president of the
University of Georgia Chapter of Sigma Xi. The honor society of
Sigma Xi was formed in 1886 for scientists and engineers as a coun-
terpart to Phi Beta Kappa, which was organized for the humanities.
Its purpose is to reward excellence in scientific research and to en-
courage a sense of cooperation and companionship among scientists
in all fields. The UGA Chapter has approximately 400 members.
Symposium in China
The Third Biennial International Symposium on Fish Physiology,
Toxicology, and Water Quality Management was held on November
3-5, 1993, in Nanjing, People's Republic of China. Along with EPA,
the official sponsors of the symposium are the PRC National Environ-
mental Protection Agency, PRC National Science Foundation, EPA of
Jiangsu Province, Nanjing University, Nanjing Institute of Environ-
mental Sciences, PRC Research Institute of of Eco-Environmental
Sciences, and the University of British Columbia.
N€U P€RSONN€L AND
ACTIVITIES
Holm Heads Chemistry Branch
Dr. Harvey W. Holm accepted permanent appointment as Chief of
the Chemistry Branch. Dr. Holm returned to the Lab in August
from EPA's Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport OR where he
served as the new facility's first director. He left ERL-Athens in 1988
to serve as Acting Deputy Director of ERL-Narragansett. He takes
over from Dr. Wayne Garrison, who elected to continue research
begun during a research detail at the Institute for Ecological Chemis-
try of the GSF, Munich, Germany.
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19
Highlights 1993
New ADP Coordinator
Mr. Thomas L. Prather, Computer Systems Analyst, joined the
Laboratory staff as the Automatic Data Processing Coordinator. Mr.
Prather holds a Masters in Business Data Processing and has extensive
experience in VAX, PC, and LAN systems and in database manage-
ment.
International Visitors
Ms. Kati Mattern, a program manager at the Federal Environmental
Agency of Germany in Berlin, spent 3 months at the Lab investigating
our geographic-information-system-based ecosystem modeling
approach for potential application in Germany. Ms. Pilar Hernandez
Hernandez of the University of Alicante spent 3 months at the Lab
developing and testing water quality simulation models for reservoirs.
The Lab also hosted brief (day-long) visits by scientists-engineers
from Spain, Nigeria, Japan, Gabon, Senegal, Chad, Morocco, South
Africa, China, Czech Republic, The Netherlands, Canada, and Argen-
tina.
New NRC Associates
Ten scientists began joint research at the Laboratory under the
National Research Council Associates Program. Dr. Mary Bergs is
modeling the transport of fine sediments and the flux of related
benthic contaminants. Dr. Michael Elovitz is examining the covalent
binding of aromatic amines to natural organic matter. Dr. Huamin
Gan is studying the redox transformation of chromium in soils and
sediment. Dr. Rex Kerstatter is investigating pollutant transformation
and the role of plant peroxidases in soil carbon cycling. Dr. Valentine
Nzengung is researching the use of enzymes to degrade chlorinated
hydrocarbons. Dr. Yuri Plis is developing a model of the effects of
combined nutrient and toxicant concentrations on natural population
dynamics in lakes. Dr. Sergey Schevchenko is examining the structure,
morphology, and reactivity of humic substances. Dr. Dayton Wilde is
investigating the development of trans-genetic plants for the
bioreduction of heavy metals. Dr. Tien-Shuenn Wu is working to
The Lob hosted visits
bu scientists-engineers
from Spain, Nigeria,
Japan, Gabon,
Senegal, Chad,
Morocco, South Africa,
China, Czech Republic,
The Netherlands,
Canada, and Argentina
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Highlights 1993 20
integrate 3-D hydrodynamic models, water quality models, and
sediment models to improve surface water simulation techniques. Dr.
Xiaoming Zhang is performing research to characterize microorgan-
isms in enrichment cultures capable of para-dechlorination of
chlorophenols.
Bailey Leads Soils Sessions
Dr. George Bailey, research soil scientist, had a leading role at the
85th Annual Meeting in November of the American Society of
Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science
Society of America. Dr. Bailey, who served as chairman of the Soil
Chemistry Division for 1993, organized three symposia and the
Division's program of 149 presentations, chaired several sessions, and
co-presided over the Surface and Colloid Chemistry Working Group
Zepp, lossiter at Global Change Workshop
Dr. Richard Zepp, research chemist, and Dr. Ray Lassiter, research
microbiologist, participated in the Dahlen Workshop on the Role of
Non-living Organic matter in the Earth's Carbon Cycle that was held
in September in Berlin, Germany. The workshop participants focused
on devising experimental and modeling strategies for assessment of
the sensitivity of the global carbon cycle to changes in non-living
organic pools.
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21 Highlights 1993
PUBLICATIONS IN 1993
Anon. 1993. Fish Physiology, Toxicology, and Water Quality Management. Proceedings of an International Sympo-
sium, Sacramento, California, USA, September 18-19, 1990. R.C. Russo and R.V. Thurston (Eds.). U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Athens GA. Publication No. EPA/600/R-93/157.
Bicknell, B.R., J.C. Imhoff, J.L. Kittle, A.S. Donigian, and R.C. Johanson. 1993. Hydrological Simulation Pro-
gram—FORTRAN: User's Manual for Release 10. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens GA.
Publication No. EPA/600/R-93/174.
Burke, RA. 1993. Possible Influence of Hydrogen Concentration on Microbial Methane Stable Hydrogen Isoto-
pic Composition. Chemosphere. 26(l-4):55-67.
Chen, Y.D., S.C. McCutcheon, T.C. Rasmussen, W.L. Nutter, and R.F. Carsel. 1993. Integrating Water Quality
Modeling with Ecological Risk Assessment for Nonpoint Source Pollution Control: A Conceptual Frame-
work. Water Science and Technology. 28(3-5):431-440.
Chen, Y.D. and T.C. Rasmussen. 1993. The Role and Design of Water Quality Monitoring on Forested Water-
sheds: IN: Proceedings of the 1993 Georgia Water Conference. K.K. Hatcher (Ed.). University of Georgia,
Athens GA. p. 138-141.
Faust, B.C. and R.G. Zepp. 1993. Photochemistry of Aqueous Iron(III)-Polycarboxylaate Complexes: Roles in
the Chemistry of Atmospheric and Surface Waters. Environmental Science and Technology. 27(12):2517-
2522.
Haggblom, M.M., M.D. Rivera, and L.Y. Young. 1993. Influence of Alternative Electron Acceptors on the
Anaerobic Bioavailability of Chlorinated Phenols and Benzoic Acids. Applied Environmental Microbiology.
59(4):1162-1167.
Hallam, T.G., GA. Canziani, and R.R. Lassiter. 1993. Sublethal Narcosis and Population Persistence: A Modeling
Study on Growth Effects. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 12(5):947-954.
Hovland, M., A.G. Judd, and R.A. Burke. 1993. The Global Flux of Methane from Shallow Submarine Sediments.
Chemosphere. 26(l-4):559-578.
Hwang, H-M., R.E. Hodson, D.L. Lewis, and R. Scholze. 1993. Microbial Degradative Activity in Ground Water
and a Chemical Waste Disposal Site. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 50(6):856-
863.
Kollig, H.P., B.E. Kitchens, and K.J. Hamrick. 1993. FATE, the Environmental Fate Constants Information
Database. Journal of Chemical Information and Computer Sciences. 331):131-134.
Kollig, H.P. 1993. Environmental Fate Constants for Organic Chemicals Under Consideration for EPA's Hazard-
ous Waste Identification Projects. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens GA. Publication No.
EPA/600/R-93/132.
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Highlights 1993 22
Loux, N.T. and D.S. Brown. 1993. Prediction of Metal Contaminant Exposure in Natural Waters Using
Geochemical Equilibrium Modeling. IN: Fish Physiology, Toxicology, and Water Quality Management:
Proceedings of an International Symposium, Sacramento, California, USA, September 18-19, 1990. R.C.
Russo and R.V. Thurston (Eds.). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens GA. Publication No.
EPA/600/R-93/157. p. 149-163.
Marsalek, J., T.O. Barnwell, W. Geiger, M. Grottker, W.C. Huber, AJ. Saul, W. Schilling, and H.C. Torno. 1993.
Urban Drainage Systems: Design and Operation. Water Science and Technology. 27(12):31-70.
McCutcheon, S.C., J.L. Martin, and T.O. Barnwell. 1993. Water Quality. IN: Handbook of Hydrology. D.R.
Maidment (Ed.). McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York. p. 11.1-11.73.
Mullins, JA, R.F. Carsel, J. Scarbrough, and A.M. Ivery. 1993. PRZM-2, A Model for Predicting Pesticide Fate in
the Crop Root and Unsaturated Soil Zones: Users Manual for Release 2.0. U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Athens GA. Publication No. EPA/600/R-93/046.
Peterjohn, W.T., J.M. Melillo, F.P. Bowles, and PA. Steudler. 1993. Warming and Trace Gas Fluxes: Experimental
Design and Preliminary Flux Results. Oecologia. 93(l):18-24.
Richardson, S.D., A.D. Thruston, Jr., J.M. McGuire, and E.J. Weber. 1993. Structural Characterization of Reactive
Dyes Using Liquid Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry/Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Organic Mass Spec-
trometry. 28(5):619-625.
Roberts, A.L., P.M. Jeffers, N.L. Wolfe, and P.M. Gschwend. 1993. Structure-Reactivity Relationships in
Dehydrohalogenation Reactions of Polychlorinated and Polybrominated Alkanes. Critical Reviews in
Environmental Science and Technology. 23(l):l-39.
Rogers, J.E. and D.A. Abramowicz (Eds.). 1993. Anaerobic Dehalogenation and Its Environmental Implications.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens GA. Publication No. EPA/600/R-93/131.
Salhotra, A.M., P. Mineart, S. Sharp-Hansen, and T.L. Allison. 1993. MULTIMED, the Multimedia Exposure
Assessment Model for Evaluating the Land Disposal of Wastes-Model Theory. U.S. Environmental Protec-
tion Agency, Athens GA. Publication No. EPA/600/R-93/081.
Sharp-Hansen, S., C. Travers, P.R. Hummel, Jr., and T. Allison. 1993. A Subtitle D Landfill Application Manual
for the Multimedia Exposure Assessment Model (MULTIMED). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Athens GA. Publication No. EPA/600/R-93/082.
Smith, C.N. and R.S. Parrish. 1993. A Field Study to Evaluate Leaching of Aldicarb, Metolachlor, and Bromide in
a Sandy Loam Soil. Journal of Environmental Quality. 22(3):562-577.
Stucki, J.W., G.W. Bailey, and H. Gan. 1993. Oxidation-Reduction Mechanisms in Iron-Bearing Phyllosilicates.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens GA. Publication No. EPA/600/S-93/002.
Tratnyek, P.G. and N.L. Wolfe. 1993. Oxidation and Acidificatiion of Anaerobic Sediment-Water Systems by
Autoclaving. Journal of Environmental Quality. 22(2):375-378.
Travers, C.L. and S. Sharp-Hansen. 1993. Leachate Generation and Migration at Subtitle D Facilities: A Summary
and Review of Processes and Mathematical Models. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens GA.
Publication No. EPA/600/R-93/125.
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23 Highlights 1993
Valentine, R.L. and R.G. Zepp. 1993. Formation of Carbon Monoxide from the Photodegradation of Terrestrial
Dissolved Organic Matter in Natural Waters. Environmental Science and Technology. 27(2):409-412.
Wang, P-F., R.B. Ambrose, and K.J. Novo-Gradac. 1993. South San Francisco Bay Water Quality Modeling and
Waste Load Allocation Study. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens GA. Publication No. EPA/
600/R-93/048.
Weber, EJ. and V.C. Stickncy. 1993. Hydrolysis Kinetics of Reactive Blue 19-Vinyl Sulfone. Water Research.
27(l):63-67.
Zhang, G-A., D-W. Zhu, S.C. McCutcheon, X-G. Pel, and X-C. Zhong. 1993. Water Quality Projections for Lake
Bostcn, Zinjiang, PRC. IN: Fish Physiology, Toxicology, and Water Quality Management: Proceedings of
an International Symposium, Sacramento, California, USA, September 18-19, 1990. R.C. Russo and RV.
Thurston (Eds.). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens GA. Publication No. EPA/600/R-93/
157. p. 181-196.
Zhu, D-W, S.C. McCutcheon, Y-H. Zuo, Z-H Yue, and T.A. Wool. 1993. Water Quality Modeling for a Tidal
Harbor: Application to Zhenjiang Harbor, PRC. IN: Fish Physiology, Toxicology, and Water Quality
Management: Proceedings of an International Symposium, Sacramento, California, USA, September 18-19,
1990. R.C. Russo and RV. Thurston (Eds.). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens GA. Publica-
tion No. EPA/600/R-93/157. p. 213-226.
* U.S. QOVER1WENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1994-550-001/00157
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U S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5, Library (PL-12J)
77 West Jackson Boulevard, 12th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604-3590
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