nited States Office of Research and EPA/600/R-95/C
Environmental Protection Development April 1995
Agency Washington DC 20460
&EPA
Environmental Research
Laboratory—Athens, GA
1994 Highlights
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Cover: Imagesfrom scanning probe microscopy research. Upper left: scanning
tunneling microscopic image of the nitro-reductase enzyme-monoclonal antibody
interaction on the surface of graphite; Upper Right: atomic force microscopic
image of a lead precipitate on the surface ofmuscovite (pH8.18); Lower Left:
electrostatic equipotential surfaces around an aggregate of citric acid molecules as
in the box R of the experimental image on the opposite figure. The regions of
repulsion and attraction of a negatively charged particle are marked with "-" and
"+" signs, respectively; Lower Right* scanning tunneling microscopic image of
citric acid on graphite. Areas subjected to computer reconstruction are placed in
boxes.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Research Laboratory at
Athens, Georgia, conducts research on chemicals, ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles,
and land use perturbations that create risks to humans and ecosystems. ERL-Athens
conducts field and laboratory experimental research to understand the fate of chemi-
cals in multimedia environments, to quantify the interactions of the climate system
and the biosphere, to evaluate the causes of ecological stress within a watershed
context, and to create and evaluate remediation systems for contaminated sites. ERL-
Athens develops, tests, and applies exposure models within the risk assessment
framework for both humans and ecosystems.
ERL-Athens researchers identify and characterize the physical, chemical, biological,
and biochemical processes needed to predict the rates of transformation and products
produced, and the transport and ultimate distribution of chemical pollutants in multi-
media environments and in organisms. This research is also the foundation of the
Lab's soil/sediment/aquifer remediation technology program involving microbial,
plant, chemical and combination process components. Researchers work to:
—identify, characterize, and predict pollutant and ecosystem properties and environ-
mental factors that determine pollutant exposure, impact and risk, including use of
computational chemistry and artificial intelligence/expert systems.
—incorporate scientific understanding of environmental processes and ecosystem
behavior into computerized techniques for predicting probable environmental concen-
trations and human and ecological risk from pollutants under various management,
land use or policy options.
—develop, field-test and document the reliability of single and multimedia manage-
ment methods, pollution prevention strategies and remediation techniques, and the
fate, exposure, and risk assessment models on which they were based.
—identify, characterize, and predict the biogeochemical and hydrologic processes
needed to determine net greenhouse gas emissions, and the impacts on those pro-
cesses/fluxes due to climate and land use changes, and to delineate potential
remediation techniques.
EPA's Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling at ERL-Athens distributes models
and user guides to environmental managers in Federal, State and local agencies in the
United States and throughout the world by mail and via electronic bulletin board and
Internet.
environmental Research laboratory
Office of Research and Development
U.S. environmental Protection flgency
960 College Station Road
flthens Gfl 30605-2700
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL EXPOSURE RESEARCH LABORATORY
ECOSYSTEMS RESEARCH DIVISION
960 COLLEGE STATION ROAD
ATHENS, GA 30605-2700
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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Applying Scanning Probe Microscopy to environmental Contaminants
Scanning probe microscopy, an exciting new technology that consists of scanning and
atomic force microscopy, allows investigators to characterize the morphology and
atomic structure of environmental surfaces at the nanoscale level. Researchers at
ERL-Athens are the first Agency scientists to apply this new technology in their efforts
to expand scientific knowledge of the behavior of metals in the environment.
Over the past 3 years, Lab researchers have characterized surfaces of such environ-
mental materials as lignins, fulvic acids, humic acids and model organic humic sub-
stances, phyllosilicates, and sulfides. The products of geochemical reactions on mica
surfaces also have been examined. Surface images have been produced of sulfides,
metal oxides, halomethanes sorbed onpyrite and graphite surfaces, nitro-reductase
enzyme-monoclonal antibody interactions, and the reduction of chromium on natural
surfaces.
In on-going work, researchers are developing techniques for using scanning tunneling
spectroscopy and electro-chemical scanning tunneling microscopy to better define the
electronic properties of metal oxide surfaces and their redox characteristics. Chemical
reactivities of different environmental surfaces are being characterized in terms of
oxidation-reduction/electron transfer reaction rates, surface polymerization of metal
ions, and the surface precipitation/dissolution of metal oxides coating other metal
surfaces. Surface characterization parameters include surface roughness, bearing
ratio, areal and angular dimensions of structural units, and fractality. (Fractality is
involved in predicting chemical reactivity of the surface).
The general methodology of computer-assisted representation and interpretation of
scanning probe microscopic images has been developed and demonstrated using citric
Thinking Small: acid as a model humic substance. High resolution (nanoscale) scanning-tunneling
Surface Chemistry microscopic images of citric acid were interpreted on the basis of SYBYL software. A
. «. - combination of molecular mechanics/dynamics and semi-empirical quantum mechani-
cal calculations were used to perform an energetical analysis of surface-molecule/ion-
level solvent interactions. Simulations were produced describing the partitioning behavior
of a model organic molecule or inorganic metal species of known electronic properties
at an environmental surface of given specific structure, morphology, and electronic
properties.
Results from these studies will be used to develop selection rules for the "a priori"
prediction of the partitioning of organic and inorganic pollutants to environmental
surfaces from the solution phase. (G. W. Bailey, 706-546-3307).
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Remediation Using Plants and Plant Cnzumes: A Progress Report
Sediments have been shown to contain active enzymes that can degrade
nitroaromatic compounds such as TNT or chlorinated solvents such as TCE. Five
classes of proteins have been isolated and partially characterized. Three of the
enzymes have been used for the production of monoclonal antibodies to deter-
mine the possible sources of these proteins. In every case, the sources are plants
growing near the sediment. The use of plants for remediation of hazardous
materials such as TNT or other munitions like RDX and HMX has led to a new
approach to remediation-phytoremediation. Investigators have developed a field
test to indicate which locally grown plants can be used at each contaminated site.
Pilot scale testing of the concept of phytoremediation is being funded by the
Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program. Created wetlands
containing appropriate plants will be used to remove TNT from ground water.
Halflives of TNT with the appropriate plants are on the order of minutes in the
laboratory compared with 15 to 20 days for composting and 80 days for bacterial
TNT ho If life breakdown. Investigations have shown that the TNT is reduced one nitro group
of minutes at a time to triaminotolune (TAT) by one enzyme, a nitroreductase. A second
enzyme present in some plants, a lactase, adds oxygen across the ring structure
and opens it up. The reaction after ring opening is very rapid, and no TNT
remains, and the components of the TNT molecule may be incorporated into the
plant, perhaps as lignin.
Phytoremediation is also applicable to the cleanup of TNT-contaminated soil.
Auburn University, in cooperation with EPA, has conducted a series of batch pilot
studies at an abandoned ammunition plant in Alabama. The Georgia Institute of
Technology, Rice University, and Louisiana State University will conduct soil
cleanup pilot studies in 1995 using soils contaminated up to 5000 ppm, under an
EPA grant to the Hazardous Substance Research Center/South and Southwest.
(N.L. Wolfe andS.C. McCutcheon; 706-546-3429)
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aids ecosytem
management
analysis
Restoration of the South Florida €cosystem
In September 1993, EPA and other Federal agencies that have major land man-
agement and regulatory responsibilities, signed an agreement in Orlando, Florida,
to establish a coordinated Federal effort to restore the Everglades and other parts
of the South Florida ecosystem. Federal responsibilities in the area include three
national parks, a national preserve, eleven national wildlife refuges, the Florida
Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and reservation lands of the Seminole and
Miccosukee Tribes.
Water built the Everglades, and ecological restoration must begin with hydrologi-
cal restoration. Beyond the immediate legal, financial, and social barriers stands, Computer system
however, the central challenge of adaptive management: reducing uncertainty in
the myriad of potential risks to a level at which the relative benefits of competing
policy options can be clearly articulated and understood. One of those risks is
contamination of the Everglades biota by methylmercury.
Beginning with the detection of elevated levels of mercury in largemouth bass in
1989, it has become increasingly apparent that the South Florida ecosystem is
extensively contaminated. In response, the State of Florida has issued human
health advisories that ban or restrict consumption of freshwater fishes from more
than 2 million acres of the Everglades and the Big Cypress Swamp. Although
mercury contamination has been detected at levels of concern in largemouth bass
throughout the state, maximum concentrations found in Everglades largemouth
bass (4.4 mg/kg) and bowfin (>7 mg/kg) are the highest mercury contaminant
levels thus far reported from Florida waters. Mercury accumulation through the
food chain may reduce the breeding success of wading birds and the viability of
the endangered Florida panther.
In 1994,ERL-Athens began the design of a computer-based capability for adap-
tive ecosystem management analysis. This system will integrate comparative risk
assessment techniques, monitoring data, and process-based predictive simulation
modeling in a Geographic Information System framework for analysis and con-
trast of competing management and policy alternatives. The development of this
system will focus on the integration of multiple modeling studies by several
agencies with mercury biogeochemistry and bioaccumulation models created at
ERL-Athens to develop ecological risk assessments for mercury contamination
that will help in resolving ecosystem restoration problems. (L.A. Burns, 706-546-
3511)
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Greenhouse Gases and Boreal Forests
Scientists from the Athens Laboratory participated in the joint United States-
Canada project called the Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study. BOREAS is a
cooperative field study involving elements of terrestrial ecology, trace gas bio-
geochemistry, modeling, and land surface climatology. Current models project
that the boreal forests in high latitudes will experience pronounced changes in
temperature and precipitation in response to the global buildup of greenhouse
gases. The goal of BOREAS is to understand the interactions between the boreal
forest biome and the atmosphere that affect global climate change. Eight Federal
agencies and departments in the United States and five agencies and ministries in
Canada are participating in BOREAS.
During 1994, three intensive field campaigns of BOREAS centered on two major
sites located in the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The sites
o j »l are located near the northern and southern limits of the boreal forest. The pri-
Uurneo SOUS pro- mary fQC[ls Qf ^e Athens Laboratory research at the Manitoba sites was the post-
mote COa releose bum impact of the intense stand-replacement fires on soil biogeochemical cycles
and the soil-atmosphere exchange of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and
methane. The studies also examined the effects of changing solar ultraviolet
radiation on emissions of carbon monoxide from exposed litter and from wet-
lands, including beaver impoundments. Related ancillary data such as soil mois-
ture and temperature, soil diffusivities, and depth to water table also were deter-
mined. The EPA scientists worked closely with scientists from the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (USA), Forestry Canada and Environment
Canada.
Three preliminary findings are apparent. First, the consistently higher tempera-
tures in the soils of the burn sites may enhance soil organic matter decomposition,
promoting the release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Second, soil con-
sumption of methane was enhanced at the burn sites compared to the controls,
particularly at the sandy sites. Third, carbon monoxide production from the
surface soils was strongly enhanced by exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation.
These results are being used to refine models that describe the effects of climate
change on biosphere-atmosphere exchange of atmospherically important trace
gases. (R.G. Zepp, R.A. Burke; 706-546-3146)
New Process for Treating Solvents, Pesticides
A new sulfur-iron system promotes the treatment of groundwater that is contami-
nated by hazardous chemicals. The process prevents the buildup of vinyl chloride
and other dangerous products in the "runnel and gate" technology for in situ
treatment. The sulfur-iron catalyst properly controls pH and completes the
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reaction of chlorinated solvents, the most pervasive contaminants at many hazard-
ous waste sites. In addition to treating a large number of chlorinated solvents, the
new catalyst has proven extremely effective in treating selected pesticides. This
research is funded by the Strategic Environmental Research and Development
Program conducted jointly by the EPA, the Department of Defense, and the
Department of Energy. The Air Force's Armstrong Laboratory at Tyndall Air
Force Base is a senior research partner, along with Hill Air Force Base, and DoE's
Savannah River Plant. More than 1000 Federal facilities are contaminated by
these chlorinated solvents, ranging from nuclear weapons machining facilities to
jet cleaning operations. (N.L. Wolfe, S.C. McCutcheon; 706-546-3429)
Government/Industry Study Pesticide Drift
EPA (through the Athens and Research Triangle Park laboratories), the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, and 32 agricultural chemical companies formed a consor-
tium in March 1994 to evaluate environmental problems caused by sprayed
pesticides drifting on the wind onto non-target fields, lakes and streams. The
Cooperative Research and Development Act project links the data collection and
modeling of the agricultural chemical industry's Spray Drift Task Force, the spray
drift exposure modeling efforts of EPA, and the spray drift field studies of the
USDA. The goal is to develop a validated assessment tool for use in evaluating
the risk of off-site drift under different scenarios, and identifying the critical
parameters that determine the extent of pesticide drift. (S.L. Bird, 706-546-3476)
Multimedia Models for Regulatory Impact Analysis
A new class of mathematical models is being developed as scientific understand-
ing of the pathways by which humans are exposed to pollutants increases. These
new multimedia models simulate the movement of pollutants between media (air
to soil, water to air, etc.) to give a better understanding of the degree of exposure
likely to occur and a better estimate of resulting human health and ecological
effects. EPA and the Department of Energy are developing an interagency con-
sensus as to the comparability and applicability of a series of multimedia models
and merging the models where appropriate and feasible. (G.F. Laniak, 706-546-
3310)
Sediment-Associated Reactions of Aromatic Amines
Model assesses
off-site drift of
pesticides
Athens Laboratory studies of aniline and substituted anilines in pond sediments
have demonstrated that these pollutants sorb to sediments irreversibly through
chemical reactions. This new information will assist in the Agency's efforts to
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Ozonotion of
high-bromide
water pro-
duces
bromohudrins
predict the behavior of this important class of environmental contaminants in
aquatic and soil ecosystems. Aromatic amines can enter the environment from
the reduction of azo dyes, polynitroaromatic munitions (e.g., TNT), and dinitro
herbicides, and hydrolytic degradation of numerous agrochemicals.
Structure-activity relationships indicate that the strength of the amine's basicity
(its pKa) will be a useful predictor for determining to what extent chemical
sorption will occur. The rate and extent of chemical sorption will increase with
the magnitude of the aromatic amine's pKa. Studies are currently focusing on
extending the list of aromatic amines being investigated and enhancing our ability
to predict the behavior of this class of chemicals in environmental systems. (E. J.
Weber, G.L. Baughman, D. Colon; 706-546-3154)
Identification of Ozonation Byproducts
Researchers at the Athens Laboratory discovered the formation of about 20
different bromohydrins and related compounds when natural water with elevated
concentrations of bromide is treated with ozone, an alternative disinfection treat-
ment for drinking water. Although the potential human health significance of
bromohydrins is unknown, the formation and identification of these compounds
provides new insight into formation mechanisms and methods of identification of
these unusual compounds. Now that these compounds have been identified, they
can be specifically monitored for in evaluating the efficacy of ozonation as a
drinking water disinfectant.
Of particular interest is that chiral carbons are common among the compounds.
Structures with chiral compounds usually are indicative of the existence of "mir-
ror image" compounds (enatiomers) that cannot be separated with commonly
used separation techniques, although they may exhibit significantly different
toxicological properties. Failure to recognize these enantiomers can result in
misinterpretation of the toxicity potential of chemicals.
Separate studies, using chiral chromatographic columns with "dummy com-
pounds," demonstrated the presence of enantiomers among such structures.
Infrared spectroscopy and computational chemistry played a more significant role
than in most multispectral identification studies, indicating the breadth of labora-
tory information that is needed to explore fully the formation of drinking water
disinfection byproducts. (T.W. Collette, 706-546-3525)
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Predicting Reactivity Prom Molecular Structure
A highly reliable model for predicting the alkaline hydrolysis transformation rates
for organic compounds from their infrared spectra has been developed. Based on
the mathematical theory of rough sets, the model further substantiates the feasibil-
ity of estimating environmentally important reactivity rates from infrared spectra.
Reliable chemical reactivity rates are essential to predicting the fate of chemicals
in the environment in order to evaluate potential exposure to humans and sensitive
ecosystems. Literally thousands of man-made chemicals find their way into the
ambient environment. Because laboratory measurements of the necessary chemi-
cal and physical properties for estimating potential exposure costs thousands of
dollars per chemical and often takes several weeks for a single measurement, it is
essential that we develop reliable means of estimating these properties from easily
and inexpensively obtained data.
Infrared spectra are readily available for more than a hundred thousand chemi-
cals, and laboratory generation of spectra for chemicals is both fast and inexpen-
sive. More recent evaluation of the model indicates that the general approach is
applicable to the estimation often equilibrium constants that are important in
predicting chemical fate. Additional benefits of this research are a better under-
standing of the reaction process, of important trends in spectral data, and of
underlying relationships between the two. (T. W. Collette, 706-546-3525)
Bioremediotion of Oil Spills
In response to the need to evaluate bioremediation products for application to oil
spills, ERL-Athens is participating with other EPA Laboratories and with mem-
bers of academia and industry in an effort headed by the National Environment
Technology Application Center. Protocols were developed for testing the effec-
tiveness of products in open waters, beaches, and wetlands. ERL-Athens has the
lead in the wetlands effort.
The protocols for evaluation of the efficacy of remediation products are micro-
cosm-based, with supporting toxicological and analytical protocols for determin-
ing risk for product application and indicators of product effectiveness. As part of
the protocol development process, ten bioremediation products, including nutri-
ents, surfactants, active microbial agents and enzymes, were submitted to NETAC
for anonymous testing.
Model predicts
olkoline hy-
drolysis from
infrared spectra
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Ulorkshoo draws
.....
9
teachers
Although some of the products increased the biodegradation of oil with respect to
ambient rates, none has outperformed the addition of inorganic nutrients. The
protocols have been released in draft form for testing and use by industry. Within
the Agency, the microcosms developed as the core of the protocols are being used
to investigate the ecological interactions between degrader bacteria, either indig-
enous or introduced, and nondegrader natural bacteria populations. An under-
standing of those interactions will lead to optimization of bioremediation pro-
cesses with minimal disruption of the natural microbial processes. (R. Araujo,
706-546-3468).
HSPF Used in Public education Project
HSPF, a water quality model developed through Athens Laboratory research, has
been used in a new application—to estimate the effectiveness of a public education
program to reduce nonpoint source pollution. Maryland's Prince George's County
used the Hydrological Simulation Program-FORTRAN (HSPF) to calculate the
reduction in nonpoint source pollutants in the Kettering community if residents
curtailed the use of fertilizers and pesticides on lawns and the improper disposal
of detergents, oil, grease, and antifreeze in automobile maintenance. The project
included a survey that showed that Kettering residents lacked a general under-
standing of water quality issues. For example, 58 percent of the residents did not
know that stormwater runoff from residential areas causes water pollution. The
County plans to apply this survey, education and impact modeling approach to
other communities on a small watershed scale. (T.O. Barnwell, 706-546-3180).
environmental Science Workshop for Teachers
Twenty-five high school teachers representing school districts from across Geor-
gia participated in an intensive, 6-day workshop entitled "Environmental Science
*n *e Classroom As It Relates to the Community" at the Athens Laboratory in
June. The workshop, now in its fourth year, is sponsored by EPA and the Ameri-
can Chemical Society and is organized and coordinated by Ms. Kate McDaniel,
^Q Lab's Environmental Education Program Manager. The workshop was pre-
sented by ChemCom (Chemistry in the Community) high school teachers who are
certified by the American Chemical Society. The participants hear guest lectur-
ers, perform laboratory exercises, join in role playing and creative planning, and
tour science facilities. The workshop allows teachers to enhance their capabilities
to teach science and motivate students to pursue a career in science. (V.K.
McDaniel, 706-546-3524)
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Staff Honors ond ft wards
McCutcheon Receives engineering Award
Dr. Steven C. McCutcheon is the 1994 recepient of the Richard R. Torrens Award
from the American Society of Civil Engineers. The award, presented by ASCE
President James W. Poirot at the Society's annual convention in September,
recognizes Dr. McCutcheon's "far reaching and innovative" contributions to the
ASCE publications program. He was editor of the ASCE's Journal of Environ-
mental Engineering fat 1993-94.
One of the youngest editors in the history of ASCE, Dr. McCutcheon originated
the idea of the first known joint editorial about a new engineering discipline--
ecological and environmental engineering. He joined with Dr. William Mitsch,
editor of Elsvier's Ecological Engineering in publishing the editorial in the two
journals. In the new discipline, engineers must learn ecology and ecologists must
help in adapting engineering methods to preserve and restore ecosystems.
In addition to his own editorials on the need to handle the cleanup of hazardous
waste sites better and prevent cancer-causing agents from being formed during the
disinfection of drinking water, Dr. McCutcheon opened the journal's editorial
page to guests to write about the "Future of Environmental Engineering". He also
provided emphasis to bioremediation articles and other new topics, setting in
motion a publication policy that streamlines the dissemination of this information.
Lob Articles Win Awards
Four Lab-authored articles received recognition in the Office of Research and
Development's 1993 Scientific and Technological Achievement Awards competi-
tion. Receiving one of only three Level 1 awards in the competition was Dr. N.
Lee Wolfe's article "Structure-Activity Relationships in Dehydrohalogenation UJolfe Receives
Reactions of Polychlorinated and Polybrominated Alkanes", which was coau- I e el I ft A
thored with Dr. A.L. Roberts and Dr. P.M. Gschwend of the Massachusetts Insti-
tute of Technology and Dr. P.M. Jeffers of the State University of New York at
Cortland. Level III awards went to Dr. Ray Lassiter for "Sublethal Narcosis and
Population Persistence: A Modeling Study of Growth Effects", which was coau-
thored with Dr. T.G. Hallam of the University of Tennessee, and to Dr. Richard
Zepp for "Formation of Carbon Monoxide from the Photodegradation of Terres-
trial Dissolved Organic Carbon in Natural Waters" written with Dr. Richard
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to Wolfe,
McCutcheon
and Kellum
Valentine of the University of Iowa. Dr. Roger Burke received an Honorable
Mention for "Possible Influence of Hydrogen Concentrations on Microbial Meth-
ane Stable Hydrogen Isotopic Composition".
The STA Awards are granted by ORD upon the recommendation of the Agency's
Science Advisory Board. In the 1993 competition, the SAB reviewed 131 sub-
missions and selected 42 for awards.
UJolfe, McCutcheon UJin Science Award
Dr. Lee Wolfe and Dr. Steve McCutcheon received the 1994 EPA Science
Agency OUlQrds Achievement Award in Waste Management. The award recognized their "...out-
standing leadership in establishing new phytoremediation research and ecological
engineering methods to clean up Federal facilities and other hazardous waste
sites". Each year, as part of the EPA Honors Award Program, Agency scientists
and engineers are recognized for outstanding contributions in several scientific-
technical fields.
Administrative excellence
Ms. Maxine Kellum, Personnel Management Specialist, received a 1994
Administrator's Award for Excellence. She was recognized for "extraordinary
dedication and service to the Agency for outstanding accomplishments and dem-
onstrating unusual ability in addressing and resolving complex human resources
issues".
Seven UJin Bronze Medal
The Agency awarded a Bronze Medal in July to the Lab's Pathways Analysis
Team for its work in providing chemical behavior information in support of the
Hazardous Waste Identification Projects of the Office of Solid Waste and Emer-
gency Response. The Bronze Medal winners were Dr. Jackson Ellington, Dr.
Sam Karickhoff, Ms. Brenda Kitchens, Mr. Heinz Kollig, Dr. Mac Long, Dr. Eric
Weber, and Dr. Lee Wolfe.
ftusso Named to Labor Council
EPA Administrator Carol Browner appointed Dr. Rosemarie Russo, Lab Director,
to the Agency's National Partnership Council. The Council, which includes EPA
managers and representatives of all of the Agency's active labor organizations,
was established as a means of exploring new ways of conducting labor relations.
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Pricto Takes Affirmative Action Posts
Ms. Lourdes Prieto assumed duties as the Lab's Equal Employment Opportunity
Officer, Hispanic Program Coordinator, and Black Employment Coordinator. She
takes over from Ms. Janice Sims, who had completed her 2-year appointment in
our Lab's affirmative action and special emphasis programs.
Russo Joins Science Committee
Dr. Rosemarie Russo, Laboratory Director, was named to the Steering Committee
for the Agency's newly formed Science Policy Council. The Council was created
by Administrator Carol Browner to guide Agency decision makers in their use of
scientific and technical information. The Steering Committee is composed of
career scientists and managers who will assess science policy needs on an ongo-
ing basis, plan for meetings of the Science Policy Council, resolve issues that do
not require the full Council's attention, and oversee and evaluate the success of
implementing new and existing Agency science policies.
Rogers Advises on Arobion Oil Spill
Dr. John Rogers was EPA's representative on an advisory mission to the United
Arab Emirates following an oil tanker spill in April. Dr. Rogers and representa-
tives of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Coast
Guard assisted the UAE in setting up a management team to select methods for
cleaning up the beaches fouled by the oil spill. The EPA assistance project was
organized by the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response.
Garrison Chairs RAB
Dr. Wayne Garrison became Chair in 1994 of the Lab's Research Advisory Board,
taking over from Mr. George Baughman. The RAB assists Lab Management in
determining the Lab's research directions. The Board includes Dr. Roger Burke,
Dr. Rochelle Araujo, Dr. Jim Hill, Dr. Steve McCutcheon, Dr. Mac Long, Dr.
John McGuire, Dr. Wayne Garrison, Dr. Bob Swank, and Mr. George Baughman.
Byrne Joins Staff
Mr. Christopher Byrne joined the staff in May in the newly established position of
Acquisition Manager. Mr. Byrne has oversight responsibilities for all acquisition
11
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instruments and assistance agreements. He came to the Athens Laboratory from
EPA's Office of Administration and Resources Management.
NRC Program Grows
Nine scientists began joint research at the Laboratory in 1994 under the National
Research Council Associates Program. Dr. Benjamin Magbanua is working on
dehalogenation reactions and transport kinetics involved in the biochemical
remediation of trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene. Dr. Said Hilal is extend-
Natianal fte *n£ ^e SPARC program to charged organic compounds. Dr. Rasul Chaudry is
conducting research on the biodegradation of toxaphene. Dr. Leah Matheson is
Council examining enzymatic aspects of oxidative coupling of anilines. Dr. Ronald
sets nine Holser is performing research on waste site remediation and groundwater treat-
OSSOCIOtes ment. Dr. Vincent O'Malley is carrying out compound-specific carbon isotope
analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons produced from biomass burning.
Dr. Dingi Ye is isolating and characterizing microorganism response in the reduc-
tive dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls. Dr. Surma Mitra is examining
the use of bacteria in the biodegradation of DDT. Dr. Thomas Poiger is conduct-
ing research on metal-complex dyes in surface waters. In May, the NRC accepted
Ms. Sandra Bird, research environmental engineer at the Athens Laboratory, as a
new adviser for the Associates Program. Dr. Matt Tarr, an NRC Associate here
since 1993, was named the Northeast Georgia Section of the American Chemical
Society's Chemist of the Year for 1994.
Through a national competition, the NRC provides postdoctoral scientists and
engineers of unusual promise and ability with the opportunity to pursue research
that meets their interests and the needs of the sponsoring federal laboratories.
Since 1979, the Athens Laboratory has benefitted from the contributions of 41
recent doctoral graduates and senior investigators who participated in the
Associateship program.
International Visitors
Dr. Bemhard Berger of the Institute for Plant Pathology and Plant Protection in
Gottingen-Weende (Germany) began a year-long research visit to investigate
enzyme-mediated degradation pathways of sulfonylurea pesticides. Ms. Pilar
Hernandez of the University of Alicante (Spain) completed a 3-month collabora-
tion with Lab scientists and engineers to develop and test a simulation model for a
mesotrophic reservoir. Mr. Daniel Schultz-Jander from the University of Kassel
12
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(Germany) studied the degradation of nitrogen in soil and vegetation. Mr. N.C.
Ghosh of the National Institute of Hydrology in Roorkee (India) completed a 4-
month project on the application of the QUAL2 and WASPS models to Indian
rivers. Dr. Nadia Ananyeva of the Institute of Soil Science and Photosynthesis
(Russia) began a 5-month research project under the Fulbright Program studying
the biotransformation of organics in soils and sediments. The Lab also hosted
day-long visits by scientists-engineers from Poland, Great Britain, People's
Republic of China, and El Salvador.
flIHC Visits
The Environmental Risk Assessment Subcommittee of the American Industrial
Health Council visited the Laboratory in March. The visit allowed for the ex-
change of information about research of mutual interest in areas of human expo-
sure, bioremediation, and environmental review of new chemicals.
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Publications In 1994
Adams, R.L., EJ. Weber and G.L. Baughman. 1994. Photolysis of Smoke Dyes on Soils.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 13(6): 889-896.
Ankley, G.T., N.A. Thomas, D.J. Hansen, J.D. Mahony, WJ. Berry, R.C. Swartz, R.A. Hoke,
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*H.S. GOVERIWHn1 HORnNS OFFICE: 1995-650-006/22025
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