Past Webinars

Aaron Peacock, PhD - Haley & Aldrich, Greg Davis - Microbial Insights

February 10, 2012
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

With the improvements in desktop computing and analytical software it has never been easier to explore data and build narratives to support management of contaminated sites.  In this webinar we will present an introduction to the use of univariate and advanced multivariate analytical techniques including correlation and Principal Components Analysis.  We will also present ways to display that data and how to use the results including advanced tools (CSIA, qPCR, PLFA, etc)  to support site conceptual models and management decisions.  

About the Presenters:

Aaron Peacock
Haley & Aldrich

Dr. Aaron Peacock is an environmental scientist specializing biotechnology and its application to address complex environmental issues. Dr. Peacock has 15 years of experience in academia and industry, and is on the forefront of the development of new technologies for bacterial identification and measurement to support site investigation and the evaluation and implementation of monitored natural attenuation (MNA) and enhanced bioremediation.

Dr. Peacock's current focus has been on the use and development of molecular biological tools (MBTs) to aid in the evaluation of sites for in-situ bioremediation potential, performance monitoring of ongoing bioremediation programs, and forensics of non-performing sites. In addition to his work with MBTs, Dr. Peacock has co-developed novel in-situ tools for the characterization and assessment of contaminated sites. Some examples of these tools include the Bio-trap sampling device and in-situ sediment incubator (ISI).

Dr. Peacock's work experience also includes conducting research for the Department of Energy's (DOE) Environmental Remediation Science Program (ERSP). The objective of the current research is to gain a comprehensive and mechanistic understanding of the microbial factors and associated geochemistry controlling metal and radionuclide mobility so that DOE can confidently remediate these plumes as well as support stewardship of metal and radionuclide-contaminated sites. The approach specifically targets new knowledge that can be translated into scientifically defensible flow and reactive transport process models of microbially mediated and abiotic reactions, taking a major step toward ERSP's long-term goal to "incorporate coupled biological, chemical and physical processes into decision making for environmental remediation."

Greg Davis
Microbial Insights

Greg Davis is President of Microbial Insights, Inc., a biotechnology laboratory. Mr. Davis received his B.S. in environmental science from the University of Tennessee. Mr. Davis has eleven years of experience in assessing the microbial ecology behind bioremediation. Currently Mr. Davis is focused on the development of panels of molecular based approaches which can be used to facilitate site design and management decisions.

John T. Wilson (National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. EPA)

October 27, 2011
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

This webinar is sponsored by Microseeps, Inc
 

Interpretation of monitoring data at chlorinated solvent sites can be a challenge.  This is particularly true for the transformation products cis-DCE and Vinyl Chloride.

In some wells, TCE is completely degraded and the trend in concentrations of cis-DCE is down, but the data are noisy and the trend in concentration is not statistically significant.  Is cis-DCE really degrading, or has it stalled?

In some wells, concentrations of cis-DCE and Vinyl Chloride decline over time.  Was the reduction in concentration of cis-DCE and Vinyl Chloride caused by biodegradation of these contaminants, or by simple dilution and dispersion in ground water?  If the decline was caused by dilution and dispersion, the reductions in concentrations may have been caused by a change in the flow direction of the plume.  When flow returns to the original direction, the concentrations may rise.   

In some wells the concentrations of cis-DCE decline over time while the concentrations of Vinyl Chloride increase, but not in stoichiometric amounts.  Is the Vinyl Chloride degrading?  If so, then the Vinyl Chloride can be expected to disappear once the cis-DCE is exhausted and production of Vinyl Chloride stops.   

At many sites, Compound Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) can be used to determine whether cis-DCE and Vinyl Chloride are being degraded in ground water.  This webinar applies a simple graphical approach to organize and interpret the behavior of the transformation products these sites.  The ratio of the stable isotopes of carbon (δ¹³C) changes as chlorinated organic compounds are degraded.  If the chlorinated organics are degraded, a range of values of δ¹³C for cis-DCE or Vinyl Chloride can be predicted from (1) the range of δ¹³C for TCE that might originally been spilled, (2) the range of values of the isotopic fractionation factors reported in the literature, and (3) the extent of transformation of cis-DCE or Vinyl Chloride in ground water at the site.  If the reduction in concentration was due to dilution or dispersion, then little or no change in the value of δ¹³C can be expected. 

The approach was applied to a data set from a TCE spill in EPA Region 6.  As a first approximation, the extent of transformation (C/Co) is estimated by dividing the molar concentration of cis-DCE or Vinyl Chloride by the maximum value for the sum of the molar concentrations of TCE, cis-DCE and Vinyl Chloride at any time in the monitoring record.  Then the actual value of δ¹³C for Vinyl Chloride or cis-DCE was compared to the range of values that might be expected if the organic compounds were degraded or if the reduction in concentrations was caused by dilution or dispersion.  The approach documented degradation of cis-DCE in four wells at the site.  The approach also documented degradation of Vinyl Chloride in two wells, but provided no evidence of degradation of Vinyl Chloride in water the other two wells.

About the Presenter

Dr. John Wilson is a research microbiologist with USEPA. He has worked on groundwater issues at the R.S. Kerr Center since 1978. He led the development of the USEPA approach to evaluate Monitored Natural Attenuation of organic contaminants in ground water. His personal research has focused on natural biodegradation of BTEX compounds, ethanol, MTBE, TBA, EDB, and chlorinated solvents in groundwater.

Todd H. Wiedemeier, P.G., Wiedemeier & Associates

September 09, 2011
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

The combined use of molecular biological tools (MBT) and compound-specific isotope analyses (CSIA) is a very powerful approach for assessing the use of monitored natural attenuation (MNA), biostimulation, and bioaugmentation. The presence or absence of the requisite microbes for bioremediation is only one part of the equation. In some cases, it may appear that degradation to cis-1,2-dichloroethene (c-1,2-DCE) and subsequent "cis-Stall" may be limiting site remediation because the requisite microbes for complete dechlorination are absent. Recent research has shown that "cis-Stall" is not really occurring at many sites; indeed, the cis-1,2-DCE is simply being degraded by some other mechanism such as abiotic degradation, as confirmed through CSIA analyses. In addition, the presence of bacteria that facilitates the compete degradation of chlorinated ethenes to vinyl chloride and then ethene may preclude the use of biostimulation because of the potential for increased risk to receptors through the generation of the intermediate degradation product, vinyl chloride. This webinar will provide the attendee with technical background and case studies that illustrate the use of MBTs and CSIA to determine the most appropriate remediation strategy for a given site.

About the Presenter
Wiedemeier is an internationally-recognized expert in the field of environmental engineering. He has more than 20 years of experience in remediation and has conducted natural attenuation and bioremediation feasibility studies at hundreds of sites contaminated with fuel hydrocarbons, MTBE, and/or chlorinated solvents. He is the author of more than 150 publications on remediation, including the widely used Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence document titled Technical Protocol for Implementing Intrinsic Remediation with Long-Term Monitoring for Natural Attenuation of Fuel Hydrocarbons Dissolved in Groundwater (AFCEE, 1995), and the USEPA document titled Technical Protocol for Evaluating the Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Solvents Dissolved in Groundwater (USEPA, 1998). Wiedemeier is the senior author of Natural Attenuation of Fuels and Chlorinated Solvents in the Subsurface published by John Wiley & Sons and is working on the development and validation of a quantitative framework and management expectation tool for the selection of bioremediation approaches (monitored natural attenuation [MNA], biostimulation and/or bioaugmentation) at sites impacted by chlorinated solvents. Not only will this work allow environmental engineers to select the most efficacious bioremediation approach, but it will also provide an update to the approach for evaluating natural attenuation published in USEPA (1998).

Wiedemeier teaches several short courses including NGWA short courses on enhanced bioremediation, low-cost remediation strategies, and remediation by natural attenuation.

Jarrod Pollock, PhD, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

August 12, 2011
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Metal-reactive bacteria (MRB) play an important role in unwanted metal processes that directly impact industry. MRB cause corrosion and clogging by re-oxidizing metals, and increase heavy metal toxicity by liberating insoluble metals in the environment.While the detection of bacteria that alter metal as a part of normal cell metabolism is important, other metabolic processes alter metal redox states through abiotic (chemical) means. As such, testing for microorganisms in the field should not be limited to bacterial groups known to grow by metal cycling. Instead, this should be one of several tools to determine the chance of unwanted metal reactivity in the field. Quantitative PCR (qPCR), a molecular-based tool, can accurately quantify MRB in environmental samples. Further, qPCR can quantify genes of metabolic processes known to play a role in metal reactions. Dr. Jarrod Pollock will briefly discuss how qPCR works, with a focus on how this tool can be coupled with traditional wet chemistry to ascertain the presence and abundance of bacteria known to impact metal in the environment, as well as the likelihood of their activity at a given site

About the Presenter
Dr. Pollock received his Masters degree from Southern Illinois University working on perchlorate-reducing bacteria. This work focused on studying the environmental conditions of perchlorate-contaminated soil and groundwater where bacteria will be utilized in bio-remediation attempts to clean up the contamination as well as isolating and characterizing the bacteria indigenous to the contaminated environment. He demonstrated that the commonly associated bacterial lineages found at circum-neutral pH differed from the perchlorate-degrading bacteria when acidic or basic conditions prevailed.

Dr. Pollock received his PhD from the University of Montana for his work on the effects of catechin, a polyphenolic root exudate of spotted knapweed, on the surrounding bacterial populations associated with the invasive plant's rhizosphere. He discovered the compound has chelating properties, able to bind various di- and trivalent metals, thereby sequestering these metals from the indigenous plants and much of the microbial population in soil.

For his post-doctoral studies, Dr. Pollock is working for Dr. Frank Loeffler at Oak Ridge National Laboratory with a focus on heavy metal (Uranium) reduction. Due to its high degree of mobility through groundwater, U(VI) is considered a highly toxic heavy metal, which far outweighs the concern of its radioactivity. By studying bacteria capable of growing on U(VI) as a terminal electron acceptor and forming solid U(IV) as an end product of its metabolism, Drs. Loeffler and Pollock hope to prevent further migration of belowground uranium plumes at ORNL.

Rebecca Mora and Dr. Dora Chiang, AECOM

June 10, 2011
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Aerobic biodegradation of TCE and 1,4-dioxane has been reported in the literature but direct evidence is difficult to confirm under field conditions. As a result, monitored natural attenuation (MNA) has not been widely evaluated as a remedial technology for aerobic TCE and 1,4-dioxane groundwater plumes. The recent development of innovative isotopic and molecular biological tools (MBTs) has made the direct evaluation of aerobic degradation of chemicals outside the laboratory possible. In this webinar we present a comprehensive case study showing use of these advanced tools at a field site. The objective was to evaluate intrinsic biodegradation of TCE and 1,4-dioxane in an aerobic environment and the viability of MNA as a remedy component. The stepwise approach included analyses for contaminant and geochemical parameters, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA), stable isotope probing, and enzyme activity probes. The webinar will include a discussion of specific technical questions that the evaluation was able to address, as well as the next steps for questions that were not addressed in the study.

About the Presenters

Rebecca Mora is a Senior Environmental Engineer with AECOM. She received her B.Sc. Degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and has over 14 years of experience in the environmental remediation industry. Ms. Mora specializes in design and implementation of innovative remediation technologies as well as advanced site characterization techniques and application of molecular biological tools for sites contaminated with recalcitrant organics, perchlorate, and 1,4-dioxane. She is the current leader of AECOM’s In Situ Bioremediation Technical Practice Group and a member of the ITRC Environmental Molecular Diagnostics team. She resides in Orange, California.

Mrs. Dora Chiang, Ph.D., P.E. received her Ph.D. degree from the Department of Environmental Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. She has over 11 years of consulting experience and specializes in innovative in-situ remediation system design, implementation & optimization, monitoring, and project management at sites contaminated with petroleum compounds, chlorinated solvents, 1,4-dioxane and metals. Recently, she has been involved in the application of advanced tools to support MNA and enhanced bioremediation. Dr. Chiang was the leader of AECOM’s In Situ Bioremediation Technical Practice Group from 2007 to 2010 and resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

Kevin Finneran, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University

May 13, 2011
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Many bioremediation efforts have a laboratory component; sometimes referred to as "treatability testing" or "microcosm studies".  A typical test includes shipment of site material to a contract or academic laboratory, where a series of tests are conducted to support your remediation efforts.  However, are the tests being conducted in the correct manner to get the data you need?  Did you even collect and ship the right type of environmental media?  Are the sterile controls really sterile?  Is this the correct number of replicates to get statistically significant data?  How many samples can we take, and how can we collect them, from each bottle so the sampling itself does not influence the results?  These questions and more will be addressed to assist site practitioners design, contract, and interpret laboratory data that is meant to support a larger remediation effort.  In addition, we will discuss several field sampling/analytical practices that are commonly done, and how you can make them better.  One example is microbial 16S rRNA gene testing – what do these data mean and how to best interpret questionable data.  Finally, are there other tests that we can do early on in our site characterization that will payoff later?

About the Presenter

Kevin Finneran received a B.S. degree in Environmental Sciences (1996) from Rutgers University and a Ph.D. in Microbiology (2001) at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. From 2002 to 2004 Dr. Finneran was an Environmental Microbiologist with GeoSyntec Incorporated in the Boston-Area office. His work at GeoSyntec included both basic research and applied field bioremediation investigations. He was a member of the faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign from 2004 to 2010. He joined Clemson EEES in the Fall of 2010. Dr. Finneran is a member of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and the American Chemical Society (ACS). He serves on the editorial board of Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal. He is a member of the scientific advisory board for the Association for Environmental Health Sciences (AEHS) bi-annual Contaminated Soils, Sediments, and Water conference.

Denice Nelson, Ph.D, P.E. and Julie K. Sueker, Ph.D., P.H., P.E., ARCADIS U.S., Inc

April 08, 2011
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Recent advances in molecular biology and isotope applications have made it possible to more directly evaluate and document biological processes responsible for contaminant degradation in both natural and enhanced groundwater systems. This webinar will present case studies to highlight the value and practical use of molecular biology tools (MBTs) and isotope analyses in investigative and remedial applications.

MBTs have also been gaining popularity over the past several years as they can provide insight into the progress of enhanced bioremediation activities at a site. MBTs (e.g. quantitative polymerase chain reaction and phospholipid fatty acid analysis) can be used to either evaluate remedial performance or to gather data to support optimization of enhanced bioremediation remedies. MBT results from several enhanced reductive dechlorination field applications will be discussed in conjunction with the site-specific chemistry data to provide an overall conclusion related to the practical utility of these tools to support remedy implementation and success. In addition, the importance of sampling methodology will be highlighted in the context of evaluating the overall dataset.

Isotope applications are rapidly gaining acceptance for use in surface water and groundwater investigations, complementing traditional environmental investigation techniques. Recent developments in analytical methodologies and in the understanding of isotope dynamics allow the use of isotopes to investigate sources and fate of common groundwater constituents of concern (COC) such as chlorinated solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, and inorganic compounds. Microbial and abiotic degradation of chlorinated solvents and petroleum hydrocarbons, and reduction of inorganic constituents such as nitrate, impart unique isotopic signatures on both the original COC and the degradation product or products that can provide verification of biological degradation and reduction-oxidation processes. Case studies will be presented to highlight the value of incorporating isotope analyses in environmental investigations.

About the Presenters

Dr. Nelson, has over 12 years experience working in the field of environmental engineering and microbiology. She leads the In Situ Bioremediation Services group within ARCADIS and provides technical support on in situ remedial technologies throughout the United States. Her project experience has focused on the application and optimization of innovative technologies using in situ reactive zone technology (enhanced reductive dechlorination, metals precipitation, and explosives remediation). She currently resides in Minneapolis, MN.

Dr. Sueker is a hydrologist and geochemist with 20 years of professional experience in physical hydrology, isotope hydrology, hydrogeology, environmental geochemistry, and environmental forensics. She has considerable experience in designing, managing, and conducting geochemical and environmental forensic investigations and is skilled in applying physical, chemical, isotopic, and statistical approaches to evaluate sources and fate of Constituents of concern in soil, surface water, and groundwater. Dr. Sueker currently leads the ARCADIS Applied Isotope Geochemistry technical team and is currently authoring a book on isotope applications in environmental investigations. She currently resides in Lakewood, CO.

Dr. Eleanor Jennings, URS Corporation

March 11, 2011
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

One of the most common challenges raised at a contaminated site is determining the biological remediation potential for constituents of concern.  Research using modern isotopic and molecular techniques has demonstrated the capability for a wide variety of contaminants to be subject to natural attenuation.  This includes many compounds once believed to be impervious to biological remediation.  The challenge for many site managers, however, is how to translate this research into practical, working protocols that allow for efficient and effective in-situ bioremediation of contaminating materials.

This webinar will explain the basics of a number of environmentally-relevant stable isotope and molecular technologies.  These techniques can be used to discern information about current site conditions and biological activity levels, the potential for monitored natural attenuation, or the potential for the enhancement of compound bioremediation.  Using an actual project site as an example, this talk will demonstrate the benefits of using these tools at locations where biological remediation is occurring or is proposed.   In addition, it will be demonstrated how these tools can help support a case being presented to regulatory authorities.  The technologies presented in this webinar have been successfully applied to sites impacted with hydrocarbons, fuel oxygenates, chlorinated solvents, chem/pharm and industrial wastes, and munitions/explosives.  In addition, these techniques are accepted world-wide, and thus, can help serve the needs of site around the globe.  This webinar will demonstrate how isotopic and molecular tools can help project managers, site managers, and technical advisors make effective decisions regarding site activities, resulting in more efficient progress towards site closure.

About the Presenter

Dr. Eleanor Jennings is a microbiologist who specializes in the biological remediation of contaminants under anaerobic environments.  Eleanor obtained her Master’s Degree, researching the long-term effects of aerobic hydrocarbon degradation.  She subsequently went to the University of Oklahoma to obtain her Ph.D., researching the impact of biosurfactants on anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation.  After a post-doctoral position in biogeochemistry that sent her across the US, Canada, and Eastern Europe, Eleanor joined URS Corporation in early 2007 as a member of the Remediation Services group in the Gaithersburg, Marylandoffice.  Her current work involves the microbial remediation of sites contaminated with hydrocarbons, fuel oxygenates, chlorinated solvents, chem/pharm materials, industrial wastes, and munitions/explosives. 

Greg Davis, Microbial Insights, Inc. & Dr. Kirsti Ritalahti, University of Tennessee

December 10, 2010
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

While many anaerobic bacteria reduce tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene TCE) to cis-dichloroethene, Dehalococcoides are the only known group of microorganisms capable of complete reductive dechlorination of chloroethenes to environmentally benign ethene. Thus, monitoring the abundance of Dehalococcoides (Dhc) is a powerful tool for evaluating the feasibility of MNA, the effectiveness of electron donor addition, and the potential need for bioaugmentation. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) is a molecular biological technique that provides accurate quantification of Dhc abundance in environmental samples. Dr. Kirsti Ritalahti will briefly discuss how qPCR works but will focus on field sampling protocols, preservation methods, data quality control and interpretation of results.

Joseph Haas, New York State Office of the Attorney General & John Wilson, USEPA

November 12, 2010
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

The evaluation, interpretation and application of data acquired by compound specific isotope ratio analysis (CSIA) will be discussed from the regulatory prospective. John Wilson will detail key aspects of CSIA acquisition including sampling strategies, data quality assurance, data quality control, and data usability. Joe Haas will provide two case studies that illustrate the use of CSIA data for the calculation of first order degradation rates and two methods for applying the resulting range of degradation rates for contaminant plume management decision making.

Dr. Michael Hyman, North Carolina State University & Dr. Gerard Spinnler, Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc.

October 08, 2010
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Stable isotope probing (SIP) techniques use compounds containing 13C or 15N to identify specific microorganisms responsible for the biodegradation of environmental pollutants.

In this webinar we will describe the theoretical basis of SIP and explain the benefits and limitations of different SIP approaches. The webinar will also discuss two case studies where SIP approaches have been used in the remediation of petroleum hydrocarbons. The webinar will be presented by Michael Hyman (North Carolina State University) and Gerard Spinnler (Shell Global Solutions US Inc.).

Dr. Robert Pirkle, Microseeps & Tim Buscheck, Chevron Energy Technology Company

September 10, 2010
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Compound Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) is a powerful new technique which has been developed to evaluate the state and progress of in-situ degradation processes at field scale. In many cases, (e.g. benzene, MTBE, cis-DCE) CSIA may provide the only definitive proof that a contaminant is degrading in-situ. Additionally, evaluation of this data can provide a conservative estimate of the fraction of the component degraded, the mechanism of degradation, and the in-situ rate of degradation.

While the study of isotopes is not new, the ability to determine isotope ratios in continuous flow mode has only recently been developed to be useful at concentrations of interest in environmental studies. This presentation will briefly discuss the fundamentals of stable isotopes so that we may understand its application to in-situ processes.

Greg Davis, Microbial Insights, Inc. & Dr. Kerry Sublette, University of Tulsa

August 13, 2010
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

This webinar will review applications of bio-traps as forensic tools to sample groundwater microbial communities for site characterization and performance verification. Bio-traps can: 1) determine if known degraders of a COC are present and active; 2) predict the response of a microbial community to a potential remediation amendment (biostimulation); 3) evaluate the potential effectiveness of a bioaugmentation culture; 4) evaluate the actual in situ response to biostimulation or bioaugmentation; and 5) provide irrefutable proof of the biodegradation potential of target compounds.

Dr. Robert Pirkle, Microseeps, Inc.

July 30, 2010
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

When evaluating complex subsurface contamination with possible overlapping plumes and multiple potential responsible parties, it is often desirable to determine if in a given area multiple sources of contaminant can be identified.

Historically this has meant that each potential source must be characterized in detail, elucidating unique combinations or ratios of compounds which could be used to uniquely identify one source in the presence of another. Where unique additives are not present, the detailed GC fingerprint of the complex petroleum mixture may be characteristic of one product over the other, however the effects of weathering, particularly for product which has been present in the environment for extended periods may often demand the "opinion" of experts to suggest responsibility. Such evaluations are often the best that can be done given the particular situation and the tools available to the forensic investigator at the time.

There is another class of forensic evaluation for which there may be "advanced tools" available to provide source identification. This is the case when a single compound which is in common use in a variety of industries or in products common to multiple manufacturers has entered the groundwater. We will examine the use of Compound Specific Isotope Analysis to uniquely resolve and identify sources of compounds in such cases.

When evaluating complex subsurface contamination with possible overlapping plumes and multiple potential responsible parties, it is often desirable to determine if in a given area multiple sources of contaminant can be identified.
Historically this has meant that each potential source must be characterized in detail, elucidating unique combinations or ratios of compounds which could be used to uniquely identify one source in the presence of another. Where unique additives are not present, the detailed GC fingerprint of the complex petroleum mixture may be characteristic of one product over the other, however the effects of weathering, particularly for product which has been present in the environment for extended periods may often demand the "opinion" of experts to suggest responsibility. Such evaluations are often the best that can be done given the particular situation and the tools available to the forensic investigator at the time.

There is another class of forensic evaluation for which there may be "advanced tools" available to provide source identification. This is the case when a single compound which is in common use in a variety of industries or in products common to multiple manufacturers has entered the groundwater. We will examine the use of Compound Specific Isotope Analysis to uniquely resolve and identify sources of compounds in such cases.