Articles tagged with Environmental Remediation
Researchers highlight PFAS' widespread presence in the environment, bioaccumulation risks, and difficulty in remediation. Health effects may include increased cancer rates, hormonal disruption, and immune responses.
The number of people with clinically complex health and social needs is increasing. Effective solutions require micro- and macro-level innovations that prioritize public and private investments in addressing health inequities.
Researchers from NC State are studying PFAS toxicity, bioaccumulation and remediation with a $7.4M grant from NIEHS Superfund Research Program. The center aims to develop new analytical methods and train the next generation of environmental health researchers.
Researchers Fay Hannon and Gianluigi Ciovati design low-energy, compact accelerators to clean wastewater. The technology has the potential to replace existing methods, which can be chemically and energetically intensive. The accelerators may also be used to treat tar sands, hydraulic fracturing fluids, and other industrial byproducts.
A Rutgers-led study reveals that mercury pollution from years ago is affecting waterways in the New Jersey Meadowlands, with two creeks identified as major sources. The research found that legacy contamination outweighs newer sources, guiding cleanup efforts.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab developed a low-cost method for real-time monitoring of pollutants using commonly available sensors. The Kalman filter-based approach allows continuous monitoring in situ, enabling the detection of sudden changes in contaminant levels and providing an early warning system.
Researchers successfully implemented cognitive remediation throughout New York State's psychiatric hospital system, recognizing and addressing cognitive deficits in serious mental illness. The embedded quality assurance program evaluation tools indicated that cognitive remediation was sustainable and effective.
The University of Texas at Arlington has extended its partnership with Apache Corporation to study the Alpine High region's surface and groundwater quality. The project aims to provide baseline data for ongoing monitoring efforts and evaluate stimulation additives to optimize oil and gas well efficiency.
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery found that the attrition rate among general surgery residents was lower than previously thought, with only 8.8% leaving their training programs compared to 20%. The study also identified a significant difference in program directors' attitudes and support for struggling residents between high- a...
Researchers use seismic data acquisition and multi-attribute processing to locate hazardous underground voids left behind by coal mining in Wyoming. The integrated techniques help identify size, orientation, and shape of mining voids, ensuring rapid remediation efforts.
The Fukushima Nuclear Power Station accident in Japan 2011 had significant societal impacts and raised questions about risk management. The article compares Fukushima to the 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident in Ukraine, highlighting key differences and similarities.
A new study by Jane Willenbring and colleagues suggests that asbestos fibers can move through soil due to the presence of dissolved organic matter. This finding has significant implications for current remediation strategies aimed at capping asbestos-laden soils.
A study found that applying mulching materials after soil remediation and reseeding can restore perennial ryegrass in 6 weeks after diesel and hydraulic fluid spills. The combination of peat pellets, mulching, and remediation with humic amendment resulted in the best turfgrass green density.
A new study found that at-home cognitive remediation training using a computer program can significantly improve cognitive test scores in people with multiple sclerosis. Participants who used the program for 12 weeks showed a 29% improvement, compared to a 15% improvement in the placebo group.
The DOE has awarded Carnegie Mellon a $3 million grant to train graduate students in robotics for environmental remediation of nuclear sites. The five-year program will provide financial support and research opportunities for up to 20 Ph.D. and master's degree students.
Two University of Oklahoma professors, Paul L. DeAngelis and Jeffrey Harwell, have been named Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors for their innovative inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life and economic development.
A new approach using brain-training computer games is being explored to improve memory and thinking in forensic psychiatry patients, who are considered among the most severely mentally ill. The games may be used with psychotherapy, medication, and other approaches to help these patients restore their competency.
A new study from Rice University suggests that a widely used model to predict the impact of pollution controls has been too conservative. In Northeastern cities, ozone levels dropped significantly beyond expectations after cutting emissions of nitrogen oxides from 2002 to 2006.
A prenatal remediation strategy targeting homes of pregnant women significantly reduced childhood lead poisoning and lower blood lead levels in children. The study found that 62.5% of homes underwent remediation, compared to 28.2% in Philadelphia, where a similar program did not show the same results.
Groundwater pollution is a significant issue worldwide due to increasing water consumption and waste disposal. Computer algorithms can help identify pollution sources by processing available data, such as pollutant concentrations and monitoring data.
The waterflea's genetic code has been fully sequenced, revealing a highly gene-packed animal with potential applications in environmental monitoring and biomedical research. The study provides new insights into gene function and disease associations, shedding light on the organism's ability to detect environmental changes.
Two researchers, Jorge Alvarado and Monica Regalbuto, have been recognized for their exceptional work in environmental remediation and nuclear fuel cycle technology. Their achievements demonstrate the importance of diversity and talent in leading-edge scientific research.
Binghamton University researcher Omowunmi Sadik is developing sensors to detect and identify engineered nanoparticles, advancing understanding of their environmental risks. Her work aims to balance innovation with responsibility, encouraging the safe use of nanomaterials.
A new review article highlights the potential of nanomaterials for environmental remediation, with 45 sites globally identified for use in soil and groundwater cleanup. However, more research is needed to fully understand the technology's benefits and potential risks, particularly on a full-scale ecosystem-wide impact.
A study published in the American Journal of Nursing found that nearly 40% of nurses on probation for misconduct committed another act between 2001 and 2005. Nurses with a history of criminal conviction were more likely to recidivate, emphasizing the importance of enabling state nursing boards.
BioTiger has shown a 50% improvement in separation of oil from sand particles within 4 hours and a five-fold increase at 25 hours. It also reduces energy costs and environmental impact by producing chemicals for industrial uses.
Iron-TAMLs, a type of environmentally friendly catalyst, have been shown to be highly effective in reducing and cleaning up pollutants. The catalysts convert harmful substances into less toxic ones when paired with hydrogen peroxide, making them a promising alternative to existing industrial practices.
Researchers found that smaller spatial resolutions are necessary for accurate modeling of soil water dynamics, especially at large scales. The critical limit for grid resolution can be estimated using soil water retention characteristics, and is typically on the order of decimeters or millimeters.
A UT research team aims to develop cost-effective methods for analyzing and cleaning up contaminated sites with dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs), which pose a major problem at many DOD facilities. The project could lead to significant cost savings, potentially running into the billions of dollars.
Researchers reprogram E. coli to detect and follow specific chemical signals, opening new frontiers in environmental cleanup and drug delivery. The custom chemo-navigational system could be used to target diseased cells while sparing healthy ones.
The Ames Laboratory will collaborate with Iowa State University and Sandia National Laboratory to develop software that enables access to three of the world's most important computational chemistry codes. The project aims to accelerate scientific discovery in areas such as energy, climate change, and materials science.
The DOE's SciDAC-2 program awards $60 million annually to 30 computational science projects over three to five years, focusing on designing new materials, developing future energy sources, and studying global climate change. The programs aim to accelerate scientific discovery through advanced computing and establish nine Centers for En...
A proposed US system to protect satellites from solar storms could disrupt high frequency radio wave transmissions and GPS navigation globally. The 'radiation belt remediation' system may lead to intense HF blackouts around the world, isolating remote communities for up to seven days.
A Dartmouth study found that arsenic in drinking water can inhibit DNA repair, leading to increased cancer risks. The researchers measured arsenic levels in urine and toenails of participants in New Hampshire and Mexico, and found a correlation between high arsenic levels and impaired DNA repair.
A new mathematical model, devised by Phil Ham, calculates the size of a polluted groundwater plume and assesses natural degradation capacity. This scientifically-supported method enables predictions about the effectiveness of natural degradation as an alternative to aquifer remediation.
Scientists from 20 institutions collaborate on three grand challenges to study membrane proteins in cyanobacteria and subsurface metal-reducing bacteria. Early results show promising insights into environmental remediation, energy transfer, and natural processes.
The University of Arizona has received a $14 million grant to focus on two major types of contaminants: arsenic and halogenated organic solvents like TCE. The research projects will improve hazardous waste management in Arizona and the Southwest, and can serve as a model for arid and semi-arid regions worldwide.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are investigating the transport of arsenic in a headwater stream adjacent to an old mine site. The team has discovered that groundwater is releasing arsenic into the stream, but some of it is being retained in the streambed.
Researchers at Temple University are developing metal oxide nanoparticles using ferritin protein to remove toxic metals like Chromium-6 and Technetium-7 from lakes, rivers, and groundwater. The nanoparticles can be activated by visible light, reducing chromium from hexavalent to trivalent, making it easier to filter out.
A new study by scientists from Argonne National Laboratory and the Department of Homeland Security highlights the need for specific guidance on cleaning up after a dirty bomb attack. The current lack of common standards for safe contaminant levels could lead to delays and undermine public confidence.
Researchers developed nanoparticles that can target and break down chlorinated organic solvents, such as trichloroethylene, in groundwater. The particles can move easily through soil pores and reach underground pockets of contamination, reducing cleanup costs and improving effectiveness.
Scientists recommend preserving contaminated DOE sites as is, rather than undergoing costly remediation, to protect wildlife, biodiversity, and regional air and water quality. This approach would also reduce remediation costs and minimize public health risks.
The lab recognized for FRAMES, a software system for understanding industrial impact on people and environment; a testing chamber that identifies hard-to-measure chemical emissions; and a test bed for developing fish-friendly designs for roadway culverts.
Researchers have developed a new approach to cleaning up contaminated aquifers by reducing pollutant density and separating contaminants from soil particles. The technique, known as 'density modified displacement,' can cut the cost of environmental remediation by up to 90%.
Hydrologist Robert Lenhard has refined current constitutive theory to predict residual NAPL distribution in subsurface, resolving a critical contamination modeling problem. His new model predicts pulse-like contamination generation during heavy rainstorms and flooding, influencing environmental remediation choices.
A new risk-management model developed by researchers at the University of Illinois combines genetic algorithms, fate and transport simulation models, and risk assessment modules to identify potential remediation designs. The model evaluates tradeoffs among cost, risk, and cleanup time under conditions of uncertainty.
The International Conference on Heavy Metals in the Environment will discuss successes and failures of research on human exposure to toxic metals. Major themes include risk assessment, environmental epidemiology, and human health effects, with a focus on protecting children from toxic metals.
The 100th meeting of the American Society for Microbiology brought together experts in the field to share groundbreaking research on various microbiological topics. Key findings included significant progress in understanding microbial mechanisms and developing new diagnostic tools.
Researchers have identified a bacterial strain called T1 that can break down toluene, a hazardous industrial solvent. This discovery could lead to more cost-effective and environmentally friendly methods for cleaning up contaminated sites, reducing the need for expensive excavation and disposal methods.
The National Water Initiative aims to address the US water crisis through collaboration among universities, states, and federal agencies. The initiative proposes decentralized research work at the state level, with $250 million in new funding for results-oriented research.
Researchers have developed a new approach to solve multi-objective groundwater remediation problems, allowing decision-makers to weigh conflicting objectives like risk and cost. The Niched Pareto procedure will enable the creation of tradeoff curves to guide decision-making towards optimal solutions.
Pacific Northwest researchers have developed In-Situ Redox Manipulation (ISRM) to remove deadly contaminants from groundwater. ISRM has been shown to be effective in removing chromate, technetium, and chlorinated solvents at levels below drinking water standards.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory predicts significant advancements in environmental technology by 2008. Key breakthroughs include smart water treatment, renewable energy storage, micro manufacturing, and bioprocessing for producing environmentally friendly chemicals.
A University of Toronto report suggests charging drivers for environmental damage caused by their cars can encourage sustainable transportation habits. The study found that combining increased prices with better urban planning led to the most significant changes in driving behavior and fuel emissions.
A new report from Cornell University predicts climate change will have a significant impact on US workplaces, with potential job losses of up to 1.6 million. The report identifies numerous strategies for unions and workers to improve environmental performance and create sustainable jobs.
This special journal issue examines the success of ecological engineering in dealing with environmental problems in Central and Eastern Europe. The topics include remediation efforts around the Chernobyl nuclear plant, use of wetlands to filter heavy metals from industrial waste water, and treatment of acidified soils.