Water Resources and Environmental Engineering

Research Project Abstracts: 2006 - 2007

Laboratory Columns in Support of Field-Scale Research on Peak Energy Production from Bioreactor Landfills
M.A. Barlaz
Yolo County Department of Public Works
08/05 to 05/07
Yolo County is exploring ways to optimize the utilization of methane generated during refuse decomposition in a landfill. In the peak power concept, there will be times when the landfill gas collection system is turned down to store landfill gas. At these times, the pressure gradient between the landfill and the atmosphere will increase. The objectives of this project are (1) to conduct laboratory experiments to evaluate the potential of a biocover to oxidize methane at pressure gradients representative of the landfill and (2) assist with measurement of the evolution of methane from test covers.

The State Of Municipal Solid Waste Bioreactor Landfills
M.A. Barlaz, C.H. Benson (Univ. Wisconsin) and R. C. Bachus, (GeoSyntec Consultants)
U.S. EPA
02/06 to 08/07
The objectives of the study are (1) to provide USEPA as well as landfill regulators, designers, owners, and operators with a thorough evaluation of data collected at five full-scale operating bioreactor landfills, and (2) to integrate this evaluation with available information on other bioreactors in the US and abroad. Specifically, we aim to characterize how bioreactor variables (e.g., filling method, liquid distribution, gas management) affect the performance of full-scale bioreactor landfills and identify concepts and principles that can be generalized to US operational and regulatory practices in a manner that will reduce risks, improve performance, and enhance resource conservation

Predictive Tools for Sustainable Solid Waste Management Using Bioreactor Landfills
M.A. Barlaz and C.H. Benson (Univ. Wisconsin)
National Science Foundation
02/06 to 01/09
The objective of this proposal is to develop quantitative, field-validated, engineering methods to improve the design and operation of bioreactor landfills. Three thrust areas have been identified where research can directly contribute to improvements in bioreactor technology by reducing cost and increasing predictability: (1) landfill hydrology, (2) solids decomposition, and (3) settlement prediction. A predictive model will be developed that relates moisture, solids decomposition, and waste settlement that will improve the predictability of airspace utilization, the industry's ultimate metric. In all areas, fundamental laboratory-scale studies are tightly coupled to models and field-scale work at bioreactor landfills operated by industrial partners.

Microbial Community Profiling of Anaerobic Refuse Decomposition: Response to Acidic Conditions, Shock Loads and Moisture Addition
M.A. Barlaz and F. de los Reyes
Waste Management Inc.
04/04 to 03/08
This research will address the following questions related to landfill bioreactor operation: (1) How do landfills progress from the acid phase of decomposition to a stable methanogenic phase of decomposition, and are acid-tolerant or acidophilic methanogens involved? (2) Is the methanogen community that is active during decomposition (stable, and if not, is the variability important? (3) What is the effect of shock loads of rapidly degradable substrate on the methanogen community? (4) What is the effect of leachate recycle on a continuous or pulsed basis on the methanogen community?

Hydrogen Production at the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill: A Proposal to Explain Landfill Behavior
M.A. Barlaz and F. de los Reyes
Waste Management of Hawaii
03/07 to 9/08
The objectives of the research are to (1) develop an understanding of the conditions that are responsible for H2 production at the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill, (2) characterize microbial populations in samples of refuse excavated from areas that are producing H2 as well as samples from laboratory-scale reactors to reproduce the H2 production observed in the field and (3) use the information on microbial populations and reactor performance to propose strategies for the control of H2 production and excessive temperatures at the landfill. The microbial ecology of the refuse will be characterized by using molecular techniques (TRFLP and 16S rRNA gene sequences).

Assessment Landfill Gas Pathway - Laboratory Simulation of Partitioning of Chemical and Biological Contaminants under Anaerobic Decomposition in a Landfill
M.A. Barlaz, D.R.U. Knappe, and F. de los Reyes
Environmental Protection Agency
09/04 to 12/07
The overall objectives of this research are to (1) develop and validate a model to predict the behavior of chemical contaminants in refuse and (2) measure the survival and transport of biological agents in landfills. Experimental work will be conducted with surrogates for selected chemical warfare agents to quantify physical, chemical, and biological processes affecting their behavior in landfills. Concurrently, a model describing contaminant fate and transport in landfills will be developed. Molecular probes will be developed for suitable surrogates of biological warfare agents and the probes will be used to measure survival and transport in batch and reactor systems.

Non-Residential Solid Waste Management Life-Cycle Inventory Model
M.A. Barlaz and S.R. Ranjithan
Delaware Solid Waste Authority
07/06 to 06/08
The objective of this project is to assess the environmental performance of alternatives for the management of commercial and industrial waste generated in the State of Delaware. The initial focus is on the recycling of asphalt pavement, construction and demolition waste, and food waste generated in commercial sources. Process flow diagrams for recycling alternatives for each waste serve as a starting point for life-cycle analysis.

Application of Municipal Solid Waste Decision Support Tool to Wake County, North Carolina
M.A. Barlaz and S.R. Ranjithan
US EPA
01/05 to 06/07
This project will conduct an integrated solid waste management study for Wake County, NC. Working in coordination with the county solid waste staff, this study will be conducted to obtain as much site-specific data as possible for input to NCSU's SWM-LCI (Solid Waste Management Life Cycle Inventory) model. This information will be processed for input data and strategy development to represent Wake County in the SWM-LCI model. This will take advantage of the existing model's flexibility to represent a site-specific scenario.

Evaluating Monitored Natural Attenuation of Perchlorate in Groundwater
R.C. Borden and M.A. Barlaz
Solutions-IES
02/04 to 12/07
With support from the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program, Solutions-IES is evaluating the potential for use of Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) in managing groundwater contamination by perchlorate. North Carolina State University (NCSU) will support this project by providing laboratory studies to help identify sites where MNA is occurring and to demonstrate its effectiveness. The overall objective of this project is develop tools to (1) identify sites where MNA may be appropriate for management of perchlorate releases, and (2) demonstrate to regulatory agencies that perchlorate MNA is effective for controlling adverse impacts to the environment.

Laboratory Evaluation of Aerobic and Anaerobic Biodegradation Processes at the Maryland Sand, Gravel and Stone Site
R.C. Borden and M.A. Barlaz
Solutions-IES
01/06 to 12/06
Laboratory microcosm studies will be conducted using sediment and groundwater from the Maryland Sand, Gravel and Stone (MSGS) site to (1) identify factors limiting contaminant biodegradation, and (2) identify treatment(s) that can be evaluated at the pilot scale to increase naturally occurring rates of biodegradation.

Development of Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRBs) using Edible Oils
R.C. Borden
Department of Defense, SERDP
01/01 to 01/07
The overall objective of this proposal is to develop the information needed to reliably design, construct and evaluate edible oil barriers, including (1) identify factors controlling the loss of permeability during oil injection; (2) identify factors controlling oil biodegradation rate in aquifer sediments; (3) use these results to develop improved procedures for distributing and immobilizing oils that (a) do not cause an excessive decline in permeability, and (b) result in a slow, steady rate of in-situ oil decay; and (4) use emulsion transport model to identify alternative barrier configurations and injection procedures to improve barrier performance and reduce costs.

Anaerobic Biotreatment of Acid Mine Drainage at Ore Knob Mine
R.C. Borden
NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
08/05 to 07/08
Ore Knob Branch and Peak Creek are impaired due to discharge of acid mine drainage (AMD) from an abandoned copper/zinc mine. AMD production from the large tailings impoundment will be controlled by injecting emulsified soybean oil into the sediments to stimulate growth of naturally occurring bacteria. These bacteria will then use the soybean oil as a food source, consuming any dissolved oxygen and stopping further AMD production. Once oxygen is depleted, the sulfate reducing bacteria will reduce sulfuric acid to sulfide and precipitating heavy metals.

Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage Using Emulsified Soybean Oil
R.C. Borden
United Soybean Board (through Smith, Bucklin & Associates, LLC)
08/05 to 07/07
The United Soybean Board will provide matching support for a NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NC DENR) project to evaluate the use of emulsified soybean oil for treatment of acid mine drainage at the Ore Knob Mine in Ashe County, NC.

Development of a Design Tool for Planning Aqueous Amendment Injection Systems
R.C. Borden, G. Mahinthakumar, T.J. Simpkin (CH2M HILL) and C. Zawtocki (Solutions-IES)
DOE, Environmental Security Technology Certification Program
03/06 to 12/08
The overall objective of this project is to develop a set of tools to assist design engineers in developing effective, reasonably efficient systems for distributing aqueous amendments for in situ treatment of groundwater contaminants. At this time, the primary applications for the tools will be for design of in situ chemical oxidation systems using permanganate and in situ anaerobic bioremediation systems using soluble substrates and emulsified oil. However, as technology evolves, this general approach should be applicable to distribution of other aqueous amendments.

Impacts of Sampling and Handling Procedures on DNA- and RNA-based Microbial Characterization and Quantification of Groundwater and Saturated Soil
F. L. de los Reyes III and R. C. Borden
Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program
03/07 to 06/09
The overall objective of this project is to determine the relationships of sample processing procedures to the effectiveness and efficiency of three molecular techniques used in qualitative and quantitative analysis of microbial populations in groundwater and associated saturated soil samples.

Molecular and Engineering Approaches for Analyzing Microbial Selection in Activated Sludge: Competition between Filaments and Floc-formers (NSF Career)
F.L. de los Reyes III
National Science Foundation
07/01 to 06/07
This NSF Career project will focus on the most important component of the most widely used wastewater treatment process: the separation of solids from the effluent in activated sludge systems. The research will combine molecular, modeling, and reactor studies to integrate theories of microbial selection of floc-formers over filaments and develop design guidelines for reactor design and operation. The education component involves the training of students in the principles and practices of molecular techniques, the integration of treatment process modeling and full-scale treatment plant exposure experiences in undergraduate and graduate courses, and participation in the College of Engineering Distance Education program at NC State University.

Molecular Analysis of an Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant
F. L. de los Reyes III (PI)
CH2M-Hill
04/07 to 09/07
The objectives of this project are: (1) to determine which microbial populations are present in selected wastestreams at the industrial plant using Terminal- Restriction Length Fragment Polymorphism (T-RFLP); and (2) To determine the levels of E. coli in these samples using quantitative PCR (QPCR) and compare the results with traditional E. coli/coliform counts

Ecophysiology of Nitrifying and Denitrifying Microbial Communities and their Interactions in Microbial Flocs
F.L. de los Reyes III, J.J. Ducoste, and M. Hyman (Microbiology)
National Science Foundation
07/04 to 06/08
This project will apply a multidisciplinary approach to characterize the factors that control community structure and function in nitrogen-transforming microbial flocs. The specific objectives of the project are to (1) determine the effect of microscopic floc structure on rates and diversity of microbial activities involved in nitrogen removal; (2) determine the impact of bioreactor macro conditions on floc size, shape, and function; (3) characterize the carbon- and nitrogen-based metabolic interactions among ammonia-oxidizing, nitrite-oxidizing, and denitrifying bacteria within a floc; and (4) develop a macroscale model of nitrogen and carbon removal in activated sludge that incorporates microscale processes in flocs.

Evaluation of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for Modeling UV-Initiated Advanced Oxidation Processes
J.J. Ducoste and D. Knappe
American Water Works Association Research Foundation
01/06 to 01/08
This research will evaluate Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for modeling UV-initiated AOPs that will ultimately help professionals in research, regulatory, consulting, and treatment facilities better analyze, design, and operate UV/AOP systems. Several steps will be taken that include the development of a dynamic UV/H2O2 advanced oxidation CFD model that can be combined with complex kinetic pathways for characterizing the degradation of various water supply contaminants, the evaluation of non-ideal reactor hydraulics on the degradation of contaminants using the UV/H2O2 AOP, and the evaluation of design parameters, including the effects of lamp type, lamp age, and lamp failure on the overall efficiency of the AOP system.

Characterizing the structure of Fat, Oil and Grease Deposits from Sewer Collection Systems
J.J. Ducoste (PI) Co-PI: Kevin Keener, Purdue University
Altria Research
08/05 to 05/07
The goal of this research is to characterize the chemical and physical structure of fat, oil, and grease deposits from sewer collection systems. As part of this study, FOG deposits will be collected from sewer systems across the USA and analyzed for fatty acid profiles, metals, moisture content, and strength properties.

Fats, Roots, Oils, and Grease (FROG) in Centralized and Decentralized Systems
J.J. Ducoste and Kevin Keener (Food Science)
WERF
03/05 to 02/08
The proposed research project will investigate ways to improve grease interceptor performance through novel experimental and numerical techniques. The experimental work includes field measurements of FOG from active grease interceptors located at different food service establishments (FSE). Tests will be conducted during peak FSE operation as well as under varying conditions. Data from these field tests will be used to develop a synthetic FSE wastewater that will be used to perform pilot scale grease interceptor tests. The pilot scale tests will be performed using a 300-gallon grease interceptor. A numerical simulation of the pilot reactor will be performed.

Ecophysiology of Nitrifying and Denitrifying Microbial Communities and their Interactions in Microbial Flocs
J.J. Ducoste (Co-PI) (PI: Francis de los Reyes: CCEE, Co-PI: Michael Hyman: Microbiology)
Nacional Science Foundation
07/04 to 07/08
The specific objectives of the project are: (1) To determine the effect of floc structure (floc size and shape) on microbial activity rates, activity diversity, species diversity, relative numbers, and spatial arrangement of microorganisms involved in nitrogen removal; (2) To determine the impact of bioreactor macro conditions (DO, substrate type and loading) on floc size, shape, and function; (3) To characterize the carbon and nitrogen interactions of ammonia-oxidizing, nitrite oxidizing, and denitrifying bacteria within a floc; and (4) To develop a macroscale model of nitrogen and carbon removal in activated sludge that incorporates microscale processes in flocs.

A Unified Approach to Understanding, Education, and Design of Disinfection Processes using Computational Fluid Dynamics (NSF Career)
J.J. Ducoste
National Science Foundation
09/01 to 08/06
This research program proposes to use CFD to (1) develop and evaluate alternative disinfection models for the prediction of effluent microbial inactivation through continuous flow systems, and (2) assess the impact of disinfectant injection methods and multiple disinfectant injection points on microbial inactivation and DBP formation. The educational plan involves the development of a CFD disinfectant training module. The CFD disinfection-training module will be designed around a graphical user interface (GUI) that will be the primary mode of communication between the user and the CFD model. The training module will be composed of three sections: (1) PowerPoint/video-based disinfection process-lecture series, (2) solved disinfection problems and simulated tracer tests, and (3) team-based disinfection design problems.

NSF Kenan Fellow RET Program
J.J. Ducoste (Research Participant); Ruben Carbonell, Deborah Mangum (Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology, and Science)
National Science Foundation
Provides one teacher for project duration
01/04 to 01/07
The proposed site will provide science and engineering research projects for 20 middle and high school teachers from multiple school districts in order to develop a cohort of teacher leaders who will bring enhanced knowledge of engineering and technological innovation into their classrooms. The program is designed to foster student enthusiasm, interest, and competence both for pursuing careers in the field and for the acquisition of skills and knowledge demanded by an increasingly technological society. As a participant of this research team, I will be providing a research project(s) related to water and wastewater treatment processing and design.

Development and Application of Optimal Design Capability for Coal Gasification Systems
H.C. Frey
US Department of Energy, Federal Energy Technology Center, via Carnegie Mellon University
1997 to 2006
The objective of this project is to develop system analysis tools useful in evaluating energy systems and in addressing the complex problems of environmental management. This project includes the development of a guideline document describing methods for identifying and characterizing key technical and economic uncertainties which are required as inputs for stochastic modeling of energy technologies. This project will include development of new computer simulation models that shall predict the performance, emissions, and cost of advanced fossil fuel power generation and pollution control technologies specified by the US Department of Energy.

Exposure Assessment Advising to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
H. Christopher Frey
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
08/06 to 08/07
Dr. Frey served as Exposure Modeling Advisor to the National Exposure Research Laboratory of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Major activities included co-lead of Working Group 1 of the Probabilistic Risk Analysis task force, development of a conceptual framework for dealing with uncertainty in environmental models, analysis of field data pertaining to near roadside air quality, and advising of NERL's senior scientist and laboratory director on matters of quantitative approaches to dealing with uncertainty.

Life Cycle Inventory and Impact Analysis Framework for Nonroad Construction Vehicles and Equipment Based Upon In-Use Measurements
H.C. Frey and W.J. Rasdorf
National Science Foundation
08/03 to 08/07
This project represents the initial step toward development of a probabilistic life cycle inventory and impact analysis framework for nonroad construction vehicles and equipment. The objectives are to (1) characterize second-by-second in-use emissions and energy use of nonroad construction vehicles and equipment, including emissions of NOx, CO, hydrocarbons (HC), CO2, and particulate matter (PM), including real time sensing and monitoring where needed to fill data gaps; (2) develop a life cycle inventory of conventional nonroad construction vehicles and equipment; and (3) identify and recommend methods for reducing energy use, emissions, and impacts.

Real World Duty Cycles and Utilization for Construction Equipment in NC
H.C. Frey and W.J. Rasdorf
NC Department of Transportation
07/05 to 06/07
Construction vehicles contribute substantially to statewide emissions. Thirty-two NC counties are partially or fully designated as non attainment under new air quality standards for ozone. Therefore there is a need to more accurately quantify the emissions from construction vehicles and seek opportunities to manage or reduce emissions. The goal of this study is to assess construction equipment types and uses, plan a field study, measure emissions and collect data, analyze the data and develop typical cycles, and demonstrate methods for estimating emissions for construction equipment.

In-Vehicle Energy and Emissions Information System (IVEEIS)
H.C. Frey and N.M. Rouphail
National Science Foundation
01/03 to 12/07
The key objectives of this research project are to (1) develop a micro-scale predictor of energy use and emissions that is deployable at the individual vehicle level in real-time; (2) identify, compare, and evaluate alternate energy use and emissions sampling/reporting schemes that are appropriate at the vehicle and network levels; (3) develop and test a prototype In-Vehicle Energy and Emissions Information System (IVEEIS); and (4) formulate and assess the utility of IVEEIS in developing transportation design and control measures aimed at energy and emission management policies.

Best Practices Guidebook for Greenhouse Gas Reductions in Freight Transportation
B. Williams and H.C. Frey
US Department of Transportation via Center for Transportation and the Environment
03/05 to 03/07
This research project involves a comprehensive scan of the freight sector, including public and private sector players, to catalog the practices and programs that are being used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the goods movement. All transportation modes will be included. The final research product will be a best practices guidebook to be published and disseminated by the US Department of Transportation.

EPA Truck Anti-Idling Demonstration Project
A. Tazewell (NC Solar Center), H.C. Frey, and J.R. Stone
EPA
08/05 to 02/08
The objective is to assess potential environmental benefits of heavy-duty diesel freight truck idle reduction technologies installed on trucks in NC. A key goal is to quantify actual grams per gallons emissions with a portable gas analyzer and compare this data with data extrapolated from an on-board data logger and fuel use with and without idle reduction technologies.

Pile Bent Design Criteria
M.A. Gabr and R.C. Borden
NC Department of Transportation
07/07 to 06/10
The main objective of the proposed project is to develop undercut criteria for different site conditions and provide tools for identifying depth of undercut, as well as alternative or supplemental approaches to improving soil bearing properties and workability. The approach to be developed will be supplemented with the use of expedient in situ probing technique, such as shear vane or Dynamic Cone Penetromenter (DCP), which are currently used by NCDOT but not necessarily to define undercut criteria. The research work will encompass laboratory and field work as well as modeling and analysis of data.

Geosynthetics Workplan
M.A. Gabr
FHWA
09/05 to 08/06
No definitive guidance on the value of systematically including geosynthetics in highway construction projects is currently available for the Federal Land Program of FHWA. It has been identified by engineers that geosynthetics are "under-used in Federal Lands Highway practice." Accordingly, this study aims at developing a geosynthetics work plan to identify, promote, and advance the use of geosynhetics materials across FLH Divisions in the Pavement and Geotechnical areas. The target areas include pavement and geotechnical applications. Geotechnical applications will be focused on slopes, walls, base reinforcement, column supported embankments, capillary barriers to mitigate frost heaving, deep patches for soft shoulders, and geocomposite clay liners to control seepage from ditches.

Geologic and Environmental Modeling for Implementation of WIDE at Former Lockbourne Air Force Base
M.A. Gabr
Department of Defense, through W. Virginia University Water Resources Institute
07/05 to 06/07
This project implements Well Injection Depth Extraction (WIDE) technology for removal of JP-4 aviation fuel from the subsurface. Performance evaluation for deployment of WIDE will be performed with continuous monitoring for optimization of contaminant extraction. Baseline comparison of expanded deployment pads to existing field installation will be conducted and results compiled to discern predominant mass transfer mechanisms (vapor, product, or aqueous phases).

Predicting Single-Solute Adsorption Isotherms for Non-Regulated Contaminants from Fundamental Adsorbent and Adsorbate Properties
D.R.U. Knappe
US Environmental Protection Agency
08/03 to 09/06
The objective of the proposed research is to predict single-solute adsorption isotherms for currently regulated organic contaminants, organic compounds on the EPA Contaminant Candidate List (CCL), emerging contaminants (endocrine disruptors, pharmaceutically active compounds, personal care products), and chemical agents (nerve agents, blister agents, blood agents, selected biological toxins, and toxic industrial chemicals). The Polanyi-Dubinin-Manes approach will serve as the basis for the model that will, for the first time, combine fundamental properties of the adsorbent and the adsorbate for isotherm prediction. Using Quantitative Structure Property Relationships (QSPRs), molecular descriptors will be identified from which affinity coefficients for individual target molecules can be predicted.

Evaluation of High-Silica Zeolites for MTBE Removal from Santa Monica Groundwater
D.R.U. Knappe
University of Colorado, Boulder (subcontract for NCSU)
04/06 to 08/06
The principal objective of this research is to assess the effectiveness of a high-silica zeolite for MTBE removal from Santa Monica groundwater. Rapid small-scale column tests will be conducted to compare the useful life of an adsorption system containing high silica-zeolite to adsorption systems containing activated carbons with a range of physicochemical properties.

Effects of Prolonged Heating on the Asphalt-Aggregate Bond Strength of HMA Containing Liquid
A.A. Tayebali and D. Knappe
NC Department of Transportation
07/06 to 06/08
The objectives of this research are to determine the effect of prolonged heating on (1) asphalt-aggregate bond strength and (2) the moisture sensitivity of asphalt mixtures. In particular, this study will first evaluate the performance of mixtures using the tensile strength ratio test (AASHTO T283), and second, study the effect of additive content and prolonged heating on the surface interaction between asphalt binder and aggregate.

Evaluation of Activated Carbons and High-Silica Zeolites for MTBE Removal
D.R.U. Knappe
University of Colorado, Boulder
04/06 to 08/07
The principal objective of this research is to assess the effectiveness of a high-silica zeolite for MTBE removal from Santa Monica groundwater. Rapid small-scale column tests will be conducted to compare the useful life of an adsorption system containing high silica-zeolite to adsorption systems containing activated carbons with a range of physicochemical properties.

Protecting Receiving Waters: Removal of Biochemically Active Compounds from Wastewater by Sequential Photochemical and Biological Oxidation Processes
D.R.U. Knappe
NC Water Resources Research Institute
$50,000
03/07 to 02/08
The principal objective of the proposed research is to quantify the effectiveness of combining UV/H2O2 and biological oxidation processes for the mineralization of six biochemically active compounds (BACs) (the antimicrobial compounds sulfamethazine, sulfadiazine, trimethoprim, the endodrine disrupting chemicals bisphenol-A and 17-? ethinyl estradiol, and the analgesic diclofenac) that commonly occur in conventionally treated wastewater.

Removal of 2-Methylisoborneol and Geosmin with High-Silica Zeolites and Zeolite-Enhanced Ozonation
D.R.U. Knappe
American Water Works Association Research Foundation
02/06 to 01/08
The principal objective of this research is to assess the effectiveness of two innovative treatment methods for the control of earthy/musty odors associated with the presence of 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin in drinking water. Treatment method 1 is an adsorption/reaction process based on the use of high-silica zeolites, a class of catalytic adsorbents that has not been studied extensively for water treatment applications. Treatment method 2 is an adsorption/oxidation process based on the combined use of high-silica zeolites and ozone (zeolite-enhanced ozonation).

Pile Bent Design Criteria
M.J. Kowalsky and M.A. Gabr
NC Department of Transportation
07/05 to 07/07
Detailed 3D analysis models will be used to provide a better understanding of the actual performance of NC Department of Transportation sub-structure systems (depth to fixity; connection performance, effective length factors). In addition, the proposed work aims at providing a rational basis for identification of key performance limit states (drift and strength limits) as well as design examples comparing LFD and LRFD criteria for bridge sub-structures.

PERI: Performance Engineering Research Institute: Application Engagement
G. Mahinthakumar
UT Battelle LLC
04/07 to 09/11 (renewed annually)
This project is part of a larger scale effort funded by DOE through the SciDAC (Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing) program. The overall goal of the project is to develop and maintain an enabling technology center in the area of high-end computer performance called performance engineering research institute (PERI). NCSU component of this project will focus on performance analysis, performance modeling, and performance optimization of SciDAC groundwater application codes.

DDDAS-TMRP (Collaborative Research): An Adaptive Cyberinfrastructure for Threat Management in Urban Water Distribution Systems
G. Mahinthakumar, E.D. Brill, R. Ranjithan (Co-PI's, NCSU), J. Uber (Univ. of Cincinnati); Gregor Von Laszewski (Univ. of Chicago); and K. Harrison, (Univ. of South Carolina)
National Science Foundation (Dynamic Data Driven Application Systems Program)
01/06 to 12/08
The goal of this multidisciplinary research is to develop a cyberinfrastructure system for water distribution system threat management that will both adapt to and control changing needs in data, models, computer resources and management choices facilitated by a dynamic workflow design. Using virtual simulation and a field study, this cyberinfrastructure will be tested on illustrative scenarios for adaptive management of contamination events in water distribution systems.

High-end Computing in Environmental Engineering with Application to Subsurface Characterization
G. Mahinthakumar
National Science Foundation (Career)
07/03 to 06/08
Accurate characterization of the subsurface is an important element in the development of reliable and efficient groundwater management practices. Accurate and reliable estimation of hydraulic conductivity distribution, contaminant distribution, and/or contaminant source release history is necessary for problems such as estimating groundwater yields, design of efficient cleanup strategies, and identifying responsible parties in a contamination incident. This requires solution of an inverse problem because direct measurement of detailed subsurface properties is not feasible. Inverse problems are difficult to solve and are computationally demanding. This multidisciplinary NSF Career project will investigate novel computational strategies for the efficient solution of large-scale inverse problems in subsurface characterization.

ITR: A Prototype to Support Near Real-Time Environmental Characterization
G. Mahinthakumar, R. Ranjithan, and Nick Karonis (Northern Illinois University)
National Science Foundation
09/03 to 08/07
The overall goal of this project is to investigate formal computational approaches that can readily harness grid computing for the efficient solution of environmental characterization problems. To this end, we will develop a grid-enabled software framework. Two alternative paradigms, one based on the grid-enabled version of MPI (Message Passing Interface), and the other based on Java will be explored. The framework will be applied to groundwater and surface water problems, both of which are of prime societal importance.

GRS Supplement to ITR to Increase Minority Participation
G. Mahinthakumar and R. Ranjithan
National Science Foundation (Graduate Research Supplement program)
09/05 to 08/07
This graduate research supplement supports an African American environmental engineering PhD student to conduct research in parallel simulation-optimization techniques and to carry out teaching activities leading to an academic career.

GIS-Based Research of Natural and Anthropogenic Terrain Change Impacts on Water and Sediment Transport in Different Environments
H. Mitasova and M. Overton
Army Research Office
07/04 to 06/07
The proposed research will focus on the acquisition of new knowledge about the interactions between natural processes and anthropogenic activities that can be used to improve current understanding of terrain change impact on landscape processes. The objectives are to investigate these interactions within three fundamentally different environments affected by different development activity: a coastal barrier island environment, a montane tropical watershed, and a piedmont landscape that includes a military installation. The research will be directed toward the development and analysis of methods for GIS-based modeling of topography, its structure and evolution and innovative numerical landscape erosion and evolution modeling techniques.

Shoreline Monitoring at Oregon Inlet
M.F. Overton and J. S. Fisher
NC Department of Transportation
07/06 to 06/07
The purpose of this ongoing project (1989 to present) is to monitor and evaluate the response of a six-mile stretch of shoreline just south of the terminal groin constructed to protect the bridge at the north end of Pea Island. The purpose of phase one was to establish the "historical erosion rates" for the study area since the change in dredging operations in the inlet in 1984 and before the March 1989 storm. The continuing phases of the project consist of determining position of the shoreline from air photography every two months and evaluating the response of the shoreline in the context of the historical erosion rates.

Regional Development, Population Trend and Technology Change Impacts on Future Air Pollution Emissions
N.M. Rouphail and H.C. Frey
UNC-CH, EPA
11/04 to 11/07
The research tests the hypothesis that smart-growth development patterns can significantly influence the quantity and location of direct and indirect emissions from mobile sources. The patterns of interest include the type of development and its location. We will develop a general method for exploring the leverage that smart-growth development patterns have on the spatial pattern and quantity of emissions from mobile sources. We will explore scenarios and chart the envelope of the effectiveness of smart growth as a means for reducing emissions. We will determine whether substantial emissions reductions are feasible with forecasts of the market penetration of smart growth.