Persistent contaminants may be present in very low concentrations in the environ-ment and yet exert considerable effects on living organisms via bioaccumulation. Current environmental engineering sample collection, preparation, and analysis practices may under- or overestimate the actual concentrations to which aquatic or sedimentary biota are exposed....

There is growing concern about groundwater contamination and the impact of such contamination on health, agriculture, and water supplies. Because of this, it is becoming increasingly important to demonstrate the effectiveness of environmental remediation processes. One of the best ways to do this is to obtain a set of time-discrete samples from...

Phenylurea compounds are mass-produced, toxic compounds that find use as pesticides and include triclocarban, an antimicrobial used in disinfectants, soaps and other household products. These compounds persist during normal wastewater treatment schemes and largely become sequestered in sewage sludge. From both wastewater and sludge reclamation,...

Many sites with ground and/or surface water pollution have been identified across the United States. For site characterization, exposure and risk assessment as well as remediation monitoring, it is important to analyze the environment for toxic contaminants at trace levels. However, this sensing is often expensive, especially when attempting to...

In situ bioremediation holds great promise as a safe and cost-effective strategy for cleanup of contaminated sediments and groundwater. The design of bioremediation systems requires site-specific characterization of the types of microorganisms present, what their potential metabolic capabilities are, and to what extent these degradative functions...

Halogenated organic compounds (organohalides) have often been released into the soil and groundwater. These compounds may be carcinogenic and are hazardous to the natural environment. A significant need exists therefore for techniques to efficiently decontaminate these types of toxic compounds. Researchers at the Biodesign Institute of Arizona...

Chloroethenes are among the most common pollutants at hazardous waste sites. They have been used extensively as solvents in dry-cleaning operations, metal degreasing, textile finishing, dyeing, and industrial extraction processes, and they were sometimes carelessly handled, stored or disposed of. Because these compounds are highly toxic and in many...