SPONSORED RESEARCH PROJECTS - Support for Mark Hernandez as PI and Co-PI
Modeling the Fate of Aircraft Deicing Agents Through Environmental Transport
Funding Source: United States Department of Defense - Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Total Award Amount: $322 K Award Period: 1/97 - 1/00
Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder
Co- Principal investigator (Grant Shared 50% with Professor Dobroslav Znidarcic, Civil Engineering, University of Colorado). Leading laboratory and field research on the biodegradation of aircraft deicing fluids (ADF) under simulated and in situ conditions. This project focuses on determining the fate and effects of full ADF formulations and ADF additives (corrosion inhibitors and surfactants) on the following environmental factors: (i) biodegradation potential in subsurface soils and (ii) toxicity to surface water ecosystems.
Best Management Practices for Aircraft Deicing Fluid Wastes
Funding Source:
United States Department of Defense - Air Force Office of Scientific ResearchTotal Award Amount: $30 K Award Period: 1/98 - 1/00
Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder
Principal investigator. Leading field assessments at Westover Air Force Base, DE, to determine best management alternatives for minimizing ADF discharges to surface and groundwaters.
Determining the Fate of Aircraft Deicing Fluid Additives under Field Conditions
Funding Source:
Denver International Airport and PMC Chemical CorporationTotal Award Amount: $ 43 K Award Period: 1/98 - 1/00
Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder
Principal investigator. As a supplementary study to the above AFOSR grant, this work focuses on the biodegradation of aircraft deicing fluids (ADF) under anoxic field conditions encountered in saturated soils. A combination of chromatographic methods are being used to determine the biodegradation potential of deicing components aerobic field conditions.
Anaerobic Treatment of Aircraft Deicing Fluids
Funding Source:
The Charles and Anne Lindbergh FoundationTotal Award Amount: $ 10K Award Period: 9/98 - 9/99
Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder
Principal investigator. As a supplementary study to the above AFOSR grant, this work focuses on the biodegradation of aircraft deicing fluids (ADF) under strictly anaerobic conditions such as those encountered in treatment systems (anaerobic digesters and stabilization ponds). A combination of mass spectrometry and molecular methods are being used to determine the toxicity of ADF constituents (and their daughter products) to anaerobic microbial communities.
Determining the By-Products from the Biodegradation of Corrosion Inhibitors under Anoxic Conditions
Funding Source:
The United States Environmental Protection AgencyTotal Award Amount: $ 98 K Award Period: 9/99 - 9/01
Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder
Principal investigator. As a complementary study to the above deicing work, this work focuses specifically on determining the by products of the microbial metabolism of corrosion inhibitors present in ADF under anoxic conditions. A combination of mass spectrometry, polargraphic, and molecular methods are being used to track ADF breakdown products.
Microbiological Air Pollution in Environmental Engineering: Stability of Bioaerosols
Funding Source:
United States National Science Foundation Career Development AwardTotal Award Amount: $ 200 K + equal match up to $400K Award Period: 6/97 - 6/02
Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder
Principal investigator. Development and application of in situ assessment techniques to characterize the distribution, abundance and activity of bacteria and fungi suspended in indoor air. Modeling and assessments focus on the biostability of airborne bacteria, fungi, and their spores using sensitive biological stains, genetic and immunochemical probes, direct epifluorescent microscopy and semi-automated image analysis.
Photocatalytic Reactors for Sterilization of High Bioburden Process Gasses
Funding Source:
Colorado Institute for Research in BiotechnologyTotal Award Amount: $ 35 K Award Period: 6/97 - 6/99
Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder
Co-Principal investigator (Grant shared 50% with Prof. Richard Nobel, Chemical Engineering, University of Colorado and Prof. Bill Jacoby, Chemical Engineering, University of Missouri). Using direct epifluorescent microscopy and sensitive biological stains, we are evaluating the effectiveness of TiO2 catalyzed photooxidation as a mechanism for sterilizing indoor aerosols. The focus of this work is product development of self-cleaning filters for cleaning and disinfecting process gasses with extremely high bioaerosol concentrations.
Effectiveness of Engineering Controls on the Inactivation of Airborne
Mycobacterium TuberculosisFunding Source:
The United States National Institute of Health - Center for Disease ControlTotal Award Amount: $ 338 K Award Period: 10/97 - 10/00
Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder
Co-Principal investigator (Grant Shared with Prof. Shelly Miller, Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado). Evaluating the effectiveness of ultraviolet irradiation as a mechanism for inactivating the causative agents of Tuberculosis. Assessments use an innovative immunological and genetic staining approach employing epifluorescent microscopy and monoclonal antibodies for quantitation of metabolic competence and UV-induced genetic damage in airborne Mycobacteria.
Charcterization of Primary Biological Material in Outdoor Urban Air
Funding Source: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA Aerosol Research Supersite)
Total Award Amount: $ 225 K - CU Boulder Share (of $900K Supersite Total Grant) Award Period: 6/00 - 6/03
Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder, and Pittsburgh, PA
Co-Principal investigator (Grant Shared with Profs. Cliff Davidson and Spyros Pandis, Carnegie Mellon University ). Evaluating the seasonal shifts in outdoor aerosol bioburden . Assessments use sensitive biological stains and innovative immunological and genetic staining approaches employing epifluorescent microscopy to determine the fraction of PM2.5 that is comprised of primary biological materials. The microbial ecology, as well as total bioburdens will be described using an interface with new aerosol samplers designed to evaluate outdoor PM2.5.
Review of Airborne Biological Contamination in Commercial Aircraft
Funding Source: The United States National Institutes of Health - Center for Disease Control
Total Award Amount: $ 15 K Award Period: 7/99 - 5/00
Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder
Principal Investigator:
Background and review of all scientific and grey literature germane to bioaersol characterization on modern commercial aircraft. The review focused on assessments, and provided specific recommendations for future bioaerosol sampling plans for the US commercial aircraft fleet.
Factors affecting bacterial biofouling on thin-film water purification membranes
Funding Source: The United States National Science Foundation, Thin Film and Separations Research Center
Total Award Amount: $ 105 K Award Period: 6/00 - 6/03
Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder
Co-Principal Investigator:
(With Prof. Alan Greenburg, Mechanical Engineering). Assessment of physical surface factors affecting the reversible and irreversible attachment of biofilm-forming bacteria on water purification membranes (and supports). Assessments will use both direct epifluorescent microscopy and high frequency acoustic methods to measure the influence of membrane hydrophobicity, surface roughness and other water quality parameters on bacterial attachement and biofouling