Richard G. Luthy - US grants

0216458
Luthy
This proposal will create a modern analytical facility at Stanford University capable of accurately measuring emerging environmental contaminants at trace levels in aquatic systems. By building on the University's new campus-wide Environmental Initiative, this proposal represents a strategic opportunity to significantly impact environmental research and education at Stanford University among faculty and students in chemistry, biology, geological and environmental sciences, and environmental engineering. The proposed emerging contaminant analytical facility will create interdisciplinary research opportunities and promote the teaching on the fate, transport, and effects of emerging contaminants in aquatic systems.

0201955 Luthy This research proposes to examine the availability, biotransformation, and fate of perfluorinated compounds in aquatic sediments. These compounds have been used extensively and have been detected in fish, birds and humans. Little is known, however, about their behavior in the environment. The research will examine microbial degradation pathways and sediment interactions which will be used in developing a preliminary model for determining the fate of perfluorinated compounds.

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): [unreadable] [unreadable] The goal of this project is to develop activated carbon (AC) amendment as a multifunctional, in-situ sediment remediation technique to reduce the bioavailability of both mercury (Hg) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at contaminated sediment sites. Activated carbon particles will be impregnated with nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) to induce Hg reduction and sequestration, and PCB dechlorination. Successful application of this innovative technology may significantly reduce the human health risks posed by Hg and PCBs at many hazardous waste sites, while minimizing negative impact to sensitive habitats. The project will accomplish its main goal through a combination of spectroscopic, physicochemical, and biological tests. State-of-the-art microspectroscopy will be used to understand contaminant binding to AC at the particle scale. Physicochemical tests will probe the partitioning of Hg and PCBs to AC particles, and provide insight into sequestration and dechlorination rates, including mechanistic understanding of the role of nZVI on these processes. Finally, biological tests with a relevant clam species will document the effectiveness of AC amendment in reducing Hg and PCB bioavailability to sediment-dwelling macro- invertebrates. Sediment from Stege Marsh (San Francisco Bay, CA), a toxic "hot spot" contaminated with both Hg and PCBs, will be used in these tests. In-situ treatment with (nZVI-) AC may protect sensitive habitats and endangered species, such as the California clapper rail in the case of Stege Marsh. Combined, Hg and PCB contamination are responsible for the vast majority of fish consumption advisories currently in effect in the US. In addition, public use of Hg- and PCB-contaminated sites is limited due to human health risks associated with these often co-occurring contaminants. This research advances AC amendment as a remediation strategy that will lower both types of human health risks by (1) reducing the level of Hg and PCBs entering the food chain, and (2) decreasing the availability of Hg and PCBs to the local environment. [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable]

Project Summary: The ERC for Re-inventing America's Urban Water Infrastructure; Richard G. Luthy,
PI, Stanford Univ., Lead; Univ. of California, Berkeley; Colorado School of Mines; New Mexico State Univ.
Foreign Partners: Nanyang Technological Univ., Singapore; Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science
and Technology, Dubendorf, Switzerland; Univ. of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Vision and Goals. Cities are facing a mounting water crisis from climate change, population expansion,
ecosystem demands and deteriorating infrastructure that threatens economic development, social
welfare, and environmental sustainability. Without relatively large investments this crisis will only deepen
through the 21st century. Accordingly, the goal of the proposed ERC is to advance new strategies for
water/wastewater treatment and distribution that will eliminate the need for imported water, recover
resources from wastewater, and generate rather than consume energy in the operation of urban water
infrastructure while simultaneously enhancing urban aquatic ecosystems. While many existing
approaches could be used to transition urban water infrastructure to this more sustainable state, their
implementation currently is limited by uncertainties about their long-term performance, life cycle costs,
institutional impediments and public concerns about unfamiliar technologies. In some cases, the
technologies needed to realize our vision do not yet exist and technological breakthroughs are needed.
To meet these challenges, our strategic planning process identified key research projects within three
thrust areas:
(1) Engineered Water Systems: Decrease reliance on inefficient centralized treatment systems by
employing distributed treatment systems that embrace water conservation, local use of alternative
supplies, energy management, nutrient recovery, and that integrate with existing infrastructure;
(2) Managed Natural Systems: Integrate managed natural systems into water infrastructure to fully
realize the potential benefits that natural systems can provide with respect to water storage and
improvement of water quality, while simultaneously rehabilitating urban hydrology and aquatic habitat;
(3) Systems Integration and Institutions: Support the reinvention and restoration of urban water
systems through the development of decision-making tools that account for economic, environmental
and social factors and development of approaches that can circumvent impediments to change posed
by regulations, laws, jurisdictional fragmentation, financing and public perception.
The ERC will conduct short-term research to facilitate adoption of existing technologies that have the
potential to improve system performance and long-term research on technologies that can fundamentally
transform urban water infrastructure. Regardless of timing, all of the research will be targeted at
understanding how new technologies and management strategies affect the performance of complex
urban water infrastructure systems.
Intellectual Merit. The proposed ERC joins four leading universities in the West and three international
universities at the forefront of urban water infrastructure research. Although increased demands on water
supplies occur throughout the country, these demands are acute in the arid West, where the ERC partner
universities have special capabilities and access to unique test beds. Furthermore, each campus has
strategic collaborations with members of the professional community and international research partners
that will help us to translate our research into tangible results. Through a combination of innovative
research, systems analysis and meaningful collaborations with stakeholders, we will ensure a more rapid
reinvention of urban water infrastructure in a manner that is sustainable, safe and cost-effective.
Broader Impacts. Technology transfer of the ERC?s research will occur through close involvement of end
users. Public and private water service providers, government representatives, equipment manufacturers,
and technologists will actively participate in the ERC to ensure the research is influential in decisions
about urban water infrastructure operation and renewal. To support the development of innovative new
technologies, we will establish a center within the ERC to provide cutting-edge evaluations of devices
developed by small companies with the aim of improving products and fostering development of start-ups.
The ERC's outreach will build a pipeline of diverse, well-prepared students who eventually pursue
and complete water-related degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level?becoming leaders and
supporting significant change in the Nation?s water infrastructure in a manner that is guided by scientific
knowledge and whose efforts are supported by an informed public. Each component of the education and
outreach plan feeds directly into the attainment of this vision beginning at the elementary level and
continuing through graduate education. To ensure the involvement of under-represented minorities, the
ERC is partnered with American Indian Tribal Colleges and Universities, and K-8 and high schools that
target districts that serve primarily Latino, Pacific Islander and African American populations

The Engineering Research Center for Re-Inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt) was funded in 2011 to facilitate the transition of water systems to a new state in which they consume less energy and resources while continuing to meet the needs of urban users and aquatic ecosystems. This Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site will provide an enhanced, cohesive program to a cohort of undergraduates each summer and will target highly qualified science and engineering students from diverse backgrounds with an emphasis on women and minorities. The student-learning outcomes of the project focus on engaging and creating enthusiasm for science and engineering. The test-bed facilities provide ample opportunities for hands-on experience in multidisciplinary research activities at the four geographically and ethnically diverse institutions. ReNUWIt post-docs and graduate students will gain mentoring experiences in working closely with REU participants. Research communication skills of REU participants will improve through report writing, poster preparation, roundtables, and seminar presentations. This REU Site is supported by the Division of Engineering Education and Centers.

America's urban infrastructure was largely developed in the mid 20th century, a time of inexpensive energy, smaller urban populations, and less awareness of environmental impacts such as damage to aquatic habitat and greenhouse gas emissions. Many regions of the country are experiencing periodic water shortages and historic droughts that have created unprecedented stress on water resources and pushed re-thinking of water supply options. Such shortages, coupled with the high cost of operating and maintaining existing water infrastructure, threaten economic growth, social welfare and national security and underscore the urgent need to transform America's water infrastructure. This Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site program at Stanford University, hosted by the Engineering Research Center (ERC) for Re-Inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), aims to create a new paradigm for safe, sustainable management of urban water. A unique interdisciplinary research experience for undergraduates will immerse diverse and talented cohorts of students from a variety of institutions, particularly those with limited or no research opportunities, in ReNUWIt research groups, working on projects related to managed natural systems and efficient engineered systems. This program will increase undergraduate students' interests in pursuing advanced degrees in water science engineering, with a particular emphasis on women and minorities.

This REU Site offers undergraduates, in collaboration with ReNUWIt faculty, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students, opportunities to conduct hands-on research during a 9-week summer program, using cross-disciplinary, systems level approaches that directly address the design of urban water infrastructure and key knowledge gaps in water science/engineering. The program will take place at the four ReNUWIt partner institution campuses located at: Stanford University, University of California at Berkeley, Colorado School of Mines, and New Mexico State University. In addition, to conducting research the students will participate in a range of activities outside the lab to learn more about the wider research community and to hone the skills needed to become successful contributors to the community. These include: 1) All REU Meeting on the Stanford campus. 2) Weekly videoconferences with REU students at partner institutions 3)Professional development workshops on technical writing, oral presentations, career options. and ethics. 4) Interaction with members of ReNUWIt's Industrial Affiliates Board and Innovation Partners. Products created by the REU students at the end of the summary-abstracts and summary graphics-will be displayed in the online ReNUWIt REU gallery for wide dissemination. Some of the REU students will also present their work at national and international conferences.