The focus of intense interest within the remediation industry, bioprocesses have the potential to remove contamination completely and can be inexpensive and rapid. However, many bioremediation processes, while conceptually reasonable, have not been fully tested in the field. The optimization of biodegradation of a complex, persistent organic material in the natural environment or within a treatment process requires in-depth knowledge of all the interactions that affect the organic or inorganic contaminant and the active microorganisms. Despite industrial pre-treatment, many anthropogenic organic contaminants enter conventional sanitary wastewater treatment systems where some may be removed, but others pass through treatment systems and into surface waters. These contaminants may have ecological and human health impacts within the environment and, if not eliminated by natural processes, may reappear in drinking water treatment and distribution systems.
All environmental systems are complex at some level.
Mathematical modeling assists us in separating key processes and their environmental effects. My particular interests are in small-scale complexities related to the presence and activity of microorganisms. My modeling research to date has focused on the interaction between metals, organics and micoroganisms. In collaboration with others at Carnegie Mellon, I will be beginning research in the area of coupled microbial and surface reactions. The disposal of mixtures of wastes in aquatic surface and subsurface systems creates unique remediation challenges that require detailed analysis of complicated biogeochemical reactions.