CAREER: Phytoremediation of Organic Contaminants and Preparing Environmental Engineers for Future Challenges

9984064 Burken Phytoremediation是一种基于自然系统的工程应用，具有去除或破坏环境中有机污染物的潜力。 有机污染物的吸收、转移和挥发尚未得到很好的理解，这些问题目前是一个不确定因素，限制了监管机构的接受。 该项目研究部分的目标是：（1）阐明在田间典型条件下污染物的迁移和潜在挥发途径，包括在渗流区和饱和区具有维管根系的植物，（2）确定基因工程微生物（GEMs）在白杨根际中的影响和存活性，并潜在地推进植物修复的新应用，（3）继续发展有机污染物植物修复的筛选程序。 将在模拟全面实践的条件和方法下开发和评估植物修复/GEM组合。 该项目教育部分的目标是：（1）透过本科生的研究、教学、学生活动及实地观察现时土木及环境工程的应用和实践，唤起学生对环境工程的兴趣，促进他们的专业发展，（2）通过修改现有的课程和教学方法，增加非专业人员的数量，（3）通过关于教学方法和技术的培训讲习班提高教学技能。 这是PI在教育领域工作的延续，其中包括成立环境工程和科学教授协会的全国学生分会，以及相关的UMR学生分会，将WebCT纳入课程，参与教学研讨会，实施学生项目作为全面的废物处理设施，并继续发展学生流团队。 这些活动预计将直接和立即影响每年约110名本科生和研究生的科学和工程教育。 ***

9984064 Burken Phytoremediation is a natural systems-based engineering application that has the potential of removing or destroying organic contaminants in the environment. The uptake, translocation and volatilization of organic contaminants are not well understood and these issues currently serve as a point of uncertainty, limiting regulatory acceptance. The objectives of the research component of this project are: (1) to elucidate contaminant translocation and potential volatilization pathways in field-representative conditions that include plants with vascular root systems in the vadose and saturated zones, (2) to ascertain the impact and survivability of genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) in the poplar rhizosphere, and potentially advance a new application of phytoremediation, and (3) to continue development of a screening procedure for organic contaminant phytoremediation. Phytoremediation/GEMs combinations will be developed and evaluated in conditions and with methods that mimic full-scale practices. The objectives of the education component of this project are: (1) to arouse students' interest in environmental engineering and enhance their professional development through undergraduate research, teaching, student activities and field observations of current civil and environmental engineerign applications and practices, (2) to improve and enrich the environmental engineering program at UMR by revising the existing curriculum and teaching methods and by increasing numbers of non-traditional students and (3) to enhance instructional skills through training workshops on teaching methods and techniques. This is a continuation of the PI's work in the education field that will include founding a national student chapter of the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, with associated UMR student chapter, integration of WebCT into curricula, participation in teaching workshops, implementation of a student project as a full-scale waste treatment facility and continued development of a student Stream Team. These activities are expected to directly and immediately impact the science and engineering education of approximately 110 undergraduate and graduate students per year. ***