Project 5: Mitigating airborne PCB emissions from sediments with black carbon materials and PCB-degrading biofilms

Goal

Provide environmental science and engineering solutions to decrease the flux of airborne PCBs at Superfund sites.

Objective

Identify innovative PCB bioremediation strategies using black carbon materials (e.g., biochars) coated with PCB-degrading biofilms that maintain biodegradation activity for extended periods.

Aims

1. Identify novel strategies for optimizing performance and extending the activity of PCB-degrading biofilm-coated black carbon materials in contaminated sediment microcosms.
2. Identify novel strategies for optimizing performance and extending the activity of PCB-degrading biofilm-coated black carbon materials in contaminated sediment microcosms.
3. Conduct a pilot-scale field demonstration of airborne PCB flux mitigation using biofilm-coated black carbon material bioaugmentation