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Microbial Ecology of Permeable Reactive Barriers Using Molecular Techniques
Research Advisor: Ann Azadpour-Keeley, Ph.D.(580)436-8890 email keeley.ann@epa.gov
In the design and implementation of permeable reactive barriers (PRBs), the beneficial contributions of biotic processes to their long-term performance are usually ignored. However, there is already considerable evidence to show that biotic processes mediated by the presence of the barrier material play an active, but poorly understood, role in the successful application of PRBs. The proposed research will use biological techniques (i.e., T-RFLP, DGGE) to identify subsurface microbial community structures and activities associated with PRBs as well as sensitive biomarkers for subsurface remediation. The outcomes of this research will result in protocols for using molecular biology techniques for understanding the performance of PRBs and other subsurface technologies used to restore groundwater contaminated by both organic and inorganic materials.