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Biography
Stephen R. Hutchins is a Research Environmental Scientist in GWERD's Ecosystem and Subsurface Protection Branch. Dr. Hutchins has a B.S. in Biology from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Rice University. Previously, he worked as a research scientist for Advanced Mineral Technologies, Inc., where he conducted research on pretreatment of refractory gold ores by thermophilic microorganisms.
The work that Dr. Hutchins previously conducted at GWERD involved an extensive investigation into the feasibility of using nitrate as an alternate electron acceptor for stimulating anaerobic biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons for in situ bioremediation of contaminated aquifers. This involved both field and laboratory studies, and focused on three separate sites: 1) Traverse City, MI, 2) Park City, KS, and 3) Eglin AFB, FL. In all cases, corresponding batch (and sometimes column) microcosm studies were conducted to better define the controlling parameters, practical limits, and relative contributions of competing processes. This research focus has been completed, and the work has resulted in numerous presentations at scientific and technical meetings, as well as several published papers and reports (Search the GWERIC database using “hutchins” and “nitrate” to obtain relevant citations).
Dr. Hutchins is now conducting a new research program on the effects of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) on ground water quality. This project is primarily field-based in nature, and is designed to evaluate whether land application of swine waste at selected commercial facilities can adversely affect ground water quality. The focus is not only on nutrients, but feed antibiotics as well as natural and synthetic hormones. Results from this research program will be used to help determine whether ground water aquifers are at risk from these types of operations, and to aid in the development of sound risk management strategies for optimizing land use practices in the animal industry.