The potential health risks and resultant disinfection by-products from certain organic compounds that are persistent in the environment have stimulated the use of alternative oxidation processes to reduce chlorine demand. Pulsed power techniques along with treatment by photocatalytic organic sensitizers and semiconductors are being evaluated to determine their efficiency in toxic chemical decomposition, volatile organic substances removal and disinfection.
Changes in behavior of aquatic animal life can indicate the existence of toxins in water supplies. Remote sensors and biosensors are being developed through Center support to assess adverse conditions in these aquatic environments. The following are aquatic toxicology-related projects that were activated in the 2007-2008 fiscal year. For descriptions of specific projects, click on those with links below.
(To view pdf files, you will need Adobe Acrobat software for Macintosh, Windows or Linux. This software is available free at www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html.) Advanced Aqueous Separation Systems for Actinide Partitioning (pdf file) D.D. Ensor Funding by: Washington State University via DOE Application of CADDIS to Impaired Waters in Tennessee: Phase 2 (pdf file) J.J. Harwood Funding by: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Developing Novel Scaffolds for Biological Molecules by Solving the I-QSAR Problem Using the Signature Molecular Description (pdf file) D.P. Visco Jr. Funding by: Sandia National Laboratories Endocrine Disruption Studies (pdf file) M.J.M. Wells Funding by: U.S. Geological Survey Evaluating Disinfectant By-Product Formation Potential in Source Water (pdf file) M.J.M. Wells Funding by: Private Molecular Photoredox Chemistry of Mercury in Aquatic Systems: Kinetics, Mechanisms and Environmental Implications (pdf file) H. Zhang Funding by: UT-Battelle Separation Studies of /f/-Elements (pdf file) D.D. Ensor Funding by: UT-Battelle, LLC for the Department of Energy, through Oak Ridge National Laboratory