The University of Idaho, a non-profit educational institution, has a record of outstanding achievement in the applied sciences as related to environmental technology. The expertise of University of Idaho (UI) scientists is focused in the Center for Hazardous Waste Remediation Research, under the leadership of co-directors Dr. Roy L. Mink (Director, Idaho Water Resources Research Institute) and Dr. Ronald L. Crawford (Director, Environmental Biotechnology Institute). The Center for Hazardous Waste Remediation Research (the Center) was established in 1990 with a competitive, three-year grant of $1.05 million from the Idaho State Board of Education. Competitively awarded funding at the Center has grown to over $7.5 million since 1990. The ultimate goal of Center research is the cleanup of contaminated soils, surface waters, and groundwaters throughout the United States. Specific aims are to characterize contaminated sites, develop novel technologies for hazardous waste remediation, and apply them in the field.
The expertise and resources of the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute are integral to the Center. Current Institute work is directed toward characterization of the subsurface, contaminant transport, and in situ cleanup of aquifers. A recently funded project at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory specifically concerns trichloroethylene contamination in the subsurface. The Ground Water Research Site was established by IWRRI in 1989 as a research and teaching site for study of contaminant characterization, use monitoring wells, and application of remediation technologies. IWRRI programs in adult education and outreach include a Department of Energy (DOE) initiative linking institutes in seven states with demonstration projects affiliated with federal laboratories. Program goals are to assess new technology, assist in technology transfer from universities, train state agency professionals to evaluate DOE efforts in light of state and federal regulations, and increase the pool of graduate environmental engineers and scientists.
Center research is organized into bioremediation, geochemical remediation, and characterization of hazardous waste sites. Through the Center, 33 UI scientists from biochemistry, chemical engineering, chemistry, geology, hydrology, metallurgy, microbiology, plant science, and soil science study the use of microbial and chemical technologies to remove toxic chemicals from industrial-process streams, soils, surface waters, and groundwaters. Advisers and collaborators from industry and national laboratories offer additional expertise.
The eleven research projects initially funded from 1990-1993 produced over 50 publications and applications for 6 patents. The site characterization projects reflected the long mining history of Idaho's Silver Valley and the present need to remediate or stabilize resulting pollution. Characterization research covered lead contamination on interior surfaces, the physical and chemical status of the lateral lakes of the Coeur d'Alene River, GIS analysis of contaminant distributions, and spacial analysis of mine waste sites in support of remediation design.
Continuing bioremediation research covers immobilization of degradative bacteria and microbead transport in the subsurface, enhancing the biodegradability of azo dyes and polystyrenes, the use of natural polymers in hazardous waste treatment, and the microbial recovery of metals from waste streams. Geochemical research concentrates on chelation and supercritical fluid extraction of heavy metals.
The Center provides
As problems with several underground storage tanks leaking gasoline, diesel fuel, and pesticides have been identified on University of Idaho property, the Center has helped develop cost-effective solutions for cleaning up the resulting contamination. The Idaho Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has supported the Center in its use of innovative techniques, not only to meet cleanup goals, but also to offer research opportunities to students and faculty. The Center has also assisted the university by characterizing contaminated properties adjacent to campus and assessing any potential liabilities before the such properties are purchased. An eleven-acre tract was recently acquired after a remediation plan was developed and implemented by the Center, the responsible parties, and the Idaho DEQ, among others. Several areas of campus are now in use as environmental technology demonstration and research sites. The permitting and consent order process for these and other UI environmental technology demonstrations have been facilitated by the in-depth experience of several Center faculty with RCRA/HSWA and CERCLA/SARA requirements.