Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and triclosan are widely used and available in many pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCP’s). The concentrations of these drugs are increasing in public surface and groundwaters and is often linked to negative impacts on aquatic life. These impacts are due to the fact that PPCP’s bypass water treatment facilities since they are not typically regulated and water treatment methods at the facilities are not designed to remove them. My research focuses on removing PPCP’s using reactive environmental sorbents like nanocrystalline ferrihydrite. Specifically, I examined the interaction of two widely used PPCP’s (Ibuprofen and Triclosan) with nanocrystalline ferrihydrite of varying particle size (<125, 125-250, >250). Results thus far show that when Ibuprofen interacts with nanocrystalline ferrihydrite at pH 4.3-4.8; 28.29% was removed when the particle size was less than 125 microns; 45.89% was removed when the particle size was 125-250 microns; and 49.92% was removed when the particle size was greater than 250. While for Triclosan 40.55%, 54.7%, 23.80% was removed by nanocrystalline ferrihydrite with size <125, 125-250, >250 respectively. My presentation will further cover surface properties of nanocrystalline ferrihydrite controlling the sorption of ibuprofen and triclosan.

The changing climate as well as the cycling of nutrients and contaminants throughout our planet is heavily influenced by interactions involving plant biomass. For example, interactions of plant biomass with soil biota (specifically fungi)regulates climate and pollution by controlling 1) the quantity of CO2 released from the respiration of organic matter and 2) the movement of pollutants on land and in water. This study focused on 1) investigating fungal colonization of coffee grounds, as a model for understanding the fungi-plant biomass interactions in soils, and 2) studying how fungal colonization changes in the physical and chemical properties of coffee grounds after molding them for 0,3,4,5 and 7 months. The objectives of the next phase of this research will be to examine how the fungi-induced changes in physical and chemical properties of coffee grounds impact 1)carbon sequestering potential (i.e. ease of respiration to CO2) of the coffee grounds and 2) the capacity of the coffee grounds to bind Gentian violet dye (as a model for organic/cationic pollutant).

Synthetic nanomaterials continue to revolutionize how we do things industrially, medically and domestically. As we continue to utilize these materials, the inevitability of them entering the environment and the need to understand the associated consequences rises to the forefront. My research focuses on understanding the chemo-dynamics of interactions between polyamidoamine (PAMAM)-based nanomaterials (most commonly in the biomedical field through drug and gene delivery) and reactive minerals in the environment. Specifically, this presentation will cover the size-dependent binding (and debinding) dynamics of carboxyl-terminated PAMAMs (G-COOH) onto (and from) ferrihydrite (FFH), a form of naturally-occurring iron oxide mineral. Early results suggest that at pH 5, the smaller G1.5-COOH PAMAM binds to (and debinds from) FFH in higher quantities but at much slower rates that the larger G3.5-COOH PAMAM. The higher quantities of G1.5-COOH PAMAM being bound to (or debound) from FFH is attributable to its smaller size - facilitating access to internal micropore space in FFH that are inaccessible by the larger G3.5-COOH PAMAM. Difference in the accessibility of internal FFH micropore space by the different sized PAMAMs would also explain observed trends in their rates of binding and debinding. In future research, I will be targeting the confirmation of early results and the expansion of my study to include G-COOH PAMAMs larger than G3.5-COOH.

Nitrate contamination of groundwater has been a growing problem in Texas and California from increased food demands, requiring growing agricultural inputs of synthetic fertilizer and manure. Pyrolysis of pistachio agro-waste is a promising method for reducing waste products and engineering biochar with the capacity to support zerovalent iron impregnation (ZVI). This study examined the efficiency of pistachio biochar for nitrate (NO₃-N) removal in water with and without ZVI. Pistachio biochar was functionalized through varied temperature pyrolysis (400-600℃) over three heating durations (0 min, 5 min, 10 min). Biochar samples from both 400°C and 600℃ pyrolysis were tested with and without ZVI impregnation over a 5 day period in a 20 ppm solution of NO₃-N. The biochar-nitrate solutions were recorded in intervals (1 hr, 3 hr, 7 hr, 24 hr, 68 hr, 96 hr, 120 hr) and Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy was utilized to measure NO₃-N absorbance of samples at 400nm. The experimental data show that pistachio biochar with and without ZVI decreased nitrate levels from water; presenting a potential low-cost and sustainable option for repurposing agro-waste for water remediation.

Rivers are an essential part of any urban or rural landscape, providing drinking water, transportation, and recreational opportunities for local residents. However, with the continuous growth and development of urban areas like Fort Worth and Dallas, flooding poses a significant risk to human life and property. This increased development creates a need for careful monitoring and forecasting of river conditions and flood probabilities. This study explores the associated historical river data for USGS Gauges on the Trinity River in Tarrant and Dallas Counties. This data, along with topographic information and land use surveys, are used to project the possible impacts of flooding scenarios. These possible impacts include damage to property, critical infrastructure, and threats to human life. This data can then be interpreted spatially to effectively inform the public and public officials of risks and monetary costs associated with future flooding events.