PhD Proposal Defense: Trevor Needham

Ph.D. Proposal Defense by Trevor Needham

Wednesday, Jan 18, 2017, 1-3 pm; TRC 206

Faculty and students are invited to the open part of the defense.

Title: Effects of Black Carbon on Anaerobic Dechlorination of Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Abstract: The intent of the proposed research is to understand the physio-chemical properties of solid substrates that will affect the rate of dechlorination of PCBs in order to further the understanding of anaerobic dechlorination in sediments and wastewater sludge. The primary solid substrate of interest that will be examined is activated carbon. This work will examine three fundamental questions in order to better understand and predict PCB dechlorination: 1) How does the presence of activated carbon affect the rate of dechlorination of PCBs by DF-1 under comparable aqueous concentrations? 2) Is the rate of dechlorination (k_b) of chlorinated compounds by DF-1 in sediments and wastewater sludge dependent on the freely dissolved concentration and how does it change with the presence of black carbon?  3) Does electrical conductivity and redox active sites facilitate the reduction of organohalides by DF-1 attached to black carbon by enabling electron transfer?