Research Proposal

Tineer Ahmed
Intern/Mentor G/T
2016- 2017

Research Title: Filtering Out Chlorobenzene

Overview of Research
The problem is investigating an effective remedial technique that will eliminate chlorobenzene
from the water. This will be addressed by comparing anaerobic with aerobic, and the research
emphasizes the quality traits of the bioremediation process.

Background and History of the Issue

Dense non-aqueous liquids (DNAPLs) are released from industrial processes, like dry cleaning
and paint removal, and then, they migrate in tiny quantities that accumulate a long-term
groundwater contamination. Chlorobenzene is a type of DNAPL with six chlorine atoms. The
water-insoluble liquid is characterized by its almond-like smell and colorless appearance.
Chlorobenzene easily dissolves in ethanol, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, ether, and
methylene chloride. Its potential short-term effects are anesthetic-like effects and weakened liver
and kidney operations; the long-term effects, which is a lifelong contact of chlorobenzene above
the MCL, are damage to the kidney, central nervous system, and liver. In the environment, the
chlorobenzene slowly evaporates or degrades into the groundwater because it cannot bind to the
soil. Its half-life is greater than 900 years, so there is a great stress in eliminating this
contaminant from source zones.

Bioremediation is a treatment plan that incorporates microorganisms to eliminate or reduce the

concentration of unsafe materials on polluted areas. Bioremediation technologies are classified
under ex situ and in situ. Ex situ physically removes contaminated material, while in situ
involves treating the material at its natural place. Some examples of these types of
bioremediation are biofilters, which are columns that use microorganisms to treat air emissions;
bioaugmentation, which adds bacteria for contamination treatment; and bioventing, which
removes oxygen from soil to activate microbial movement.

Problem Statement and Rationale

This issue is significant because chlorobenzene is an environmental and health concerns.
To decrease its long-term risks and create a more practical and valuable use for groundwater, a
restorative system needs to meet SuperFund standards for drinking water. Under National
Primary Drinking Water Regulations, the EPA has implemented the Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) for chlorobenzene at .1 parts per million to avoid associated health risks; MCL is
the lowest quantity of contaminants allowed in public water systems. Anaerobic bioremediation
will achieve this expectation, which will provide a better water source for those in contact with
chlorobenzene polluted water.

Research Methodology

Research Question and Hypothesis

Which removal approach is effective in treating chlorobenzene in water?

If companies implement a specific remedial technique depending on the
dimensions, toxicity, and incubation period of the chlorobenzene-contaminated
source zone, then the treatment will attenuate the future probability of human
exposure and dismiss the harmful environmental impact.

Basis of Hypothesis
The research focus is a public health and environmental concern because those are the
two factors that are prevalent in EPAs goals of removing chlorobenzene.

Research Design
An experimental research will be conducted to gather data that will support the
hypothesis. For the qualitative research, different treatment types will be tested to
compare the degradation of chlorobenzene in each setting. The quantitative research is
analyzing the chloride concentration, chlorobenzene concentration, and pH of each
treatment.

Operational Definitions
Anaerobic: Requiring an absence of oxygen
Aerobic: Involving dissolved oxygen
Superfund Sites: Hazardous material locations needing long-term treatment as
authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Product Overview
The product of this year-long research study will be demonstrated by the results of the
experiment. As validated by scholarly sources relating to biofiltration, this treatment will degrade
the chlorobenzene in water and present a cleaner solution. Before conducting the final
experiment, 10 mL of simulated groundwater with chlorobenzene will have to be created. Then,
to test if the added bacteria decreases the amount of chlorobenzene, samples of the solution will
be drawn twice a week for two months and will be tested in the ion chromatography detector to
calculate the amount of chlorobenzene atoms in the sample. After every trial, the data from the
detector will be analyzed and be demonstrated in a graph that shows the relationship of the time
bacteria was in the solution and amount of chlorobenzene atoms left.

Logistical Consideration
This experiment requires specialized materials that are provided by the Department of
Environmental Engineering, so the procedure might have to be altered. The intended audience
will be composed of graduate students who are studying the bioremediation plans of pollutants.
The final product is an experiment, so the audience will be familiar with the techniques
implemented in filtering an unwanted solvent from water.