1. |
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1st day of class orientation requirements, evaluation criteria, suggested readings |
Introduction-microbial ecology, microbial processes, factors that control microbial growth and activity; Mechanisms of Microbial transformations of toxic metals |
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microbiology in nuclear wastes [MIND] |
abundance of microbes in waste repository sites, contaminated soils, and radioactive wastes. Microbial processes in subterranean environment. Microbial population distribution and activity in the surface, subsurface and deep geological environments |
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2. |
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nuclear reactors, radiation, radioactivity, detection (V.Shvetsov) |
introduction to ionizing radiation, origin, detection, protection, application |
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Microbial Transformations and biogeochemical |
microbial processes in the subterranean environment, autotrophy, heterotrophy, electron donors and acceptors, oxidation/reduction reactions, bioleaching |
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3. |
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Carbon cycle - 1 |
organic matter degradation - environmental factors that affect decomposition |
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Carbon cycle - 2 |
biodegradation of naturally occurring organic compounds and xenobiotics |
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4. |
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Nitrogen cycle |
ammonification, nitrification, denitrification, N2 fixation - symbiotic, asymbiotic |
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review and discussion of microbial degradation of organics |
effect of chain length and substituents on biodegradation organic compounds. Reactive barrier for removal of organics and metals. Strategies for dehalogenation, biodegradation - structure function relationship |
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5. |
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sulfur and phosphorous cycles |
transformation of sulfur phosphorous |
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microbial transformations of toxic metals |
mechanisms of biotransformation of As, Se, Te, Sn, Po, Hg, Pb, Cr, Mo |
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6. |
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mechanisms of mobilization and immobilization of toxic metals and radionuclides in wastes |
acid mine drainage (AMID), naturally occurring organic matter (NOM), microbial processes relevant to nuclear and coal wastes microbially induced corrosion (MIC) |
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biotransformation of uranium I |
oxidation of uranium minerals by autotrophic bacteria and bioleaching |
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7. |
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biotransformation of uranium II |
biotransformation of uranium complexed with organic and inorganic ligands by heterotrophic bacteria |
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biotransformation of uranium III |
mechanisms of microbial dissolution and immobilization of U, biosorption, bioaccumulation, bioreduction |
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8. |
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Environmental biogeochemistry (W. Um) |
biology meets geology through chemistry. Chemical reactions of radionuclides with solids |
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biotransformation of plutonium I. |
microbial population distribution in Pu contaminated soils and wastes. |
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9. |
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Mid term exam - oral presentation and term paper |
biodegradation of resins, polymers, organic solidifying agents in low- and intermediate-level radioactive wastes |
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Mid term exam - oral presentation and term paper |
biodegradation of resins, polymers, organic solidifying agents in low- and intermediate-level radioactive wastes |
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10. |
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biotransformation of plutonium II |
mechanisms of plutonium biotransformation, dissolution and immobilization of Pu, biotransformation of Pu complexed with organic ligands |
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microbial transformations of Cesium, strontium, radium and selenium |
mobilization and immobilization of neptunium, thorium, americium, curium |
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11. |
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microbial transformations of carbon-14 and tritium |
biosorption and biorecipitation of cuss and Sr, selenium biotransformation, remobilization of radium, coprecipitated with baroum radium sulfate from waste |
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Microbial Transformations of Carbon-14 and Tritium. |
Microbial generation of 14CO2, 14CH4, HT, HTO, CH3T, 14CH3T from radioactive wastes and contaminated environments. |
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12. |
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Biotransformation of Technetium. |
Bioreduction of soluble pertechnetate Tc(VI) to insoluble Tc(IV) and precipitation. Solubilization of Tc(IV) by complexation with metabolites and organic ligands |
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Microbial Transformations of Iodine. |
Iodine chemistry, Microbial oxidation, reduction, volatilization. Iodine immobilization by bioaccumulation and complexation with soil organic matter. |
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13. |
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Mechanisms of Biosorption and Bioaccumulation of Radionuclides and Toxic Metals |
Association of radionuclides with bacteria and spectroscopic characterization by UV-vis, XANES, EXAFS, TRLF |
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Remediation of Radionuclides and Toxic Metals in Wastes, Contaminated Soils, Water, and Materials |
I. Characterization of Radionuclides and Toxic Metals |
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14. |
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Bioremediation of uranium contaminated soils and wastes. |
II. Stabilization of Radionuclides and Volume Reduction |
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Remediation of uranium contaminated soils and wastes |
III. Removal and Recovery of Radionuclides. |
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15. |
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Remediation of Lead and other Toxic Metals in Wastes and Contaminated Soils |
IV. Treatment of MSW, Wood Ash, Electric Arc Furnace Ash, Lead paint contaminated soil. |
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Last Day of Class Remediation of Radionuclide Contaminated Soils, and Materials |
5. Decontamination of Metallic Surfaces and Secondary Waste Volume Reduction. |
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Final Exam: Special Project Oral Presentation and Term paper |
Microbial transformation of thorium, uranium and associated rare earth elements (REE) in Monazite ore. |
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Final Exam: (cont’d) |
Microbial transformation of thorium, uranium and associated rare earth elements (REE) in Monazite ore. |
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