Source: NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
SOLIDIFICATION AND STABILIZATION OF HAZARDOUS METALS IN AN AGRICULTURAL BY-PRODUCTS/CEMENT MATRIX
Sponsoring Institution
Agricultural Research Service/USDA
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
USDA COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0405290
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 30, 2002
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2004
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY
PO BOX 2021
THIBODEAUX,LA 70310
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
(N/A)
Animal Health Component
40%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
30%
Applied
40%
Developmental
30%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1331211200010%
1331212200010%
1331213200010%
1331219200010%
5110650200020%
5111820200020%
5113299200020%
Knowledge Area
511 - New and Improved Non-Food Products and Processes; 133 - Pollution Prevention and Mitigation;

Subject Of Investigation
1212 - Almond; 3299 - Poultry, general/other; 0650 - Wood and wood products; 1213 - Walnut; 1820 - Soybean; 1219 - Edible tree nuts, general/other; 1211 - Pecan;

Field Of Science
2000 - Chemistry;
Goals / Objectives
To design an improved matrix for solidification/stabilization of hazardous metals by using agricultural by-products as adsorbents and cement as a solidifying agent where development of the matrix will be both effective and economically feasible. To use X-ray spectroscopy to determine if and how hazardous metals are bound to a matrix consisting of a by-product and cement.
Project Methods
Agricultural by-products from commodities of value to the Louisiana economy, such as sugarcane bagasse and soybean hulls, will be mixed with hazardous metals, such as lead, copper, zinc and chromium, under different experimental conditions, which will include contact time between the by-product and metal, by-product particle size and different by-product:cement ratios. Agricultural by-products will also be modified to enhance their ability to bind metals and metal complexes in both the cationic and anionic forms. Samples will be evaluated by the EPA approved Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) to determine whether the adsorbents are stabilizing the hazardous metals to EPA standards. X-ray spectroscopy will be used to evaluate matrices that show good stabilization (little if any leaching of metals or metal complexes) and poor stabilization (considerable leaching of metals or metal complexes). An attempt will be made to explain leaching differences on a molecular or atomic level. The Center for Microstructure at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, will be used for this purpose.

Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05

Outputs
4d Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and Nicholls State University (NSU). This Agreement had no activity during the reporting period since it expired in September 2004 due to the retirement of the Principal Investigator, Dr. James Beck.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications


    Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04

    Outputs
    4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and Nicholls State University. Additional details of research can be found in the report of the parent CRIS 6435-41000-084-00D, "Agricultural By-Products as Adsorbents for Environmental Remediation." Research with NSU involves designing an improved matrix for solidification/stabilization of hazardous metals by using modified and non-modified agricultural by-products, particularly soybean hulls and sugarcane bagasse, as adsorbents and Portland cement as a solidifying agent where development of the cement matrix will be both effective in not allowing leaching of the hazardous metals and will also be economically feasible. The presence of soybean hulls and sugarcane bagasse modified with citric acid mixed with cement did not allow the cement to set and, therefore, a hardened matrix could not form. However, the cement set into a hardened mass in the presence of non-modified soybean hulls and sugarcane bagasse. Unfortunately, the citric acid modified by-products were binding calcium ion and calcium ion is required for the cement to set. This Specific Cooperative Agreement will expire in September 2004 and will not be renewed.

    Impacts
    (N/A)

    Publications


      Progress 09/30/02 to 08/31/04

      Outputs
      Progress Report 4d Progress report. This reports serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and Nicholls State University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the inhouse project 6435-41000-084-00D, Agricultural By-Products as Adsorbents for Environmental Remediation. Progress concluded with the 2005 Annual Report, but was not terminated because of financial Management reasons. See 2005 Annual Report for last reported progress.

      Impacts
      (N/A)

      Publications