Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

W2170 Annual Meeting Program Minutes

Host: Nicholas Basta, The Ohio State University

Columbus, OH

Sunday, June 26^th

Location: Marriott Spring Hill Suites Conference Center

3:30-5:00 PM: Business Meeting

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Annual report update A question regarding reporting date-under the new project it will be previous year report (2015 in 2016)
3. Discuss venue for 2017 and 2018:  Washington DC (2018) and Los Angeles, California (2017)
4. Other business
   1. Virginia biosolids council-House Joint Resolution (HJ) 120 Challenges- public acceptance/public perception By Greg Evanylo
   2. TNSS 2.0- updates on the review the risk assessment for 503 by Bob Brobst
   3. Need for actively recruiting new members has also been discussed
5. Finalized presentations for Monday-Tuesday: Ganga Hettiarachchi 
6. Short overview of UF happenings George O’Connor

Dr. Rufus Chaney Retirement Dinner and Reception

6:00 PM: Dinner at the Hunan Lion

8:30 to 11 PM: Reception at the Spring Hills Marriott, Conference Room

Monday June 27^th

Location: Ohio Union in the Suzanne Scharer Room, 3^rd floor

8:30 AM-11:45 AM: Urban soils: Challenges and Opportunities for W3170 members

Developing EQ biosolids product recipes for use in urban soils by Greg Evanylo Group

Other State Reports and Volunteered Presentations

Director’s message (10:00 AM Call-in)- New reporting requirements and other updates were provided by Michael Harrington

Challenges and Opportunities for W3170 members: Discussion led by Nick Basta and Ganga Hettiarachchi

Noon-2:00 PM: Lunch

2:15 PM-4:30 PM: Reusing nutrients in waste materials and wastewaters

Water and Energy Sustainable Technology Center Studies on Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids by Ian Pepper

Kern County Litigation Update by Greg Kester

The use of EQ biosolids products for establishment, growth and quality of turfgrass by Greg Evanylo Group

Vegetable uptake of pharmaceuticals from water by Hui Li

Other State Reports and Volunteered Presentations

6:30 PM: Dinner

Columbus Hofbräuhaus

Tuesday, June 28^th

Location: Ohio Union in the Suzanne Scharer Room, 3^rd floor

8:30 AM-10:00AM: Use of biosolids for growing energy crops

Use of biosolids for Switchgrass establishment: LCA, archaea by Sally Brown

Land Application of Biosolids in a Deep Row Hybrid Poplar Trench System by Herschel (Chip) Elliott

New Phytotechnology for Cleaning Contaminated Military Sites by Ganga Hettiarachchi

Other State Reports and Volunteered Presentations

10:00 AM -11:30 AM: Other topic areas

Developing exposure and toxicity data for priority trace organics in biosolids by Drew McAvoy

Other State Reports and Volunteered Presentations

11:30 AM: Discussion and wrap-up

Noon: Adjourn Meeting

PROGRESS of WORK and PRINCIPAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Objective 1: Evaluate the short- and long-term chemistry and bioavailability of nutrients, potentially toxic inorganic trace elements, and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (TOrCs) in residuals, reclaimed water, and amended soils in order to assess the environmental and health risk-based effects of their application at a watershed scale.

Specific tasks:

1. To develop and evaluate in vitro (including chemical speciation) and novel in vivo methods to correlate human and ecological health responses with risk-based bioavailability of trace elements and TOrCs in residuals and residual-treated soils.
2. Predict the long-term bioavailability and toxicity of trace elements and TOrCs in residual-amended urban, agricultural and contaminated soils.
3. Evaluate long-term effects of residuals application and reclaimed wastewater irrigation on fate and transport of nutrients, trace elements, TOrCs, and emergence/spread of antibiotic resistance in high application rate systems.
4. Evaluate plant uptake and ecological effects of potentially toxic trace elements and TOrCs from soils amended with residuals and reclaimed wastewater.

Objectives 1 Accomplishments:

Arizona

Pepper et al. conducted research to evaluate human pathogenic virus removal during wastewater treatment.  The model viruses chosen for this study were: Pepper Mild Mottle Virus, Aichivirus, Norovirus, Enterovirus, Adenovirus, JC Polyomavirus and BK Polyomavirus.  All viruses were monitored for a year in raw influent and final treated effluent using qPCR. Four wastewater treatment plants were evaluated with secondary treatment consisting of: trickling filter; activated sludge or a 5 stage Bardenpho process. Monitoring data provided an indication of relative abundance (incidence); seasonal variation; and the extent of removal during wastewater treatment. Based on these criteria, the pepper mild mottle virus appeared to be best candidate for use as a model viral indicator of sewage pollution. In addition, the Bardenpho process was shown to be more efficient than the trickling filter or activated sludge process for virus removal. Two manuscripts have been submitted to the Journal of Residual Science and Technology and Environmental Science and Technology.

The USEPA is interested in evaluating the methodology used for coliphage detection, and determining if phage can be used as an indicator for enteric viruses during wastewater treatment. Pepper et al. evaluated 4 E.coli hosts recommended by the U.S. EPA for male specific and somatic phage detection.  They collected wastewater samples from three wastewater treatment trains in two plants and analyzed phage incidence through cultural assay. Two E.coli hosts for both male specific phage and somatic phage were evaluated.  Key findings were: the double agar overlay assay is superior to the single agar overlay; the E.coli host CN-13 for somatic phage may be the optimal host for cultural coliphage detection; and the Bardenpho process results in greater removal of coliphage than conventional activated sludge or trickling filters.

Pepper et al. evaluated the survival of Ebola in toilet waste and during wastewater treatment through the use of viral surrogates. MS-2 virus was utilized based on the following criteria: same viral order as Ebola; nucleic acid type; and lipid content. Medical waste containing the virus was flushed down the toilet with and without disinfection. Following flushing, the incidence of the virus in the toilet water and on fomites within the restroom was evaluated. In addition, the survival of surrogates during anaerobic digestion was also evaluated. Disinfection of toilet waste was compromised by the presence of the high organic load. Overall peracetic acid was shown to be the most effective disinfectant followed by quaternary ammonium and bleach. Flushing the toilet was also shown to result in significant contamination of fomite surfaces within the restroom. The survival of 5 different viruses during wastewater treatment was evaluated during mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic digestion. Thermophilic digestion resulted in greater inactivation than mesophilic digestion. Also, lipid containing virus similar to Ebola survived less well than other viruses.

Pepper et al. conducted transformational research to produce Class A biosolids at greatly reduced costs. Two new technologies are being combined to (1) Reduce hauling costs of biosolids by an innovative dewatering process that increases the % solids to 75%, and (2) produce Class A biosolids that meet vector attraction reduction for beneficial reuse. Design of the technologies is complete and include a spiral dewatering system that dewaters sludge from 2 to 20% solids, and a heat pump dehumidification module that converts the 20% Class B cake to a Class A biosolids with 75% total biosolids. A 1-year demonstration project will be conducted at the Green Valley Arizona Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Colorado

Barbarick et al. continued to investigate the long-term benefits of biosolids additions to a dryland winter wheat agroecosystem. They found that uptake coefficients for nutrients and trace metals in biosolids-amended soils were much lower than those used for Risk Analysis by USEPA.  They also found that biosolids additions would shift the Cu and Zn soil forms.

Florida

Florida researchers (O’Conner et al.) have a long history of conducting the real-world experiments needed to validate models of bioavailability and of accurately assessing human and environmental health of residuals-borne contaminants (and nutrients). They have initiated studies designed to provide data essential to science-based risk assessments of biosolids-borne trace organics. Preliminary studies provide boundary conditions for more detailed studies to follow. Also began installation of field-monitoring devices that will convert demonstration plots into long-term field sites where the fate and transport of several biosolids constituents, e.g., nutrients, trace organics, metals can be monitored. Preliminary greenhouse (range-finding) studies identified concentration ranges, biosolids loading rates, and other treatment variables that should be carefully controlled in detailed (definitive) studies. Similarly, preliminary studies were conducted to identify experimental procedures, e.g., equilibration times, solid to solution ratios, and soil pH values needed to assess biosolids-borne antibiotic retention-release characteristics. Detailed studies to follow in the next reporting period.

Hawaii

Hue et al. conducted a literature review on bioremediation of arsenic toxicity. Arsenic (As) exists in soil, water, and air naturally at low levels, which could be raised unintentionally by human activities (e.g., coal burning, ore smelting, or using arsenical pesticides). At elevated levels, As can be toxic to human health and the environment. Being chemically similar to phosphate, arsenate [As(+5) in forms of H₂AsO₄^- and HAsO₄^2-] enters the cell via the phosphate transport systems (Pit and Pst), whereas arsenite [As(+3) in the neutral form of As(OH)₃] passes through aquaglyceroporin gates. The severity of As toxicity varies with As species with As(+3) being the most toxic followed by As(+5); organic As (e.g., arsenobetain, arsenocholine) the least. Bioremediation of As could be realized via (1) oxidation of As(+3) to As(+5), (2) methylation by bacteria and fungi, and/or (3) extraction by plants (phytoremediation). This review presents detailed information about these remediation processes.

Biochar is the solid material that is formed by decomposing biomass at elevated temperatures in the absence of oxygen in a process called pyrolysis. Biochar is a promising soil amendment for sustainable agriculture, including the amelioration of soil acidity. Hue et al. applied Lac tree (Schleichera oleosa) wood and ricehusk biochars  at 4% and 8% alone or in combination with lime at 4 and 8 cmol_ckg^-1 and compost at 0.1 and 0.2% to two strongly acid soils (pH 3.9-4.0, exchangeable Al 8-14 cmol_ckg^-1) then planted with soybean cv Anjasmoro ( a cultivar sensitive to Al)  twice as the test plant. Biochar effects on the soils properties and the growth of soybean were measured. The results indicated that upon biochar additions, soil pH and cation exchange capacity were increased, exchangeable Al was reduced, and plant nutrients were variously enhanced, depending on the biochars feedstocks and rates and the soil acidity levels. Shoot and root dry weights of soybean from the soils amended with biochars alone were increased 2.1 and 1.6 folds and 2.3 and 1.5 folds for the first and the second plantings, respectively. CaCO₃ equivalent and nutrients content were the biochar properties principally responsible for the acid soil productivity improvement and subsequently the plant growth enhancement. The lac tree wood biochar improved soils’ properties (mainly soil fertility) and soybean growth more than the rice husk biochar. However, because of the availability of biochars and based on the net benefit analysis  we would recommend rice husk biochar at 8% alone or in combination with lime at 8 cmol_ckg^-1 and compost at 0.2% for improvement of tropical acid soils and soybean production.  

Kansas

Kansas State University researchers (Hettiarachchi et al.) evaluated the long-term (two to seven years) bioavailability of trace elements and/or organic contaminants (such as with As, Cd, Pb, Zn and/or polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons) in mildly contaminated urban brownfields soils or mine waste materials amended with different organic amendments (manures, various compost types, composted and non-composted class A biosolids products).

Minnesota

University of Minnesota researchers continued studies to evaluate the use of recycled phosphorus (P) from biosolids. The focus in 2015 was to evaluate a struvite derived from wastewater as a slow release phosphate source for potato production.  The struvite used is a commercially available P fertilizer source sold as Crystal Green.  To evaluate struvite, the third year of a three-year study was conducted on a loamy sand soil with a medium soil test P level at the Sand Plain Research Farm in Becker, Minnesota.  Treatments compared two blends of a struvite product (Crystal Green, Ostara) with MAP, relative to 100% MAP, as sources of P₂O₅ for Russet Burbank potato production.  MAP was banded or broadcast at planting at a rate of 100 lbs∙ac^-1 P₂O₅, and two different blends of Crystal Green and MAP (1:3 or 1:1 ratios of Crystal Green to MAP) were broadcast at 100 or 75 lbs∙ac^-1 P₂O₅.  These treatments were compared to a zero-P₂O₅ control treatment.  Tuber yield increased, while tuber size decreased, with P₂O₅ application rate.  Tuber yield and size were not related to the proportion of P₂O₅ provided by Crystal Green, nor to whether 100% MAP was broadcast-applied or banded.  Petiole P concentration weakly decreased with increasing proportion of P₂O₅ supplied as Crystal Green on June 16, the first of five petiole sampling dates, but was not otherwise related to the form of P₂O₅ applied.  Under the conditions of this study, the use of blends of MAP and Crystal Green did not provide advantages or disadvantages, in terms of tuber yield and quality, compared to 100% MAP.

Pennsylvania

Researchers at Pennsylvania State University studied three vernal pools impacted by spray-irrigated wastewater effluent to assess the impact of weekly irrigation on the occurrence, persistence, and fate of estrogens (17alpha- and 17beta-estradiol, estrone, estriol, and ethinylestradiol) during an 8-week study. Nearly 100% of the daily samples (n>130) collected contained estrogens, and the concentrations were several times higher compared to the wastewater. Data suggest transformation of estrone back to 17alpha- and 17beta-estradiol potentially due to anaerobic conditions in the vernal pools. Uptake of antibiotics into wheat was documented for wheat growing in soil irrigated with wastewater effluent. Concentrations were in the ng/g range. Freundlich coefficients were determined for antibiotics sorbed to soil. HPLC-MS/MS approaches for analysis of estrogens were investigated to determine the extent to which matrix effects from soil extractions interfere with analytical reliability, and to optimize column stationary phases and mobile phases for separations of 10 estrogenic compounds. Biosolids were placed in trenches (at 386 Mg per ha) and hybrid poplar were planted in the cover soil. Two downgradient monitoring wells were analyzed for various parameters including nitrate.   Ten months after entrenchment, well water quality suggests no impact from the biosolids. Longer term monitoring is needed draw conclusions about the impact of biosolids trenching on groundwater quality.  Erosion and acidic soil conditions contributed to poor poplar growth and mortality in the first year.  Some of the lime-stabilized biosolids should be applied into plow-layer depth soils to facilitate growth of poplars and surface-cover vegetation to reduce erosional losses.  A greenhouse study was conducted to establish thresholds for negative effects on vegetation and soils from Marcellus Shale production water.  The salinity threshold for negative effects on grasses (fescue and ryegrass) was an electrical conductivity of about 40 mS per cm for a single spill with periodic small rain events.

Virginia

Eick et al. characterized soils from phosphate mine sites in Soda Springs, ID for physical and chemical properties. The Se concentrations in plant samples were determined, with maximum values reaching 7000 mg Se kg^-1 soil. Selenium speciation data obtained from extractions using ion chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (IC-ICP-MS) determined that selenite was the predominant species in soluble fractions, with smaller levels of selenate present. Using a sequential extraction procedure (SEP), lower levels of soluble Se were noted with moderate Se levels found in carbonate and amorphous iron oxide fractions. Highest levels of Se were observed in organic and residual fractions. Using simple linear regression, the sum of water soluble, phosphate exchangeable Se, and carbonate-associated Se correlated well with Se concentrations found in the Se hyperaccumulator, Western mountain aster (R² = 0.77).

Using synchrotron-based x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), soils were further evaluated in order to determine mechanisms of sequestration. Soils contained Se predominantly in the elemental and organic forms. Smaller quantities were adsorbed to iron oxides and carbonate minerals, with some Se co-precipitation occurring with carbonate minerals. This information is consistent with the previously completed SEP.

The effects of salicylic and citric dissolved organic carbon (DOC) acids on selenate and selenite solubility were evaluated using a batch reactor sorption technique. This was conducted on an amorphous iron oxide, 2-line ferrihydrite, from pH 5 to 9. Citric acid exhibited a pronounced increasing effect on Se solubility, especially from pH 5 to 8 for selenite and pH 5 to 6 for selenate. Little competitive effects were noted for Se species with salicylic acid.

Xia et al. conducted rainfall simulations on plots receiving three manure treatments (surface application, subsurface injection, and no manure control) to determine the fate and transport of five different antibiotics commonly used in dairy production. Surface application, compared with subsurface injection, resulted in 80-97% greater mass loss of all five antibiotics investigated during a rainfall event after the manure application. Horizontal and vertical diffusion of antibiotics were the highest for plots receiving rainfall immediately, comparing to rainfall at day 3 and 7 after manure application.

Xia et al. collected antibiotics-containing manure from the treated animals and composted the manure using the FDA recommended static and turned techniques. Disappearance of all antibiotics, except pirlimycin, followed bi-phasic first-order kinetics. However, individual antibiotics displayed different fate patterns in response to the treatments. Reduction in concentration of chlortetracycline (71 to 84%) and tetracycline (66 to 72%) was substantial, while near-complete removal of sulfamethazine (97 to 98%) and pirlimycin (100%) was achieved. Tylosin concentration was highly variable and its removal during composting was poor. Both turned and static composting were generally effective for reducing most beef and dairy antibiotic residuals excreted in manure, with no apparent negative impact of antibiotics

Xia et al. investigated the effectiveness of Fe³⁺-saturated montmorillonite to deactivate harmful microorganisms in wastewater. Microbial deactivation efficiency was 92% when a secondary wastewater effluent was mixed with 10 g/L of Fe³⁺-saturated montmorillonite for 0.5 h. This deactivation efficiency was similar to that when the same water was subjected to UV-disinfection.

Washington

Washington researchers (Brown et al.) co- authored two peer reviewed manuscripts on bioavailability of contaminants. Co-authors for both are members of the W 3170 group and both manuscripts were conceived as a result of the work of the group.  The first manuscript, co-authored by Chaney and Hettiarachchi addressed the issue of Pb contaminated urban soils and the potential for risks for urban agriculture.  Potential transfer of Pb from soils to food crops was evaluated using peer reviewed literature.  Direct ingestion of soil with elevated Pb was also considered.  The authors developed practical guidelines to minimize any potential risk of exposure. The paper was published in the special section of the Journal of Environmental Quality devoted to the Soils in the City conference that was the group’s annual meeting in 2014.  The second manuscript reviewed use of soil amendments including municipal biosolids and other residual based materials to reduce metal toxicity and restore ecosystem function to metal contaminated waste materials at mining sites.  Brown and Chaney co-authored this manuscript. 

They have also submitted a manuscript for review on the impact of soil filtration on water quality for two types of reclaimed water. This was done to investigate the potential to use soil filtration as an alternative to engineered treatment as well as to see if sites permitted for irrigation could also be used to augment subsurface flows.  One water was treated by sand filtration and the other was treated using a membrane bioreactor system.  Both waters met Washington State standards for unrestricted use for irrigation.  Metals, nutrients and estrogenic activity of the leachate were measured.  In general, filtration through soil did not significantly alter water quality with the exception of greatly reduced estrogenic activity in the sand filter water.  Their results suggest that over irrigation using reclaimed water is a means to augment subsurface flows.  

Objective 2: Evaluate the range of uses and associated agronomic and environmental benefits/advantages for residuals in agricultural and urban systems.

Specific tasks:

1. Evaluate the ability of in situ treatment of contaminated soil with residuals to reduce chemical contaminant bioavailability and toxicity.
2. Determine the climate change impacts of organic residuals end use options (i.e., C sequestration, N₂O emissions).
3. Quantify sustainability impacts such as water quality (reduced N impairment) and quantity benefits (increased plant available water, increased drought tolerance) and soil quality improvements associated with a range of organic residuals end uses.
4. Explore the potential for waste by-products to be used in urban areas including urban agriculture, stormwater infrastructure, green roofs, and in urban green space.
5. Evaluate ecosystem services of degraded urban soils amended with residuals.
6. Use tools such as life cycle assessment to understand and compare the impacts of a range of residuals end use/disposal options.

Objective 2 Accomplishments:

Kansas

Researchers at Kansas State University (Hettiarachchi et al.) evaluated the success and use of specific residuals as soil treatment technologies to remediate mildly contaminated urban brownfields. The success of residue additions on reducing human and ecological risk was evaluated based on scientific methods recognized by USEPA and scientific communities.  Additionally agronomic and environmental benefits/advantages of residual additions to mildly contaminated urban brownfields were also evaluated.

Ohio

The following information was made available based on the worked performed by Basta et al. Developing management recommendations for lead contaminated urban soils is necessary to address public questions regarding best practices for using urban soils for food and recreation. Adding phosphates to lead-contaminated soils offers one management technique for reducing risk of exposure of children to soil lead.   Lead contaminated soils (790 to 1,300 mg Pb kg^-1) from a garden and a city lot in Cleveland, OH were incubated in a bench scale experiment for 1 year.  Six phosphate amendments including bone meal (BM), fish bone (FB), poultry litter (PL), monoammonium phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), and triple super phosphate (TSP) were added to pots at two application rates. Six phosphate amendments showed mixed results on their ability to reduce soil lead bioaccessibility (IVBA Pb) and exposure risk to children. Soil amendments were largely ineffective in reducing IVBA Pb in these two urban soils when using EPA Method 1340.  However, P-treatments were much more effective when evaluated using modifications of EPA Method 1340. The greatest reductions in IVBA Pb were found at pH 2.5.  Reductions in bioaccessible Pb from soil treatment ranged from 5-26% for the pH 2.5 extractions.  A modified EPA Method 1340 that does not contain glycine and uses pH 2.5 rather than 1.5 has potential to predict efficacy of P soil amendments to reduce bioaccessible and bioavailable Pb. 

Virginia

Badgley et al. examined the effects of biosolids application to soil in a laboratory mesocosm on the production of auxin and other plant growth promoting hormones by soil microorganisms that could potentially promote drought resistance in crops. The microbiome in the soil samples from this experiment have been sequenced and analyzed and found to shift significantly after addition of biosolids, particularly in soils with low amounts of initial organic matter. The microbial community effects lasted at least three months.

From 2004-2015, Daniels et al. implemented and monitored a range of soil building treatments including lime+P additions, deep ripping, biosolids applied at 78 Mg/ha, minimum tillage and residue management to rehabilitate eastern Virginia prime farmland disturbed by mineral sands mining. After ten years, crop yields on restored mined lands averaged 75 to 80% of non-mined nearby farmlands and always exceeded local county mean yields. This work demonstrates that intensive soil reconstruction will allow for the return of such mined soils to economically viable agriculture.

Daniels and Evanylo completed testing of a papermill sludge that resulted in certification by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as a beneficial soil amendment.

Ervin and Evanylo compared the effects of various exceptional quality (EQ) biosolids products on rehabilitation of disturbed urban soil for the establishment and production of cool season turfgrass. By the third season, higher residual N from the biosolids compost resulted in greater turfgrass quality than with inorganic fertilizer or non-composted biosolids (dewatered, anaerobically digested biosolids; biosolids blended with sand and sawdust). All biosolids products demonstrated greater residual N availability than the inorganic fertilizer as measured by greater biomass production and vegetation quality.

Washington

Brown et al. tested the importance of compost feedstock in predicting the performance of stormwater bioretention soil mixtures in a replicated greenhouse trial. Biosolids/ yard waste based, animal manure/ sawdust and food/yard waste based composts were included in the trial.  We also investigated the predictive ability of the phosphorus saturation index to predict P movement in these systems.  This work was published in the special section of the Journal of Environmental Quality from the Soil in the City conference.  This builds on the literature and research done within the group (see Basta, Elliott, O’Connor) on the PSI as a tool for predicting P movement in biosolids amended soils as well as work done by Evanylo on bioretention soil mixtures. 

Washington researchers also evaluated changes in the soil microbial community with a focus on ammonia oxidation for switchgrass fertilized with synthetic fertilizer or biosolids. These communities were compared with changes in cultivated row crops and native soils.  The largest observed changes were from native soils to agricultural soils.  Reduced diversity in both archaea and bacteria were seen as lands were cultivated.  Changes in AOA and AOB as a result of biosolids fertilization were minimal (Bertagnolli et al., 2016).  As part of the same study we analyzed the energy costs/ benefits of alternative fertilizers for switchgrass production.  Here co-planting alfalfa and switchgrass and use of biosolids were compared with traditional fertilizers.  Yield and chemical characteristics of the harvested biomass were used to estimate total ethanol potential.  Nitrous oxide measures in combination with calculated energy costs of fertilizer production were used to determine offsets/ costs of fertilizer alternatives.  The alfalfa switchgrass mixtures had lower yield as well as lower ethanol potential than conventionally fertilized switchgrass.  Reduced N₂O emissions and fertilizer offsets were not sufficient to compensate for reduced TEP.  Municipal biosolids did not impact quality or yield of the switchgrass.  Measured N₂O emissions, while higher than synthetic fertilizers, were significantly lower than default emissions and lower than fertilizer emissions when considered on a total N applied basis.  Use of biosolids provided an approximately 10% reduction in the greenhouse gas intensity of the switchgrass ethanol (Brown et al, submitted).

PUBLICATIONS ISSUED or MANUSCRIPTS APPROVED 2015

Journal Articles

Attanayake, C.P., G.M. Hettiarachchi, S. Martin, and G.M. Pierzynski. 2015. Potential bioavailability of lead, arsenic, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in compost-amended urban soils. J. Environ. Qual. 44:930-944. 

Barbarick, K.A., J.A. Ippolito, J.P. McDaniel. 2015. Uptake Coefficients for Biosolids-Amended Dryland Winter Wheat. J. Environ. Qual. 44:286-292.

Basta, N.T., D.M. Busalacchi, L.S. Hundal, K. Kumar, R.P. Dick, R.P. Lanno, J. Carlson, A.E. Cox, and T.C. Granato. 2015. Restoring ecosystem function in degraded urban soil using biosolids, biosolids blend and compost. J. Environ. Qual. Special Issue: Soil in the City. 45(1): 74-83.

Bertagnoli, A.D., K.A. Meinhardt, M. Pannu, S. Brown, S. Strand, S.C. Fransen and D.A. Stahl. 2016. Influence of edaphic and management factors on the diversity and abundance of ammonia-oxidizing thaumarchaeota and bacteria in soils of bioenergy crop cultivars.  Environmental Microbiology Reports 7:2:312-320

Brown, S. L., R.L. Chaney, and G.M. Hettiarachchi. 2016.  Lead in urban soils: a real or perceived concern for urban agriculture?  J. Environ. Qual.  45:26-36.

Brown, S.L., A.Corfman, K. Mendrey, K. Kurtz, and F. Grothkopp.  2016. Stormwater Bioretention systems- testing the phosphorus saturation index and compost feedstocks as predictive tools for system performance.  J. Environmental Quality, J. Environ. Qual., 45:1:98-106.

Brown, S. 2016. Greenhouse gas accounting for landfill diversion of food scraps and yard waste. Compost Sci. 24:1: 11-19

Carlson, J., J. Saxena, N. Basta, L. HUndal, D. Busalacchi. 2015. Application of organic amendments to restore degraded soil: effects on microbial properties. Environ. Monit. Assess 187(3):1-15.

Chao Q., D. Troya, C. Shang, S. Hildreth, R. Helm, and K. Xia. 2015. Surface Catalyzed Oxidative Oligomerization of 17β-estradiol by Fe³⁺-Saturated Montmorillonite. Environ. Sci. Technol. 49:956–964.

Dutta, T., C.J. Dell, R.C. Stehouwer. 2015. Nitrous oxide emissions from a coal mine land reclaimed with stabilized manure. Land Degrad. Develop., doi: 10.1002/ldr.2408.

Franklin, A.M., C.F. Williams, D.M. Andrews, E.E. Woodward, J.E. Watson. 2015. Uptake of three antibiotics and an anti-epileptic drug by wheat crops spray irrigated with wastewater treatment plant effluent. J. Environ. Qual. (Accepted 9/9/2015).

Gall, H.E., S.A. Sassman, B. Jenkinson, L.S. Lee, C.T. Jafvert. 2015. Comparison of export dynamics of nutrients and animal-borne estrogens from a tile-drained Midwestern agroecosystem. Water Res. 72:162-173.

Henry, H., M. F. Naujokas, C. Attanayake N.T. Basta, Z. Cheng, G.M. Hettiarachchi, M. Maddaloni, C. Schadt, and K. G. Scheckel. 2015. Bioavailability-based in situ remediation to meet future lead (Pb) standards in urban soils and gardens. Environ. Sci. Technol. 49 (15), pp 8948–8958.

Ippolito, J.A., K.A. Barbarick, and R.B. Brobst. 2015. Copper and zinc speciation in a biosolids-amended, semiarid grassland soil. J. Environ. Qual. 43:1576-1584.

Meinhardt, K.A., A. Bertagnolli, M. Pannu, S.E. Strand, S.L. Brown and D.A. Stahl. 2015. Evaluation of revised polymerase chain reaction primers for more inclusive quantification of ammonia-oxidizing archaea and bacteria. Environmental Microbiology Reports 7:2:354-363.

Kaiser, M.L., M.L. Williams, N. Basta, M. Hand, and S. Huber. 2015. When vacant lots become urban gardens: Chaacterizing the perceived and actual food safety concerns of urban agriculture in Ohio. J. Food Protect. 78(11):2070-2080.

Kulesza, S. B., R. O. Maguire, K. Xia, J. Cushman, K. F. Knowlton, and P. Ray. 2016. Impact of manure injection on pirlimycin transport in surface runoff. J. Environ. Qual. 45:511–518.

Koropchak, S., W. Daniels, A. Wick, G.R. Whittecar, N. Haus. 2015. Beneficial use of dredge materials for soil reconstruction and development of dredge screening protocols. Journal of Environmental Quality doi:10.2134/jeq2014.12.0529.

Li, Jie, Kan Li, Xin-Yi Cui, N.T. Basta, Li-Ping Li, Hong-Bo Li, and L.Q. Ma. 2015. In vitro bioaccessibility and in vivo relative bioavailability in 12 contaminated soils: Method comparison and method development.  Science of the Total Environment. 532:812-820

McDaniel, J.P., G. Butters, K.A. Barbarick, and M.E. Stromburger. 2015. Effects of Aporrectodea caliginosa on soil hydraulic properties and solute dispersivity. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 79:838-847.

Nelson, W. Beyer, Nicholas T. Basta, Rufus Chaney, Paula F. P. Henry, Thomas May, David Mosby, Barnett A. Rattner, Kirk G. Scheckel, Daniel Sprague. Bioaccessibility tests accurately estimate bioavailability of lead to quail. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. Accepted Article DOI: 10.1002/etc.3399

Obrycki, John F., Nicholas T. Basta, Kirk Scheckel, Albert Juhasz, Brooke N. Stevens, and Kristen K. Minca. Phosphorus amendment efficacy on soil Pb depends upon bioaccessible method conditions. J. Environ. Qual. Special Issue: Soil in the City. 45(1): 37-44.

Orndorff, Z., W. Daniels, C. Zipper, M. Eick, M. Beck. 2015. A column evaluation of Appalachian coal mine spoils’ temporal leaching behavior. Environmental Pollution 204: 39-47.

Pietrzykowski, M., W.L. Daniels and S.C. Koropchak. 2015. Microtopographic effects on growth of young bald cypress (Taxodium distichum L.) in a created freshwater forested wetland in southeastern Virginia. Ecol. Eng. 83:135-143.

Sterner, G. R. Bryant, P. Kleinman, J. Watson, T. Alter. 2015. Community implementation dynamics: Nutrient management in the New York City and Chesapeake Bay watersheds. Intl. J. Rural Law Policy. 2015 Special Edition 1. pp. 1-15.

Tian, G., A. Cox, K. Kumar, T. Granato. G. O'Connor, H. Elliott. 2016. Assessment of plant availability and environmental risk of biosolids-phosphorus in a U.S. Midwest corn-belt soil. J. Environ. Mgt. 172: 171-176.

Yarwood, S., A. Wick, M. Williams, W. Daniels. 2015. Parent material and vegetation influence early soil microbial community establishment following 30-years of rock weathering. Microbial Ecology 69: 383-94.

Books and Book Chapters

Brown, S.L., K. McIvor and E. Snyder (Eds). Sowing seeds in the city: Ecological and Municipal Considerations.  Springer Publishers.

Brown, S.L., K. McIvor and E. Snyder (Eds). Sowing seeds in the city: Human Dimensions.  Springer publishers.  

Brown, S. and C. Cogger. Soil formation and nutrient cycling. In Brown, S.L., K. McIvor and E. Snyder (Eds).  Sowing seeds in the city: Ecological and Municipal Considerations.  Springer Publishers.  In press

Brown, S. A Guide to Types of Non Potable Water and the Potential for Reuse in Urban Systems. In Brown, S.L., K. McIvor and E. Snyder (Eds). Sowing seeds in the city: Ecological and Municipal Considerations.  Springer Publishers.  In press

Brown, S and N. Goldstein. The Role of Organic Residuals in Urban Agriculture. In Brown, S.L., K. McIvor and E. Snyder (Eds). Sowing seeds in the city: Ecological and Municipal Considerations.  Springer Publishers.  In press

Brown, S. Soils and Climate Change. In Brown, S.L., K. McIvor and E. Snyder (Eds). Sowing seeds in the city: Ecological and Municipal Considerations.  Springer Publishers.  In press

Cogger, C. and S. Brown Curbside gardens. In Brown, S.L., K. McIvor and E. Snyder (Eds). Sowing seeds in the city: Ecological and Municipal Considerations.  Springer Publishers.  In press

Emery, I. and S. Brown Lettuce to Reduce Greenhouse Gases: A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Conventional and Community Agriculture. In Brown, S.L., K. McIvor and E. Snyder (Eds). Sowing seeds in the city: Ecological and Municipal Considerations.  Springer Publishers.  In press

Hettiarachchi, G.M., C. P. Attanayake, P.D. Defoe, and S.E. Martin. 2015. Mechanisms to reduce risk potential. In Sowing Seeds in the City. K. McIvor, E. Hodges Snyder and S.L. Brown editors. Springer Publishing. In Press.

Hue, NV. 2015. Bioremediation of arsenic toxicity. P. 155-165. In: Arsenic Toxicity and Prevention. Narayan Chakrabarty (ed.). CRC Press. Boca Raton, FL.

McIvor, K. and S. Brown. A Case Study: Integrating Urban Agriculture into the Municipal Infrastructure in Tacoma, WA. In Brown, S and N. Goldstein. The Role of Organic Residuals in Urban Agriculture. In Brown, S.L., K. McIvor and E. Snyder (Eds). Sowing seeds in the city: Ecological and Municipal Considerations.  Springer Publishers.  In press

Proceedings

Daniels, W.L., J.M. Parker, Z.W. Orndorff, L.C. Ross, S.C. Koropchak, C.E. Zipper and M.J. Eick. 2015. Evaluation of a simple column leaching method to predict potential TDS losses from central Appalachian overburden materials. 13 p. In J. Craynon (Ed.), Proc., 2^nd Environmental Considerations in Energy Production Conf., Sept. 20-23, 2015, Pittsburgh, PA, Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME); www.smenet.org.

Whitacre, S.D., N.T. Basta and W.L. Daniels. 2015. Evaluation of soil and dust as an exposure medium for arsenic, cadmium, lead and other contaminants in Appalachian coal mining communities. 12 p. In J. Craynon (Ed.), Proc., 2^nd Environmental Considerations in Energy Production Conf., Sept. 20-23, 2015, Pittsburgh, PA, Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME); www.smenet.org.

Yuqin  Jiao, Julie K.  Bower, Wansoo  Im, Nicholas  Basta, John  Obrycki, Mohammad Z.  Al-Hamdan, Allison Wilder, Claire  Bollinger, Tongwen , Zhang, Ludie  Hatten, Jerrie  Hatten, Darryl B.  Hood. 2015. Development of Educational PPGIS Risk-Communication Tools and Application to Evaluating Urban Soils. In Proceedings from the 2015 Minority Health and Health Disparities Grantees' Conference, as a Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH). J. Community Medicine. http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/13/1/11.

Zipper, C.E., E.V. Clark, W.L. Daniels and R.J. Krenz. 2015. Mine spoil fill construction for reducing total dissolved solids in discharged waters. 8 p. In J. Craynon (Ed.), Proc., 2^nd Environmental Considerations in Energy Production Conf., Sept. 20-23, 2015, Pittsburgh, PA, Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME); www.smenet.org.

Abstracts

Alghamdi, A., D.R. Presley, M. B. Kirkham, G.M. Hettiarachchi, and B. Paul. 2015. Soil physical properties at an abandoned mine in central USA. ASA/SSSA/CSA Annual Meetings, Nov. 2015, Minneapolis, MN.

Bamber, K. and G. Evanylo. 2015. Effects of biosolids type and soil texture on appropriate biosolids application rate and timing to winter wheat. Water Environment Federation Residuals and Biosolids Conference. Beltsville, MD. June 11.

Basta, N.T. 2015. Restoring ecosystem function in degraded urban soil using biosolids, biosolids blend and compost. Ohio Water Environment Association, 2015 Biosolids Specialty Workshop. Columbus, OH Dec. 3, 2015.

Basta, Nicholas T., Dawn M. Busalacchi, Lakhwinder S. Hundal, Kuldip Kumar, Richard P. Dick, Roman P. Lanno, Jennifer Carlson Albert E. Cox, and Thomas C. Granato. 2015. Restoring ecosystem function in degraded urban soil using biosolids, biosolids blend and compost. Society of Ecological Restoration Midwest Great Lakes Annual Meeting, Glencoe, IL, Mar 27-29, 2015.

Betts, Aaron R., Brooke Stevens, Nicholas T. Basta, and Kirk G Scheckel. 2015. Correlating arsenic (As) and iron (Fe) speciation to as bioavailability from a collection of contaminated soils with varying contamination sources and soil properties. Presentation 262-6. ASA, CSSA, and Soil Science Society International Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN Nov. 15-18, 2015.

Chao Q., K. Xia. Removal of 17β-estradiol from wastewater using Fe³⁺-saturated montmorillonite. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings, Minneapolis, MN, November 15-18, 2015.

Chayapan, P., V. Gudichuttu, G.M. Pierzynski, G.M. Hettiarachchi, and L.R. Baker. 2015. Long-term effects of compost additions to chemical and biological properties of metal-contaminated soils.  The 13^th International Conference on Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements. July 2015, Fukushima, Japan.

Clark, E., W.L. Daniels, Z. Orndorff, C.E. Zipper, and K. Eriksson. Evaluation of Appalachian mine spoil leachate chemistry and its associated geochemical influences. In R.I. Barnhisel (Ed.). Proc., Nat. Meet. Amer. Soc. Mining and Rec., Lexington, KY, Reclamation Opportunities for a Sustainable Future, June 7–11, 2015. ASMR, 1305 Weathervane Dr., Champaign, IL 61821. http://www.asmr.us/

Cushman J., R. Maguire, and K. Xia. Fate of thiamethoxam (TMX), a neonicotinoid insecticide, coated on corn seeds – A greenhouse study. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings, Minneapolis, MN, November 15-18, 2015.

Daniels, W.L. 2015. Development of soil and site reconstruction guidance for created non-tidal wetland sites in the Mid-Atlantic USA. Abstract #207-7, 2015 Annual Meetings Amer. Soc. Agron., Crop Sci. Soc. Amer. and Soil Sci. Soc. Amer., Nov. 15-18, 2015, Minneapolis, MN. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2015am/webprogram/start.html

Diatta, S., G. Evanylo, W. Thomason and W.L. Daniels. 2015. Germination and early seedling growth of seven varieties of pearl millet [Pennisetum Glaucum (L.) R. Br.] under saline conditions. Abstract #415-10, 2015 Annual Meetings Amer. Soc. Agron., Crop Sci. Soc. Amer. and Soil Sci. Soc. Amer., Nov. 15-18, 2015, Minneapolis, MN. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2015am/webprogram/start.html

Diallo, N., G. Evanylo, W.L. Daniels, W. Thomason, and B. Badgley. 2015. Improved management of iron-affected soils for Casamance rice production. Abstract #420-4, 2015 Annual Meetings Amer. Soc. Agron., Crop Sci. Soc. Amer. and Soil Sci. Soc. Amer., Nov. 15-18, 2015, Minneapolis, MN. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2015am/webprogram/start.html

Evanylo, G.K. 2015. Enhancing urban soil function with amendments to reduce stormwater runoff quantity and impairment of quality. In Soil and Vegetation Management for Stormwater Control. Urban and Anthropogenic Soils Division Symposium. ASA, CSSA, SSSA Annual International Meetings. Minneapolis, MN. November 15-18.

Favorito, J., M.J. Eick, and P.R. Grossl. Selenium Biogeochemistry in Calcareous Soils. Virginia Tech Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences Research Poster Symposium. Blacksburg, Virginia. February 6, 2015

Favorito, J., M.J. Eick, and P.R. Grossl. 2015. Relating Selenium Bioavailability to Calcareous Soil Physiochemical Properties and Mineralogical Sinks. Presented at ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Annual Meetings, Minneapolis, MN. 16-19 Nov. Paper 262-11.

Hettiarachchi, G.M. and S. Martin. 2015. Growing safely to produce healthy crops- community gardens on previously used sites. American Community Gardening Association, August 15, Denver, CO.

Hettiarachchi, G.M., C. P. Attanayake, P. Defoe, and S. Martin. 2015. Managing urban garden soils: Minimize potential for soil contaminant transfer. The 100^th Annual Meeting of Ecological Society of America, Aug. 2015. Baltimore, MD.

Hettiarachchi, G.M., C. Attanayake, P. Defoe, and S. martin. 2015. Gardening on contaminated urban soils: Mechanisms to reduce risk potential. The 12^th International Phytotechnologies Conference, Sep. 2015, Manhattan, KS.

Hettiarachchi, G.M. 2015. Promising opportunities to use biosolids in revitalizing urban brownfields. International Water Association/Water Environment Federation/ Residuals and Biosolids Conference. June 2015. Washington, DC.

Johnson, D.K., W.L. Daniels and C.E. Zipper. 2015. Geochemical characteristics of low versus high TDS potential strata in Central Appalachian surface coal mines. In R.I. Barnhisel (Ed.). Proc., Nat. Meet. Amer. Soc. Mining and Rec., Lexington, KY, Reclamation Opportunities for a Sustainable Future, June 7–11, 2015. ASMR, 1305 Weathervane Dr., Champaign, IL 61821. http://www.asmr.us/

Mitchell, V.L., S.Whitacre, S.W. Casteel, P. Myers, and N.T. Basta. 2015. New in vitro model accurately predicts arsenic bioavailability in soils. Society of Toxicology, Sand Diego, CA. Mar. 22-26, 2015.

Obrycki, J.F. and N.T. Basta. 2015. Beneficial Use of Sediments in Soil Blends to Cap and Remediate Contaminated Urban Soils. Presentation 86-11. ASA, CSSA, and Soil Science Society International Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN Nov. 15-18, 2015.

Obrycki, J. F. and N.T. Basta. 2015. Managing Pb Contaminated Urban Soils Using Low Rates of P Amendments. Presentation 325-5. ASA, CSSA, and Soil Science Society International Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN Nov. 15-18, 2015.

Ott, E.O., J.M. Galbraith, W.L. Daniels and T. Fall. 2015. Soil morphology and soil carbon in a constructed sandy freshwater tidal wetland. Abstract #147-6, 2015 Annual Meetings Amer. Soc. Agron., Crop Sci. Soc. Amer. and Soil Sci. Soc. Amer., Nov. 15-18, 2015, Minneapolis, MN. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2015am/webprogram/start.html

Ross, L.C., W.L. Daniels, S. Koropchak and C.E. Zipper. Effect of leaching scale on prediction of total dissolved solids release from coal mine spoils and refuse. In R.I. Barnhisel (Ed.). Proc., Nat. Meet. Amer. Soc. Mining and Rec., Lexington, KY, Reclamation Opportunities for a Sustainable Future, June 7–11, 2015. ASMR, 1305 Weathervane Dr., Champaign, IL 61821. http://www.asmr.us/

Sosienski T., S. Kulesza, R. Maguire, and K. Xia. Fate of Hormones in a Field Receiving Dairy Manure and Poultry Litter: Effect of Surface-Application and Subsurface Injection. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings, Minneapolis, MN, November 15-18, 2015. (won the best graduate student presentation for the Division of Environmental Quality).

Waller, L., Badgley, B., Evanylo, G., Krometis, L.A., Strickland, M., Wynn-Thompson, T. Factors affecting denitrification potential and the microbial ecology of established bioretention cells across the Mid-Atlantic Region. Water Resources Conference of the Virginias, Roanoke, WV. Oct. 5-6, 2015.

Waller, L., Badgley, B., Evanylo, G,. Krometis, L.A., Strickland, M., Wynn-Thompson, T., Factors affecting denitrification potential and the microbial ecology of established bioretention cells across the Mid-Atlantic Region. American Society of Microbiology – Virginia Branch. Richmond, VA. Nov. 6-7, 2015.

Waller, L., Badgley, B., Evanylo, G., Krometis, L.A., Strickland, M., Wynn-Thompson, T. Microbial diversity and denitrification potential in functioning bioretention cells across the Eastern Mid-Atlantic region. American Society of Microbiology National Conference – New Orleans, Louisiana. May 30 – Jun 2, 2015.

Weeks, J. and G.M. Hettiarachchi. 2015. Taking the next step: Exploration of naturally produced, organic compounds to alter the mobility and lability of soil elements. ASA/SSSA/CSA Annual Meetings, Nov. 2015, Minneapolis, MN.

Weeks, J., G.M. Hettiarachchi, E. Santos, and J. Tatarko. 2015. An assessment of the trace element exposure risk to urban brownfields gardeners via inhalation. The 12^th International Phytotechnologies Conference, Sep. 2015, Manhattan, KS.

Xia, K., S. B. Kulesza, R. O. Maguire, P. Ray, K. F Knowlton, and J. Cushman. Impact of Manure Application Technologies on the Fate of Pirlimycin and Chlortetracycline in Soil. 250th ACS National Meeting. Boston, MA, August. 16-20, 2015.

Theses

Matsumura, K. 2015. Effects of oxidation-reduction conditions and selected soil amendments on the solubility, mobility, and phytoavailability of arsenic in two high-arsenic soils of Hawaii. MS thesis, Univ. of Hawaii. December 2015. 80 p.

Ross, L.C., 2015. Effect of Leaching Scale on Prediction of Total Dissolved Solids Release from Coal Mine Spoils and Refuse. M.S. Thesis, Virginia Tech, 195 p.

Bulletins

OARDC Report. 2015. Spent foundry sand’s second life: OK to use in some soils. July-August, 2015.

Trade Journals

Brown, S. 2007-present Climate Change Connections- monthly column Biocycle magazine.

Research Reports

Barbarick, K.A., T. Gourd, and J. McDaniel. 2015. Application of anaerobically digested biosolids to dryland winter wheat. Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Report.  TR15-4.

Barbarick, K.A., and J. McDaniel. 2015. Biosolids application to no-till dryland crop rotations. Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Report. TR15-5.

Rosen, C., J. Crants J., M. McNearney, and P. Bierman. 2015. Evaluation of Crystal Green and Crystal Green/MAP Blends as Phosphate Sources for Irrigated Potatoes.  Minnesota Area II Potato Research and Promotion Council and Northern Plains Potato Growers Association 2015 Research Report.  pp. 19-27. 

Webinars

Hettiarachchi, G.M. Urban Vegetable Gardening. April 2015. One-hour Webinar organized by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), as part of monthly webinar series.