Environmental Geochemistry Professor National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Fellow Current Research Interests 1) Phytoremediation Technologies: Cleanup of soils, sediment, water and air using green plants and root zone associated mechanisms. 2) Microbial Mats Treatment System: Treatment of contaminated waters using green photosynthesizing microbial mats dominated by cyanobacteria. 3) Abiotic degradation of organic contaminants: Chemical treatment of contaminated soils and water. Emphasis is placed on the applications of activated bulk reductants in remediation of oxidized compounds (e.g., explosives, chemical warfare agents, petrochemicals, halogenated organics). Reagents are similarly developed for the immobilization of metals. 4) Production and application of biochars to: (a) treat wastewater (e.g., agricultural, coal ash leachate and mine wastewater), (b) produce catalysts for environmental remediation, (c) develop an alternative to chemical fertilizer, (d) achieve carbon sequestration. 5) Preparation and characterization of surfactant modified (organo-modified clays or Clay nanocomposites) as cost-effective sorbents/filtration media for perchlorate and organic contaminants. 6) In-situ bioremediation of soils and groundwater: Biostimulation and enhancement of contaminants degradation in soil and groundwater using innovative techniques to deliver carbon and electron donors to the subsurface. This approach avoids expensive dig-and-treat of contaminated source area soils in the vadose zone. Education Education: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GAPh.D. Environmental Geochemistry, 1993MS. Environmental Engineering, 1993 Georgia State University, Atlanta, GAB.Sc. Geology, Cum Laude, 1988 Research Research Areas: Environmental Geosciences Research Interests: Main Research Interest My research focuses on the development and evaluation of innovative technologies for the cleanup of water, sediment, and soils. Particular emphasis is placed on sorption and degradation of contaminants and immobilization of metals. Specifically, my ongoing research focuses on the following five technologies: Phytoremediation Technologies Phytoremediation is the use of green plants (both aquatic and terrestrial) and the root zone associated microorganisms to cleanup hazardous waste sites. Phytoremediation involves a multitude of processes, thus the name phytoremediation technologies. A rigorous design of phytoremediation identifies and enhances the most applicable processes for the field site of interest. Phytoremediation is effective in treating livestock and poultry wastes, munitions constituents (e.g., perchlorates and nitroaromatics), organic contaminants, and metal contaminated hazardous waste sites. Compared to other remediation approaches, phytoremediation is more acceptable to the public and regulatory agencies because the ecosystem health is significantly improved during cleanup of the contaminants of concern. The trees also remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere to produce biomass, which could be utilized as raw material for biofuels production. My research group has screened many species of terrestrial and aquatic plants for the purpose of identifying the most effective species for phytoremediation of the different groups of contaminants. The data generated from our laboratory studies, so far, has been valuable in the development of better environmental fate models by regulatory agencies, design, and field application of phytoremediation technologies. We have coupled laboratory and field data from our analysis of plants used in a demonstration project at the Carswell Air Force base in Fort Worth, Texas, to provide a better understanding of phytoremediation processes and pathways for chlorinated organic solvents. Also, at a Naval Facility in Florida, we have successfully coupled phyto-processes and natural attenuation to accelerate the cleanup of a shallow chlorinated solvent plume upwelling into a wetland and recreational lake. Our research also involves engineered phytoremediation; an innovative approach for biostimulation and enhancement of rapid rhizodegradation of degradable contaminants such as nitrate, perchlorate, explosives constituents, chlorinated solvents, pesticides, and petrochemicals. Rhizodegradation enhancement significantly reduces the cleanup time and minimizes uptake and accumulation of degradable contaminants in plant tissues. Thus, if rhizodegradation can be successfully achieved, there is no need to dispose of the plant matter as hazardous waste when the soils and water cleanup goals have been achieved. Abiotic Transformation of Organic Contaminants and Sequestration of Metals My research group has been studying the application of oxidation-reduction reactions of iron and other redox sensitive metals in remediation of contaminated contaminated soils, sediment and water. Our research has focused on the role of ferric (Fe(III)) and ferrous (Fe(II) iron because Fe(III) is the fourth most abundant element in earth materials and the most important electron acceptor following the onset of anoxic conditions in groundwater, soils and sediment. Completed and ongoing research involves the enhanced degradation of oxidized organic contaminants (e.g., chlorinated aliphatics and aromatics, explosives, PCBs, DDT, etc.) using the free radicals generated during the decomposition of bulk sulfur reductants (e.g., hydrosulfite) under suitable environmental conditions. Aquifer material and soils are chemically treated with the bulk reductants (e.g., dithionite) to create reducing conditions. Specific interest is placed on the reaction kinetics, identification of degradation products and determination of mass balance. The advantages offered by this innovative approach are: (1) in-situ simultaneous dechlorination of chlorinated organics and immobilization of metals, (2) rapid degradation of explosive and other energetic compounds in multiple media, (3) solution for regeneration of failed zero valent iron permeable reactive barriers, (4) a scalable and versatile solution for soil and water remediation without generating other hazardous wastes. Biochar Production for Agricultural and Environmental Applications Biochar produced by pyrolysis of different types of biomass is engineered for the following applications: (a) nutrient enriched biochar as an alternative to chemical fertilizer (b) filtration of nutrients from municipal, industrial and agricultural wastewater (c) production and evaluation of catalysts for environmental remediation (d) sequestration of carbon in soils to mitigate climate change. Microbial Mats Treatment System Microbial mats are naturally occurring stratified microbial communities, composed of a complex consortia of bacteria dominated by photoautrophic cyanobacteria (also referred to blue-green algae). Mats generally include anoxygenic photoautrotrophs (purple bacteria) as well as sulfur-reducing microorganisms. They are tightly annealed together within a negatively charged polymeric matrix of gel. The 3.5 billion-year survival of mats testifies to their successful capacity in altering hostile environments through cellular and community-mediated activities. “Constructed” microbial mats grown using a standard technique that is very inexpensive and can be accomplished with minimal training is used at the bench and field scale to treat complex waste streams and produce biomass. The mats are very effective for sequestering or precipitating metals/radionuclides by surface absorption or by altering the surrounding chemical environment, thus they bioconcentrate the metals/radionuclides in a small volume (<5% of wet mass). The microbial mats are used to mineralize organic and inorganic contaminants, including pesticides, munitions constituents (i.e., perchlorate and explosive compounds), petrochemicals, and chlorinated solvents. Because microbial mats use greenhouse gases to produce biomass and are among the fastest growing photoautotrophs, they show great promise in the production of biomass for bioenergy. My research group continues to develop new applications for microbial mats in bioenergy, bioremediation, and sequestration of greenhouse gases. In-situ Bioremediation of Contaminants in Soils and Groundwater Contaminated soils are often the long-term sources of contaminants leached into surface and ground waters. Most soils will normally contain natural bacteria capable of degrading the contaminants of concern. As a result, the persistence of degradable contaminants in soils and groundwater is commonly caused by the limited supply of nutrients and suitable environmental conditions to support the growth of microorganisms capable of degrading the contaminants of concern. Building on results of multiple bench scale tests, we have demonstrated at field sites the efficacy of in-situ bioremediation by applying suitable carbon and electron donors at the soil surface and progressively mobilizing into the groundwater below. The amendments mixed in with the surface soils create suitable conditions for growth of significantly high numbers of indigenous microorganisms capable of degrading the contaminants of concern. The successful infiltration of selected suitable carbon and electron donors through the vadose zone into the site groundwater apparently creates favorable environmental conditions for the growth of very high numbers of the microorganism capable of degrading the contaminants. Even more important, the latter approach achieves a larger foot print of bioremediation than injection systems. This Surface Application and Mobilization of Nutrient Amendments process has been successfully applied at the field scale to cleanup perchlorate, munitions, pesticides, and petrochemicals in vadose zone soils and groundwater. Since there is no dig-and-treat involved, the technology costs are an order of magnitude less than for competing technologies, such as windrow composting, soil vapor extraction system, soil washing, pump-and-treat, thermal treatment. Preparation and characterization of surfactant modified clays (clay nanocomposites) Building on my previous research on sorption and degradation of organic pollutants, we are developing unique formulations of surfactant modified clay (SMC) for sorption and treatment of waste water. The SMC (also called organo-modified clays or organoclays) are effective sorbents for filtration of nitrate, perchlorate, metals and organic contaminants from water. My research also involves studying the effects of organic cosolvents, solute properties and organoclay structure on the mechanism of sorption of hydrophobic organic chemicals and development of nonselective organoclays. Since the raw clays are widely available and cheap, SMC can be utilized commercially as low cost use-and-toss sorbents. Grants: GRANTS AND CONTRACTS Amount: $240,000.00 (Cumulative) Principal Investigator: Valentine A. Nzengung Project Title: Development and Evaluation of Methods for the Immobilization of Metals and Non-Metals in Coal Combustion Residuals. Amount: $500,000.00 Co-Investigator: Valentine A. Nzengung Project Title: UGA-I Corps Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF) Amount: $153,081.00 (Total Grant: $400,000.00) Investigator: Valentine A. Nzengung Co-Investigators: Odemari S. Mbuya, Ngozi H. Ugochukwu (Florida A&M University) Funding Agency: United State Environmental Protection Agency (STAR), Washington, DC. Project Title: Phytoremediation of perchlorate and N-nitrosodimethylamine as single and co-contaminants Amount: $234,000 Principal Investigator: Valentine A. Nzengung Co-Investigators: K.C. Das and James R. Kastner (Biological & Agricultural Engineering) Funding Agency: Department of Defense – US Army Operations Support Command Project Title: Pilot scale in-situ bioremediation of perchlorate-contaminated soils at the Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant in Karnack, Texas. Amount: $204,000 Principal Investigator: Valentine A. Nzengung Co-investigator: William Kisaalita (Biological & Agricultural Engineering) Funding Agency: Department of Defense - Wright Patterson Airforce Base, Dayton, Ohio Project Title: Phytoremediation of perchlorate contaminated soil and water. Amount: $9,000 Principal Investigator: Valentine A. Nzengung Funding Agency: USEPA-NERL, Athens, GA Project Title: Determination of nitroreductase activity in Elodea and nitroreductase isolation and purification. Amount: $90,000 Principal Investigator: Valentine A. Nzengung Funding Agency: US Navy Facilities Southern Engineering Command Division, Charleston, SC. Project Title: Natural attenuation and phyto-based treatability studies for shallow groundwater plumes contaminated with chlorinated ethenes at the Naval Training Center, Orlando. Amount: $20,000 Principal Investigator: Valentine A. Nzengung Funding Agency: USEPA-NERL, Athens, GA Project Title: Phytodegradation kinetics and pathways of perchlorate. Amount: $481,000 Principal Investigators: Valentine A. Nzengung and Mills, G. (SREL) Funding Agency: DOE-SRS Water Remediation Research Center Program. Project Title: Enhanced degradation of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) by dithionite-reduced clays and aquifer materials. Amount: $183,000 Principal Investigator: Valentine A. Nzengung Funding Agency: US-DOE, subcontract with Florida A & M University. Project Title: Phytoremediation: Marine algae and plant mediated transformation of organic pollutants. Amount: $24,915 Principal Investigator: Valentine A. Nzengung Funding Agency: USEPA/NERL in Athens, GA Project Title: Phytoremediation at Carswell AFB, TX: Laboratory characterization of phyto-transformation products of tetrachloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchlorate. Amount: $20,000 Principal Investigator: Valentine A. Nzengung Funding Agency: USEPA/NERL in Athens, GA Project Title: Plant extract mediated transformation of chlorinated organic compounds Amount: $23,000 Principal Investigator: Valentine A. Nzengung Funding Agency: DOE-SREL (Dr. Mills, G.) Project Title: Degradation of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) by dithionite-reduced ferruginous smectites. Amount: $9,752 Principal Investigator: Valentine A. Nzengung Funding Agency: UGARF Equipment Grant Project Title: Request for partial funding for components of a high-pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC) Selected Publications Selected Publications: BOOK CHAPTERS Nzengung, V. A., Stephanie Gugolz. 2021. Biochar Based Constructed Wetlands for Contaminants Removal in Sustainable Biochar for Water and Wastewater Treatment. Dinesh Mohan, Todd Eric Mlsna and Charles U. Pittman Jr. Elsevier (Eds) (In Preparation) Nzengung, V. A., Hans F. Stroo, Tony M. Lieberman. 2008. Emerging Technologies for Perchlorate Bioremediation. In Situ Bioremediation of Perchlorate in Groundwater. H.F. Stroo and C.H. Ward (Eds). Springer Science. P. 217 – 241. Nzengung, V. A. 2006. “Chapter 18: Using Hydroponic Bioreactors to Assess Phytoremediation Potential of Perchlorate,” Phytoremediation: Methods and Reviews, Neil Willey Eds. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. P. 221-232. Nzengung, V. A., O’Niell, W., McCutcheon, S.C., and Wolfe, N.L. 2003. “Chapter 16: Sequestration and Transformation of Water Soluble Halogenated Organic Compounds Using Aquatic Plants, Algae, and Microbial Mats” Phytoremediation: Transformation and Control of Contaminants, Steven C. McCutcheon and Jerald L. Schnoor Eds. John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ. p.499-528. Nzengung, V. A., and McCutcheon, S.C. 2003. “Chapter 29: Phytoremediation of Perchlorate,” Phytoremediation: Transformation and Control of Contaminants, Steven C. McCutcheon and Jerald L. Schnoor Eds. John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ. p.863-885. Nzengung, V. A., Wang C. 2000. “Chapter 21: Influences on Phytoremediation of Perchlorate Contaminated Water,” American Chemical Society (ACS) Special Symposium Series: Perchlorate in the Environment, Editor: Urbansky. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York. p.219 - 229. JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS Valentine A. Nzengung and Ben Redmond. 2016. On-site Neutralization of Civil War Munitions Recovered from an Underwater Environment. Marine Technology Society Journal 50 (6), 2016. Diego Barcellos, Lawrence A. Morris, Valentine Nzengung, Tiago Moura, Nehru Mantripragada & Aaron Thompson (2016): Eucalyptus urograndis and Pinus taeda Enhance Removal of Chlorobenzene and Benzene in Sand Culture: A Greenhouse Study, International Journal of Phytoremediation. url: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15226514.2016.1183565. Valentine A. Nzengung, Anthony J. Bednar, Stephen L. Pilcher, A. L. Russell, Charolett Hayes & Jared Smith. 2016. Rapid Chemical Destruction of Bulk and Residual Explosives in Various Materials. Journal of Explosives Engineering 2016. Dawit D. Yifru and Valentine A. Nzengung. 2012 “Use of Dissolved Organic Carbon to Biostimulate Rapid Rhizodegradation of Perchlorate in Soil” J Bioremed Biodeg S7:003. doi: 10.4172/2155-6199.S7-003. Dawit D. Yifru and Valentine A. Nzengung. 2008 “Organic carbon biostimulates rapid rhizodegradation of perchlorate” Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Vol. 27, No. 12, p. 56-63). Dawit D. Yifru and Valentine A. Nzengung. 2007 “Uptake of Perchlorate by Vegetation Growing at Field Sites in Arid and Subhumid Climates.” Remediation Autumn 2007. p. 53 -68. Dawit D. Yifru and Valentine A. Nzengung. 2006. “Uptake of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) from Water by Phreatophytes in the Absence and Presence of Perchlorate as a Co-contaminant.” Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 40, p.7374-7380. Nzengung, V.A., Penning, H., and O’Niell, W. “Mechanistic Changes During Phytoremediation of Perchlorate Under Different Root Zone Conditions,” International Journal of Phytoremediation: Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 63-83. 2004. Nzengung, V. A. and Jeffers, P.M. ‘Sequestration, Phytoreduction, and Phytooxidation of Halogenated Organic Chemicals by Aquatic and Terrestrial Plants,” International Journal of Phytoremediation: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 13-40. 2001. Nzengung, V. A., Castillo, R.M., Gates, W.P., Mills, G.L. “Abiotic Transformation of Perchloroethylene in Homogeneous Dithionite Solution and in Suspensions of Dithionite-Treated Clay Minerals,” Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 35, No. 11, p.2244-2251. 2001. Garrison, A. W., Nzengung, V. A., Avants, J. K., Ellington, J. J., Wolfe, N. Lee. “Phytodegradation of p,p’-DDT and Enantiomers of o,p’-DDT,” Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 34, p.1663–1670. 2000. O’Niell, W., Nzengung, V. A., Noakes, J., Bender, J., Phillips, P. “Biosorption and Biodegradation of Tetrachloroethylene and Trichloroethylene Using Mixed-Species Microbial Mats,” Journal of Hazardous Substance Research. Vol. 2. 2000. p. 2-1 to 2-16. http://www.engg.ksu.edu/HSRC/JHSR/vol2no2.pdf Nzengung, V. A., Wang, C., Harvey, G. “Plant-Mediated Transformation of Perchlorate into Chloride,” Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 33, p.1470-1478. 1999. Nzengung, V. A., Wolfe, L.N., Rennels, D., McCutcheon, S.C. “Use of Aquatic Plants and Algae for Decontamination of Waters Polluted with Chlorinated Alkanes,” International Journal of Phytoremediation, Vol. 1, No. 3, p.203-226. 1999. Jeffers, P.M., Wolfe, N.L., Nzengung, V. A. “Green Plants: A Terrestrial Sink for Atmospheric CH3Br,” Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 25, No. 1, p.43-46. 1998. Nzengung, V. A., Nkedi-Kizza, P., Voudrias, E. A. “Organic Cosolvent Effects on Sorption Kinetics of Hydrophobic Organic Chemicals by Organoclays,” Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 31, No. 5, p.1470-1475. 1997. Nzengung, V. A., Voudrias, E.A., Nkedi-Kizza, P., Wampler, J.M., Weaver, C.E. “Organic Cosolvent Effects on Sorption Equilibrium of Hydrophobic Organic Chemicals by Organoclays,” Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 30, No. 1, p.89-96. 1996. Voudrias, E.A, Nzengung, V. A., and Li, C. “Removal of Light Nonaqueous Phase Liquids (LNAPLs) by Flushing,” Journal of Waste Management, Vol. 14, No.2, p.115-126. 1994. OTHER PUBLICATONS *Student Authors Nzengung V. A and Diana Bretner “Case Studies of In-Situ and On-Site Chemical (Abiotic) Remediation of Explosives Contaminated Soils” SAFEX 2019 (Accepted) Nzengung V. A, “MuniRem® Handlers Application and Safety Training Manual” for explosives neutralization. Nzengung V. A, "Neutralization of explosives by a chemical reduction product", SAFEX Newsletter No.59 December 2016. Interstate Technology Regulatory Council: Web-based Technical and Regulatory Guidance Document, “Mining Waste Treatment Technology Selection” 2010 Nzengung – one of multiple co-authors. http://www.itrcweb.org/miningwaste-guidance/ Interstate Technology Regulatory Council: Web-based Technical and Regulatory Guidance Document, “Remediation Technologies for Perchlorate Contamination in Water and Soil” March 2008. http://www.itrcweb.org/Documents/PERC-2.pdf Nzengung – one of multiple co-authors. Schroer, K.L., D.M. Endale, C.L. Tebes-Stevens, J.W. Washington, V. Nzengung (2007) Concentrations and estimated loads of Nitrogen contributed by two adjacent wetland streams with different flow-source terms in Watkinsville, GA. Proceedings of the 2007 Georgia Water Resources Conference, held March 27–29, 2007, at the University of Georgia, 4 p. EPA 542-R-05-001. January 2005. www.rtdf.org: “Evaluation of Phytoremediation for Management of Chlorinated Solvents in Soil and Groundwater” prepared by the USEPA's Remediation Technologies Development Forum: Phytoremediation of Organics Action Team, Chlorinated Solvents Workgroup. Authored by Remediation Technologies Development Forum (RTDF): Phytoremediation of Chlorinated Solvents Subgroup Members. Ostroumov, S. A., D. Yifru, V. Nzengung, S. McCutcheon. 2006. Phytoremediation of perchlorate using aquatic plant Myriophyllum aquaticum. Ecological Studies, Hazards, Solutions 11(25-27). O'Niell, W. and Nzengung, V.A. “In-Situ Bioremediation of Explosives and Perchlorate in Vadose Zone Source Areas,” 2005 National Groundwater Conference on MTBE and Perchlorate. Assessment, Remediation, and Public Policy. San Francisco, CA. May 26–27, 2005. Dawit D. Yifru* and Valentine A. Nzengung. “Enhancement of Microbial Degradation of Perchlorate (ClO4-) in the Rhizosphere,” In-Situ and On-Site International Bioremediation. The Eighth International Symposium. Baltimore, MD. June 6 – 9, 2005. Dawit D. Yifru* and Valentine A. Nzengung. “Biostimulation and Enhancement of Rhizodegradation of Perchlorate during Phytoremediation,” 2005 NGWA Conference on MTBE and Perchlorate: Assessment, Remediation, and Public Policy. May 26 – 27, 2005. Lina Wayo* and Valentine A. Nzengung. “Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Compost Extract Treated Soils,” In-Situ and On-Site International Bioremediation. The Eighth International Symposium. Baltimore, MD. June 6 – 9, 2005. Valentine A. Nzengung. “Case Studies of Phytoremediation of Petrochemicals and Chlorinated Solvents in Soil and Groundwater,” Georgia Water Resource Conference (in press, 2005) O'Niell, W.L. and Nzengung, V.A. “In-Situ Bioremediation and Phytoremediation of Contaminated Soils and Water: Three Case Studies,” US Baltic International Symposium - Advances in Marine Environmental Research, Monitoring and Technologies, June 15-17, 2004, Klaipeda, Lithuania. 6p. Sparling, D.W., Harvey, G., and Nzengung, V. “Interaction Between Perchlorate and Iodine in the Metamorphosis of Hyla versicolor” Multiple Stressor Effects in Relation to Declining Amphibian Populations. ASTM STP 1443, G. Linder, S. Krest, E. Little, and D.W. Sparling, Eds. American Society for Testing and materials, West Conshohocken, PA, 2002. O'Niell, W. and V.A. Nzengung. “Feasibility of In-Situ Bioremediation of Perchlorate Contaminated Soils,” Paper in Magar VS, Kelley ME, eds. In-Situ and On-site Bioremediation, 2003: Proceedings of the Seventh International In-Situ and On-site Bioremediation Symposium. CD-ROM. Columbus (OH): Battelle Press. Spriggs T, Tsangaris S, Nzengung VA, Nwokike B. 2004. Phytoremediation of a chlorinated solvent plume in Orlando, Florida. Paper F-13 in Magar VS, Kelley ME, eds. In Situ and On-site Bioremediation, 2003: Proceedings of the Seventh International In-Situ and On-site Bioremediation Symposium. CD-ROM. Columbus (OH): Battelle Press. O’Niell, W. and V.A. Nzengung “Field Demonstration of In-situ Bioremediation of Perchlorate-Contaminated Soils and Groundwater,” A&WMA 96th Annual Conference & Exhibition Proceedings. San Diego, CA. June 22 - 26, 2003. Kastner, J.R., Das, K.C., Nzengung, V.A., Dowd, J., Fields, J. “In-situ Bioremediation of Perchlorate-Contaminated Soils,” Editor: Leeson et al. 6th International. In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium, San Diego, CA. p.289-295. 2001. Nzengung, V. A., Wang C. and Stacey B. “Phytotransformation Pathways and Mass Balances for Chlorinated Alkanes and Alkenes,” EPA’s Phytoremediation State of the Science Conference. Boston, MA. May 1-2, 2000. EPA/625/R-01/011a November 2001. Nzengung, V. A., O’Niell, W., Adesida A. “Treatment of Perchlorate Contaminated Water in Microbial Mat, Algae, and Ebb-and-Flow Hydroponic Bioreactors,” Symposium Series: Case Studies in the Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds. Editors: Godage B. Wickramanayake, Arun R. Gavaskar, James T. Gibbs, and Jeffrey L. Means. Battelle Press, Columbus, OH. 2(7), p.101-106. 2000. O’Niell, W. and Nzengung, V. A. “Treatment of Organic Contaminated water in Microbial Mat Bioreactors,” Symposium Series: Bioremediation and Phytoremediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Organics. Editors: Godage B. Wickramanayake, Arun R. Gavaskar, Bruce C. Alleman, and Victor S. Magar. Battelle Press, Columbus, OH. 2(4), p.347-252. 2000. Nzengung, V. A., Wang, C., Harvey, G., McCutcheon, S.C., and Wolfe, N.L. “Phytoremediation of Perchlorate Contaminated Water: Laboratory Studies,” Symposium Series: Fifth International Symposium on In-Situ and On-Site Bioremediation: Phytoremediation. Editors; Leeson Andrea and B. C. Alleman. Battelle Press, p.239-244. 1999. Dhankher, O. P., Tucker, J., Nzengung, V. A., Wolfe, N.L. “Isolation, Purification and Partial Characterization of Plant Dehalogenase-Like Activity from Waterweed (Elodea Canadensis),” Symposium Series: Fifth International Symposium on In-Situ and On-Site Bioremediation: Phytoremediation. Editors; Leeson Andrea and B. C. Alleman, Battelle Press, p.145-150. 1999. O’Niell, W.*, Nzengung, V. A., Noakes, J., Bender, J. and Phillips, P. “Biodegradation of PCE and TCE Using Mixed-Species Microbial Mats” Bioremediation and Phytoremediation. Editors: G.B. Wickramanayake and Hinchee. Battelle Press, p.233 - 237. 1998. Arthur W. Garrison, Nzengung, V. A., Avants, J.K., Ellington, J., and Wolfe, N.L. “Determining the Environmental Enantioselectivity of o,p’-DDT and o,p’-DDD,” Proceedings of the 17th International Symposium on Chlorinated Dioxins and Related Compounds (Edited by Ronal Hites). Vol. 31, p.256 - 261. 1997. Nzengung, V. A., Voudrias, E.A., Wampler, J.M. “A Modified Clay as Adsorbent of an Organic Contaminant in Aqueous and Mixed-Solvent Systems” Proceedings of the 48th Industrial Waste Conference, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, Ed. Ronald F. Wukasch, Lewis Publishers, Chelsea, Michigan, p.387 - 391. 1993. Nkedi-Kizza, P. and Nzengung, V. A. “Use of the Cosolvency Model to Predict Sorption Kinetics and Equilibria of Diuron and Naphthalene on Organoclays,” Kearney Foundation of Soil Science International Conference Proceedings, Vadose Zone Hydrology: Cutting Across Disciplines. p.107 - 108. 1995. PROJECT REPORTS Nzengung, V.A. and Katherine Schroer. November 2012. Bench‐Scale Treatability Study on In-Situ Oxidation of Cyanide in Vadose Zone Soil and Groundwater at Continental Motors Company Plant, Mobile, AL. Nzengung, V.A. and Katherine Schroer. August 2012. Tower Chemical Company Site Remedial Design Clermont, Florida Bench‐Scale Treatability Studies to Mitigate Pesticides in Groundwater. Kevin M. Morrissey, Nzengung, V.A., Lucille P. Forrest, James L. Horton. 2010. Micro-Scale Evaluation of MuniRem® Reagent for the Demilitarization of Sulfur Mustard: Application to EDS Operations. Chemical Warfare Materiel (CWM) Non-Stockpile Division, Edgewood, Maryland, USA. (Unclassified) Nzengung, V.A. and O’Niell, W 2009 (March 12th, 2009) Georgia Research Alliance VentureLab Phase I – MuniRem™ Evaluation and Confirmation of Degradation Products. Nzengung, V.A. 2002. “Phytoremediation of Perchlorate and Trichloroethylene Contaminated Water.” Grant/Contract # F6615-00-C-6060-2/10-21-RR176-261. Nzengung, V.A., Das, K.C. and Kastner, J.R. 2001. “Pilot-Scale In-Situ Bioremediation of Perchlorate-Contaminated Soils at the Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant in Karnack, Texas.” Contract # DAAA09-00-C-0060. Nzengung, V.A. 2001. “Phytoremediation of Perchlorate-Contaminated Soils and Water.” Agreement #: F33615-00-2-6001. Nzengung, V.A. 1999. “Data on Phytotransformation Process for the Degradation of Perchloroethene (PCE). Data Specific for the Orlando Naval Training Center (NTC), Orlando, Florida.” USEPA/NERL, Athens-GA and US Navy, Southern Division, Charleston-SC. Nzengung, V.A. 1999. “Phytodegradation Kinetics and Pathways of Perchlorate.” Presented to USEPA-NERL, Athens, GA. Nzengung, V.A. 1998. “Laboratory Characterization of Phytotransformation Products of PCE, TCE and Perchlorate.” For US Airforce, Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH and USEPA-NERL, Athens, GA. Nzengung, V.A., Voudrias, E.A., Nkedi-Kizza, P., Wampler, J.M., Weaver, C.E. 1995. “Modified Clays as Sorbents for Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Aqueous and Mixed-Solvent Systems.” ERC 06-95, Georgia Water Resources Research Institute Program, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, 52 p. (Technical Completion Report for USDI/Geological Survey Project 14-08-0001-G2013 (07)). Nzengung, V.A., Voudrias, E.A., Nkedi-Kizza, P., Wampler, J.M., Weaver, C.E. 1993. “Modified Clays as Sorbents for Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Aqueous and Mixed-Solvent Systems.” ERC 06-93, Georgia Water Resources Research Institute Program, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, 56 p. (Technical Completion Report for USDI/Geological Survey Project 14-08-0001-G2013 (07)). STUDENTS’ ABSTRACTS & PRESENTATIONS William Crumpacker and V.A. Nzengung. Abiotic Removal of Bromide from Flue Gas Discharge Wastewater. 2021 Georgia Water Resource Conference. Jared Conner and Valentine Nzengung. Removal of Nutrients from Agricultural Wastewater by Modified Biochar. 2018 Oconee River Symposium, UGA. Jared Conner and Valentine Nzengung. Application of Modified Biochar for Removal of Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Agricultural Wastewater. 2018 UGA Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities Poster. Gulgoz, Stefanie and Nzengung, Valentine, 2016, Evaluation of a Biochar Enhanced Constructed Treatment Wetland for the Removal of Contaminants from Agricultural Wastewater. BIOCHAR 2016 Symposium: The Synergy of Science and Industry. August 22-25, Corvallis OR. Cary, M. Elizabeth and V. A. Nzengung. Treatment of Perchlorate-Contaminated Water Using Surfactant-Modified Clay. The 45th Annual Meeting of the Clay Minerals Society. New Orleans, LA April 10, 2008. Purvis, Elizabeth and V. A. Nzengung. Sorption of Perchlorate from Water Using Surfactant-Modified Clay and Zeolite. The Second Annual University of Georgia Engineering Conference. Athens, GA. October 24, 2005. Schroer, K.L., R.C. Thomas, J.W. Washingon, D.M. Endale, and V. Nzengung (2006) Use of tracer injection experiments to quantify nitrate loss in two adjacent wetland streams draining an agricultural field in the Georgia Piedmont. Poster and abstract at USDA/CSREES National Water Conference in San Antonio, TX, 5-9 Feb 2006. http://www.extension.iastate.edu/WaterConf2006/ShowAbstract.aspx?TypeID=2&PresID=214. Yifru, Dawit D., Nzengung, Valentine, 2005. Use of dissolved organic carbon to reduce plant perchlorate uptake during phytoremediation. Submitted to the 23rd American Chemical Society meeting (Geochemistry division), Washington DC. August - September, 2005. Yifru, Dawit D., Nzengung, Valentine, 2005. Removal of N-Nitrosodimethylamine from waters using sorption and phytoremediation approaches. Submitted to the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) conference, Washington DC. November - December, 2005. Yifru, Dawit D., Nzengung, Valentine, 2005. Biostimulation and enhancement of rapid rhizodegradation of perchlorate. Submitted to the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) conference, Washington DC. November - December, 2005. Schroer, Katherine and Valentine A. Nzengung. 2005. Distribution of N and other redox-sensitive species in two adjacent wetland streams draining an agricultural field in the Georgia Piedmont. 2005 Geological Society of America Annual Conference. Salt Lake City, Utah. Lina Wayo and Valentine A. Nzengung. 2005. Bioremediation of heavy end petrochemicals with compost amendments. International Conference on Energy, Environment and Disasters (INCEED 2005). Bridging the Gaps for Global Sustainable Development (UNESCO – ISEG – GADR). Charlotte, NC, USA. July 24 - 30, 2005. Dawit D. Yifru and Valentine A. Nzengung. 2005. Use of dissolved organic carbon to minimize plant uptake of perchlorate. 230th ACS National Meeting in Washington, DC, Aug 28-Sept 1, 2005. Dawit D. Yifru and Valentine A. Nzengung. 2005. “Enhancement of Microbial Degradation of Perchlorate (ClO4-) in the Rhizosphere.” In-Situ and On-Site International Bioremediation. The Eighth International Symposium. Baltimore, Maryland. June 6 – 9, 2005. Dawit D. Yifru and Valentine A. Nzengung. 2005. “Biostimulation and Enhancement of Rhizodegradation of Perchlorate During Phytoremediation.” 2005 NGWA Conference on MTBE and Perchlorate: Assessment, Remediation, and Public Policy. May 26 – 27, 2005. Lina Wayo and Valentine A. Nzengung. 2005. “Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Compost Extract Treated Soils.” In-Situ and On-Site International Bioremediation. The Eighth International Symposium. Baltimore, Maryland. June 6 – 9, 2005. Dawit D. Yifru and Valentine A. Nzengung. 2005. “Biostimulation and Enhancement of Rhizodegradation During Phytoremediation of Perchlorate.” Third International Phytoremediation Conference. Atlanta, Georgia. April 20 – 23, 2005. Dawit D. Yifru and Valentine A. Nzengung. 2004. “Biostimulation of Rhizodegradation of Perchlorate (ClO4-).” Geological Society of America. Denver, Colorado. November 2004. Uddin, M.M.K., G.L. Mills, J.C. Seaman, V.A. Nzengung. 2001. “Laboratory Studies of In-situ Redox Manipulation for Remediation of PCE, TCE and Cr (VI) Contaminated Groundwater in Atlantic Coastal Plain Sediments.” In: M.L. Trehy (Ed.), Preprints of paper presented at the 221st ACS National Meeting, April 1-5, 2001, San Diego, CA: American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2001; vol. 41(1), p.301-306. O’Niell, W. and Nzengung, V. A. “Treatment of Organic Contaminated Water in Microbial Mat Bioreactors.” Symposium Series. 2nd International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds. Monterey, California. May 22-25, 2000. Payne, D. and Nzengung, V.A. 1999. “Chemically Induced Remediation of Sediments Contaminated with Chlorinated Aliphatics.” 217th American Chemical Society National Meeting, Anaheim, California. March 21 - 25, 1999. O’Niell, W., Nzengung, V.A., Noakes, J., Bender, J., Phillips, P. 1999. “Sorption and Transformation of Tetrachloroethylene and Trichloroethylene Using Mixed Species Microbial Mats.” Southeastern Geological Society of America Annual Meeting. Athens, Georgia. March 25 - 27, 1999. Heath, B., Nzengung, V.A., Mills, G. 1998. “Transformation of Perchloroethylene at the Surface of Dithionite-Reduced Clay Minerals and Iron Oxides.” 35th Annual Meeting of the Clay Minerals Society. Cleveland, Ohio. June 6 - 10, 1998. O’Niell, W., Nzengung, V.A., Noakes, J., Bender, J., Phillips, P. 1998. “Biodegradation of PCE and TCE Using Mixed-Species Microbial Mats.” First International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds. Monterey, California. May 18 - 21, 1998. O’Niell, W., Nzengung, V.A., Noakes, J., Bender, J., Phillips, P. 1997. “Bioremediation of PCE and TCE Using Mixed-Species Microbial Mats.” In Emerging Technologies in Hazardous Waste Management VIII Special Symposium, Pittsburgh, PA, American Chemical Society (D.W. Tedder, Editor). Castillo, R., Nzengung, V.A., Gates, W., Mills, G. 1997. “Enhanced Degradation of Tetrachloroethylene by Redox-Manipulated Iron-Bearing Clays and Aquifer Material.” 213th American Chemical Society National Meeting. San Francisco, California. April 13-17, 1997. Vol. 37, No. 1, p.180. Courses Taught Courses Regularly Taught: GEOL 1120 Awards, Honors and Recognitions Of note: Named Georgia groundbreaker for inventions that neutralize explosives and protect humans and the environment. September 2020. Subject matter expert on international nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Elected Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (FNAI) December 2019 Recognized by Minority Business Development Administration (MBDA) as a community leader and environmentalist committed to improving lives worldwide. Atlanta, Georgia 2019 Featured in Georgia Trend Magazine (https://www.georgiasbdc.org/?s=Nzengung) 2019 Featured by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) “UGA PROFESSOR TEAMS UP WITH SBDC TO HELP CLEAN UP EXPLOSIVES” (https://www.georgiasbdc.org/?s=Nzengung Governor Deal of Georgia recognizes MuniRem Environmental. LLC as a 2017 Globe Award winner. This state-led awards program recognizes companies that entered into a new international market in the previous year. Featured in University of Georgia Research Magazine for successful application of research to solve challenges of neutralizing explosives recovered during expansion of the Savannah River Harbor. Spring 2016 Recognition by US Navy and Donjon Marine for exceptional performance of underwater munitions demilitarization during salvaging of Confederate States Ship (CSS) Georgia. May 2016 April 2016 University of Georgia Academic Entrepreneur February 2015 Recognized as a UGA Innovator June 2015 Patented technology developed and commercialized as MuniRem selected by the Georgia Research Alliance as a Breakthrough Technology
