Superfund Research Program

Genotoxicity

Project Leader: Kurt Randerath
Grant Number: P42ES004917
Funding Period: 1995 - 2000

Project-Specific Links

Final Progress Reports

Year:   1999 

Phase I research has been conducted in collaboration with Project 4 to identify and characterize detoxifying clays that can be used to tightly bind contaminants, including toxic metals, PAHs and chlorinated phenols in water. Studies have been conducted at a Region VIII Superfund site to compare the efficacy of a modified clay to remove contaminants from water. Initial results indicate the modified clay removed high molecular weight PAHs and chlorophenols efficiently, while the granulated activated charcoal (GAC) was more effective at removal of the low molecular weight PAHs. Several multifunctional composites containing clay minerals bonded to sand and other solid support matrices (i.e., Claypacs), are being investigated and have been shown to dramatically improve water permeability and discharge, while still retaining sorptive characteristics for a variety of target compounds.