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Researchproposal
Researchproposal
Tineer Ahmed
Intern/Mentor G/T
2016- 2017
Overview of Research
The problem is investigating an effective remedial technique that will eliminate chlorobenzene
from the water. This will be addressed by comparing anaerobic with aerobic, and the research
emphasizes the quality traits of the bioremediation process.
Research Methodology
Basis of Hypothesis
The research focus is a public health and environmental concern because those are the
two factors that are prevalent in EPAs goals of removing chlorobenzene.
Research Design
An experimental research will be conducted to gather data that will support the
hypothesis. For the qualitative research, different treatment types will be tested to
compare the degradation of chlorobenzene in each setting. The quantitative research is
analyzing the chloride concentration, chlorobenzene concentration, and pH of each
treatment.
Operational Definitions
Anaerobic: Requiring an absence of oxygen
Aerobic: Involving dissolved oxygen
Superfund Sites: Hazardous material locations needing long-term treatment as
authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Product Overview
The product of this year-long research study will be demonstrated by the results of the
experiment. As validated by scholarly sources relating to biofiltration, this treatment will degrade
the chlorobenzene in water and present a cleaner solution. Before conducting the final
experiment, 10 mL of simulated groundwater with chlorobenzene will have to be created. Then,
to test if the added bacteria decreases the amount of chlorobenzene, samples of the solution will
be drawn twice a week for two months and will be tested in the ion chromatography detector to
calculate the amount of chlorobenzene atoms in the sample. After every trial, the data from the
detector will be analyzed and be demonstrated in a graph that shows the relationship of the time
bacteria was in the solution and amount of chlorobenzene atoms left.
Logistical Consideration
This experiment requires specialized materials that are provided by the Department of
Environmental Engineering, so the procedure might have to be altered. The intended audience
will be composed of graduate students who are studying the bioremediation plans of pollutants.
The final product is an experiment, so the audience will be familiar with the techniques
implemented in filtering an unwanted solvent from water.