1. Biodegradation of Emerging Contaminants by Pseudomonas butanorova Shervada Hall Houston Independent School District Empowerment College Preparatory High School Mentor: Bella Kung Hui Chu/Civil Engineering

2. Ph.D University of California at Ph.D University of California at Berkeley, 1998 Berkeley, 1998 Assistant Professor Environmental Engineering Assistant Professor Environmental Engineering Had work printed in over 13 publications such as “Environmental Science and Technology”, and “Environmental Engineering Science” Had work printed in over 13 publications such as “Environmental Science and Technology”, and “Environmental Engineering Science”

3. Environmental Estrogens Found in sediments, rivers, lakes, drinking water, treated wastewater, and groundwater. Found in sediments, rivers, lakes, drinking water, treated wastewater, and groundwater. Hormones and many other pharmaceuticals were detected in 108 (80% of 139) US rivers surveyed by USGS in 1999-2000. (Kolpin et al. 2002. ES &T) Hormones and many other pharmaceuticals were detected in 108 (80% of 139) US rivers surveyed by USGS in 1999-2000. (Kolpin et al. 2002. ES &T) Frequently detected compounds Frequently detected compounds - Caffeine - Insect repellents - Hormones - Fire retardants - Plastizers

4. Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds Endocrine system regulates important biological functions Endocrine system regulates important biological functions Growth Development Reproduction eating/sleeping fetus, puberty reproductive system Chemicals (synthetic or natural) mimic or act like hormones One of top six research priorities identified by EPA’s Office of Research and Development in 1996.

5. Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products

6. Tricoslan  A synthetic chlorinated aromatic compound with functional groups of ethers and phenols.  Widely used as an antimicrobial agent in personal care, commercial, and medical products.  Potentially promotes cross-resistance to antibiotics, toxic effects on ecological health, and formation of chlorodioxins from triclosan itself and its metabolites.  Incomplete removal by wastewater treatment plants − 79% biodegraded; 15% absorbed to biosolids; 6% released into receiving water.

7.  Plastic, epoxy resins, flame retardants, and other specialty products. Also used in the manufacture of products like eyeglass lenses, digital media, reusable food and drink containers and dental sealants.  A weak endocrine disrupting compound detected in the environment, including wastewater.  Toxic to aquatic organisms at concentrations of 1-10 µg/L. BPA was found to stimulate the growth of rodent uterus.

8. What can we do??!!!

9. Pseudomonas butanovora An aerobic G- bacteria isolated from activated sludge (Sayavedra-Soto et al., 2001) Believed to use these contaminants as a food source!

10. Experimental Design

11. Results

12. Results

13. Conclusion Bisphenol –A and Triclosan Bisphenol –A and Triclosan No signifigant change was observed. The bacteria appeared to have very little degredation effects on the compounds.

14. From the Lab to the Classroom!

15. TEKS 2B) Collect data and make measurements with precision 2B) Collect data and make measurements with precision 2D) Organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends from 2D) Organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends fromdata 2E) Communicate valid conclusions 2E) Communicate valid conclusions 3C) Evaluate the impact of research on scientific thought, society, and the 3C) Evaluate the impact of research on scientific thought, society, and the environment environment 3D) Describe the connection between chemistry and future careers 3D) Describe the connection between chemistry and future careers 12C) Evaluate the significance of water in living organisms and in 12C) Evaluate the significance of water in living organisms and in the environment the environment

16. It’s In the Water! Lab Outline Dakota, Texas is a small farming community located 75 miles outside of Dallas, Texas with a population of 760 individuals. The town’s economic viability relies on its cattle and swine industry. However, a large number of the animals have been getting sick and have not been able to be sold. They have noticed the animals become sick shortly after drinking from the man-made pond. They have hired you as an environmental engineer to figure out what is making their livestock sick AND determine how to correct their problem. If you can effectively do this, you will be paid the sum of $10,000. Parameters to Be Checked Compound Tested Maximum Contaminant Levels Actual Amount Allowable Range (Y or N) Nitrate10 ppm Nitrite8 ppm Bacteria0 pH6.5-8.5 Chlorine250 mg/L Iron.3 mg/L

17. Project Field Trip Field Trip Question Results? Question Results? Process Creation Process Creation Applicable to Daily Life Applicable to Daily Life

18. How it Relates Shows how basic concepts of science are used to help our daily lives. In the laboratory, we tested water for estrogen levels. In the classroom we are using those same concepts to test for other contaminants. Shows how basic concepts of science are used to help our daily lives. In the laboratory, we tested water for estrogen levels. In the classroom we are using those same concepts to test for other contaminants.

19. E3 Summer Research Program E3 Summer Research Program Dr. Bella Chu Dr. Bella Chu Myunghee Kim Myunghee Kim Hyun Keun Roh Hyun Keun Roh Dr. Robin Autenrieth Dr. Robin Autenrieth