Articles Published in Peer-Reviewed Journals
*Newcombe, C. E., and Brennan, R. A. (2009) "Improved passive treatment of acid mine drainage in mushroom compost amended with crab-shell chitin." Journal of Environmental Engineering, in press.
*Cai, H.,*Eramo, A. G., Evans, P. J., Fricke, R., and Brennan, R. A. (2009) "In situ bioremediation of perchlorate in vadose zone soil using gaseous electron donors: microcosm treatability study." Water Environment Research, in press.
*Robinson-Lora, M. A., and Brennan, R.A. (2009) "Efficient metal removal and neutralization of acid mine drainage by crab-shell chitin under batch and continuous-flow conditions." Bioresource Technology, 100 (21): 5063 - 5071.*Robinson Lora, M. A., and Brennan, R. A. (2009) "The use of crab-shell chitin for biological denitrification: batch and column tests." Bioresource Technology, 100 (2): 534 - 541.
*Daubert, L. N., and Brennan, R. A. (2007) "Passive remediation of acid mine drainage using crab shell chitin." Environmental Engineering Science, 24 (10): 1475 - 1480.
*Rezaei, F., Richard, T. L., Brennan, R. A., and Logan, B. E. (2007) "Substrate-enhanced microbial fuel cells for improved remote power generation from sediment-based systems." Environmental Science & Technology, 41 (11): 4053-4058.
Brennan, R. A., Sanford, R. A., and Werth, C. J. (2006) “Biodegradation of tetrachloroethene by chitin fermentation products in a continuous flow column system.” Journal of Environmental Engineering, 132 (6): 664 - 673.Brennan, R. A., Sanford, R. A., and Werth, C. J. (2006) “Chitin and corncobs as electron donor sources for the reductive dechlorination of tetrachloroethene.” Water Research, 40 (11): 2125 - 2134.
Brennan, R. A., and Sanford, R. A. (2002) “A continuous steady-state method for delivering tetrachloroethene (PCE) to chlororespiring bacteria using Tenax.” Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 68 (3): 1464-1467.
Edwards, F. G., Egemen, E., Brennan, R., and Nirmalakhandan, N. (1999) “Ranking of toxics release inventory chemicals using a level III fugacity model and toxicity.” Water Science & Technology. 39 (10): 83 - 90.
Egemen, E., Corpening, J., Padilla, J., Brennan, R., and Nirmalakhandan, N. (1999) "Evaluation of ozonation and cryptic growth for biosolids management in wastewater treatment." Water Science & Technology. 39 (10): 155-158.
Brennan, R. A., Nirmalakhandan, N., and Speece, R. E. (1998) “Comparison of predictive methods for Henrys law coefficients of organic chemicals.” Water Research, 32 (6): 1901-1911.
Nirmalakhandan, N., Brennan, R. A., and Speece, R. E. (1997) “Predicting Henrys constant and the effect of temperature on Henrys constant.” Water Research, 31 (6): 1471 - 1481.
Nirmalakhandan, N., Xu, S., Trevizo, C., and Brennan, R. (1997) “Additivity in microbial toxicity of non-uniform mixtures of organic chemicals.” Exotoxicology & Environmental Safety, 37 (1): 97 - 102.
Articles Published in Refereed Proceedings
*Robinson-Lora, M.A., and Brennan, R. A. (2009) "Rapid alkalinity generation and metal removal from mine impacted water using crab-shell chitin under abiotic conditions." Oral paper presentation, National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, Billings, MT, June 2.
*Robinson-Lora, M.A., and Brennan, R. A. (2008) "Evaluating crab-shell chitin, lactate, and spent mushroom compost for acid mine drainage remediation in central Pennsylvania." Oral paper presentation, National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, Richmond, VA, June 17.
*Korte, K. M., *Newcombe, C. E., and Brennan, R. A. (2008) "Evaluation of three different purities of crab-shell for the remediation of mine impacted water." Oral paper presentation, National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, Richmond, VA, June 17.
Venot, C., Figueroa, L., Brennan, R. A., Wildeman, T.R., Reisman, D., Sieczkowski, M. (2008) "Comparing chitin and organic substrates on the National Tunnel waters in Blackhawk, Colorado, for manganese removal." Oral paper presentation, National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, Richmond, VA, June 17.
Articles Published in the Popular Press (non-peer-reviewed)
*Eramo, A., and Brennan, R. A. (2009) "A new use for mushroom compost: bioremediation of diesel-contaminated soil." Mushroom News, November issue.
Submitted Manuscripts
*Robinson-Lora, M.A., and Brennan, R. A. "Biosorption of manganese onto chitin and associated proteins during the treatment of mine impacted water." Submitted to Water Research, November 2009.
*Robinson-Lora, M. A., and Brennan, R.A. "Chitin complex for the remediation of mine impacted water: geochemistry of metal removal and comparison with other common substrates." Submitted to Applied Geochemistry, June 2009.
Manuscripts in Preparation
*Robinson-Lora, M.A., and Brennan, R. A. "Precipitation of manganese in mine impacted water by chitin-associated minerals." Manuscript in preparation for Environmental Science & Technology.
*Eramo, A., and Brennan, R. A. "Bioremediation of diesel-contaminated soil using spent mushroom compost." Manuscript in preparation for Journal of Environmental Engineering.
*Korte, K. M., *Newcombe, C. E., and Brennan, R. A. "Evaluation of three different purities of crab shell for the remediation of mine impacted water: uncoupling the contributions of chitin, protein, and calcium carbonate." Manuscript in preparation for Environmental Engineering Science.
*McElhoe, J., and Brennan, R. A. “Effect of chitin purity and mass loading on chlorinated ethene bioremediation.” Manuscript in preparation for Bioremediation Journal.
Brennan, R. A., He, J., Loffler, F. E., Werth, C. J., and Sanford, R. A. “Molecular analysis of a microbial community in tetrachloroethene-contaminated sediments and groundwater treated with chitin: column studies.” Manuscript in preparation for Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
Presentations (selected photos)
‡Brown, A. K, and Brennan, R. A. (2009) "Passive remediation of "high risk" acid mine drainage using crab shell chitin as a substrate amendment." Poster presentation, Undergraduate Research at the Capitol - Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA, October 20.
*Eramo, A., and Brennan, R. A. (2009) "Bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil with used mushroom compost." Oral presentation, 51st Annual Penn State Mushroom Industry Conference, Kennett Square, PA, September 21.
*Newcombe, C. E., *Robinson-Lora, M.A., and Brennan, R. A. (2009) "Effective and low-cost treatment of acid mine drainage using chitin as a fractional amendment to compost: batch and column tests." Poster presentation, National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, Billings, MT, June 2.
*Robinson-Lora, M.A., and Brennan, R. A. (2009) "Rapid alkalinity generation and metal removal from mine impacted water using crab-shell chitin under abiotic conditions." Oral paper presentation (3rd place student presentation award), National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, Billings, MT, June 2.
*Henry, E., *Robinson Lora, M. A., and Brennan, R. A. (2009) "The beauty of arthropods: a comparison of crab-shell vs. insect chitin for the remediation of metal-laden waters." Poster presentation, In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation 10th International Symposium, Baltimore, MD, May 7.*Robinson Lora, M. A., and Brennan, R. A. (2009) "Remediation of mine-impacted water using crab-shell chitin as an electron donor and alkalinity source." Platform presentation, In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation 10th International Symposium, Baltimore, MD, May 7.
*Newcombe, C. E., and Brennan, R. A. (2009) "Chitin as an additive to compost to enhance passive treatment of mine-impacted waters." Platform presentation, In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation 10th International Symposium, Baltimore, MD, May 7.
*Eramo, A., and Brennan, R. A. (2009) "Bioremediation of diesel-contaminated soil using spent mushroom compost." Platform presentation, In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation 10th International Symposium, Baltimore, MD, May 7.
*Newcombe, C. E., and Brennan, R. A. (2009) "Effective and low-cost treatment of acid mine drainage using chitin as a fractional amendment to spent mushroom compost." Poster presentation (1st Place Winner in Environmental Engineering & Ecology category), 12th Annual Environmental Chemistry Student Symposium, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, March 27.
*Eramo, A., and Brennan, R. A. (2009) "Bioremediation of diesel contaminated soil using spent mushroom compost." Oral presentation (1st Place Winner in Ecology, Meteorology, and Engineering category), 12th Annual Environmental Chemistry Student Symposium, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, March 27.
*Newcombe, C. E., and Brennan, R. A. (2009) "Enhanced treatment of acid mine drainage using chitin as a fractional amendment to spent mushroom compost." Poster presentation, College of Engineering Research Symposium, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, March 24.
*Newcombe, C. E., and Brennan, R. A. (2008) "Chitin as a fractional amendment to spent mushroom compost to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of treatment of mine impacted water." Poster presentation (1st Place Student Poster Award), National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, Richmond, VA, June 17.
Venot, C., Figueroa, L., Brennan, R. A., Wildeman, T.R., Reisman, D., Sieczkowski, M. (2008) "Comparing chitin and organic substrates on the National Tunnel waters in Blackhawk, Colorado, for manganese removal." Oral paper presentation, National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, Richmond, VA, June 17.
‡Korte, K. M., *Newcombe, C. E., and Brennan, R. A. (2008) "Evaluation of three different purities of crab-shell for the remediation of mine impacted water." Oral paper presentation, National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, Richmond, VA, June 17.
*Robinson-Lora, M.A., and Brennan, R. A. (2008) "Evaluating crab-shell chitin, lactate, and spent mushroom compost for acid mine drainage remediation in central Pennsylvania." Oral paper presentation, National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, Richmond, VA, June 17.
*Newcombe, C. E., and Brennan, R. A. (2008) "Increasing the efficiency of acid mine drainage treatment through enhancement of spent mushroom compost substrate with chitin." Podium presentation (Student Research Award Recipient), Pennsylvania Water Environment Association 80th Annual Technical Conference & Exhibition (PennTec 2008), State College, PA, June 2.
*Eramo, A., and Brennan, R. A. (2008) "Sustainable treatment of diesel contaminated sediments using spent mushroom compost." Poster presentation (Student Research Award Recipient), Pennsylvania Water Environment Association 80th Annual Technical Conference & Exhibition (PennTec 2008), State College, PA, June 2.
*McElhoe, J. A., and Brennan, R. A. (2008) "Spatial and temporal quantification of multiple Dehalococcoides strains throughout the stages of reductive TCE dechlorination." Platform presentation, Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds: The Sixth International Conference, Monterey, CA, May 22.
Evans, P. J., Titus, T., Brennan, R. A., *Cai, H., and Fricke, R. (2008) "Perchlorate remediation in vadose zone soil by Gaseous Electron Donor Injection Technology (GEDIT)." Platform presentation, Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds: The Sixth International Conference, Monterey, CA, May 22.
Venot, C., Figueroa, L. A., Brennan, R. A., Sieczkowski, M. R., and Al-Abed, S. R. (2008) "Pilot-scale biochemical reactor treatability study for metals removal from mining influenced water." Platform presentation, Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds: The Sixth International Conference, Monterey, CA, May 22.
*Newcombe, C. E., and Brennan, R. A. (2008) "Enhanced treatment of acid mine drainage using chitin as a fractional amendment to spent mushroom compost." Poster presentation, College of Engineering Research Symposium, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, April 1.
*McElhoe, J. A., and Brennan, R. A. (2008) "Chemical and molecular characterization throughout the course of chitin-enhanced TCE dechlorination." Oral presentation (2nd Place Winner in Environmental Engineering & Ecology session), 11th Annual Environmental Chemistry Student Symposium, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, March 29.
*Eramo, A., and Brennan, R. A. (2008) "Sustainable treatment of diesel contaminated sediments using spent mushroom compost." Poster presentation (2nd Place Winner in Environmental Engineering & Ecology category), 11th Annual Environmental Chemistry Student Symposium, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, March 28.
*Cai, H., and Brennan, R. A. (2007) "Vadose zone treatment of perchlorate using gaseous electron donors." Platform presentation, In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation 9th International Symposium, Baltimore, MD, May 8.
*Robinson Lora, M. A., and Brennan, R. A. (2007) "Evaluation of chitin as an electron donor source for biological nitrate reduction: column studies." Platform presentation, In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation 9th International Symposium, Baltimore, MD, May 8.
*McElhoe, J. A., and Brennan, R. A. (2007) "Evaluation of dynamic chemical gradients during the course of trichloroethene remediation using a fermentable substrate." Poster presentation, In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation 9th International Symposium, Baltimore, MD, May 8.
‡Daubert, L. N., and Brennan, R. A. (2007) "Passive remediation of acid mine drainage using chitin." Platform presentation, In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation 9th International Symposium, Baltimore, MD, May 7.
*Robinson Lora, M. A., and Brennan, R. A. (2007) "Natural chitinous naterial as a neutralizing agent and electron donor source for the passive remediation of acid mine drainage." Poster presentation, 10th Annual Environmental Chemistry Student Symposium, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, April 13.
*Cai, H., and Brennan, R. A. (2007) "Bioremediation of perchlorate in vadose zone soil using gaseous electron donors: microcosm tests." Poster presentation, The Graduate Exhibition, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, March 25.
*McElhoe, J. A. and Brennan, R. A. (2007) "Evaluation of dynamic chemical gradients over space and time during the course of trichloroethene remediation using a fermentable substrate." Poster presentation, The Graduate Exhibition, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, March 25.
*Robinson Lora, M. A. and Brennan, R. A. (2007) "Passive remediation of acid mine drainage using chitinous materials: microcosm and column studies on three sites within central Pennsylvania." Poster presentation (2nd Place Winner in Engineering category), The Graduate Exhibition, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, March 25.
Brennan, R. A., *Cai, H., **Min, B., and Evans, P. J. (2006) "Treatability study for the bioremediation of perchlorate in vadose zone soils using gaseous electron donors." Poster presentation, Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds: The Fifth International Conference, Monterey, CA.
‡Daubert, L. and Brennan, R. A. (2006) “A laboratory investigation of passive acid mine drainage treatment using chitin.” Poster presentation (1st Place Winner in Engineering category), Undergraduate Research Exhibition, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, April 5.*Robinson Lora, M. A. and Brennan, R. A. (2006) “Use of crab shell chitin as an electron donor source for biological denitrification in batch and column tests.” Platform presentation, 9th Annual Environmental Chemistry Student Symposium. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, March 18.
*Robinson Lora, M. A. and Brennan, R. A. (2006) “Biological nitrate reduction using chitin as an electron donor source.” Poster presentation, The Graduate Exhibition, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, March 25.
*McElhoe, J. and Brennan, R. A. (2005) “Optimization of chitin grade and mass loading for chloroethene bioremediation.” Poster presentation, In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation 8th International Symposium, Baltimore, MD.
*Robinson Lora, M. A. and Brennan, R. A. (2005) “Evaluation of chitin as an electron donor source for biological nitrate reduction.” Poster presentation, 8th Annual Environmental Chemistry Student Symposium, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
*McElhoe, J. and Brennan, R. A. (2005) “Optimization of chitin grade and mass loading for chloroethene bioremediation.” Poster presentation, 8th Annual Environmental Chemistry Student Symposium, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
Brennan, R. A., Werth, C. J., and Sanford, R. A. (2004) “Tracking the growth and distribution of a chloridogenic microbial community in PCE-contaminated sediments treated with chitin.” Poster presentation, 10th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology - ISME, Cancun, Mexico.
Brennan, R. A., Sanford, R. A., and Werth, C. J. (2004) “Bioremediation of tetrachloroethene using chitin: spatial and temporal effects in a 1-D column system.” Poster presentation, Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds: The Fourth International Conference, Monterey, CA.
Martin, J. P., Sorenson, K. S. Jr., Brennan, R. A., Sanford, R. A., Werth, C .J., Bures, G. H., Guest, G., and Fulton, R. (2004) “Full-scale application of chitin for bioremediation of chlorinated solvents.” Poster presentation, Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds: The Fourth International Conference, Monterey, CA.
Brennan, R. A., Werth, C. J., Sanford, R. A., Sorenson, K. S., Martin, J. P., and Bures, G. H. (2002) “From the lab to the field: development and deployment of the halorespiration enhancing redox transition zone (HERTZ) technology for bioremediation.” Poster presentation, Association of Environmental Engineering & Science Professors Conference, Toronto, Canada.
Martin, J. P., Sorenson, K. S., Peterson, L. N., Brennan, R. A., Werth, C. J., Sanford, R. A., Bures, G. H., and Taylor, C. J. (2002) “Enhanced CAH dechlorination in a low permeability, variably-saturated medium.” Poster presentation, Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds: The Third International Conference, Monterey, CA.
Brennan, R. A., Vera, S. M., Sanford, R. A., and Werth, C. J. (2001) “Bioremediation of perchloroethene in a column experiment using chitin fermentation.” Poster presentation, In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation 6th International Symposium, San Diego, CA.
Brennan, R. A., Feinrich, E., and Scholz-Muramatsu, H. (2001) “Feasibility of sequential anaerobic-aerobic dechlorination of chlorinated ethenes in contaminated aquifers.” Poster presentation, In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation 6th International Symposium, San Diego, CA.
Vera S. M., Brennan, R. A., Werth, C. J., and Sanford, R. A. (2000) "Analysis of substrates to support a halorespiration enhanced redox transition zone, HERTZ, in chlorinated solvent impacted groundwater." Poster presentation, Groundwater 2000 Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Swanson, A. R., Brennan, R. A., Loffler, F. E., and Sanford, R. A. (1999) "Hydrogen generation, 14C-acetate assimilation, and the role of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle by succinate-fed, tetrachloroethene-respiring Desulfuromonas sp. strain BB1." Poster presentation, American Society for Microbiology 99th General Meeting, Chicago, IL.
Brennan, R. A., Swanson, A. R., Loffler, F. E., Sanford, R. A. (1999) "Chlorinated solvent bioremediation: a novel approach to measuring bacterial kinetics." Platform presentation, In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation 5th International Symposium, San Diego, CA.
Brennan, R. A., Swanson, A. R., Loffler, F. E., Sanford, R. A. (1998) “Use of a solid-phase sorbent for manipulating PCE concentrations in growing cultures of the halorespiring bacterial strain BB1.” Poster presentation, American Society for Microbiology 98th General Meeting, Atlanta, GA.
Invited Seminars
Brennan, R.A. (2008) “Solving a global water crisis in a local watershed: a comprehensive analysis of chitin as a multifunctional substrate for the treatment of acid mine drainage.” Invited seminar, sponsored by the University of Tennessee Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment, Joint Institute for Biological Sciences and the Center for Environmental Biotechnology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, April 4.
Brennan, R.A. (2007) “The future of multifunctional substrates in remediation design.” Invited seminar, Camp Dresser & McKee, Inc. (CDM), Denver, CO, May 17.
Brennan, R.A. (2005) “From shrimp dinners to superfund sites: the use of chitin for the bioremediation of chlorinated solvents.” Invited seminar, Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, March 11.
Brennan, R.A. (2004) “From shrimp dinners to superfund sites: the use of chitin for the bioremediation of chlorinated solvents.” Invited seminar, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, September 17.
Research Reports to Sponsor
*Caporuscio, A. F., and Brennan, R. A. (2009) "Passive remediation of acid precipitation in the South Branch of Kinzua Creek using crab-shell chitin: a treatability study." Final report to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, 2009.
*Eramo, A., and Brennan, R. A. (2008) "Bioremediation of diesel contaminated sediments using spent mushroom compost: microcosm tests." Submitted to The California Mushroom Farm.Sorenson, K. S., Martin, J. P., Brennan, R. A., Bures, G. H. (2002) “Phase I SBIR final report: fracing technology for remediation of chlorinated solvent source areas in low permeability media.” NSF SBIR program.
‡Undergraduate student supervised by Dr. Brennan
*Graduate student supervised by Dr. Brennan
**Post-doctoral student supervised by Dr. Brennan