William D. Burgos  
 
     

Experience

Research

Publications
Ongoing
Past

Teaching


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Research Interests 

Bioremediation of soil, sediment and groundwater; contaminant interactions with natural organic matter; biological iron(III) reduction; biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; immobilization of metals/radionuclides; remediation of acid mine drainage.

Research Highlights

• PI or Co-PI on research funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) and other agencies at the level of $5.3 million over the last ten years.
• Faculty affiliate associated with the Penn State NSF-funded Environmental Molecular Sciences Institute (EMSI) and Integrated Graduate Education and Research Training (IGERT) at the level of $9.4 million over their program durations.
• Author of 40 peer-reviewed scientific publications in journals such as Environmental Science & Technology (9), Journal of Contaminant Hydrology (2), Geochimica Cosmochimica Acta, Water Research (4), Water Resources Research (2), Environmental Engineering Science (7), ASCE Journal of Environmental Engineering (3), and Soil Science Society of America Journal.

Research Facilities

The research projects described above are primarily conducted in the
Kappe Environmental Engineering Laboratories located in the Sackett Building.
Connect to this site to take a virtual/internet tour of the labs, find out about available facilities and instruments, and learn more about the graduate students working in the labs and the various research projects conducted here.

 
   
Publications  
Minyard, M.L., and W.D. Burgos. 2007. Hydrologic flow controls on biologic iron(III) reduction in natural sediments. Environmental Science & Technology. In press, web release 01-04-07.

Burgos, W.D, J.M. Senko, B.A. Dempsey, E.E. Roden, J.J. Stone, K.M. Kemner and S.D. Kelly. 2007. Soil Humic Acid Decreases Biological Uranium(VI) Reduction by Shewanella putrefaciens CN32. Environmental Engineering Science. 24:200-206.

Tan, H., O. Ezekoye, J. van der Schalie, M. Horn, A. Lakhtakia, J. Xu and W.D. Burgos. Biological Reduction of Nano-Engineered Iron(III) Oxide Sculptured Thin Films. Environmental Science & Technology. 40:5490-5495.

Stone J.J., W.D. Burgos, R.A. Royer and B.A. Dempsey. 2006. Impact of Zinc on Biological Fe(III) and NO3- Reduction by Shewanella putrefaciens CN32. Environmental Engineering Science. 23:691-704.

Stone J.J., W.D. Burgos, R.A. Royer and B.A. Dempsey. 2006. Zinc and Manganese Inhibition of Biological Hematite Reduction. Environmental Engineering Science. 23:859-870.

Jang, J.H., B.A. Dempsey and W.D. Burgos. 2006. Solubility of Schoepite: Comparison and Selection of Complexation Constants for U(VI). Water Research. 40:2738-2746.

Burgos, W.D., and N. Pisutpaisal. 2006. Sorption of Naphthoic Acids and Quinoline Compounds to Estuarine Sediment. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology. 84:107-126.

Jeon, B.H., B.A. Dempsey, W.D. Burgos, M.O. Barnett and E.E. Roden. 2005. Chemical reduction of U(VI) at the solid-water interface using natural and synthetic iron(III) oxides. Environmental Science & Technolology. 39:5642-5649.

Tuntoolavest, M., and W.D. Burgos. 2005. Anaerobic Phenol Oxidation by Geobacter metallireducens Using Various Electron Acceptors. Environmental Engineering Science. 22:421-426.

Jeon, B.H., S.D. Kelly, K.M. Kemner, M.O. Barnett, W.D. Burgos, B.A. Dempsey and E.E. Roden. 2004. Microbial Reduction of U(VI) at the Solid-Water Interface. Environmental Science & Technolology. 38:5649-5655.

Jeon, B.H., B.A. Dempsey, W.D. Burgos and R.A. Royer. 2004. Low-temperature oxygen trap for maintaining strict anoxic environment. ASCE Journal of Environmental Engineering. 130:1407-1410.

Jeon, B.H., B.A. Dempsey, W.D. Burgos, R.A. Royer and E.E. Roden. 2004. Modeling the sorption kinetics of divalent metal ions to hematite. Water Research. 38:2499-2504.

Royer R.A., B.A. Dempsey, B.H. Jeon and W.D. Burgos. 2004. Inhibition of Biological Reductive Dissolution of Hematite by Ferrous Iron. Environmental Science & Technology. 38:187-193.

Parikh, S.J., J. Chorover and W.D. Burgos. 2004. Interaction of phenanthrene and its primary metabolite (1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid) with estuarine sediments and humic fractions. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology. 72:1-22.

Burgos, W.D., Y.L. Fang, R.A. Royer, G.T. Yeh, J.J. Stone, B.H. Jeon and B.A. Dempsey. 2003. Reaction-Based Modeling of Quinone-Mediated Bacterial Iron(III) Reduction. Geochimica Cosmochimica Acta. 67:2735-2748.

Jeon, B.H., B.A. Dempsey and W.D. Burgos. 2003. Kinetics and Mechanisms for Reactions of Fe(II) with Iron(III) Oxides. Environmental Science & Technology. 37:3309-3315.

Fang Y., G.T. Yeh and W.D. Burgos. 2003. A General Paradigm to Model Reaction-Based Biogeochemical Processes in Batch Systems. Water Resources Research. 39:1083-1108.

Jeon, B.H., B.A. Dempsey, W.D. Burgos and R.A. Royer. 2003. Sorption Kinetics of Fe(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cd(II) and Fe(II)/Me(II) onto Hematite. Water Research. 37:4135-4142.

Jang, J.H., B.A. Dempsey, G.L. Catchen and W.D. Burgos. 2003. Effects of Zn(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), NO3-, or SO42- at pH 6.5 and 8.5 on transformation of hydrous ferric oxide (HFO) as evidenced by Mössbauer spectroscopy. Colloids & Surfaces A. 221:55-68.

Royer, R.A., R.F. Unz, B.A. Dempsey and W.D. Burgos. 2003. Dissimilatory Metal Reducing Bacteria in Biogeochemistry and Corrosion. Corrosion/03, Paper # 03554, NACE, Houston, TX.

Chen, J., B. Gu, R.A. Royer and W.D. Burgos. 2003. The Roles of Natural Organic Matter in Chemical and Microbial Reduction of Ferric Iron. Science of the Total Environment. 307:167-178.

Royer, R.A., W.D. Burgos, A.S. Fisher, R.F. Unz and B.A. Dempsey. 2002. Enhancement of Hematite Bioreduction by Natural Organic Matter. Environmental Science & Technology. 36:2897-2904.

Royer, R.A., W.D. Burgos, A.S. Fisher, B.A. Dempsey and R.F. Unz. 2002. Enhancement of Biological Reduction of Hematite by Electron Shuttling and Fe(II) Complexation. Environmental Science & Technology. 36:1939-1946.

Burgos, W.D., R.A. Royer, G.T. Yeh, Y.L. Fang, A.S. Fisher, B.H. Jeon and B.A. Dempsey. 2002. Theoretical and Experimental Considerations Related to Reaction-Based Modeling: A Case Study Using Iron(III) Oxide Bioreduction. Geomicrobiology Journal. 19:253-287.

Burgos, W.D., N. Pisutpaisal, M. Mazzarese and J. Chorover. 2002. Adsorption of Quinoline to Kaolinite and Montmorillonite. Environmental Engineering Science. 19:59-68.

Yeh, G.T., W.D. Burgos and J.M. Zachara. 2001. Modeling and Measuring Biogeochemical Reactions: System Consistency, Data Needs, and Rate Formulations. Advances in Environmental Research. 5:219-237.

Jeon, B.H., B.A. Dempsey, W.D. Burgos and R.A. Royer. 2001. Reaction of Ferrous Iron with Hematite. Colloids & Surfaces A. 191:41-55.

Burgos, W.D., N. Pisutpaisal, M. Tuntoolavest, J. Chorover and R.F. Unz. 2000. Biodegradation of 1-Naphthol in the Presence of Humic Acid. Environmental Engineering Science. 17:343-351.

Tuntoolavest, M., and W.D. Burgos. 2000. Comparison of Mixed Cultures Based on Activity. ASCE Journal of Environmental Engineering. 126:1064-1066.

Burgos, W.D., C.M. Munson and C.J. Duffy. 1999. Phenanthrene Adsorption-Desorption Hysteresis in Soil Described Using Discrete-Interval Equilibrium Models. Water Resources Research. 35:2043-2051.

Chorover, J., M.K. Amistadi, W.D. Burgos and P.G. Hatcher. 1999. Quinoline-Lithium Exchange on Kaolinite-Humic Acid Complexes. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 63:850-857.

Burgos, W.D., D.F. Berry, A. Bhandari and J.T. Novak. 1999. Impact of Soil-Chemical Interactions on the Bioavailability of Naphthalene and 1-Naphthol. Water Research. 33:3789-3795.

Parker, E.F., and W.D. Burgos. 1999. Degradation Patterns of Fresh and Aged Petroleum Contaminated Soils. Environmental Engineering Science. 16:21-29.

Burgos, W.D., and A. Ellwood. 1999. Regulatory Methods Used in Writing NPDES Permits for the Shipbuilding and Repair Industry. Naval Engineers Journal. 111:91-97.

Bogan, B.W., R.T. Lamar, W.D. Burgos and M. Tien. 1999. Extent of humification of anthracene, fluoranthene, and benzo[a?]pyrene by Pleurotus ostreatus during growth in PAH-contaminated soils. Letters in Applied Microbiology. 28:250-254.

Kliem, J.A., G.E. Clark, Jr. and W.D. Burgos. 1998. In-Line Treatment of Metal Contaminated Storm Water With a Porous Polymer. Keystone Water Quality Manager. 31(6):34-40.

Bhandari, A., J.T. Novak, W.D. Burgos and D.F. Berry. 1997. Binding of Chlorophenols to Soil and Its Impact on Bioavailability. ASCE Journal of Environmental Engineering. 123:506-513.

Burgos, W.D., J.T. Novak and D.F. Berry. 1996. Reversible Sorption and Irreversible Binding of Naphthalene and ?-Naphthol to Soil - Elucidation of Processes. Environmental Science & Technology. 30:1205-1211.

Novak, J.T., W.R. Knocke, W.D. Burgos and P. Schuler. 1993. Predicting the Dewatering Performance of Belt Filter Presses. Water Science & Technology. 28:11-19.

  
   
Ongoing Research  
  • September 2004 – August 2009--The Penn State Center for Environmental Kinetic Analysis (CEKA); National Science Foundation, Environmental Molecular Sciences Institutes Program; $6,700,000, faculty affiliate.
  • September 2004 – August 2007-- Reaction-Based Reactive Transport Modeling of Iron Reduction and Uranium Immobilization at Area 2 of the NABIR Field Research Center; Department of Energy, Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research Program; $1,350,000, PI.
  • October 2005 – December 2007--Improving Passive Mine Treatment Through Better Understanding of Biogeochemistry and Mineralogy Associated with low-pH Fe(II) Oxidation; Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation; $94,500, PI.
  • March 2007 - February 2008--The effect of oxygen availability on Fe cycling microbial communities within an acid mine drainage-induced-kill zone, Pennsylvania Water Resources Research Center/United States Geological Survey; $19,968, Co- PI.
  • January 2007 - December 2007--AMD TMDL Stream Water Quality Monitoring; Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; $60,000, PI. (pending)
  • June 2007 – May 2009--Aeration Terraces for Biological low-pH Iron(II) Oxidation of Acid Mine Drainage, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation; $186,392, PI. (pending)
  • June 2007 – May 2009--Innovative Ex-Situ Removal of Manganese & Enhanced Recovery From Acidic Mine Drainage, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation; $449,271, Co-PI. (pending)
 
  Past Research   
 
  • October 2005 – October 2006--AMD TMDL Stream Water Quality Monitoring; Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; $60,000, PI.
  • November 2004 – June 2005--Arsenic Removal Using Cerium Oxide Filters; U.S. Army through the Applied Research Laboratory; $25,000, PI.
  • September 2001 – August 2004--Iron Reduction and Radionuclide Immobilization: Influence of Natural Organic Matter & Reaction-Based Modeling; Department of Energy, Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research Program; $1,272,429, PI.
  • August 1999 – July 2004--The Penn State Biogeochemical Research Initiative for Education (BRIE); National Science Foundation, Integrated Graduate Education and Research Training Program; $2,700,000, faculty affiliate.
  • June 2000 – May 2001--Using Mössbauer-Effect Spectroscopy to Investigate the Transformation of Iron-Containing Phases Under Environmental Conditions; Center for Environmental Chemistry and Geochemistry (CECG), The Pennsylvania State University; $35,847, PI .
  • January 1999 – December 2002--Bioavailability and Toxicity of Ionizable Organic Compounds in Estuarine Sediments; National Science Foundation, Bioengineering and Environmental Systems; $572,221, PI.
  • September 1998 – August 2001--Impact of Iron-Reducing Bacteria on Metals and Radionuclides Adsorbed to Humic-Coated Iron(III) Oxides; Department of Energy, Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research Program; $1,010,051, PI.
  • Bioavailability of Aromatic Contaminants Bound to Soil and Aqueous-Phase Natural Organic Matter. (PIs: Chorover, Hatcher, Burgos) January, 1997 - December, 1999, $499,831. Department of Energy, Joint Program on Bioremediation.
  • A Shipyard Program for NPDES Compliance. (PIs: Schneider, Yeh, Burgos, Williams) May, 1996 - October, 1998, $299,691. National Shipbuilding Research Program.
  • Assessment of the Full-Scale Operation of a GeoReactor™ System at the Saegertown Township Sewer Authority, Saegertown, PA. (PI: Burgos) January, 1997 - June, 1998, $55,500. Ben Franklin Project-Pennsylvania Challenge Grant.
  • Heavy Metal Adsorbents for Storm Water Pollution Prevention. (PI: Burgos) June, 1997 - December, 1997, $15,000. National Shipbuilding Research Program.