• PUBLICATION NOTICE: Electrokinetic-Enhanced Phytoremediation of Uranium-contaminated Soil Using Sunflower and Indian Mustard

    Abstract: Electrokinetic-enhanced phytoremediation is an effective technology to decontaminate heavy metal contaminated soil. In this study, we examined the effects of electrokinetic treatments on plant uptake and bioaccumulation of U from soils with various U sources. Redistribution of uranium in soils as affected by planting and electrokinetic treatments was investigated. The soil was spiked with 100mg kg⁻¹ UO₂, UO3, and UO₂(NO₃)₂. After sunflower and Indian mustard grew for 60 days, 1 voltage of direct-current was applied across the soils for 9 days. The results indicated that U uptake in both plants were significantly enhanced by electrokinetic treatments from soil with UO₃ and UO₂(NO₃)₂. U was more accumulated in roots than in shoots. Electrokinetic treatments were effective on lowering soil pH near the anode region. Overall, uranium (U) removal efficiency reached 3.4–4.3% from soils with UO₃ and uranyl with both plants while that from soil with UO₂ was 0.7–0.8%. Electrokinetic remediation treatment significantly enhanced the U removal efficiency (5–6%) from soils with UO₃ and uranyl but it was 0.8–1.3% from soil with UO₂, indicating significant effects of U species and electrokinetic enhancement on U bioaccumulation. This study implies the potential feasibility of electrokinetic-enhanced phytoremediation of U soils with sunflower and Indian mustard.
  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: A Novel Laboratory Simulation System to Uncover the Mechanisms of Uranium Upward Transport in a Desert Landscape

    Abstract: After depleted uranium (DU) is deposited in the environment, it corrodes producing mobile uranium species. The upward transport mechanism in a desert landscape is associated with the dissolution/precipitation of uranium minerals that vary in composition and solubility in soil pore water. The objective of this study is to develop the laboratory column simulation to investigate the upward transport mechanism with cyclic capillary wet-ting and drying moisture regimes. Results showed that evaporation driven upward transport occurred even during the first 2 months of wetting-drying regimes. Evaporation driven upward transport may control the U movement in the soil profile in an arid climate. The new system did not generate any uranium-containing wastewater. • Simulates the upward transport process of pollutants with different pollution levels and species. • Simultaneously simulate the transport process of multiple pollutants simultaneously. • Evaluate the influence of biogeochemical factors on pollutant transport such as various cations and anions (Ca, Mg and carbonates) in water.
  • Blue Marsh Lake Swimming Beach to Open; Restrictions in Place for Holiday Weekend

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the swimming beach at Blue Marsh Lake will open to the public on July 2, 2020. The bathhouse and shower facilities at the beach will also open. Visitation in the Dry Brooks Day Use Area will be limited to 75% capacity. Park Rangers will be monitoring the visitation and closing the area as needed.
  • Corps seeks comments on draft wetland restoration project in Fargo, N.D.

    ST. PAUL, Minn. –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is seeking public comments on a draft Environmental Assessment, or EA, released today, July 1, for the drain 27 wetland restoration project in Fargo, North Dakota.
  • Beaver Lake will no longer accept private dock or marina boat slip requests

    ROGERS, Ark. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beaver Lake Project Office will no longer accept requests for private floating facilities/boat docks or marina boat slips on Beaver Lake. The lake can safely support only so many floating facilities and so many boats on the water. At this time, the Corps has already received enough requests for new floating facilities or modifications of existing floating facilities to put the lake at its capacity.
  • Knauss Fellow, Engineering With Nature initiative a perfect match

    To Samuel Fielding, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Engineering With Nature (EWN) initiative seemed like a perfect fit. As a prospective John A. Knauss Marine Fellow, Fielding was searching for a host organization where he could utilize his interdisciplinary education in economics, international relations and biology. His doctorate research was focused on the economics of coastal adaption and the socioeconomics of coastal hazards within flood insurance markets.
  • Army Corps of Engineers contracting process continues despite Coronavirus Pandemic

    For decades, the Rockaway Beach community in the Boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn in New York City
  • Fate and flows: Oregon native keeps water moving through state

    PORTLAND, Ore. -- Salina Hart dreams about water. It makes sense: she grew up on the water, and often went tubing down the local Clackamas River, the North Santiam and the Long Tom. Even after the massive local floods of 1996 swelled the river, inundated her home and took out most of her neighborhood, she still loved water.
  • MKARNS Nav Notice SWL 20-39 Trimble Lock (No.13) Width Restriction Lifted

    MKARNS - The width restriction at James W. Trimble Lock (No. 13) NM 292.8 has been lifted and the lock has returned to normal operation.
  • USACE Buffalo District awards contract for seawall repair at LaSalle Park

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District awarded a $6.11 million contract to Cold Spring Construction Company, from Akron, NY, on June 25 to repair over 1,300 feet of seawall, which has deteriorated over time due to Lake Erie ice and wave action, at the northern section of LaSalle Park, Buffalo, NY.