Abstract Proposal: CMS 96-16854 PI: Dennis G. Grubb: Georgia Institute of Technology "Career: The Productive Re-use of Industrial Byproducts to Solve Environmental Problems: A Paradigm Shift in the Way Industrial Byproducts are used " The overall objective of this Career development plan is to explore the interface between geotechnology, geochemistry, environmental engineering and the social sciences, the latter principally due to the stigma associated with industrial byproducts. The research program will emphasize core skills in fundamental science and engineering, and will have its nexus with the educational program in these same areas, but also in creative thinking. Specifically, this research will evaluate whether fly ash (pure or blended with other industrial byproducts) can be used as a porous geochemical filter (PGF) media to successfully mitigate or attenuate acid mine drainage (AMD). The primary objective will be to identify a strategy for rapid deoxygenation of AMD leachates while minimizing the negative impacts of iron precipitation, i.e., pore clogging in the PGF itself. The second objective is to identify and quantify the governing redox chemistry, and precipitation and sorption phenomena associated with the flow of AMD through the various PGF media, including the redox reactions involving metals that are mediated by microorganisms under anoxic conditions. The third objective is to identify which PGF media can best immobilize metals and to correlate this performance with geochemical and geotechnical index properties. The educational activities will be constructed to promote mental and experiential breadth and conceptual versatility. Critical thinking techniques will be introduced, and special facets will be developed to attract and retain more students from all groups of engineering. Existing and new coursework will be infused with information from history and philosophy of science and engineering, and will highlight factors that can contribute to the discovery and problem solving process. The study of productive use of industrial byproducts will be introduced into coursework, as a means of initiating paradigm shift in attitudes concerning industrial byproducts and their productive re-use. ***
