Survey and Analysis of Georgia's Most Contaminated Environmental Sites
Disciplines
Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Biomes, communities of vegetation and the microorganisms adapted to that particular environment, are undeniably essential to health of the ecosystem and all that thrives within them. Without question, the presence of toxic metal by-products, chemical pollutants, medical and radioactive waste can significantly impact the health of the biome communities. Governmental monitoring institutions like the Environmental Protection Agency, compile databases listing environmentally hazardous sites but the data can be difficult to navigate for retrieval of useful information. In this study, we examined the state of Georgia and conducted surveys of databases to determine the most contaminated sites. We categorized the top hazard by type and determined the locations by county. Major contributors to these biohazards generally include industry, agriculture, landfills and urban development and their impact is also highlighted in this study. Our study attempt is to achieve a ranking of these sites based on environmental impact in an accessible format. This could be utilized as list of targets for environmental remediation. In our study, we have observed that some sites are designated for cleanup by the government while other equally hazardous areas are not. This further supports the need for the scientific community to be engaged and to study the affected environmental sites. Advancements in technologies and approaches in cleaning these sites can only be made through careful research on the effects of the contaminants on the biomes and to inform recommendations for the conservation and preservation of these biomes for future environmental health and society impact.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Molecular and Cellular Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Melanie C. Griffin
Survey and Analysis of Georgia's Most Contaminated Environmental Sites
Biomes, communities of vegetation and the microorganisms adapted to that particular environment, are undeniably essential to health of the ecosystem and all that thrives within them. Without question, the presence of toxic metal by-products, chemical pollutants, medical and radioactive waste can significantly impact the health of the biome communities. Governmental monitoring institutions like the Environmental Protection Agency, compile databases listing environmentally hazardous sites but the data can be difficult to navigate for retrieval of useful information. In this study, we examined the state of Georgia and conducted surveys of databases to determine the most contaminated sites. We categorized the top hazard by type and determined the locations by county. Major contributors to these biohazards generally include industry, agriculture, landfills and urban development and their impact is also highlighted in this study. Our study attempt is to achieve a ranking of these sites based on environmental impact in an accessible format. This could be utilized as list of targets for environmental remediation. In our study, we have observed that some sites are designated for cleanup by the government while other equally hazardous areas are not. This further supports the need for the scientific community to be engaged and to study the affected environmental sites. Advancements in technologies and approaches in cleaning these sites can only be made through careful research on the effects of the contaminants on the biomes and to inform recommendations for the conservation and preservation of these biomes for future environmental health and society impact.