Tom Hinton, Ph.D

University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
Aiken, SC 29802

(803) 725-7454; thinton@srel.edu

 

Research Theme: Remediation of Radioactively Contaminated Ecosystems (Rmd)


Dr. Hinton has received numerous grants from the Department of Energy to develop a remediation technique that is less damaging to contaminated lakes, ponds and wetlands than the traditional method of complete removal of contaminated sediments and subsequent burial elsewhere. The research, in collaboration with Drs. Dan Kaplan and Anna Knox of the Savannah River National Laboratory, resulted in an in situ method of applying illite clays to contaminated water bodies. Application of the technique cost 20-times less than traditional "muck and truck" methods, significantly reduced the biological availability of radioactive cesium, and preserved the integrity of the wetland (Fig 5).


Figure 5. Replicated limnocorrals, to which various treatments were applied, were used to field test methods for the remediation of 137Cs-contaminated wetlands.
   

 

 

Other work, in collaboration with Dr. Ward Whicker at Colorado State University, evaluated alternative remediation strategies based on realistic risk analyses. Results of the research contributed to the Department of Energy refilling a partially drained, contaminated lake on the Savannah River Site. This simple remediation measure saved tax payers millions of dollars compared to a proposed alternative involving complete drainage and subsequent trucking of the contaminated sediments to another location.

Relevant works

Rmd Phytoremediation potential of native trees in a uranium and thorium contaminated wetland (2005).
Rmd Avoiding destructive remediation at DOE sites (2004).
Rmd Response to L. Moore's and Response to R. Efroymson's comments on "Avoiding destructive remediation at DOE sites" (2004).
Rmd Short-term environmental impacts of illite clays when used as an in situ method for remediation of 137Cs-contamintated wetlands (2004).
Rmd Apatite and Phillipsite as sequestering agents for metals and radionuclides (2003).
Rmd Field deployment of an in situ remediation method for 137Cs contaminated wetlands (2002).
Rmd An in situ method for remediating 137Cs-contaminated wetlands using naturally occurring minerals (2001).
Rmd Bioavailability of radioactive cesium in old R discharge canal, R-Canal, Pond A, and the adjacent floodplain (2001).
Rmd Evaluation of the phytoimmobilization pechnology for the TNX outfall delta (2001).
Rmd Proof-of-Concept of the phytoimmobilization yechnology for the TNX outfall delta: Status report (2001).
Rmd In situ remediation of 137Cs contaminated wetlands using naturally occurring minerals (1999).
Rmd 137Cs in floodplain sediments of the Lower Three Runs Creek Integrated Operable Unit of the Savannah River Site (1999).
Rmd Temporal changes and factors influencing 137Cs concentration in vegetation colonizing an exposed lake bed over a three year period (1999).
Rmd Operationally-defined availability from sequential extractions compared to plant uptake of 137Cs and 90Sr (1998).
Rmd To remediate or not: A case history (1993).
Rmd A field experiment on Rn flux from reclaimed uranium mill tailings (1985).
Rmd A field experiment on tailings reclamation: Radon flux versus earthen cover depth (1982).