Past Research Projects

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Contact Information

Robert W. Nairn, PhD
Director, Center for Restoration of Ecosystems and Watersheds
David L. Boren Professor
Sam K. Viersen Family Presidential Professor
School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science
The University of Oklahoma
202 W. Boyd St., Room 334
Norman, OK 73019-1024

nairn@ou.edu
Office: (405) 325-3354

CREW Funded Research Projects

The list below represents only those research projects for which Robert W. Nairn served as Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator.

72. 2021-2024 Exploring Engineering With Nature (EWN) Opportunities and Applications in the Inland United States, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center (PI with R. Knox, R. Kolar, M. Muraleetharan, T. Yang and S. Hodgson)

71. 2021-2023 Acquisition of an ICP-OES and IC to Increase Hydrological and Geochemical Research and Education in the School of Geosciences at the University of Oklahoma, National Science Foundation (Senior Personnel with K. Dee)

70. 2021-2023 Understanding Iron Oxide Mineralogy to Enhance Sorption: Sustainable Environmental and Economic Reuse of Mine Drainage Treatment Solids, Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement (PI)

69. 2020-2025 Characterizing Clumsy Reuse Solutions via Socio-scientific Modelling Innovations, Variable and Marginal Quality Waters Task 5 of EPSCoR RII Track-1: Socially Sustainable Solutions for Water, Carbon, and Infrastructure Resilience in Oklahoma (S³OK), National Science Foundation (PI)

68. 2020-2025 Keeping the Red Water Clear: Operation and Maintenance of the Mayer Ranch and Southeast Commerce Passive Treatment Systems at the Tar Creek Superfund Site, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment (PI)

67. 2020-2022 Continued Monitoring and Evaluation of the Southeast Commerce Passive Treatment System and Unnamed Tributary Receiving Stream, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality yand Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment (PI)

66. 2021-2022 Arresting Arsenic in the Environment: A New Tool to Determine Lower Concentrations, Univesity of Oklahoma Ed Cline Faculty Development Grant (PI)

65. 2020-2025 Passive Treatment of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Wastewater Effluent by Wetland Ecosystems, Variable and Marginal Quality Waters Task 1 of EPSCoR RII Track-1: Socially Sustainable Solutions for Water, Carbon, and Infrastructure Resilience in Oklahoma (S³OK), National Science Foundation (PI)

64. 2019-2029 Grand River Dam Authority Graduate Student Support, Grand River Dam Authority, (PI)

63. 2018-2021 MRI: Acquisition of an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) System to Enable Elemental Analysis in Research, Training and Education, National Science Foundation, (Senior Personnel with M. Nanny et al.)

62. 2018-2020 Monitoring and Evaluation of the Southeast Commerce Passive Treatment System and Unnamed Tributary Receiving Stream, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, (PI)

61. 2016-2017 Water Sampling Plan for Lake Thunderbird (Contaminants of Emerging Concern), Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District, (co-PI with K.E. Murray, R.C. Knox and D.A Sabatini)

60. 2015-2020 A Watershed Approach to Ecosystem Conservation, Management and Restoration: Support for Grand Lake o' The Cherokees Watershed Planning, Grand River Dam Authority, (PI with R. Knox, R. Kolar, S. Radhakrishnan, R. Philp, A. Dzialowski, S. Stoodley, D. Storm and N. Torbick)

59. 2015 A Multidisciplinary Approach to Indirect Potable Reuse of Wastewater: Assessing the Role of an Environmental Buffer, College of Engineering Seed Grant/City of Norman, (PI with K.E. Murray, R.W. Puls, R.C. Knox and D.A Sabatini)

58. 2014-2018 Passive Treatment of Contaminated Mine Waters: Design, Construction and Evaluation of the Southeast Commerce Project, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, (PI with R. Knox and W. Matthews)

57. 2014-2015 Development of Structural and Environmental Guidelines for Habitable Structures on Grand Lake o’ The Cherokees, Grand River Dam Authority, (co-PI with R. Knox and R. Kolar)

56. 2011-2013 Aerating Off the Grid: Advancing Passive Treatment with Solar and Wind Power, Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement, (PI with K.A Strevett)

55. 2010-2011 A Fluvial Geomorphic and Sediment Transport Study of the Little River Upstream of Lake Thunderbird Using an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP), Oklahoma Water Resources Research Institute, (co-Pi with R. Kolar, B. Vieux and J. Julian)

54. 2009-2019 Grand River Dam Authority Water Quality Laboratory Equipment, OU Vice President for Research, (PI with R. Kolar)

53. 2009-2019 Grand River Dam Authority Graduate Student Support, Grand River Dam Authority, (PI with R. Kolar)

52. 2009-2014 Little River Watershed Best Management Practices Demonstration Neighborhood: Trailwoods Site, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Oklahoma Conservation Commission, (co-PI with R. Coffman, C. Warnken, R. McKown, K. Strevett, G. Canty, D. Boeck, W. McManus and others)

51. 2009-2012 Research Experience for Undergraduates in Sustainable Infrastructure Technology. National Science Foundation, (co-PI with CEES Faculty)

50. 2009-2012 Doctoral Fellowships in Technologies for Sustainable Infrastructure and Environmental Systems, U.S. Department of Education Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Program, (co-PI with CEES faculty)

49. 2009-2011 Reclaiming Irrigation Water in the High Desert of Potosi, Bolivia: Rehabilitation of Rio Juckucha, Rotary International and multiple partners, (co-Pi with W. Strosnider, F. Llanos, and others; awarded to Norman Rotary Club)

48. 2009-2010 Jefferson Elementary School Water Conservation and Outdoor Classroom Project, Oklahoma Water Resource Board, (Co-PI with K.A. Nairn, K. Strosnider and G. Canty; awarded to consortia including Watershed Restoration Incorporated)

47. 2008-2009 Laboratory Bench Scale Testing for Hexavalent Chromium Reduction in Groundwater, Science Applications International Corporation, (PI)

46. 2008 Strengthening Cooperative Efforts for Environmental Restoration in Bolivia, OU Presidential International Travel Fellowships for CREW, (PI)

45. 2007-2011 Partnerships for Wetland Protection, Restoration and Planning in an Urban Setting, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Oklahoma Conservation Commission, (co-PI with G. Canty; awarded to consortia including Watershed Restoration Incorporated)

44. 2007-2008 Strengthening Scientific Expertise in the Bolivian Andes: A Mining Pollution and Remediation Technology Transfer Workshop, OU Faculty Senate Development Grant, (PI)

43. 2006-2010 Source, Transport and Fate of Mine Waste Contaminants at the Tar Creek Superfund Site, Oklahoma: A Modified Scope of Work for Additional Remediation and Restoration Monitoring, U.S. Geological Survey, (PI with K. Strevett and J. Basara)

42. 2006-2009 Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Sustainable Technologies for Infrastructure and Environment, National Science Foundation, (co-PI with CEES Faculty)

41. 2006-2007 Evaluation of Coal-Combustion By-Products for In-Situ Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage, U.S. Department of Energy, (co-PI with G. Canty; awarded to consortia including Watershed Restoration Incorporated)

40. 2006-2007 Assessing Metals Bioavailability Through Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy Analysis of Tree Cores, OU Research Council, (PI)

39. 2005-2008 Source, Transport and Fate of Mine Waste Contaminants at the Tar Creek Superfund Site, U.S. Geological Survey, (PI with K. Strevett, R. Knox, and J. Basara)

38. 2005-2006 Lake Thunderbird LT2 Monitoring Program, Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District, (co-PI with K. Strevett)

37. 2005 Watershed Intern Program Sponsorship, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, (co-PI with G. Canty, awarded to Watershed Restoration Incorporated)

36. 2004-2010 Design, Construction and Evaluation of a Passive Treatment System, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (PI with K. Strevett, R. Knox, W. Matthews, and E. Bergey)

35. 2004-2007 Maximum Chat Utilization in Asphalt Paving at the Tar Creek Superfund Site–Test Road, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, (co-PI with M. Zaman, G. Miller, R. Knox. K. Strevett and D. Gransberg)

34. 2004-2006 Remediation and Restoration Monitoring at the Tar Creek Superfund Site, U.S. Geological Survey, (PI with K. Strevett, R. Knox, J. Basara, R. Lynch, D. Johnson, R. Clinkenbeard, K. Winton and others)

33. 2004-2006 An Evaluation of Cryptosporidium Source and Presence in Lake Thunderbird, Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District, (co-PI with K. Strevett)

32. 2004-2005 Norman Total Maximum Daily Load Survey, CH2M Hill, Inc. (co-PI with K. Strevett; project terminated prematurely)

31. 2003-2007 Doctoral Fellowships in Sustainable Technologies for Civil and Environmental Systems, U.S. Department of Education Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Program, (co-PI with CEES faculty)

30. 2002-2005 Passive Treatment of Metal-Rich Waters Through Enhanced Wetland Technologies, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (PI with K. Strevett and R. Knox)

29. 2002-2005 Passive Treatment of Metal-Rich Waters Through Enhanced Wetland Technologies, State of Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education, (PI with K. Strevett and R. Knox)

28. 2002-2005 New Methods in Environmental Remediation, State of Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education, (PI, assumed project upon 2004 PI departure)

27. 2002-2005 New Methods in Environmental Remediation, Monitoring and Life Cycle Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (PI, assumed project upon 2004 PI departure)

26. 2002-2005 Enhanced Life Cycle Assessment Framework for Environmental Technologies, State of Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education, (PI, assumed project upon 2004 PI departure)

25. 2002-2004 Laboratory Study to Optimize the Use of Raw Chat in Hot Mix Asphalt for Pavement Application, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, (co-PI with M. Zaman)

24. 2002-2004 Enhanced Life Cycle Assessment Framework for Environmental Technologies, Oklahoma Water Resources Research Institute, (PI, assumed project upon 2004 PI departure)

23. 2002-2003 Passive Treatment System Design for Water Quality Improvement, Georges Colliers Incorporated, (PI)

22. 2001-2004 Design and Monitoring of a Mine Drainage Passive Treatment System, U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and Oklahoma Conservation Commission, (PI)

21. 2001-2003 Water Resources of the Eastern Basin of the West Bank’s Mountain Aquifer, U.S. Agency for International Development, (co-PI with B. Wallach, T. Dewers, A. Tarhule and B. Vieux)

20. 2001-2002 Autopsy and Closure of a Treatment Wetlands Demonstration Project, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Oklahoma Conservation Commission, (PI with K. Strevett)

19. 2000-2005 Research Experiences for Undergraduates in GeoEnvironmental Systems, National Science Foundation, (co-PI with CEES Faculty)

18. 2000-2003 Effectiveness of Tire Mattresses Used for Erosion Control and Streambank Stabilization, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Oklahoma Office of Secretary of Environment, (PI with G. Miller)

17. 2000-2003 Beaver Creek Passive Treatment System Design, U.S Army Corps of Engineers, (PI)

16. 2000-2001 Development, Implementation and Assessment of a Multi-Semester Mega-Project for Project-Based Learning Across the Curriculum, OU College of Engineering, (co-PI with R. Knox and K. Strevett)

15. 1999-2002 Functional Assessment of Wetlands: A Comparative Evaluation of Approaches, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Oklahoma Conservation Commission, (PI)

14. 1998-2003 Chemicals in the Environment: Doctoral Fellowships in Environmental Engineering, U.S. Department of Education Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Program, (co-PI with CEES faculty)

13. 1998-2000 Development and Implementation of a Volunteer Monitoring Pilot Program for Wetlands, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Oklahoma Water Resources Board, (PI)

12. 1997-2000 Use of Staged Wetlands for Mitigation of Acid Mine Drainage, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Oklahoma Conservation Commission, (PI with K. Strevett and J. Everett)

11. 1997-1999 Research Experience for Undergraduates in Environmental Monitoring and Modeling, National Science Foundation, (co-PI with CEES faculty)

10. 1997 Microtox Bioassay Analyzer, Azur Environmental, Inc., (co-PI with M. Nanny and D. Nelson)

9. 1997 Microtox Bioassay Analyzer to Examine the Chemistry, Toxicity and Bioavailability of Sediments and Soils, University of Oklahoma Research Council, (co-PI with M. Nanny and D. Nelson)

8. 1997 Enhancement of Phosphorus Retention in Wetlands through the Manipulation of Substrate Iron Content, University of Oklahoma Research Council, (PI)

7. 1997 Ecological Engineering Applications in Croatia, National Research Council, (PI)

6. 1997 Coastal Ecology of Croatia, National Research Council Young Investigator Program, (PI)

5. 1995-1996 Presidential Fellowship, The Ohio State University, (PI)

4. 1995 Society of Wetland Scientists Graduate Student Award, (PI)

3. 1995 Sigma Xi Graduate Research Award, The Ohio State University, (PI)

2. 1995 Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Enrichment Award, The Ohio State University, (PI)

1. 1995 Graduate Student Alumni Research Award, The Ohio State University, (PI)

Selected Recently Completed Resarch Projects

Watershed-Scale Remediation and Restoration Monitoring in the Tri-State Lead-Zinc Mining District

Since late 2004, CREW research team members have evaluated the sources, transport and fate of mine waste contaminants at the Tar Creek Superfund Site, Ottawa County, OK, a site characterized by contaminated surface and ground waters, soils, mining wastes (both waste rock or chat and flotation tailings), and air. A mass-balance approach has been utilized, examining the mass flux of water and associated constituents from mine waste sources to various environmental media. The objectives of this environmental monitoring and remediation effort are to:

provide relevant and meaningful data on baseline environmental conditions
allow an initial assessment of the potential effectiveness of various remediation technologies
design, implement and evaluate pilot passive treatment systems at selected contaminated mine drainage discharges, and
direct future environmental data collection efforts as remediation and restoration efforts proceed over the foreseeable future.

The work is being conducted with colleagues from the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and U.S. Geological Survey (which provides funding). This project includes multiple tasks. Several CREW graduate students have completed or are working toward theses related to this project. Overall project tasks include:

Artesian mine drainage discharges, waste pile and tailings pond runoff and in-stream contaminant mass loadings have been characterized through a regular and comprehensive water quality and quantity monitoring program in four mining-impacted watersheds (Tar, Lytle, Beaver and Elm Creeks) and four reference watersheds (Coal, Cow, Little Elm and Garrett Creeks).
Surface water impacts in streams and wetlands have been evaluated through biological, chemical and physical habitat characterizations.
A field assessment of chat (metal-contaminated waste rock) use in an asphalt test road has been completed, including road runoff, intact and milled asphalt and air quality. Road construction was funded by another source.
A comprehensive cavernous mine water flow study was conducted in the Beaver Creek watershed. Interactions between the mine pool, artesian discharge points, and surface waters were examined.
Land reclamation activities, conducted by other entities, were evaluated through pre- and post-reclamation sampling and analyses of surface soils
Meteorological monitoring, through development and deployment of five Portable Atmospheric Research Micrometeorological Stations (PARMS) was conducted to assist with water budget calculations. Work was conducted by OCS.
Targeted air quality evaluations were conducted in the laboratory by OUHSC.

Initial oxidation pond at the Mayer Ranch passive treatment system

Design, Construction and Evaluation of a Large Multi-Cell Passive Treatment System for Ferruginous Lead-Zinc Mine Waters

Artesian discharges of net alkaline, ferruginous waters from abandoned underground lead-zinc mines cause considerable surface water degradation at the Tar Creek Superfund Site, part of the historic Tri-State Mining District of Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. Two perennial borehole discharges, identified as the lowest elevation mine water discharge points in the district, have flowed unabated for almost 30 years and considerably degraded the physical, chemical and biological integrity of a first-order tributary to Tar Creek. Since 1998, OU personnel have periodically monitored these discharges and the receiving stream. Since 2004, CREW research team members have conducted a comprehensive water quality and quantity characterization study with a goal to design, construct and evaluate a passive treatment system under an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The work is being conducted with colleagues from the OU Department of Zoology and Oklahoma Biological Survey. The objectives of this project include: i) remediation of polluted mine waters to acceptable quality for maintenance of the receiving water body aquatic community, ii) demonstration of the first installation of a mine water treatment facility of any kind at the Tri-State Mining District, and iii) technology transfer to speed application of this technology to other locations in the district.

A conceptual design was developed to effectively address approximately 1000 L/minute of mine water flowing from these abandoned boreholes (pH 5.95±0.06, total alkalinity 393±18 mg/L CaCO3, total acidity 364±19 mg/L CaCO3, Fe 192±10 mg/L, Zn 11±0.7 mg/L, Cd 17±4 ug/L, Pb 60±13 ug/L and As 64±6 ug/L). Via a competitive bidding process, an engineering design and construction award was made to CH2M-Hill in 2006. Construction began in July 2008 and was completed in December 2008. The passive treatment system (~ 2 ha total surface area) includes an initial oxidation pond followed by parallel treatment trains (to facilitate research and experimentation) consisting of aerobic wetlands, vertical flow bioreactors, oxidation ponds (with active re-aeration via wind and solar power) and horizontal-flow limestone beds. Waters from the parallel trains are recombined in a polishing wetland prior to final discharge. Total design surface water elevation change in the entire system is approximately 1.8 m. Prior to system implementation, the abandoned boreholes required rotosonic over-drilling to establish hydraulic control. In addition, diversion of storm water flows from an approximately 470-ha upgradient watershed was necessary. During construction, a third mine water discharge was discovered and incorporated into the design. This system represents a state of the art ecological engineering research site for passive treatment of mine waters. Evaluation is ongoing and includes the following tasks:

Water quality changes through both inflow/outflow analyses for each process unit, spatial analyses and specific in situ experiments dealing with iron oxidation and settling kinetics, sulfide formation and retention, and other biogeochemical processes.
Substrate pore waters analyses, especially for the vertical flow bioreactors and horizontal flow limestone beds.
Microbial activity evaluation in the wetlands and bioreactors.
Assessment of ecological structure and function in all process units with an emphasis on vegetation.
Continued analyses of receiving stream biogeochemistry, fish communities and macroinvertebrate communities.
Evaluation of potential for bioaccumulation through on-site analyses and in conjunction with a project-specific Wildlife Advisory Group that includes Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation personnel.