Entomology and Wildlife Ecology | Faculty
Anastasia E. M. Chirnside
- Ph.D. - University of Delaware - 2004 Civil and Environmental Engineering
- M.S. - University of Delaware - 1981 Plant Science
- B.S. - University of Delaware - 1977 Plant Science
- BREG 666 - Special Problem
- BREG 869 - Master's Thesis
- Water Quality and Waste Management
- Lab analysis, Quality Control and Quality Assurance
- Bioremediation
- Certified Professional Agronomist
- Certified Pesticide Applicator
Recently, my research work has been in the area of bioremediation of recalcitrant compounds in soil and water. My research assesses the bioremediation of two herbicides found in highly contaminated soil from an agrichemical mix-load site utilizing the enzyme system of the white rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium. I have also been developing an isolated microbial consortium that can degrade the pesticides as well. My research focuses on the development of in situ field techniques that incorporate these bioremediation processes.
Other research interests are in water quality and waste management
and the interaction of the two. In the water quality research program,
I have been concerned with the movement of pesticides and nutrients
in agronomic practices. Specifically, I have assessed the effect of
tillage systems, irrigation practices, soil amendments, and cropping
systems on ground water quality as well as movement of pesticides and
nutrients within the soil. My undergraduate background is in agronomy,
soils and soil chemistry. Past water quality research examined the impact
of land use on surface water quality.
I am directly involved in the analytical laboratory where a variety of sample matrices are analyzed for pesticides, nutrients, metals and bacteria. My expertise related to this discipline is in analytical chemistry, laboratory management, laboratory safety, quality assurance and quality control.
In the waste management research area I have been involved in the following projects: land application of biosolids, fly ash as soil amendments for plant growth, manure management, dead bird disposal, nitrogen movement inside chicken houses, evaluation of flooring barriers in chicken production to reduce nitrogen movement, and development of a side-dresser for manure application in agronomic crop fields.
- American Society of Agronomy
- American Society of Civil Engineers
- American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers
- American Water Resources Association
- Golden Key National Honor Society
- National Society of Professional Engineers
- Soil Science Society of America
