 | Brian Richards, Ph. D. Senior Research Associate Profile and CV | 76B Riley Robb bkr2@cornell.edu Web site |
Research Interests
My research focuses on the in-soil mobility and fate of contaminants, including trace elements from land-applied wastewater sludge, nutrients, and, more recently, pesticides. My experience and training are broadly based, covering soil and water engineering, soil science, environmental engineering, environmental quality and life sciences. The Soil & Water Engineering group in the Department of Biological & Environmental Engineering is an effective team of faculty and associates, with each member contributing particular strengths. Research on land-applied wastewater sludge issues is a cooperative effort of a larger multidisciplinary group of researchers on campus. Areas of expertise that I bring to these groups include soil-oriented aspects of soil & water engineering, soil chemistry, environmental engineering, experimental design, analytical instrumentation and procedures, laboratory administration, and scientific/grant writing.
Professional CV
Education
- Ph. D. Cornell University Graduate School. Dissertation title: Mobility of sludge-applied trace elements. Major: Agricultural Engineering (Soil & Water Quality; Tammo S. Steenhuis, chair) Minor subjects: Soil Science (Murray B. McBride), Environmental Quality (William J. Jewell), 1999.
- M. P. S. Cornell University Graduate School Major: Agricultural Engineering. Minor: International Agriculture & Rural Development, 1982.
- B. S. with Distinction. Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Major: Environmental Technology, 1979.
Experience
- Senior Research Associate (2000 to present; Research Support Specialist 1993 to 2000). Principal and co-investigator of a number of projects focusing on the transport and transformation of contaminants. Provide overall coordination of the Soil & Water Engineering Laboratory. Research advisor for undergraduate participants in the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates program (NSF-REU). Co-instructor for BEE 694 (Research in Microbial Transport in Porous Media). Guest lecturer for CSS 365 (Environmental Chemistry), CSS 671 (Advanced Soil Chemistry), and BEE 371 (Hydrology and the Environment).
- Research Support Specialist (1990 to 1993). Lead researcher/project engineer for project investigating the feasibility of hydroponic treatment of saline gas-produced waters using halotolerant plants, and research support for biological groundwater remediation research project using hybrid bioreactor systems for degrading tetrachloroethene and daughter products.
- Research Support Specialist (1986 to 1990; Research Technician 1983 to 1986). Significantly increased maximum reactor methane production rates through innovative modes of operation in a long-term project to develop renewable methane resources.
- Graduate Research Assistant 1981 to August 1982). Studied effects of tillage on crop residue coverage and waste incorporation, and modeling of winter heat losses from surface-applied wastewater.
- Research Technician (1979 to 1983; undergraduate work-study 1975 to 1979). Research on the fate and cycling of nitrogen on dairy farms and other waste management projects.
Scientific manuscript referee for the following journals:
- Australian Journal of Soil Research
- Biomass & Bioenergy
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Pollution
- Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry
- Geoderma
- Journal of Environmental Quality
- Soil Science
- Water, Air and Soil Pollution
Member since inception of USDA-CSREES Regional Project NE-1001 Application of Sewage Biosolids to Agricultural Soils in the Northeast: Long-Term Impacts and Beneficial Uses, and its predecessor, NEC-100.
Initiator and member of The Sludge Puppies, an informal multi-disciplinary campus seminar on risks associated with contaminants (trace elements, synthetic organics, pathogens) present in land-applied wastewater sludge.
Departmental laboratory safety information contact, and departmental liaison for several laboratory renovations.
Recent Conference/Workshop Presentation and Posters
Richards, B. K., T. S. Steenhuis, O. Singurindy & M. S. Molodovskaya. Emission of N2O & NH3 from NY Dairy Farms: Measurement, Modeling & Extension. USDA-NRI Air Quality Program All-Investigator meeting. May 12, 2005. Washington, DC.
Molodovskaya, M. S. O. Singurindy, B. K. Richards, S. K. Giri, T. S. Steenhuis. Poster: The effect of aeration on nitrous oxide emissions from fresh dairy manure. USDA Symposium on Greenhouse Gases & Carbon Sequestration in Agriculture and Forestry, March 21-24, 2005, Baltimore, MD.
M. T. Walter, L. D. Geohring, B. K. Richards, M. F. Walter, T. S. Steenhuis, P. Gerard-Marchant, L. Agnew, and S. Lyon. Poster: Hydrologically Sensitive Areas: Developing Education and Extension Resources. USDA/National Water Quality Program conference, January 2005.
Zevi, Y., A. Dathe, B. K. Richards, and T. S. Steenhuis. Poster: Visualization of colloids distribution in partially saturated media, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Franciso, CA. December 2004.
Dathe, A., Y. Zevi, B. K. Richards, and T. S. Steenhuis. Poster: Visualization and measurement of colloid movement and retention in unsaturated media. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Franciso, CA. December 2004.
B. K. Richards and M. B. McBride. Testing soils for trace metals from land-applied wastes. NEC-1001 USDA Regional Research Committee meeting, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. July 8, 2004.
Zubris, K. V. and B. K. Richards. Synthetic fibers as an indicator of land application of sludge. NEC-1001 USDA Regional Research Committee meeting, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. July 9, 2004.
Richards, B. K. 2003. Short- and Long-Term Trace Element Mobility. NEC-1001 USDA Regional Research Committee annual meeting, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. June 26-27, 2003.
Peranginangin, N., B. K. Richards, M.T. Walter, L. D. Geohring, and T.S. Steenhuis. 2003. Preferential Flow in Soils: Developing Extension and Education Resources. USDA National Water Quality Coordinators Conference: Building the Network, Strengthening Partnerships. Tucson, AZ. Jan. 12-15, 2003.
Richards, B. K. 2001. Mobility of Sludge-Applied Metals in Undisturbed Soil Columns. NEC-1001 USDA Regional Research Committee meeting, June 11-12, 2001. University of New Hampshire, Durham NH. (Similar presentations annually since initial meeting in 1997.)
Qureshi, S., B. K. Richards, T.S. Steenhuis, M. B. McBride, P.C. Baveye, and M.S. Akhtar. 2001. Biological Release and Leaching of Heavy Metals from Metalliferous Peat Affected by Temperature. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings. Charlotte, NC. Oct. 21-25, 2001.
Richards, B. K. and T. S. Steenhuis. 2000. Presentation, panel discussion, experimental site tour, and field site demonstration: Leaching of contaminants – preferential flow and facilitated transport. New York State Water Environment Association - Environmental Technical Conference, Statler Hotel, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. June 7, 2000.
Richards, B. K. and T. S. Steenhuis. 2000. Panel discussion, experimental site presentation, and field site demonstration: Fate and transport of groundwater contaminants. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Regional Solid & Hazardous Materials Engineers’ Meeting. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. May 10-11, 2000.
Qureshi, S., B.K. Richards, M.S. Akhtar, T.S. Steenhuis, M.B. McBride, and P.C. Baveye. 2000. Facilitated Transport of Sludge Soluble Heavy Metals Affected by Temperature and Micro-Organisms. ASA Annual Meeting. Minneapolis, MN. Nov. 5-9, 2000.
Richards, B. K., T.S. Steenhuis, and M. B. McBride. 1999. Mobility of Sludge-Applied Metals in Undisturbed Soil Columns. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings. Salt Lake City, UT. Oct. 31-Nov. 4, 1999. (T. S.Steenhuis, presenter).
Publications (*corresponding author)
Contaminant mobility
Zubris, K. A. V. and B. K. Richards*. 2005. Synthetic fibers as an indicator of land application of sludge. In press, Environmental Pollution.
Sinkevich, M. G., M.T. Walter, T. S. Steenhuis, A. J. Lembo, B. K. Richards, and N. Peranginangin. 2005. A GIS-based groundwater contamination risk assessment tool for pesticides. In press, Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation.
Gao, B., M. T. Walter, T. S. Steenhuis, J.-Y. Parlange, B. K. Richards, W. L. Hogarth, C. W. Rose and G. Sander. 2005. Investigating raindrop effects on the transport of sediment and chemicals from soil to surface runoff. In press, Journal of Hydrology.
Richards, B. K., B. M. Schulte, A. Heilig, T. S. Steenhuis and E. Z. Harrison. 2004. Environmental impacts of applying manure, fertilizer, and sewage biosolids on a dairy farm. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 40(4)1025-1042.
McBride, M. B., B. K. Richards and T. S. Steenhuis. 2004. Bioavailability and crop uptake of trace elements in soil columns amended with sewage sludge products. Plant and Soil 262:71-84
Qureshi, S., B. K. Richards*, T. S. Steenhuis, M. B. McBride, P. Baveye and S. Dousset. 2004. Microbial acidification and pH effects on trace element release from sewage sludge. Environmental Pollution 132:61-71.
Richards, B. K., N. Peranginangin, T. S. Steenhuis and L. D. Geohring. 2003. The unintentional secret. (Feature article on preferential flow phenomena.) Journal ofSoil & Water Conservation, September-October 2003 59(5):104A-105A.
Qureshi, S., B. K. Richards*, T. S. Steenhuis, M. B. McBride, and P. Baveye. 2003. Temperature and activity effects on trace element leaching from metalliferous peat. Journal of Environmental Quality 32:2067-2075.
Akhtar, M. S., T. S. Steenhuis, B. K. Richards*, and M. B. McBride. 2003. Chloride and lithium transport in large arrays of undisturbed silt loam and sandy loam soil columns. Vadose Zone Journal 2:715-727.
Qureshi, S., B. K. Richards*, A. G. Hay, C. C. Tsai, M. B. McBride, P. Baveye, and T. S. Steenhuis. 2003. Effect of microbial activity on trace element release from sewage sludge. Environmental Science & Technology 37:3361-3366.
Akhtar, M. S., B. K. Richards, P. A. Medrano, M. DeGroot and T. S. Steenhuis. 2003. Dissolved phosphorus losses from undisturbed soil cores: related to adsorption strength, flow rate, or soil structure? Soil Science Society of America Journal. 67:458-470
McBride, M. B., E. A. Nibarger, B. K. Richards and T. S. Steenhuis. 2003. Trace metal accumulation by red clover grown on sewage sludge?amended soils and correlation to Mehlich 3 and calcium chloride?extractable metals. Soil Science 168:29-38.
Richards, B. K., T. S. Steenhuis, J. H. Peverly and M. B. McBride. 2000. Effect of sludge processing mode, soil texture and soil pH on metal mobility in undisturbed soil columns under accelerated loading. Environmental Pollution 109:327-346.
McBride, M. B., B. K. Richards, T. S. Steenhuis and G. Spiers. 2000. Molybdenum uptake by forage crops grown on sewage sludge-amended soils in the field and greenhouse. Journal of Environmental Quality 29:848-854.
Richards, B. K. 1999. Trace metal mobility from land-applied sludge products. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
McBride, M. B., B. K. Richards, T. S. Steenhuis and G. Spiers. 1999. Long-term leaching of trace elements in a heavily sludge-amended silty clay loam soil. Soil Science 164:612-613.
Steenhuis, T. S., M. B. McBride, B. K. Richards and E. Z. Harrison. 1999. Trace metal retention in the incorporation zone of land-applied sludge. Environmental Science & Technology 33:1171-1174.
Richards, B. K., T. S. Steenhuis, J. H. Peverly and M. B. McBride. 1998. Metal mobility at an old, heavily-loaded sludge application site. Environmental Pollution 99:365-377.
Harrison, E. Z., M. B. McBride, B. K. Richards and T. S. Steenhuis. 1998. Sludge effects on land: a case for caution. Resource 5(9):11-12.
Richards, B. K., T. S. Steenhuis, J. H. Peverly and B. N. Liebowitz. 1997. Effect of processing mode on trace elements in dewatered sludge products. Journal of Environmental Quality 26:782-788.
McBride, M. B., B. K. Richards, T. S. Steenhuis, J. J. Russo and S. Suave.1997. Mobility and solubility of toxic metals and nutrients in soil fifteen years after sludge application. Soil Science 162:487-500.
Camobreco, V. J., B. K. Richards, T. S. Steenhuis, J. H. Peverly and M. B. McBride. 1996. Movement of heavy metals through undisturbed and homogenized soil columns. Soil Science 161(11) 740-750.
Biomass Conversion
Richards, B. K., F. G. Herndon, W. J. Jewell, R. J. Cummings and T. E. White. 1994. In situ methane enrichment in methanogenic energy crop digesters. Biomass and Bioenergy 6(4) 275-282.
Jewell, W. J., R. J. Cummings and B. K. Richards. 1993. Methane fermentation of energy crops: maximum conversion kinetics and in situ biogas purification. Biomass & Bioenergy 5(3-4) 261-278.
Jewell, W. J., R. J. Cummings and B. K. Richards. 1992. Energy production from biomass and wastes: present limitations and potential improvements. Pages 7-36 of W. Baader (ed.), Third FAO/CNREE Workshop, Biotechnologies for Pollution Control and Energy. Braunschweig, Germany, May 5-7, 1992. 544 pp.
Richards, B. K., R. J. Cummings, and W. J. Jewell. 1991. High rate low solids anaerobic methane fermentation of sorghum, corn and cellulose. Biomass & Bioenergy 1(5) 249-260.
Richards, B. K., R. J. Cummings, T. E. White and W. J. Jewell. 1991. Methods for kinetic analysis of methane fermentation in high solids biomass digesters. Biomass & Bioenergy 1(2) 65-73.
Richards, B. K., R. J. Cummings, W. J. Jewell and F. G. Herndon.1991. High solids anaerobic methane fermentation of sorghum and cellulose. Biomass & Bioenergy 1(1) 47-53.
Hedrick, D. B., B. K. Richards, W. J. Jewell, J. B. Guckert and D. C. White. 1991. Disturbance, starvation and overfeeding stresses detected by microbial lipid biomarkers in high-solids high-yield methanogenic reactors. Journal of Industrial Microbiology 8:91-98.
Hedrick, D. B., A. Vass, B. K. Richards, W. J. Jewell, J. B. Guckert and D. C. White. 1991. Starvation and overfeeding stress on the microbial activities in high-solids high-yield methanogenic digesters. Biomass & Bioenergy 1(2) 75-82.
Jewell, W. J., R. J. Cummings, B. K. Richards, et al. 1988 - 1990. Engineering design considerations for methane fermentation of energy crops - fundamental investigations. Annual Reports (1988 - GRI 91/0010, 152 pp.; 1989 - GRI 91/0275, 215 pp.; 1990 - GRI 91/0358, 249 pp.) to the Gas Research Institute, 8600 West Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, Illinois, 60631.
W. J. Jewell, et al. 1984-1987. Engineering design considerations for methane fermentation of energy crops. Annual Reports (1984 - GRI 85/0102, 342 pp.; 1985 - GRI 86/0131, 511 pp.; 1986 - GRI 87/0061, 557 pp.; 1987 - GRI 88/0263, 277 pp.) to the Gas Research Institute, 8600 West Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, Illinois, 60631.
Richards, B. K. 1988. Volatile fatty acid analysis using flame ionization detector gas chromatography. (unpublished in-house manual). Third Revision, September 1988 (42 pp).
Krupp, L. R. and W. J. Jewell. 1991. Biodegradability of modified plastic films in controlled biological environments. Environmental Science & Technology 26(1) 193-198. (Acknowledged for bioreactor consultation.)
Waste Management and Remediation
Jewell, W. J. et al.1994. Saline gas-produced waters treatment with macrophytes in a hydroponic system. Final Report (GRI 94/0048) to the Gas Research Institute, 8600 West Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, Illinois, 60631. (Project manager and lead report writer.)
Jewell, W. J. et al. 1990-1992. Methanotrophs for biological pollution control: TCE and Nutrient removal with the expanded bed. Annual Reports (1990 - GRI 91/0274, 270 pp.; 1991/1992 - GRI 93/0455) to the Gas Research Institute, 8600 West Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, Illinois, 60631.
Agricultural Waste Management
Richards, B. K., M. F. Walter and R. E. Muck. 1984. Variation in line transect measurements of crop residue cover. Journal of Soil & Water Conservation 39(1) 60-61.
Muck, R. E., R. W. Guest and B. K. Richards. 1984. Effects of manure storage design on nitrogen conservation. Agricultural Wastes 10(3) 205-220.
Muck, R. E. and B. K. Richards. 1983. Losses of manurial nitrogen in free-stall barns. Agricultural Wastes 7(2) 65-79.
Walter, M. F., R. C. Loehr, R. J. Linkenheil, D. F. Sherman, B. K. Richards and P. D. Robillard.1983. Evaluation of milkhouse wastewater treatment. USDA, Soil Conservation Service and Cornell University Cooperative Agreement Annual Report. 228 pp.
Richards. B. K. 1982. Chisel plow incorporation of manure and crop residue. MPS Project Report (unpublished). Cornell University. August 1982.
Muck, R. E., R. W. Guest and B. K. Richards.1981. Gravity-filled and emptied manure storage: effluent characteristics. American Society of Agricultural Engineers Paper No. NAR-81-218.