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Justin Owens

Justin Owens

Burbank, CA, US

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Bio-Remediation Through Wetland Living Systems

Throughout the years NASA has made it possible to reach towards the deep depths of outer space. Through the advancement of rocket technology, the development of propulsion engines were designed to pierce through the atmosphere to unobtainable worlds. Rocket engines that put man on the moon were tested at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory.  The aftereffect of these tests resulted in polluting the soil as well as contaminating the natural groundwater.  Much of the existing ecology has been affected by the TCE, Boeing undergoing the extensive process of cleaning it up.  Through the integration of a wetland system scientists will be able to monitor the water remediation through the use of the plants and micro-organisms, breaking down the trichloroethylene (TCE) toxin into non harmful elements which are collated and disposed of through this treatment.  Since this test site contains much of the history to NASA’s success, these retired testing facilities are to be transformed into national landmarks. The vertical architecture is to be brought back to life through the installation of the articulated skin as well as the exhibition and wet laboratory space.  This will serve as a educational tool for the history of NASA’s accomplishments as well as the side effects of the testing.

 
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Status: School Project
Location: Santa Susanna Field Laboratory of NASA, CA
Additional Credits: Clark Stevens, Professor, Woodbury University