Low-cost robust detection of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in aqueous environments.

Project SummaryPolycyclic Aromatic HydrocarbonsPAHsare designated as priority pollutants by the EPA due to their toxicmutagenicand cancer causing natureThereforethe presence of PAHs in waterways and coastal areasin and around Superfund sitesposes significant safety hazardsThe introduction of PAHs into sensitive aquatic environments frequently comes as a consequence of chemical and raw material spillsunderwater drilling and miningnatural disasters accelerating runoff from industrial sitesand improper waste disposalEnvironmental persistencebuildup in sedimentand the bioaccumulation of PAHs through the food chain adversely affect not only marine lifebut also human healthThese environmental concerns have generated major demands for effective and innovative field deployable devices for detecting PAHs in a sensitivefastsimplereliableand cost effective mannerA thoroughreal time monitoring program for the presence of PAHs in areas proximate to Superfund sites and near spills would improve the efficacy of containment and remediation operationshelping to ensure that the public is kept safe from toxic compoundsIn response to the stated needs of the NIEHS Superfund Research Program MonitoringDetectionand Site Characterizationthis proposal describes the development of a device for the specific detection of PAHs using novel materials developed at the Louisiana State University with a proprietary sensor system engineered at Seacoast ScienceThis tool will allow the real time monitoring of these toxic compounds and improve public health by enhancing the efficacy of containment and remediation operationsensuring that the public is kept safe from toxic compounds in recreational and commercial waterwaysand limiting ingestion of PAHs from consumption of contaminated seafood and drinking waterDuring the Phase I workthe concept will be validated against representative PAHsieperylenepyrenebenzopyrenein the presence of various interfering analytes and aqueous solutions of increasing ionic strengthTo accomplish the Phase I proof of concept workthe following tasks are proposedsynthesis and characterization of MIP nanoparticlesinitial screening down selection of MIP nanoparticles using a gravimetric sensor platformand coating and testing optimum MIP nanoparticles on the proprietary sensor platformSeacoast Science seeks to integrate LSU s MIP based nanomaterials with a conductive carbon allotrope to develop a highly chemoselectiveimmersible sensorwhose cost is low enough to warrant periodic replacementthereby mitigating long term biofouling effects Project NarrativePolycyclic Aromatic HydrocarbonsPAHsare designated as priority pollutants by the EPA due to their toxicmutageniccancer causing natureEnvironmental persistencebuildup in sedimentand the bio accumulation of PAHs adversely affect not only marine life in waterways and coastal areasbut also human health through the food chainSeacoast Science proposes the development of a lowcost tool that will allow the real time monitoring of these toxic compounds and improve public health by enhancing the efficacy of containment and remediation operationsensuring that the public is kept safe from toxic compounds in recreational and commercial waterwaysand limiting ingestion of PAHs from consumption of contaminated seafood and drinking water