An Assessment of the Effects of Marine Worms on the Long-term Efficacy of Activated Carbon
Research Mentor(s)
Sofield, Ruth M.
Description
Addition of activated carbon (AC) to contaminated sediment is used as a remedial technology to reduce the bioavailability of contaminants such as PCBs. However, the consumption of applied AC by marine worms has been proposed as a pathway that may reintroduce contamination into the marine environment. This proposed experiment will assess the effect of marine worm digestive fluid on the desorption of PCBs from AC. Experimental sediment containing AC and PCBs will be exposed to an artificial digestive fluid designed to mimic the digestive fluids of marine worms. Artificial benthic worm digestive fluid will be prepared according to the procedures of previous work using commercially available analytical chemicals representing surfactants and buffers. PCB concentrations in the artificial digestive fluid will be compared to a control (without artificial digestive fluids) to determine whether digestive conditions have affected PCBs desorption. If benthic organisms have an impact on sorption of PCBs to AC, then the long-term efficacy of AC for interrupting the exposure pathway between marine sediments and organisms may be compromised. If digestive fluids have no impact on the sorption of PCBs to AC, then AC should be upheld as an effective method for protecting marine life from PCBs. This work will be conducted as part of the Spring 2015 Science and Management of Contaminated Sites class at Western Washington University.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
15-5-2015 10:00 AM
End Date
15-5-2015 2:00 PM
Department
Environmental Sciences
Genre/Form
student projects; posters
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Marine sediments; Carbon, Activated
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this documentation for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
An Assessment of the Effects of Marine Worms on the Long-term Efficacy of Activated Carbon
Addition of activated carbon (AC) to contaminated sediment is used as a remedial technology to reduce the bioavailability of contaminants such as PCBs. However, the consumption of applied AC by marine worms has been proposed as a pathway that may reintroduce contamination into the marine environment. This proposed experiment will assess the effect of marine worm digestive fluid on the desorption of PCBs from AC. Experimental sediment containing AC and PCBs will be exposed to an artificial digestive fluid designed to mimic the digestive fluids of marine worms. Artificial benthic worm digestive fluid will be prepared according to the procedures of previous work using commercially available analytical chemicals representing surfactants and buffers. PCB concentrations in the artificial digestive fluid will be compared to a control (without artificial digestive fluids) to determine whether digestive conditions have affected PCBs desorption. If benthic organisms have an impact on sorption of PCBs to AC, then the long-term efficacy of AC for interrupting the exposure pathway between marine sediments and organisms may be compromised. If digestive fluids have no impact on the sorption of PCBs to AC, then AC should be upheld as an effective method for protecting marine life from PCBs. This work will be conducted as part of the Spring 2015 Science and Management of Contaminated Sites class at Western Washington University.