Impact/Purpose:

The specific objectives of the proposal are to: (1) evaluate the photolytic degradation of microcystins along a salinity and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) gradient and identify the fate and partitioning of microcystins in the estuarine portion of the lower St. Johns River in Florida and several locations in the Great Lakes; (2) investigate the mechanisms of the photo-transformations of cyanotoxins present in synthetic solutions and samples from the Great Lakes and Florida by visible and solar irradiation; (3) explore solar-driven catalytic systems for the destruction of cyanotoxins in water; and (4) investigate the fate of cyanotoxins under germicidal action UV (254 nm) (low pressure lamps) or broader spectrum (medium pressure lamps) at various levels of UV fluence in consideration with the presence of UV disinfection systems in several drinking water treatment plants.

Description:

The increase of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in freshwater estuaries, especially in the Great Lakes and Florida, is a source of growing concern. The presence of high concentrations of harmful cyanotoxins from HABs in drinking water supplies is a serious threat to human and environmental health. One of the major challenges in assessing the associated health risks is to better understand the environmental/photochemical fate of these toxins. There is an urgent need to develop and identify effective water treatment technologies to eliminate cyanotoxins from drinking water. The overall objective of this study is to develop an active collaboration to monitor, determine the photochemical fate and evaluate potential photochemical (UV, and solar based) treatment technologies for cyanotoxins.

URLs/Downloads:

Final Progress Report

2008 Progress Report

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT( ABSTRACT )

Start Date:04/01/2007

Completion Date:03/31/2010

Record ID: 174663

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Related Organizations:

Role :OWNER

Organization Name :FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Mailing Address :University Pk

Citation :Miami

State :FL

Zip Code :33199



Role :OWNER

Organization Name :PBS&J

Mailing Address :7406 Fullerton Street,Suite 350

Citation :Jacksonville

State :FL

Zip Code :32256



Role :OWNER

Organization Name :LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY

Mailing Address :650 W Easterday Ave

Citation :Sault Ste Marie

State :MI

Zip Code :49783

Project Information:

Approach :

The proposed work will be accomplished through four main research tasks: (1) monitoring of HAB and sampling in the Great Lakes; (2) monitoring of HAB and studying photochemical effects, reaction products and their toxicity along several locations of St. Johns River in Florida; (3) performing fundamental studies on the photochemical fate of microcystins, nodularin, and cylindrospermopsin, including studies to identify reaction intermediates and elucidate reaction pathways; and (4) synthesizing and evaluating novel catalytic systems for the destruction of cyanotoxins with solar light. In these studies, several cyanobacterial hotspots in the Great Lakes and Florida will be surveyed as monitoring sites for microcystin and cylindrospermopsin. Once HABs are identified, samples will be collected and analyzed for cyanotoxins and their photochemical fate will be evaluated as a function of the environmental factors. The role of important water quality parameters and process conditions on the photolysis and photooxidation of the identified cyanotoxins will be established using product studies and classical photochemical experimentation. UV, visible and solar irradiation sources will be used to determine the role of wavelength and flux on the photochemical fate and degradation of the cyanotoxins. The specific catalyst that will be used in the study will be synthesized using novel nanotechnological approaches and will be optimized for the destruction of cyanotoxins in water using solar light.

Cost :$679,589.00

Research Component :Drinking Water

Project IDs:

ID Code :R833223

Project type :EPA Grant