Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Specialty Polymeric Materials for use in the Purification and Detection of Harmful Algal Bloom Toxins: Science and Engineering
EPA Grant Number: R829424E03Title: Specialty Polymeric Materials for use in the Purification and Detection of Harmful Algal Bloom Toxins: Science and Engineering
Investigators: Scrivens, W. A.
Institution: University of South Carolina at Columbia
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2003 (Extended to September 30, 2004)
Project Amount: $199,305
RFA: EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) (2000) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: EPSCoR (The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research)
Objective:
The 2001 South Carolina U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research program consists of a Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP) and two Science and Engineering Environmental Research (SEER) projects. This report summarizes the activities of SEER #2, Specialty Polymeric Materials for use in the Purification and Detection of Harmful Algae Bloom Toxins. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) interfere with local ecologies by displacing indigenous species, altering habitats, or depleting oxygen in the environments. The initial objective of this research project was to develop a broadly applicable methodology for the purification and detection of HAB toxins, specifically saxitoxin. After the Year 1 review of the project, and in light of weapons of mass destruction issues and the Patriot Act, purification of HAB toxins was no longer a component of this project. The revised objective of this research project was to develop methods for new sensor and separation technologies.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
A new method for making nanoscale metal patterns on a variety of substrates was discovered. These patterns have been shown to be surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active and have the possibility of being selective sensors by coating the patterns with appropriate selective materials for complexing analytes. Methods have been developed to fill high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns with rigid open-cell foams. These foams are to be used as substrates upon which swellable imprinted polymeric stationary phases will be coated. New electrophoretic methods for purifying and analyzing nanomaterials also has been developed and is currently being used in a collaborative EPA/Science To Achieve Results (STAR) project on the environmental impact of nanomaterials.
Work will continue toward the understanding of the thin-film rearrangement phenomena outlined above. Numerous methods of exploiting these unique nanoscale patterns for use as sensors will be investigated, including conductivity, SERS, and biocatalytic techniques. These metal patterns also may have use in the oxidation of environmentally noxious materials such as trichloroethylene (TCE) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The catalytic properties of these nanoscale metal patterns also will be investigated.
Methods for making rigid polymer foam monoliths will be further optimized and these materials will then be coated with swellable polymeric chromatography phases. It is believed that this geometry of the stationary phase will allow one to exploit high-swelling adsorbent materials that do not readily lend themselves to HPLC methods. Finally, the electrophoretic methods for purifying nanomaterials will continue to be investigated.
Two presentations, three publications in press, one publication in print, and two invention disclosures are reported. This project has made considerable progress at providing access to underrepresented participants and reports the support of one African-American graduate student and three African-American undergraduates. This represents more than 50 percent participation by ethnic minorities in the program.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 3 publications | 1 publications in selected types | All 1 journal articles |
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Xu X, Ray R, Gu Y, Ploehn HJ, Gearheart L, Raker K, Scrivens WA. Electrophoretic analysis and purification of fluorescent single-walled carbon nanotube fragments. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 2004;126(40):12736-12737. |
R829424E03 (Final) |
not available |
Supplemental Keywords:
harmful algal bloom, HAB, saxitoxin, imprinting, polymer, sensor, purification, electrophoresis, nanomaterials, marine, ecological effects, health effects, chemicals, toxics, aquatic, decisionmaking, environmental assets, environmental chemistry, analytical, algal blooms, estuarine research, South Carolina, SC, algal bloom detection, bloom dynamics, coastal ecosystems, coastal habitats, coastal resources, environmental indicators, estuaries, marine biology, marine ecosystem, polymeric material, ecosystem protection/environmental exposure and risk, geographic area, water, biochemistry, ecological risk assessment, ecology and ecosystems, oceanography, state,, RFA, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Geographic Area, Water, algal blooms, Ecological Risk Assessment, State, estuarine research, Oceanography, Ecology and Ecosystems, Environmental Monitoring, coastal resources, environmental indicators, marine biology, water quality, estuaries, coastal ecosystems, South Carolina (SC), bloom dynamics, coastal habitats, polymeric material, algal bloom detectionProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.