Grantee Research Project Results
Chemical and Biological Behavior of Carbon Nanotubes in Estuarine Sedimentary Systems
EPA Grant Number: R831716Title: Chemical and Biological Behavior of Carbon Nanotubes in Estuarine Sedimentary Systems
Investigators: Ferguson, P. Lee , Scrivens, W. A. , Chandler, G. Thomas
Institution: University of South Carolina at Columbia
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: August 15, 2004 through August 14, 2007 (Extended to August 14, 2008)
Project Amount: $334,750
RFA: Exploratory Research to Anticipate Future Environmental Issues: Impacts of Manufactured Nanomaterials on Human Health and the Environment (2003) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Nanotechnology , Safer Chemicals , Human Health
Objective:
The general objectives of the proposed research are to:
• Determine factors controlling the fate of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and their synthetic byproducts in estuarine seawater, sediment, and sediment-ingesting organisms.
• Examine the impact of SWNTs and byproducts on the disposition of model organic contaminants in estuarine sediments.
• Determine whether the presence of SWNTs and byproducts in estuarine sediments affects the bioavailability of model organic contaminants to estuarine invertebrates.
• Assess the toxicity of SWNTs and byproducts to suspension- and deposit-feeding estuarine invertebrate models in seawater suspension alone, and/or in combination with estuarine sediments.
Approach:
Our research plan will address these objectives through a series of experiments designed to provide a holistic picture of the behavior of SWNTs and their synthetic byproducts upon entry into the estuarine environment. These experiments will include tracing the fate and phase-association of 14C-SWNTs and byproducts under simulated estuarine conditions and through ingestion by deposit-feeding organisms, batch sorption studies to examine the affinity of SWNTs for model hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOC) in the estuarine environment, laboratory-scale bioaccumulation experiments designed to test modulation of HOC bioavailability by co-occurring SWNTs in estuarine sediments, and dose-response experiments designed to test the potential for SWNTs and byproducts to directly cause adverse effects on a sensitive estuarine infaunal invertebrate (the harpacticoid copepod Amphisascus tenuiremus).
Expected Results:
The proposed work will, for the first time, address the physical, chemical, and biological behavior of novel and emerging carbon nanotube materials under environmental conditions typical of estuaries. In total, we will address not only the potential for SWNTs to be transported, accumulate, and cause direct deleterious effects within estuarine environments, but also the potential for linked effects on the biological and chemical behaviors of known priority pollutants common in estuarine sediments. This combined approach represents a novel way of addressing the environmental impact of an emerging synthetic nanomaterial and will thus provide the USEPA and the scientific community with an entirely new and highly relevant dataset for risk assessment of SWNT-derived contaminant discharge. Further, the work will generate new scientific knowledge related to the behavior of these highly novel nanomaterials under conditions not normally tested in the course of nanoscience research (e.g. non-mammalian biological systems, highly saline aqueous solutions, and complex sediment media). This knowledge may become useful in designing new nanoscale technologies in, e.g., environmental engineering or "green" manufacturing techniques.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 3 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
aquatic, sediments, estuary, emerging contaminants, water pollution, environmental chemistry, ecology, adsorption, PAHs, PCBs., RFA, Scientific Discipline, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, TREATMENT/CONTROL, Sustainable Industry/Business, Environmental Chemistry, Sustainable Environment, Technology, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Ecological Risk Assessment, Chemicals Management, Environmental Engineering, fate and transport, clean technologies, environmental hazard assessment, nanotechnology, effect of seawater and sediment on carbon nanotubes, alternative materials, environmental exposure, engineering, environmentally applicable nanoparticles, nanomaterials, chemical behavior, single walled carbon nanotubes, nanoparticles, bioacummulationProgress and Final Reports:
The 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.