Grantee Research Project Results

2009 Progress Report: Rapid Detection of Trace Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Complex Mixtures: A Full-Spectrum Deconvolution Technique with a UV-Transparent Passive Concentrator

EPA Grant Number: R832738
Title: Rapid Detection of Trace Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Complex Mixtures: A Full-Spectrum Deconvolution Technique with a UV-Transparent Passive Concentrator
Investigators: Kibbey, Tohren C.G. , Sabatini, David A.
Institution: University of Oklahoma
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: January 1, 2006 through September 30, 2010
Project Period Covered by this Report: January 1, 2009 through December 31,2009
Project Amount: $448,259
RFA: Exposure Measurement Tools for Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Mixtures (2005) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Human Health , Safer Chemicals

Objective:

The objective of this work is to develop a method for rapid monitoring and detection of endocrine disrupting chemicals at trace concentrations in natural waters, using a full spectrum deconvolution technique with simultaneous absorbance and fluorescence measurements. The method is coupled with a novel ultraviolet (UV)-transparent polymer-based concentrator to be used as a passive sampling device. The UV-transparent polymer-based concentrator serves both as a solid phase extraction medium to concentrate EDCs for analysis and exclude many compounds likely to interfere with detection (fines, macromolecules such as organic matter, ionic surfactants), and an analytical optical cell, allowing rapid EDC quantification without labor-intensive pre-concentration procedures. The work is divided into three primary tasks: Task 1. Development of the deconvolution method and measurement of basis spectra; Task 2. Development of the UV-transparent Polymer Concentrator; and Task 3. Validation of the method.

Progress Summary:

We have been making excellent progress in the first four project years on the proposed work (the three-year project is now in a no-cost-extension period). In the first two project years we examined five different polymers, and in the second year we selected the most promising polymer for extensive study. We have selected 25 suspected EDCs for initial testing, have conducted preliminary experiments with 17 of them to date, and conducted an extensive set of highly-detailed experiments with seven of them in the second and third project years. In project year 3, methods were further refined, and initial field-tests were conducted. In project year 4 we expanded our field test efforts, began developing a larger spectral library for detection of unknown compounds, and began work enhancing our algorithm for detection of unknown compounds. Results are very promising, with the selected polymer exhibiting high enough partition coefficients for field use. Experiments show that the method is easily able to quantify suspected EDCs in six-component mixtures. Preliminary field tests of the method are promising.

Future Activities:

We will continue conducting experiments as described above, following the plan outlined in the original proposal. Ongoing work will continue field testing of the method, and continue work aimed at refining the detection algorithm for identification of unknown compounds.

Journal Articles on this Report : 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format

Publications Views
Other project views:	All 4 publications	2 publications in selected types	All 2 journal articles

Publications
Type	Citation	Project	Document Sources
Journal Article	Kibbey TCG, Chen L, Sabatini DA, Mills MA, Nietch C. Model stream channel testing of a UV-transparent polymer-based passive sampler for ultra-low-cost water screening applications. Chemosphere 2010;80(8):908-913.	R832738 (2009) R832738 (Final)	Abstract from PubMed Full-text: ScienceDirect-Full Text HTML Exit Abstract: ScienceDirect Exit Other: ScienceDirect-PDF Exit
Journal Article	Kibbey TCG, Chen L, Singhaputtangkul N, Sabatini DA. A UV-transparent passive concentrator/spectrum deconvolution method for simultaneous detection of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and related contaminants in natural waters. Chemosphere 2009;76(9):1249-1257.	R832738 (2009) R832738 (Final)	Abstract from PubMed Full-text: ScienceDirect-Full Text HTML Exit Abstract: ScienceDirect Exit Other: ScienceDirect-PDF Exit

Supplemental Keywords:

Endocrine Disruptors, Detection, Analytical methods, Spectroscopy, Polymers

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

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.