Photochemical processing of POPs in air/snow/ice

PI: Dr. Amanda M. Grannas, Villanova University

Research Website:
http://www.homepage.villanova.edu/amanda.grannas

We also have a Blog for our Barrow fieldwork (began during 2008 fieldwork but will continue in 2009)
http://villasnowva.blogspot.com

Affiliation/Contact:
Villanova University
Department of Chemistry
800 Lancaster Ave.
Mendel Hall
Villanova, PA 19085
Phone: 610-519-4881
Email: amanda.grannas@villanova.edu

Our group is studying the fate of persistent organic pollutants in Alaska. Specifically, we will look at how sunlight can break down these pollutants when they are trapped in snow and ice. Also, we will be sampling the air, snow, sea ice, and water from the area to get an idea of what kinds of pollutants are in the region, how concentrated they are, and how those concentrations change as a function of oxidants in the air and/or snow/ice.  This work builds on a four-month study we completed in 2008 in Barrow.

We use a number of instrumental and analytical techniques to achieve our specific goals.  Air sampling is done using a commercially available high-volume air sampler (see photo below).  Air is pulled through resins onto which pollutants collect.  These are then sent back to our home laboratory at Villanova University and extracted using Accelerated Solvent Extraction and analyzed via gas chromatography coupled to a negative chemical ionization mass spectrometer.  Snow/ice/water samples are collected (see photo below), melted, and passed over a resin which collects the organic pollutants.  Again, these are shipped to our home laboratory for extraction and analysis, using very similar methods to the air sampler resins.

On-site photochemical degradation experiments are conducted and the pollutant degradation (and potential product formation) followed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. 

 
Air Sampler

Snow Sampling