Expanding Capabilities to Characterize, Track And Reduce PollutantsVia Next-Generation Microscope-Based Ftir
Abstract
We seek funding to purchase a microscope-based Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy system to bolster our contaminant characterization efforts at CSU Channel Islands. This next-generation FTIR system is a highly versatile tool for environmental monitoring and assessment affording us the ability to chemically fingerprint a wide range of particles (as small as 4µm) and solutes with unprecedented speed, affordability, and sensitivity. This will augment our existing capabilities to sample, characterize and source track contaminants in aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments in person and via autonomous craft (i.e. drones and ROVs). An FTIR will augment our training efforts, developed over the past decade to grow the next generation of environmental professionals hailing from diverse, traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. Firstly, this spectroscopy-based system facilitates solvent- and reagent-reduced/free analyses, minimizing operation costs and waste streams. Next, this systemÕs autonomous mapping capabilities will allow us to simultaneously characterize >100 distinct particles per field of view, an enumeration that currently takes many hours or days by traditional methods. All of this new FTIR-based processing can be done by undergraduates and be quickly integrated into our existing training sequence for coastal field scientists (new contaminant characterization courses, field method courses, research capstones at DoD sites). Lastly, the autonomous mapping and high throughput of this system, along with its ability to dispense with traditional equipment and procedures bring tremendous value to our collaborators. We estimate this will enable our processing of samples for our wider community/regional/DoD partners for very little cost with turnaround times of hours to days rather than weeks to months. Low-cost, high-speed processing is invaluable during the types of unfolding disasters (oil spills, wildfires, chemical leaks, etc.) we have increasingly been called upon to monitor and interpret. While an FTIR will open doors to characterize a wide array of substances, it will first and foremost bolster our focal efforts to characterize microplastics and develop faster-response/post-disaster characterization of potential toxins. Our initial use will span two projects: [1] A synoptic characterization of microplastic (plastic fibers & particles <5mm) across the southern California Bight as part of a regional consortium of academic scientists, state, and federal collaborators here in California; [2] Baseline monitoring of airborne microplastic concentration and inhalation risk inside buildings, a novel and potentially growing risk to people in climate-controlled, HVAC-managed enclosed spaces. In addition to collecting the respective contaminant data, these efforts will allow us to refine analytical techniques, craft training modules for students, and validate per sample pricing to make our characterization facility widely available to our regional partners.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 06, 2020
- Source ID
- W911NF1910504
Entities
People
- Sean Anderson
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- California State University, Channel Islands
- Office of the Secretary of Defense