WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH GRANT PROPOSAL
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH GRANT PROPOSAL
Project ID: 2005NJ89B
Title: Impacts of Organic Matter Heterogeneity on Desorption and Availability of Sediment-bound PCBs
Project Type: Research
Focus Categories: Hydrogeochemistry, Toxic Substances, Sediments
Keywords: PCBs, sediment, desorption, Hudson River, polychlorinated biphenyls, contaminant, bioavalability
Start Date: 03/01/2005
End Date: 02/28/2006
Federal Funds: $30,000
Non-Federal Matching Funds: $56,828
Congressional District: 6
Principal Investigators:
Weilin Huang
Lisa Totten
Abstract
This study seeks to quantify the rates of desorption of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from various natural organic matter fractions of sediments from the estuarine portion of the Hudson River, thereby predicting the bioavailability of sediment associated PCBs in the Estuary. The research addresses NJ priority issues related to integrity of aquatic ecosystems and predictive capabilities for protection and restoration. The results of this research will increase our understanding of the cycling and bioavailibility of PCBs in the Hudson River/Estuary system and will aid water quality modelers in developing bioacccumulation models in support of the ongoing efforts to develop a TMDA for PCBs in the Estuary. The research will also facilitate an interpretation of the environmental risks associated with the dredging of portions of the Upper Hudson that is scheduled to occur in the next few years.