Ph.D. Proposal Defense - Mandar Bokare
Thursday, June 20, 2019 · 10 AM - 12 PM
In-Person
·
Technology Research Center (TRC) : 206
Abstract
This proposed research will combine passive sampling with modeling to
quantify the fate, transport, and bioaccumulation of polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Anacostia River watershed. The overall goal for
the proposed doctoral research is to develop a better approach for
performing a mass balance for hydrophobic organic pollutants in a river,
with a focus on tracking separately the dissolved and total pollutant loads.
This improved understanding of pollutant loading will be used to propose a
more appropriate TMDL framework for hydrophobic organic contaminants in
water. These improved approaches will be used to develop a predictive model
that can evaluate the impact of possible management actions (such as TMDL
implementation and/or sediment remediation) on the bioaccumulation of
hydrophobic organic contaminants in the aquatic food web.
The key objectives of this research are to: i) Measure the direction and
magnitude of air-water and sediment-water mass transfer of PCBs, PAHs, and OCPs in the Anacostia River and determine seasonal variation; ii) Quantify the major sources of PCBs, PAHs and OCPs to the Anacostia River and develop an improved framework for Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) that accounts for the significantly higher bioavailability of dissolved loads; iii)
Develop a predictive tool to assess management options by coupling fate and
transport and bioaccumulation models applied to the Anacostia River. Results
from this study will fulfill several data gaps that currently exist for this
watershed with regards to pollutant transport processes and will be used to
evaluate effectiveness of remediation options helping decision-making for
the restoration of the River.
This proposed research will combine passive sampling with modeling to
quantify the fate, transport, and bioaccumulation of polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Anacostia River watershed. The overall goal for
the proposed doctoral research is to develop a better approach for
performing a mass balance for hydrophobic organic pollutants in a river,
with a focus on tracking separately the dissolved and total pollutant loads.
This improved understanding of pollutant loading will be used to propose a
more appropriate TMDL framework for hydrophobic organic contaminants in
water. These improved approaches will be used to develop a predictive model
that can evaluate the impact of possible management actions (such as TMDL
implementation and/or sediment remediation) on the bioaccumulation of
hydrophobic organic contaminants in the aquatic food web.
The key objectives of this research are to: i) Measure the direction and
magnitude of air-water and sediment-water mass transfer of PCBs, PAHs, and OCPs in the Anacostia River and determine seasonal variation; ii) Quantify the major sources of PCBs, PAHs and OCPs to the Anacostia River and develop an improved framework for Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) that accounts for the significantly higher bioavailability of dissolved loads; iii)
Develop a predictive tool to assess management options by coupling fate and
transport and bioaccumulation models applied to the Anacostia River. Results
from this study will fulfill several data gaps that currently exist for this
watershed with regards to pollutant transport processes and will be used to
evaluate effectiveness of remediation options helping decision-making for
the restoration of the River.