Project Title: Measurement and Modeling of the Contribution of Atmospheric Particulate Deposition to the Fluorinated Surfactants Burden in Great Lakes Sediments.

Synopsis: The anthropogenically-derived and potentially toxic class of chemicals known as perfluorinated carboxylic acids are ubiquitous in the Great Lakes environment and have been shown to bioaccumulate. As such, they have been classified as emerging priority chemicals for study by the U.S. and Canadian governmental agencies. They have been observed at higher than expected concentrations in the sediments of the Great Lakes with the cause for these elevated concentrations as yet unknown. Atmospheric particulate matter over the Great Lakes has been shown to contain considerable levels of perfluorinated carboxylic acids. The objective of this research is to establish the contribution due to the atmospheric deposition of particulate matter to the overall burden of perfluorinated carboxylic acids (C7 – C14) within lake sediments. This research will be conducted through field measurements, laboratory experimentation, and environmental modeling.

Chemicals Studied: Perfluorinated carboxylic acids (C7 – C14)

Geographic Areas: N/A

Project Duration: 15 months

Potential Results and Implications: (i) valuable field monitoring data for the concentration of PFCAs on atmospheric particulate matter in the Great Lakes region; (ii) development of a model for estimation of the burden of long-chain PFCAs (C7-C14) in Great Lake sediments due to the atmospheric deposition of contaminated particulate matter, which will allow for a comparison with the rates attributable to other processes and sources; (iii) new experimental methodology for the determination of the rate of partitioning of a chemical from particulate matter as it moves through the water column.

Project Contact:
David A. Ellis, Ph.D.
Trent University
Chemistry Department
1600 West Bank Drive
Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8
Phone:(705) 748 1011 ext. 7898
Email: davidellis@trentu.ca