Mentor: Stephen O’Shea (Roger Williams University)

Project Location

Roger Williams University

Project Description

To elicit the amount of nutrients in the aquatic environment by remote sensing is a challenging goal, notably in a marine setting with a high saline content. To validate new technologies, a series of classic spectrocolormetric tests and spectroscopic analysis will be used to characterize phosphorus and nitrogen speciation in these bodies of water with correlation to surface bound nutrients at the sediment-water interface. Photosynthesis, microbial activity and underlying sediment composition can greatly impact the augmentation of phosphorus and nitrogen anionic species availability. These ions are key limiting nutrients in marine and terrestrial waters integral to primary production, understanding their impact will allow better modelling of ecological impacts from anthropogenic releases and interpretation of bay sensor data. The variation of anion composition (IC HPLC), pH, will be contrasted with the partition coefficient of the underlying sediment matrix (XRD). The XRD is a newly purchased instrument supported by RWU Undergraduate Research Foundation allowing for a more integrated approach to sediment mineral composition and structure. Quantitative X-ray powder diffraction analysis of sedimentary minerals is based on the principles of the use of the internal standard powder samples and smear-oriented mounting techniques. Bioavailable labile pore water and microwavable optimal permanently sediment bound anion release capacity from under lying sediment will be characterized for the potential flux between the two phases to determine the impact water column sensor reading. Aqueous spectrocolormetric spot tests for phosphorous and nitrogen species anions determination will be performed following the HACH® procedure. These color spot tests compared to instrumental analysis by HPLC-IC with inline electrochemical detector RI, UV/Vis, the phosphorus lines in ICP [214 and 217 nm], and vacuum XRF and XRD. Further analysis of sea and terrestrial water evaporates by ATR-FTIR, diffuse FTIR, XRF, XRD and Raman spectroscopy are used to illicit spectroscopic anionic signatures and their detection limits where possible will be determined.

This project involves:

• lab work

Available for SURF Flex?

Yes

Required/preferred skills

Completion of freshman chemistry

2022