HR: 0800h
AN: OS31B-0410    [Abstracts]
TI: Field Characterization for Remediation of Trinitrotoluene in Sediment and Water from Vieques, Puerto Rico
AU: * Echols, E L
EM: eechols@marine.usf.edu
AF: College of Marine Science University of South Florida, 140 7th Ave South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
AU: Carvalho-Knighton, K M
EM: carvalho@stpt.usf.edu
AF: Department of Environmental Science University of South Florida St. Petersburg, 140 7th Ave South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
AU: Pyrtle, A J
EM: apyrtle@marine.usf.edu
AF: College of Marine Science University of South Florida, 140 7th Ave South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
AB: 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is an explosive used in military shells, bombs, and grenades, industrial applications, and underwater blasting. The explosive itself, some of its degradation and transformation products, and any manufacturing impurities or by-products are all considered serious environmental contaminants with potential harmful and toxic effects on animals, plants and humans. In Vieques, Puerto Rico, The Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Area consists of areas and nearby waters that have become contaminated primarily by United States Department of Defense (DoD) activities. Known areas of concern include waters influenced by target practice off the eastern shores of Vieques, areas where ships were anchored north of Vieques, and waters near the western side of Vieques, including Mosquito Pier. Detection and remediation of TNT in these areas is necessary to protect the health and welfare of the present and future Vieques residents and visitors. This work examines the distribution of TNT at specific locations in Vieques. Samples were collected from Mosquito Bay which is located in the watershed between the residential and naval sections of Vieques and also in a northern section of the island at Kiani Lagoon. In addition to Vieques sediment studies, the use of zero-valent iron (ZVI) to degrade trinitrotoluene was examined. The ultimate focus is on emulsifying ZVI particles that are capable of promoting rapid and complete degradation of TNT molecules. ZVI has demonstrated effective degradation of TNT, however, these particles by themselves have significant problems in treating sorbed phase TNT. Results from these studies will be presented.
DE: 4203 Analytical modeling and laboratory experiments
DE: 4251 Marine pollution (0345, 0478)
DE: 4803 Analytical chemistry
SC: Ocean Sciences [OS]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting