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2002 Progress Report: Specialty Polymeric Materials for use in the Purification and Detection of Harmful Algal Bloom Toxins: Science and Engineering

EPA Grant Number: R829424E03
Title: Specialty Polymeric Materials for use in the Purification and Detection of Harmful Algal Bloom Toxins: Science and Engineering
Investigators: Scrivens, W. A. , Alegria, H. , Moeller, P. , Morgan, S.
Current Investigators: Scrivens, W. A.
Institution: University of South Carolina at Columbia
EPA Project Officer: Winner, Darrell
Project Period: October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2003 (Extended to September 30, 2004)
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2002
Project Amount: $199,305
RFA: EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) (2000)
Research Category: EPSCoR (The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research)

Description:

Objective:

The overall objective of this research project is to develop a broadly applicable methodology for the purification and detection of harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins with specific focus, on saxitoxin. The 2001 South Carolina U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPA/EPSCoR) Program consists of a Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP) and two Science and Engineering Environmental Research Projects (SEER). HABs interfere with local ecologies by displacing indigenous species, altering habitats, or depleting oxygen in the environments. A small percentage of these blooms consist of microorganisms that produce toxins that can kill marine organisms directly or transfer toxin HABs throughout the food chain and effect human and animal life. Research on this subject is one of the EPA's top 10 science initiatives.

Progress Summary:

Three target styrene monomers have been synthesized in gram quantities. Scale-up of these procedures to multi-gram quantities remains a challenge, but enough material is now available for preliminary testing. Two HP 1090 high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems were acquired from salvage and rebuilt with modern computer controls. Because of the restrictions on the use of saxitoxin by the Patriot Act, the group has begun the synthesis of a more elaborate saxitoxin structural analog than originally was proposed. Two synthetic routes have been developed and progress is being made on the first route. The group has recruited an experienced analytical chemist that will enable significant progress to be made on the development of HAB toxin sensor technology. Specifically, the group will be developing a plasmon resonance spectroscopy (PRS) system to detect saxitoxin and other analytes using imprinted polymers.

Future Activities:

In conjunction with researchers at Westinghouse Savannah River Company, researchers on this SEER project will be coating PRS probes with saxitoxin-imprinted films to make a HAB toxin sensor. Investigators also will be exploring the use of cross-linked, swellable polymers or gels as chromatographic stationary phases in their saxitoxin purification and sensor work. To use these materials, investigators will be coating rigid ceramic monoliths or carbon foams with imprinted polymer gels. It is hoped that by doing this, they will have access to a wider range of polymer materials from which to build their saxitoxin purification and detection systems.

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 3 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

harmful algal blooms, HAB, saxitoxin, imprinting, polymer, sensor, purification. , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water, Geographic Area, Scientific Discipline, RFA, Oceanography, estuarine research, Ecological Risk Assessment, algal blooms, Ecology and Ecosystems, Environmental Monitoring, State, marine ecosystem, water quality, algal bloom detection, coastal habitats, coastal resources, environmental indicators, coastal ecosystems, marine biology, bloom dynamics, South Carolina (SC), estuaries

Progress and Final Reports:
Original Abstract
2003 Progress Report
Final Report

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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