A Study of the Impact of Ionizing Radiation on Nutrients in Aquatic Media
EPA Grant Number: U915608Title: A Study of the Impact of Ionizing Radiation on Nutrients in Aquatic Media
Investigators: Luse, LaToya
Institution: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
EPA Project Officer: Broadway, Virginia
Project Period: August 1, 1999 through August 1, 2001
Project Amount: $68,000
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (1999)
Research Category: Fellowship - Environmental Science/Chemistry , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Academic Fellowships
Description:
Objective:The objectives of this research project are to: (1) investigate the potential of various forms of ionizing radiation to alter the speciation of phosphate and nitrate ions in water; and (2) determine if these alterations induce changes in the bioavailability of the phosphate and nitrate ions in water.
Approach:Solutions with known concentrations of nutrients, including phosphate and nitrate, will be prepared by standardized methods. The solutions will be checked spectrophotometrically for accuracy. Irradiation instruments such as a Van der Graff accelerator will be used to bombard the solutions with ionizing radiation. After calculated irradiation periods, the solutions again will be analyzed spectrophotometrically to determine if any change in nutrient concentration has occurred.
Supplemental Keywords:fellowship, water, bioavailability, phosphate ion, nitrate ion, fertilizers, aquatic, nutrients, ionizing radiation, Van der Graff accelerator, electrons. , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, RFA, ECOSYSTEMS, Aquatic Ecosystems & Estuarine Research, Ecological Monitoring, Aquatic Ecosystem, Environmental Chemistry, Ecology and Ecosystems, phosphorus, environmental indicators, nitrate concentrations, spectrophotmetric studies, aquatic ecosystems, ionizing radiation, nutrient regeneration, biodiversity