Evelyn Faust
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Glenn Burton, Professor
Research Mentor School/College/Department: School for Environment and Sustainability,
Presentation Date: Thursday, April 22, 2021
Session: Session 2 (11am – 11:50am)
Breakout Room: Room 8
Presenter: 2
Abstract
Toxicity Identification Evaluation (TIE) is a laboratory bioassay developed by the USEPA and used for assessing sites with multiple chemical contaminants. To determine the predominating environmental stressors and primary toxicity concerns at these sites, this method physically and chemically fractionates various compounds from water samples in a laboratory setting. However, the method is resource-intensive and does not require in situ toxicity analysis, which limits the results’ ecological realism. To improve the effectiveness and validity of assessments at sites with multiple contaminants, the in situ Toxicity Identification Evaluation (iTIE) has been developed to separate and expose fractionated waters to organisms directly within the field by use of resin adsorption technology. Specific resins are used for target removal of ammonia, heavy metals, polar organic, and nonpolar organic contaminants of concern from site water prior to organism exposure within chambers in the iTIE unit. The purpose of this study is to inform specific amendments to the iTIE prototype and to optimize the effectiveness of resins by ensuring that they cause no adverse effects to test organisms. In laboratory toxicity experiments, cladoceran Daphnia magna larva were exposed to each of the resins and analyzed for reproduction. Results suggest that the tested resins cause no significantly toxic effects. Using this supporting information, resin optimization for the iTIE system can reduce costs for future ecotoxicological assessments and impact management decisions by identification of the primary contaminants of concern in a site with multiple stressors.
Authors: Evelyn Faust, Sophia Putman, Alison Rentschler, Allen Burton
Research Method: Laboratory Research
Burton Lab Website: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~burtonal/index.html
