Expanding Upon The in-situ Toxicity Identification Evaluation (iTIE) Technology

Aiden Nicholson

Pronouns: He/Him

Research Mentor(s): Glenn Burton
Research Mentor School/College/Department: School for Environment & Sustainability / SNRE
Program: UROPF
Session: Session 1 (9:00am – 9:50am)
Authors: Aiden Nicholson, Austin Crane

Abstract

The in situ Toxicity Identity Evaluation (iTIE) system is a proprietary technology still in development that allows for the on-site detection and evaluation of various chemical contaminants in waterways. This is done by sampling either surface or pore water, pumping the sampled water through resins that selectively filter contaminants, exposing common test organisms to the filtered water, and measuring survival rates and sublethal toxicity endpoints. The conducted study seeks to test and develop aspects of the iTIE technology in three phases: diagnostic resin evaluation, verification of the pore water sampling system, and optimization of the pump system. In the first phase, we identified a series of novel resins on the basis of physicochemical properties that indicate selectivity to organic non-polar contaminants. We then assessed the toxicity of those resins, using Daphnia Magna as an indicator species, to determine which could be safely used in the technology. In the second phase, we conducted a proof-of-concept test of the technology’s pore water sampling (“Trident”) system. We used tracer dye to verify whether the Trident could operate without inadvertently pulling down surface water. The final phase sought to address previously-observed problems with the technology’s pumping system. We altered the arrangement of pumps in the system with the intention of equalizing the flow rate of water delivered among each of the iTIE chambers. At present, we are conducting statistical analyses to determine: the relative toxicity of the resins, the drawdown of surface water, and the effectiveness of our improvements to the technology’s pumping system. The study hopes to use the results of this project in order to further optimize the technology so that it can be distributed for more widespread usage.

Environmental Sci