PCB Emissions from Contaminated Water and Soil

University Of Iowa, Iowa City IA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

SUMMARY: Project 4 – PCB Emissions from Contaminated Water and Soil Exposure to airborne polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) poses a significant risk of human exposure to these harmful compounds, raising concerns among communities living near PCB-contaminated sites nationwide. Airborne PCBs originating from PCB-contaminated waterways and soils are a pressing issue, exacerbated by sediment dredging, a common remediation method. However, the impact of dredging on PCB emissions remains unclear. With numerous PCB Superfund sites—over 50 designated and many unregistered—the extent of airborne PCB emissions' variability remains unknown. This knowledge gap is due to inadequate sampling tools and infrequent air monitoring at these sites, as well as limited data on environmental compartment exchange rates. Project 4's overall goal is to comprehend PCB behavior in complex environmental systems, identify sources and emissions, and reduce exposure to nearby populations. The project aims to characterize novel passive samplers tailored to assess emissions from airborne PCB sources: sediment dredging operations and contaminated soils. Our central hypothesis is that PCB emissions from these two sources are a function of the physical-chemical properties of PCBs and concentrations of PCBs in sediment, soil, water, and air that can be characterized using appropriate sampling tools, and that these emissions are determined by exchange rates between environmental compartments and the prevailing environmental and hydrological conditions. Project 4 collaborates with the ISRP, aligning with other projects to identify and reduce PCB exposure. Partnerships with stakeholders, including the Great Lakes National Program (GLNPO) EPA, Portland Harbor Community Coalition, and Oregon DEQ, ensure relevance. In Aim 1 we will focus on exploring PCB exchange among sediment, soil, water, and air within a laboratory mesocosm. This will enhance our understanding of how environmental parameters impact the behavior of PCB in the environment and facilitate the development of new passive sampler techniques. In Aim 2, we will study the effect of dredging operations and the distribution of PCB-contaminated soils on emissions through Superfund- relevant case studies. Subaim 2.1 we will investigate emissions during dredging operations, collaborating with GLNPO EPA to capture diverse emission patterns. Subaim 2.2 we will assess temporal and spatial emissions from PCB-contaminated soils at Portland Harbor Superfund site, utilizing innovative soil emission samplers. Upon completing these aims, the project anticipates the development of novel sampling tools for airborne PCB emissions, enhancing understanding of contributions from sediment dredging and soil sources. This insight will benefit partner communities, including Portland Harbor, as well as other PCB Superfund sites and stakeholders like EPA, DEQs, and Superfund managers.