NIRT: Bioavailability of Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Dynamics of Their Interactions with Humic and Fulvic Acids: Linking Molecular- and Microbial-Scale Interactions

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus, Norman OK

Investigators

Abstract

0210839 Nanny This proposal was received in response to the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Initiative NSF 01-157, category NIRT. The project will identify key physical, chemical and biological conditions at the nano-scale that govern the bioavailability of aromatic hydrocarbons associated with NOM isolated from soils, sediments, and landfills. After NOM characterization and quantitation, the impact of the localized molecular scale interactions, % hydrocarbon residue, and activation energy of interactions will be assessed with respect to bioavailability. Naphthalene dioxygenase activity will be characterized as a function of NOM type and concentration and NOM-aromatic aging. Coupling to microbial bioavailability will be made using bioluminescence reporting. An outcome from the research will be the development of NMR based characterizations that will correlate with an enzymatic assay and a microbial bioassay.