PT10 Environmental Forensics
Exhibit Hall
8:00 AM - Tuesday
(PT139) Use of Immunoassays to help Streamline Fingerprinting Studies.
Leather, J.1, Stout, S.2, Corl, W.3, Curtis, S.1, 1 SPAWAR Systems Center, San Diego, CA, USA2 Newfields, Boston, MA, USA3 NAVFAC LANTDIV, Norfolk, VA, USA
ABSTRACT- Field screening techniques, including immunoassays, are often used in sediment studies due to their time and cost benefits compared with standard laboratory analyses. Because of these qualities, field screening techniques can maximize spatial coverage of contaminant assessments, making these techniques desirable for directing sampling plans, defining boundaries of contaminated areas, and locating source areas, hot spots, or reference areas. This allows these screening techniques to serve as a method to streamline forensics studies while still allowing sufficient coverage over wide sampling areas. Defining the nature and extent of sediment contamination from Naval facilities can be difficult due to the co-existence of multiple point and non-point sources. Navy policy on Sediment Site Investigations and Response Actions dictates that source identification is critical in determining Navy cleanup responsibilities and the potential for any recontamination. Therefore, when multiple contaminant sources are suspected, it is important that all sources be identified and background or anthropogenic levels of contamination be established. The presentation will demonstrate a fingerprinting approach using Rapid Sediment Characterization (RSC) screening tools in combination with high-quality chemical fingerprinting analysis to optimally and cost-effectively distinguish PAH sources near the Norfolk Naval Shipyard on the Elizabeth River.
Key words: PAH fingerprinting, immunoassay, sediment forensics, Elizabeth River