NSF Award
8960201
There is a growing demand for instrumentation that can detect, in-situ, very low concentrations of organic chemical contaminants in water. The increased monitoring requirements and lowered detection limits being imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency, as well and many states, are rapidly making existing detection instrumental obsolete. Real-time monitoring of parts-per-billion (ppb) concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons in groundwater is a difficult task. In the laboratory, accurate measurement of very low concentrations of dissolved organics has required the development of powerful analytical tools. EPA approved methods use gas chromatography to accomplish these separations. However, the sensitive techniques employed are expensive and not suited to on- site monitoring of organic contaminants in groundwater. One of the most exciting recent analytical approaches is a blend of fiber optic and electrode technologies into what are called "optrodes". Cape Cod Associates will investgate the feasibility of developing an innovative optrode device for the detection, identification, and quantification of trace levels of chemical contaminants in water. This fiber optic-based instrument will have a rapid response detector that can measure contaminant concentrations in parts per billion. Potential applications for this device would include: detection of pollutants in groundwater landfill plumes, detection of chemicals in cooling water systems as well as hazardous waste site monitoring, and general water quality assessment. Cape Cod Associates has been involved in highly innovative environmental, polymer, and materials research for numerous federal and state agencies. It is likely to continue to make significant contributions in its chosen area of R&D.
