Research Focus Area 1: Novel Environmental Stressor Detection

Developing Detection Technologies for the Study of Environmental Stressors In CREST-CAChE I,
we assessed the presence, distribution andenvironmental processes controlling anthropogenic and natural stressors in aquatic ecosystems. The team implemented the use of novel technologies focused on alternative and innovative mass spectrometry tools. CREST-CAChE II expandsour ability to provide the high-resolution real-time data needed for meaningful actionable interventions,7 through the use of tandem orthogonal separations (e.g., online-SPE-HRMS, speciation ICP-QqQ-MS, GCxGC-MS, GC-UHRMS and GC/LC-TIMS-UHRMS), development of low-cost in-situ sensing systems and sensor network integration.

The goal of RFA1 is to generate the detection technologies and experimental workflows that can provide a comprehensive characterization of legacy, novel, emerging and soon-to-emerge environmental stressors, thenuse markers of organism exposure to detect their influence. This multidisciplinary team of biologists, chemists, engineers, and architectsaredeveloping: a) new detection technologies for the characterization of human-derived contaminants, new emerging environmental stressors (e.g., poly and perfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS) and markers for organism exposure at the individual level; and b) new in-situ sensor technologies for real-time, high-resolution monitoring of environmental stressors. The ultimate goal of RFA1 is to further develop and apply these novel technologies to better understand the dynamics and fate of environmental stressors, so we can improve risk assessment and rapid decision-making.

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