Abstract

Environmental systems offer complex matrices that make determining the behavior of important species a challenge. Inositol hexaphosphates (IP6) are a significant component of environmental and agricultural soils. However, the enigmatic behavior of IP6 makes it difficult to quantify and differentiate from other phosphate species. As a result, a sample preparation and preconcentration technique has been developed and assessed for the separation of IP6 from other environmental phosphate species using strong anion exchange. It was determined that this method was capable of separating and preconcentrating IP6 in the presence of orthophosphate (PO43-) and other organophosphate species. This method was also used to demonstrate the preconcentration of IP6 with a concentration factor of 50 in a simulated freshwater system. In a subsequent study, the occurrence of an anthropogenic gadolinium (Gd) anomaly was measured in the Orlando Easterly Wetlands in Orlando, FL. Gadolinium (Gd) is commonly used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents and is of concern due to its possible accumulation in the environment. It was determined that approximately 25 g d-1 were entering the wetlands each day, with concentrations decreasing toward the wetland outflow. An anthropogenic Gd anomaly was observed in the wetlands sediment with strong correlations to the presence of natural organic matter. Finally, Gd and Gd complexes were observed in the presence of anthropogenic substrates to determine whether environmental microplastics and microfibers could act as a vector for the transport of Gd. It was determined that while Gd complexes were capable of sorption to PET fibers, the dominant mechanism for the removal of Gd is transmetalation and precipitation in environmental systems.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2021

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Beazley, Melanie

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Chemistry

Degree Program

Chemistry

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0009097; DP0026430

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0026430

Language

English

Release Date

February 2025

Length of Campus-only Access

3 years

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Campus-only Access)

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