Investigation of Organic Materials with Environmental Pollutant Binding Capability Using Polarity-Sensitive Spectroscopic Probes

分析和表面化学计划中的女性研究机会规划补助金(ROW/RPG)支持北亚利桑那大学罗宾·赫尔本教授的研究努力，旨在表征环境重要的腐殖质材料。这项研究的重点是用光谱染料表征这些溶解和胶体相材料的疏水结合性能。将使用一系列极性敏感指示剂来探测天然腐植酸以及木质素和石油基表面活性剂中结合环境的相对亲油性，所有这些表面活性剂都具有溶质传输能力。在另一项研究中，这些指示剂将用于监测二价阳离子诱导的有机聚集体的形成。这个项目将PI在环境分析化学方面的背景和她在化学计量学方面的专业知识与她对这些复杂的多相物质的兴趣结合在一起。除了发起这位女科学家在环境化学方面的研究计划外，对该项目的支持将补充北亚利桑那大学既定的本科生研究计划。

This Research Opportunities for Women Reseach Planning Grant (ROW/RPG) in the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program supports the research efforts of Professor Robin Helburn of Northern Arizona University which are aimed at characterizing environmentally important humic materials. The focus of this research is the characterization of the hydrophobic binding properties of these dissolved and colloidal phase materials using spectroscopic dyes. A series of polarity-sensitive indicators will be used to probe the relative lipophilicity of binding environments in natural humic acids, and in lignin- and petroleum-based surfactants, all of which have solute transport capabilities. In a separate study, these indicators will be used to monitor the formation of organic aggregates as induced by divalent cations. This project combines the PI's background in environmental analytical chemistry and her expertise in chemometrics with her interest in these complex heterogeneous substances. In addition to initiating this female scientist's research program in environmental chemistry, support of this project will complement the established undergraduate research program at Northern Arizona University.