Atmospheric Inputs and the Photochemical Transformation of Brominated Flame Retardants in Arctic Surface Waters

溴化阻燃剂（BFR）广泛分布于环境中，并能够通过长距离过程（即，全球蒸馏）。拟议的研究将测量空气和水中的溴化阻燃剂浓度，并研究在溶解有机物（DOM）和图里克湖长期生态研究（LTER）站地表水体光的存在下控制其命运的过程。具体目标包括：1.测量图利克湖LTER的空气和水体中的BFR水平;2.收集、分离和阐明图利克LTER水体中DOM的结构和光解特性;3.研究BFR到DOM的划分，并评估DOM组成在此过程中的作用;4.使用太阳模拟器和图里克湖的自然阳光，分别在存在和不存在DOM的情况下，测量溴化阻燃剂发生直接和间接光解的程度; 5.鉴定BFR光转化产生的反应产物; 6.阐明反应途径，控制BFR在DOM的存在下的光转化。 该项目将研究溴化阻燃剂的环境途径，这是这些物质在北极食物链中生物累积的关键环节。它将主要为博士生提供实验室和后勤支持，并在夏季实地考察期间支持本科生助理。研究人员计划一个积极的外展计划，包括与LTER校园计划和ARCUS的接口，研究生将保持一个研究博客。

Brominated flame-retardants (BFR) are ubiquitously distributed in the environment and capable of being transported to the arctic by long-range processes (i.e., global distillation). The proposed research would measure BFR concentrations in air and water, and study processes that control their fate in the presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and light from surface water bodies at the Toolik Lake long-term ecological research (LTER) station. Specific objectives include:1. measure BFR levels in air and water bodies at the Toolik Lake LTER;2. collect, isolate, and elucidate the structural and photolytic properties of DOM from water bodies at the Toolik LTER;3. study BFR partitioning to DOM and assess the role of DOM composition on this process;4. measure the degree to which direct and indirect photolysis occurs for BFR in the respective presence and absence of DOM using solar simulators and natural sunlight at Toolik Lake; 5. identify the reaction products produced by the phototransformation of BFR; and6. elucidate reactive pathways that control the phototransformation of BFR in the presence of DOM. This project would study a BFR environmental pathway that is a critical link in the bioaccumulation of these substances in the arctic food chain. It would primarily provide lab and logistical support for a doctoral student, and would also support an undergraduate assistant during the summer field season. The investigators plan an active outreach program including interfacing with the LTER Schoolyard program and ARCUS, and the graduate student would maintain a research blog.