RUI: Systematic Analysis of the Photodegradation of Pesticides on Heterogeneous Surfaces: The Photolysis of Imidazolinone Herbicides on Two Midwest Crops

国家科学基金会化学部的环境化学科学项目支持来自Gustavus Adolphus学院的阿曼达Nienow教授的研究，他将探索吸附到作物/植物表面的农药的非均相化学，重点是一类农药（咪唑啉酮除草剂）应用于植物时形成的光解机制和光产物。一些咪唑啉酮类除草剂的光化学已在水溶液中，但不是在植物表面上进行了检查，这种检查将提供洞察这些除草剂在作物表面的光降解机制和光产物，从而提高目前的咪唑啉酮类除草剂的环境化学的理解。此外，从这项工作中获得的知识将为测量环境中有机污染物的侦察任务提供信息，提供对植物表面发生的化学反应的分子理解，并可能影响农药施用的监管，该项目将通过研究吸附在表皮蜡和植物叶子上的农药的光解作用，提供关于农药在环境中归宿的更真实的情况。该研究对环境建模和农药监管具有重要意义。此外，在本项目下开发的方法和协议将成为研究各种农药或其他环境相关有机分子的模型，并可能扩展到研究其他表面上有机分子的光化学，（例如，城市建筑）。本科生将参与这个跨学科项目的各个方面，并将获得广泛领域的经验，包括光谱学，色谱法，显微镜和统计数据分析。学生的经验将提高他们计划，分析，综合和交流科学成果的能力。此外，他们将获得在国家会议和共同撰写同行评审期刊文章的经验。所有这些经验将使他们在未来的研究生学习或职业生涯中处于有利地位。首席研究员是她职业生涯早期的教员，因此该项目将通过支持基础研究和建立可持续的研究计划而使她受益。研究结果将通过出版物和在科学会议上的介绍加以传播。该项目的各个方面也将用于加强化学系已建立的社区外展到当地小学。

The Environmental Chemical Sciences Program in the Chemistry Division at the National Science Foundation supports the research of Professor Amanda Nienow from Gustavus Adolphus College who will explore the heterogeneous chemistry of pesticides sorbed to the crop/plant surfaces to which they are applied with a focus on the photolysis mechanisms and photoproducts formed when one class of pesticides, the imidazaolinone herbicides, is applied to plants. The photochemistry of some imidazolinone herbicides has been examined in aqueous systems but not on plant surfaces; this examination will provide insight into the photodegradation mechanisms and photoproducts of these herbicides at crop surfaces, thereby enhancing current understanding of the environmental chemistry of the imidazolinone herbicides. In addition, the knowledge gained from this work will inform reconnaissance missions for measurement of organic pollutants in the environment, provide a molecular understanding of the chemistry occurring at the plant surface, and potentially influence regulation of pesticide application.This project will provide a more realistic picture of the environmental fate of pesticides by examining photolysis of pesticides sorbed to cuticular wax and plant foliage. The research has implications for environmental modeling and pesticide regulation. In addition, the methods and protocols developed under this project will be a model for studying a wide range of pesticides or other environmentally relevant organic molecules, and may be extended to study the photochemistry of organic molecules on other surfaces, (e.g., urban buildings). The undergraduates will participate in all aspects of this interdisciplinary project and will gain experience in a wide range of fields including spectroscopy, chromatography, microscopy, and statistical data analysis. The students' experiences will improve their ability to plan, analyze, synthesize and communicate scientific results. In addition, they will gain experience presenting at national meetings and co-authoring peer reviewed journal articles. All of these experiences will position them well for future graduate studies or professional careers. The principal investigator is a faculty member early in her career, so this project will benefit her by supporting foundational research and establishment of a sustainable research program. The results will be disseminated through publications and presentations at scientific conferences. Aspects of the project will also be used to enhance the Chemistry Department's established community outreach into local elementary schools.