Developing RHCC-NT as new monitoring and remediation tool for Poly-Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)

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The economic benefit from the Oil & Gas industry is significant to Canada and has to be sustainable in the long-term. It is incumbent to ensure that the environment is not negatively impacted. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are naturally occurring constituents of crude oil and are generally categorized as saturated acyclic and cyclic carboxylic acids. PAHs are quite corrosive and are removed from crude oil (e.g., bitumen) during its extraction from oil fields and oil sands, and during subsequent refining of the recovered crude oil. The consequence is that water used for recovery and processing of crude oil becomes increasingly enriched with PAHs. Significant amounts of dissolved PAHs remain in waste process water and consequently, are stored in large tailings ponds. The problem with PAHs is that their elevated levels in natural waterways are extremely toxic to aquatic life including bacteria, fish, plants and mammals. Furthermore, it is possible for these pollutants to move from the natural waterways into municipal water supply systems. In collaboration with STANTEC, we are proposing to develop a right-handed coiled coil nanotube (RHCC-NT) based passive sampler device (PSD) that detects and/or recovers PAHs from fluid and sediment systems. The nanotube is based on the RHCC domain from Staphylothermus marinus (S. marinus), an extremophillic archea bacterium isolated from black smoker vents. As a consequence of its adaptation to the extreme conditions at the deep sea volcano, the S-layer protein is characterized by an unusual stability (pH, Temperature, pressure, salinity, ionic strength) that makes it a perfect tool for biotechnological developments. In this project, we aim to develop novel technologies based on RHCC-NT PSDs that can detect fast and in the sub-nM range diverse priority PAH's with the goal to establish a cost effective monitoring device and to establish a new generation bio-availability tool. In addition, we will extend the unique storage capacity of large-sized cavities to develop RHCC-NT as a PAH-remediation tool. Such technologies will significantly improve the water quality systems in Canada and benefit our economy through enhanced environmental sustainability.