Assessing the risks to freshwater ecosystems from water soluble polymers

合成水溶性聚合物，如聚丙烯酰胺（PAM），广泛用于一系列消费品，包括化妆品和洗涤剂，以及各种工业过程，特别是在混凝土添加剂的生产中，用于土壤调理和脱水，而且在废水处理中也很重要。迄今为止，人们还没有认真考虑到合成水溶性聚合物对环境的影响，尽管由于它们在水中的扩散，它们有可能更多地进入生物圈。这个学生项目将测试这样一个假设：存在足够的屏障来阻止水溶性聚合物到达或在环境中以可能对生物群产生负面影响的浓度持续存在。它将通过测试可溶性聚合物可能对淡水生态系统构成的潜在风险来实现这一目标。测试这一假设的工作目标如下：开展一项范围研究，探索水溶性聚合物环境负荷的潜在来源，这些材料进入和通过自然环境的运输途径，以及潜在的受体。开发环境介质中水溶性聚合物的检测、鉴定和定量方法。进行实地调查，以测试分析方法和确认范围研究的结果。样本将从淡水站点采集，我们从以前的项目中获得了广泛的背景数据。通过实验室实验研究水溶性聚合物在相关环境介质中的环境命运和迁移率。通过实验室和实地试验，研究水溶性聚合物对生物群和生物多样性的环境影响。开发自然环境中水溶性聚合物的危害图。

Synthetic water-soluble polymers, such as polyacrylamides (PAM), are widely used in a range of consumer products, including cosmetics and detergents, as well as in various industrial processes, particularly in production of concrete additives, for soil conditioning and dewatering and also, significantly, in wastewater treatment. There has thus far been no serious consideration given to the environmental effects of synthetic water-soluble polymers, despite the prospect of increased incorporation into the biosphere due to their dispersal in water.This studentship will test the hypothesis that: Sufficient barriers exist to water-soluble polymers reaching or persisting in the environment in concentrations that might have a negative impact on biota. It will achieve this by testing the potential risk that soluble polymers might pose to freshwater ecosystems.The objectives of the work designed to test this hypothesis are as follows:To carry out a scoping study to explore potential sources contributing to environmental loading of water-soluble polymers, pathways for transport of these materials into and through the natural environment, and potential receptors. To develop methods for the detection, identification and quantification of water-soluble polymers in environmental media. To carry out field investigations to test analytical methods and confirm outcomes of the scoping study. Samples will be taken from freshwater sites where we have extensive background data from previous projects.To investigate the environmental fate and mobility of water soluble polymers in relevant environmental media via laboratory experimentation.To investigate the environmental impact of water soluble polymers on biota and biodiversity via laboratory and field trials.To develop hazard mapping of water soluble polymers in natural environments.