Biomonitoring Semivolatile
Organic Compounds in the
Atmosphere using Lichen
Eli Moore
Dr. Staci Simonich
Dept. of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology
Dept. of Chemistry
Oregon State University
8/31/04
Why Semivolatile Organic
Compounds (SOC’s) ?
 A class of organic compounds that can
undergo volatilization and condensation.
 Can be transported to remote ecosystems
(Arctic and high elevations)
 Potential health risks
SOC Examples
 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs):
Retene
Benzo[a]anthracene
 Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs):
2,2’,3,3’,4,4’,5,5’,6,6’Decachlorobiphenyl
2,2’,4,4’-Tetrachlorobiphenyl
SOC Examples
 Pesticides and Degradation Products:
Dacthal
DDT
Endosulfan I
DDE
Regional and Long Range Transport
of SOCs
High Elevation Lakes
Lichen
 Passive air
samplers.
 Can accumulate
air pollutants.
 Letharia vulpina
Hypothesis
 SOCs are undergoing local and long range
atmospheric transport and are being
deposited on vegetation in high elevation
lake ecosystems.
Goals
 Measure a wide range of SOCs in lichen.
 Measure SOCs at low concentrations.
 Identify general locations of SOC sources
Analytical Method
Collection
Water Extraction
Solid Phase
Extraction
Extraction
Solvent Exchange
Analysis – GC/MS
Sample Collection
 Sequoia National Park samples
Collection Sites
 Site 1 - Emerald Lake Basin
Mean Elevation: 2816 m (9240 ft)
 Site 2 - Wolverton Creek
Mean Elevation: 2451 m (8040 ft)
 Site 3 - Wolverton Creek II
Mean Elevation: 2219 m (7280 ft)
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II
n
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p,
p'
-D
DT
p,
p'
-D
DE
pg/g dw
Results
Wolverton Creek II
80000.00
60000.00
40000.00
20000.00
0.00
Compounds
42 SOCs detected total.
Future
 Complete analysis of other Sequoia sites.
 Compare Lichens to conifer needles and
willow bark in Sequoia.
 Help write paper on Sequoia vegetation.
 Analyze samples from other national parks.
Questions?