Microbial Degradation of Organic Contaminants in Streambed/Floodplain Sediments in Passaic River—New Jersey Area

This paper is intended to explore soil organic matter and carbon isotope fractionation at three locations of the Passaic River to determine if microbial degradation of organic contaminants in soil is correlated to the surrounding physical environment. Microbial degradation of organic contaminants is important for the detoxification of toxic substances thereby minimizing stagnation in the environment and accumulating in the food chain. Since organic contaminants are not easily dissolved in water, they will penetrate sediment and end up enriching the adjacent soil. The hypothesis that we are testing is microbial activity and carbon isotope fractionation will be greater in preserved soils than urban soils. The reason why this is expected to be the case is the expectation of higher microbial activity in preserved environments due to less exposure to pollutants, better soil structure, higher organic matter content, and more favorable conditions for microbial growth. This is contrasted with urban soils, which are impacted by pollutants and disturbances, potentially inhibiting microbial activity. We wish to collect soil samples adjacent to the Passaic River at a pristine location, Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge, a suburban location, Goffle Brook Park, Hawthorne NJ, and an urban location, Paterson NJ. These soil samples will be weighed for soil organic matter (SOM) and weighed for isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) to test organic carbon isotopes. High SOM and δ13C depletion activity indicate microbial growth based on the characteristics of the soil horizon rather than the location of the soil sample which results in degradation of organic compounds.

Turbidimetric Determination of Hydrocarbon Contamination in Passaic River Sediments and Refinery Polluted Soils

A rapid method is described for the determination of petroleum hydrocarbons in soil samples. The method is based on the extraction of hydrocarbons by a solvent and the treatment of the solution with an aqueous solution of a surfactant to release the hydrocarbons to the water phase in the form of a stable emulsion. The emulsion is then utilized to measure the hydrocarbon content by turbidimetry. The effects of various operating parameters including the surfactant solution composition and time of extraction and time of mixing with the releasing solution are investigated. The stability of the emulsion was improved in acid environment containing and electrolyte. The turbidity values (T) were related with hydrocarbon concentration in the extract (C) by the following equation. Turbidity = 2.75 C + 205.7. With R2 = 0.9929. The soil hydrocarbon content (SHC) measured in μg/g can then be calculated using the formula: SHC = [Extract Vol. (mL) x C]/Sample Wt (g). The results correlated well with the results of total hydrocarbons in soils determined by standard methods. The method was applied for the estimation of hydrocarbons in Passaic river sediments taken from various locations and depths. For field work the method was used to supply data on the hydrocarbon contamination of soil samples taken within an oil refinery and a monitoring well drilled within heavy hydrocarbon waste dumping location.

Ion Selective Electrode Determination of Ammonia Nitrogen in Passaic River Waste Water in New Jersey Essex County Area

The percent ammonia nitrogen was determined in Passaic River waste water using Ion-Selective Electrode EPA Method 350.3. The intelligent ammonia sensor integrates ammonia electrode, pH electrode and Ammonia Ion electrode together to realize the in situ detection of ammonia. The test results have shown that the sensor is easy operation, low cost and no pollution. The ammonia is determined potentiometrically using an ammonia ion selective electrode and a pH/mV meter, having an expanded millivolt scale. The ammonia selective electrode uses a hydrophobic gas-permeable membrane to separate the sample solution from an electrode internal solution of ammonium chloride. Dissolved ammonia is converted to NH3 gas by raising the pH to above 11.0 with a strong base. NH3 gas diffuses the membrane and changes the internal solution pH that is sensed by the electrode. In single laboratory test results have been found 1.001 NH3-/L and 0.897 mg NH3-N/L, recoveries were 77.3% and 83.1%, respectively.