1. Emerging Contaminants (ECs)

Environmental Fate and Risk Assessment of ECs in Aquatic Systems

• Investigating the occurrence, transformation, and persistence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and organophosphate esters (OPEs) in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and coastal waters.
• Evaluating the ecotoxicological risks of these contaminants to aquatic organisms and human health.
• Developing predictive models to assess their transport and deposition in sediment and water columns.

Distribution and Transformation of ECs in Soil Matrices

• Characterizing the interactions of PFASs and OPEs with soil organic matter and microbial communities.
• Examining biodegradation pathways and the formation of transformation products under varying redox and pH conditions.
• Assessing the potential for soil-to-plant transfer and subsequent human exposure risks.

Atmospheric Dynamics and Health Implications of ECs

• Investigating emission sources, transport pathways, and deposition mechanisms of PFASs and OPEs in urban and industrial air.
• Measuring atmospheric concentrations and determining the role of particulate matter in the long-range transport of these contaminants.
• Evaluating the toxicological and public health implications of inhalation and other exposure routes.

2. Microplastics

Occurrence and Fate of Microplastics in Aquatic Environments

• Monitoring the distribution and concentration of microplastics in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).
• Investigating the influence of environmental factors (e.g., temperature, UV radiation, water flow) on microplastic degradation and fragmentation.
• Assessing the role of biofilms and microbial communities in altering microplastic behavior and transport.

Fate, Deposition, and Transport of Airborne Microplastics

• Characterizing the sources of microplastics in urban and industrial atmospheres.
• Examining deposition dynamics, including wet and dry deposition, to understand accumulation in different ecosystems (soil, water bodies).
• Evaluating the potential health and ecological risks associated with inhalation and surface contamination.

Impact of Aging/Weathering Processes on Microplastics

• Investigating the physical and chemical changes in microplastics under natural and artificial aging/weathering scenarios (e.g., UV exposure, abrasion).
• Studying the sorption behavior of weathered microplastics toward PFASs, OPEs, and other emerging contaminants.
• Exploring the implications of altered surface chemistry for microplastic toxicity and pollutant transport.

Interactions of Microplastics with Soil Systems

• Determining the pathways and mechanisms by which microplastics enter and accumulate in soil environments.
• Analyzing how soil conditions (e.g., moisture content, pH, organic matter) affect microplastic mobility and degradation.
• Evaluating potential impacts on soil fertility, plant growth, and terrestrial food webs.

3. Cross-Cutting Themes

Analytical Method Development

• Refining sampling, extraction, and quantification techniques for low-level detection of ECs and microplastics in complex matrices (air, water, soil, sediment).
• Utilizing advanced instrumentation (GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS, SEM, TEM, FTIR, XPS, and Raman) to enhance accuracy and sensitivity in contaminant analysis.

Data Analytics and Risk Assessment

• Employing statistical tools and data mining to interpret large datasets on contaminant distributions, transformations, and exposures.
• Integrating toxicity data with environmental concentration profiles to inform risk-based management strategies.

Sustainability and Engineering Solutions

• Designing and testing remediation technologies (e.g., advanced oxidation, adsorption) to reduce EC and microplastic loads in water, soil, and air.
• Exploring eco-friendly materials and processes to minimize contaminant production and release at the source.