CHRISTY REMUCAL, PHD

Research

Lampricide Photochemistry

Our group is currently studying the photochemical degradation mechanisms of two lampricides, 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) and 5-chlor-N-(2 chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-2-hydroxibenzamide (niclosamide), in natural waters. Large amounts of these compounds are routinely applied to tributaries of the Great Lakes in order to combat the invasive sea lamprey, yet little is known about their environmental fate.

Dissolved Organic Matter Characterization

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an important role in many biogeochemical processes, including the carbon and nitrogen cycles, metal complexation and redox reactions, contaminant fate and transport, and microbial metabolism. For example, the colored fraction of DOM contributes to the photochemical transformation of numerous contaminants in sunlit surface waters. Our current research focuses on determining the size distribution of DOM using dialysis fractionation, and assessing the photochemical transformation potential of each size fraction.

Publications

• Remucal C.K., Ginder-Vogel M. (2014) A critical review of the reactivity of manganese oxides with organic contaminants. Environ. Sci. Processes Impacts, 16(6), 1247-1266.
• Remucal C.K. (2014) The role of indirect photochemical degradation in the environmental fate of pesticides: A review. Environ. Sci. Processes Impacts, 16(4), 628–653.
• Remucal C.K., Cory R.M., Sander M. and McNeill K. (2012) Low molecular weight components in an aquatic humic substance as characterized by membrane dialysis and Orbitrap mass spectrometry. Environ. Sci. Technol. 46(17), 9350-9359.
• Remucal C.K. and McNeill K. (2011) Photosensitized amino acid degradation in the presence of riboflavin and its derivatives. Environ. Sci. Technol. 45(12), 5230-5237
• Remucal C.K. and Sedlak D.L. (2011) The role of iron coordination in the production of reactive oxidants from ferrous iron oxidation by oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. In P. Tratnyek, T. Grundl, S. Haderlein (Eds.), Aquatic Redox Chemistry. (Vol. 1071, pp. 177-197). Washington, DC: American Chemical Society
• Keenan C.R., Goth-Goldstein R., Lucas D. and Sedlak D.L. (2009) Oxidative stress induced by zero-valent iron nanoparticles and Fe(II) in human bronchial epithelial cells. Environ. Sci. Technol. 43(12), 4555-4560