Novel Porous Material for the Remediation of PCBs and Mercury from Green Bay Lake Sediments

Under the 1987 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the lower Green Bay and Fox River estuary has been labeled an area of concern due to the contamination of mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from industrial exploitation. These highly toxic compounds impose a great number of public health and environmental hazards for the Green Bay region. The highly abundant PCB in this region, Aroclor 1242, is well known for triggering cariogenic responses in animals and mercury targets the central nervous system as well as vital organs. Furthermore, these compounds are extremely difficult to remove from the environment once introduced. Extensive remedial actions have been implemented to resolve the issue including dredging the Lower Fox River from DePere to Green Bay, a very invasive method that tends to resuspend sediment aiding in the further transport of pollutants. The goal of this project seeks to find an alternative solution to dredging using a modified novel porous material for the remediation of PCBs and mercury