Inside the SWAT Lab
So here’s what you missed out on in Beth’s Lab: Beth brought back water samples from the Philippines in the form of Semipermeable Membrane Devices) SPMD’s and Silicone Monitoring Device Wristbands. We are testing the accuracy of the two different methods and see which method provides the best results on water contamination. The SPMD’s are ‘ a passive sampling device used to monitor trace levels of organic contaminants. When placed in an aquatic environment, SPMDs accumulate hydrophobic (water-“hating,” fat-“loving”) organic compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and organochlorine pesticides from the surrounding waters’ (NOAA). The silicon devices could be used as a passive sampler in aqueous deployments. They are small, lightweight that also monitor air pollution by absorbing chemicals. They are called ‘passive because they do not require any maintenance or power to work’ (Oregon State University, Passive w