Civil Engineering and Environmental Science Professor Rachel Adams was presented today with the Editor’s Choice Award from Environmental Science & Technology Journal for her paper titled “Polyethylene Devices: Passive Samplers for Measuring Dissolved Hydrophobic Organic Compounds in Aquatic Environments.” Adams and her co-authors were named first-runner up for the 2007 Technology Paper of the Year. The winning article was chosen from more than 1,000 papers published in the journal in 2007.
Adams and her colleagues demonstrated the use of a simple polyethylene sampler for measuring trace levels of contaminants in the aquatic environment. These samplers allow researchers to measure pollutants that while present at very low levels can still pose environmental and human dangers. Polyethylene samplers can measure chemicals that are often below the detection capabilities of current sampling methods.
“By studying the fate of harmful contaminants, we can work to decrease their toxic levels in the water and minimize the detrimental effects they have on humans and ecosystems,” Adams said.
Environmental Science & Technology Journal presents awards to acknowledge excellence in various topics within environmental science and technology as well as overall significance and potential to make a lasting contribution to the field.
“I am very honored and excited. It’s great to be recognized for your work – especially by your peers,” said Adams. She plans to continue her research using passive samplers to study contaminants in the environment. She and her students are currently working in the Ballona Creek Watershed, into which drains much of Los Angeles’ water.