Trace Metals in Airborne Particulate Matter and Genomic Characterization of Associated Microorganisms: Insights into Health Effects from an Industrialized, Near-Roadway Site in Houston

This project focuses on PM₁₀ prevalent at an air monitoring site adjacent to the Houston Ship Channel and Interstate Highway 610; Clinton Drive. The main goal of this study is to simultaneously measure major/trace metals and microorganism diversity in airborne coarse particulate matter. We will quantify vehicular contributions to PM₁₀ by analyzing aerosols’ elemental composition. Additionally, state-of-the-art next generation sequencing tools and 16S rRNA gene sequencing will be implemented to evaluate airborne microorganism diversity and prevalence in PM₁₀ in the proximity of roadways. Nine PM₁₀ samples were collected from August 10 – August 18, 2018 for analysis. Elemental analysis will be performed using high temperature microwave assisted acid digestion followed by inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Next, source apportionment via the chemical mass balance model will be performed to determine the extent to which tailpipe and non-tailpipe emissions including resuspended road dust contribute to ambient PM concentrations. These experiments and modeling will be conducted by Mr. Sourav Das, a doctoral student in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering. Separately, Dr. Jothikumar at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will implement novel whole genome sequencing to evaluate microorganism diversity. Note that PM₁₀ is targeted to capture fungi. Finally, undergraduate students will review health effects literature relevant to our measurements stressing knowledge gaps. At the successful completion of this project, a novel, high-impact, high quality, “hard science” dataset on exposure of low-income underrepresented minority families to vehicular trace metals and biological aerosols proximal to a busy roadway will be generated.

• Record URL:
  https://www.carteeh.org/research/focus-areas/projects/trace-metals-in-airborne-particulate-matter-and-genomic-characterization-of-associated-microorganisms-insights-into-health-effects-from-an-industrialized-near-roadway-site-in-houston/

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $105249
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551747128

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station

  Texas A&M University System
  3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135
• Performing Organizations:

  Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station

  Texas A&M University System
  3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135
• Principal Investigators:

  Chellam, Shankararaman

• Start Date: 20200901
• Expected Completion Date: 20210831
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program
• Source Data: 03-25-TTI

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerosols; Air pollution; Environmental impacts; Environmental monitoring; Exhaust gases; Health; Highway traffic; Industrial areas; Low income groups; Metals; Minorities; Particulates; Quality of specific environments; Spectroscopy; Trace elements; Urban areas
• Geographic Terms: Houston (Texas)
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01745610
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747128
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 21 2020 2:49PM