The environmental fate of fragrance chemicals

Students begin new study with environmental science professor

Chelsea Burns, '13, and Kayla Tripp, '13, collect samples from a local waterway for their summer SURE project.

August 23, 2011

Most students participating in the SURE program step into research projects already under way. But for Kayla Tripp, '13, and Chelsea Burns, '13, the 2011 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience presented an opportunity to kick off a new study here at Carthage.

The students worked with environmental science professor Sarah Rubinfeld to establish her study on the environmental effects of consumer product chemicals on aquatic systems.

"We are particularly interested in fragrance compounds, which are commonly found in soaps, detergents and lotions," Prof. Rubinfeld said. "Once we use these products, some of the chemicals are washed down the drain and eventually end up in local rivers and lakes. Our goals are to understand where these chemicals go once they have been released into the environment, and what factors govern their behavior."

Getting started

Because this was Prof. Rubinfeld's first summer at Carthage — the environmental science professor came to Carthage in Fall 2010 after earning her Ph.D. from Stanford — the team needed to establish a research methodology, organize the laboratory, adapt measurement techniques to the lab's new equipment, and demonstrate that their analytical methods are effective and efficient.

"Method development and testing is the foundation of any research project, but one that is often completed and then overlooked if you join a project already in process," Prof. Rubinfield said. Kayla and Chelsea were "eager to gain this experience and believe it will provide them with a detailed understanding of the scientific process that will benefit them in the future."

The team also explored potential field sites in the Kenosha area, collecting preliminary samples from local lakes and rivers. Back in the lab, they used organic solvents to separate the fragrance chemicals from other substances in the water. Prof. Rubinfeld's current work involves synthetic musk compounds used as fragrance additives in soaps, shampoos, detergents, lotions and perfumes. She plans to study other chemicals in the future, including the antibacterial triclosan.

"Consumer product chemicals are produced and used in significant quantities, and yet little is known about their environmental fate," she said. "A better understanding of where these chemicals go and how they behave will help us evaluate whether they pose a hazard to human or ecosystem health and if so, what types of clean-up strategies would be most effective."

"I was interested in this project because it included a lot of organic chemistry, which I enjoy learning about," said Chelsea, a biology major from Rockton, Ill. "The dumping of fragrance chemicals into waterways affects aquatic life as well as humans, and if these chemicals turn out to be harmful at high concentrations, then regulations may have to be put into play in order to keep animals and humans safe from possible carcinogens."

"Protecting our environment is extremely important for our future," seconded Kayla, a biology major from La Crescent, Minn. "This research opportunity was a way to get my foot in the door and learn how basic household products affect the environment around us."

Many benefits

After just one summer participating in SURE, Prof. Rubinfeld called it a "fabulous opportunity for students" and encouraged all interested students to apply.

"SURE is a chance to see how science works beyond the classroom — how experiments are designed and run, how scientists make decisions and address challenges, how they present their results, and what really goes into producing the final analyses you see in scientific articles or on the news," she said.

"SURE students also learn to take initiative and work independently on projects they help design," she continued. "They develop excellent problem solving and critical thinking skills, and learn to appreciate the importance of academic integrity. They almost inevitably run into challenges and frustrations, and have to figure out how to work through them or around them. They practice clear communication of complex ideas in multiple formats and to diverse audiences. By encouraging and developing these important skills, SURE strengthens the foundation of an excellent liberal arts education."

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