SSRL: Environmental Science

One example of environmental science completed at SSRL is the identification of contaminants in our environment from gasoline additives.

A type of manganese is often added to modern gasoline as an antiknock compound to effectively increase the octane rating in high-compression engines. It is now evident that manganese accumulates in plants along highways.

Using x-ray absorption spectroscopy at SSRL, leaves, roots, water, and sediment are being analyzed for seasonal changes in manganese absorption. The biological significance of the presence of manganese is being examined, especially since ingestion of higher concentrations of manganese may be toxic to grazing animals.

For more information about molecular and environmental science at SSRL, check out their website.

Read about how SSRL was involved in speaking up the remediation at the Rocky Flats Plutonium site (SSRL and Rocky Flats Plutonium Remediation, September 21, 2006)