Upcoming Events
MS Project Presentation - Kimberly Silvi - Environmental Science and Policy
Apr 28, 2026, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Virtual on Zoom - please register:
https://tinyurl.com/3ehdzfae
MS Project
Department of Environmental Science and Policy
College of Science
George Mason University
Candidate: Kimberly Silvi
Presentation Date and Time: April 28, 2026 at 10:00am
Presentation Location: Virtual via Zoom
Title: Unraveling Sources of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Waterways: A Case Study Using Chemical Fingerprinting and Historical Records Analysis
Project Director: Dr. Jennifer Sklarew
Committee: Dr. Esther Peters, Dr. Benoit Van Aken
ABSTRACT
Environmental forensic investigations play a key role in linking present-day contamination to past activities and operators. Through a mixed-methods approach, combining the contextual depth of historical records analysis with the precision of chemical fingerprinting, this study examines the primary sources and pathways of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Newtown Creek. The creek, a 3.8-mile-long tidal tributary of the East River in New York, provides the focus for this investigation. In addition to connecting past PCB use to specific entities and operations, these findings emphasize the importance of both methods in effectively tracing past contamination, identifying responsible parties, and equitably allocating remediation costs.
