Investigation of Chemical Contaminants in Soils Following Superstorm Sandy

Immediately after Superstorm Sandy hit the east coast in October 2012, a project titled SUDS (Send Us your Dirt from Sandy) was launched. Using social networking and the media, 60 samples were collected through the beginning of November. The samples were prepared for organic analysis using microwave assisted extraction. Each sample was then tested for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), using gas chromatography combined with electron capture detection (GC-ECD), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), using gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The samples were also prepared for metallic analysis of lead and arsenic using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). To determine the effects of renovation and rebuilding, additional samples were obtained in July 2013 from the Rockaway Peninsula and the Newtown Creek areas and measured again for PAH, PCB, lead and arsenic concentrations.