Kristina Nicholas

Ms. Kristina Nicholas

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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18 April 2024 in International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
CDCamila I. Donatti
Camila I. Donatti
KNKristina Nicholas
Kristina Nicholas
GFGiacomo Fedele
Giacomo Fedele
DDDamien Delforge
Damien Delforge
NSNiko Speybroeck
Niko Speybroeck
AZAlex Zvoleff
Alex Zvoleff

20 July 2024 in Water
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
OVOlivia Ventresca
Olivia Ventresca
AAAshley Acevedo
Ashley Acevedo
KNKristina Nicholas
Kristina Nicholas
JCJonathan Avery Craig
Jonathan Avery Craig
SCSophia Carpenter
Sophia Carpenter
SMStephen MacAvoy
Stephen MacAvoy
The waterways adjacent to Washington DC, USA have a history of contamination from heavy metals, nutrients, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. Among the chemicals of concern are PAHs, which are a historical contaminant but also have modern pyrogenic and petrogenic sources in the area’s waterways. Another group of contaminants that are of emerging interest are siloxanes (silicones), which are widely used as lubricants, sealants, and cosmetics. Some lower-molecular-weight siloxanes are regulated by the EU in recognition of harm to aquatic life, but there are no restrictions in the United States. In fact, studies examining water pollutants do not typically test for siloxanes. Here, we present the concentrations of specific PAHs and siloxanes from surface sediments in the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers (including the Anacostia’s tributaries) collected between 2018 and 2023. Both D5 (decamethylcyclopentasiloxane) and D6 (dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane) were found in most locations, with concentrations averaging 0.13 and 0.006 mg/g (dry mass), respectively. Pyrene, fluoranthene, bibenzyl, and phenanthrene were also found in the Anacostia and some of its tributaries, with concentrations increasing downstream. In the Potomac, concentrations were generally lower than those observed in the Anacostia. Based on ratios of pyrene to fluoranthene + pyrene, the likely source of PAHs was petrogenic.