My research interests are indicated below:
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Surface Water
In a survey conducted by the USGS during 1999 and 2000, 139 streams across 30 states were analyszed for organic wastewater contaminants. The compounds detected represent a wide range of residential, industrial and agricultural origins. As part of that study, a number of pharmaceuticals and other personal care products were identifies. The focus of my research since 2002, has been in the area of the photodecomposition of a select group of pharmaceuticals that have been appearing in surface waters. My initial investigation has been in the photochemical breakdown of a select number of antidepressant agents prescribed widely across the US. Specifically my group has been looking at trazodone, fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxcil), venlafaxine (Effexor), escitalopram oxilate (Lexapro), and bupropion (Wellbutrin). We have been looking at the direct and indirect photodecomposition rate for these compounds in surface water. Future work will include beginning a study to detect the presence and amount of these compounds in the effluent of the SJU Waste Water Treatment Plant, and after residence in East Gemini Lake at SJU.
Benjamin Krage - The Photodecomposition of the Antidepressant Pharmaceutical Drug Venlafaxine(Effexor) in Natural Sunlight, poster only: (Summer 2008)
Min Zhengn - The Photodecomposition of Bupropion Hydrochloride , poster; (Summer 2008)
Andy Baltes - Analysis of Anti-Depressants in St. John’s University Waste and Surface
Water by APCI/LC/MS (Academic Year 2008)
Liu Linfeng, Andy Baltes - HPLC Analysis of Pharmaceuticals in SJU Waste and Surface Water (Summer 2007)
Shu Zhang - The Photochemical Decomposition of Wellbutrin SR (Summer 2006)
Elizabeth Lauer - Photodecomposition of Fluoxetine (Academic Year 2005)
Michael Klobes - Photodecomposition of s-Citalopram (Lexapro®) (Academic Year 2005)
Rachel Wermager - Photochemical Fate of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment:
Ranitidine Hydrochloride and Cimetidine (Summer 2003)
The Photodecomposition of Wellbutrin SR (Summer 2004)
Christopher Downing - Modeling of the Photodecomposition Products of Ranitidine Hydrochloride With N, N’ – Dimethylnitroacetamidine (Summer 2003)
Photolysis of Venlafaxine and Paroxetine in Aqueous Solutions (Summer 2004)
Meghan Lee - The Photodegradation of Zoloft® (Academic Year 2005)
Watab Creek Project
In an effort to be better stewards of our environment, Saint John's Abbey, Saint John's
University and the MN Department of Natural Resources have embarked on a study of the
Watab Creek Watershed. Watab Creek runs directly into the Mississippi River. Tributaries
of Watab Creek run through the Saint John's campus and adjacent to the Saint Benedict's
campus.
Beginning the summer of 1996, groups within the chemistry department and biology
departments will start looking at the Watab Creek watershed in terms of the overall water
quality. My initial work will be in looking at the nitrate/nitrite and phospate levels in
the soil and water, particularly in the areas of Stumpf Lake and the Gemini Lakes. As the
project continues, other water quality measures will be made (similar to the Sauk River
Project) as well. This project has taken on an additional importance in
the Spring 2002, when Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik & Associates, Inc; were
contracted to do an extended water study of all the water flows at SJU.
Over the Summer 2002 our research students will be collecting samples for their
own analysis as well as BRA. Cross checks for our analysis will therefore
be possible.
Senior Report, Spring 2002, Steve Lasslo
Final Summer Report 2002, Kristi Strandberg
Capillary Electrophoresis with Laser Enhanced Fluorescence Detection
During the Spring Semester of 1996, I spent my sabbatical time developing a capillary
electrophoresis system with laser enhanced fluorescence detection. This system was created
for two reasons: to have capillary electrophoresis capabilities within our department;
and, to explore the use of capillary electrochromatography as a means of analysis for
herbicides in surface water. The use of laser enhancement in the detection of these
herbicides hopefully will lead to a simplification of sample preparation, greater
recoveries of the herbicide from the water and a better analysis technique for these
compounds. As the report below indicates, the completion of the
instrument ran into several snags. Continuing to work on the instrument,
an Ocean Optics Spec 2000 system was purchased in the Summer 2001, and a CE
system developed using that spectrophotometer as the detector. Initial
studies show the instrument works, but the detection level needs to be improved.
During the Summer 2002, we will continue to work with the CE system, attempting
to improve detection limits and ultimately initiating incorporation of the laser
enhancement into the system.
Sabbatical Report, Spring 1996; Dr. Michael Ross
CPD Final Report, "Analysis of
Surface Water for Anions and
Pesticides using Capillary Electrophoresis";
Spring 2002; Dr. Michael Ross
CPD Final Report - "Update to CE System",
Spring 2002; Dr. Michael Ross
Computer Controlled Instrumentation
Most instrumentation used today has built into it some kind of computer control. This
does not mean that there is no longer a need to be able to interface computers with
scientific instrumentation. That need is still very important and so another part of my
research effort is in the integration of computers with stand-alone instruments which
either have no computer control, or which have computer control and we now want to have
communication between this computer and another instrument. Being part of the
instructional staff for the Computer Science Department continues to make this interest an
important part of my study.
Michael R. Ross
Chemistry Department, College of St. Benedict/St. John's University
St. Joseph, MN 56374
320-363-5482
Comments to author: mross@csbsju.edu
Revised: 5/15/02
URL: http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/mross/research.html