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Dr Z Shi
Prof R Harrison
Applications accepted all year round
Self-Funded PhD Students Only
About the Project
Atmospheric supply of nutrients such as Fe, P, Zn and Cu from aerosols plays a critical role in the earth system by directly and indirectly affecting the climate. Although mineral dust dominated the total deposition of Fe and P to global oceans, other aerosol sources including coal and volcanic ash can be disproportionally important in the supply of bioavailable nutrients because of the higher solubility in these particles. What is more important is that coal burning particles and volcanic ash are usually emitted with acidic gases and therefore be readily acidified during transport, which can further enhance their contribution to global soluble nutrient pool. However, this contribution is not well quantified due to the lack of information on the speciation and dissolution kinetics of these trace elements during atmospheric processing.
The purpose of this project is (1) to understand the speciation of trace elements in the coal burning and volcanic ash particles and (2) to determine their dissolution kinetics during atmospheric processing. The data will be used to construct a parameterization for global models to simulate the atmospheric processing of these trace elements in coal burning and volcanic ash particles. In this project, the student will employ traditional and modern analytical techniques including synchrotron based spectroscopy to determine the speciation of Fe, P, and trace elements in coal and volcanic ash samples. The student will also simulate the atmospheric acid and cloud (both liquid and ice) processing coal and volcanic ash particles and to determine the dissolution kinetics of trace elements. He/she will also be given extensive training in generic skills, via a formal training programme within the school, the University of Birmingham. The student will also be trained in traditional and modern geochemical analytical and modelling skills as well as in global aerosol modelling.
The purpose of this project is (1) to understand the speciation of trace elements in the coal burning and volcanic ash particles and (2) to determine their dissolution kinetics during atmospheric processing. The data will be used to construct a parameterization for global models to simulate the atmospheric processing of these trace elements in coal burning and volcanic ash particles. In this project, the student will employ traditional and modern analytical techniques including synchrotron based spectroscopy to determine the speciation of Fe, P, and trace elements in coal and volcanic ash samples. The student will also simulate the atmospheric acid and cloud (both liquid and ice) processing coal and volcanic ash particles and to determine the dissolution kinetics of trace elements. He/she will also be given extensive training in generic skills, via a formal training programme within the school, the University of Birmingham. The student will also be trained in traditional and modern geochemical analytical and modelling skills as well as in global aerosol modelling.
Funding Notes
For further details on the proposed project, please contact the supervisor(s) directly, quoting the project title.
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Project supervisors
Career overview
Professor Zongbo Shi holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences from the China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing) and a BA in Geology from Anhui University of Science and Technology, China. He is currently a Professor of Atmospheric Biogeochemistry at the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham. Professor Shi''s research focuses on the interactions between atmospheric processes and the biogeochemistry of the earth system, which have significant implications for human and environmental health, air quality, and climate. His research group investigates three main areas: the sources and emissions of chemical substances to the atmosphere, the physical and chemical transformation of aerosol particles and their constituents, and the interaction of atmospheric chemistry with the biogeochemistry of ecosystems. Their methodologies include field measurements, laboratory analyses, chamber simulations, and numerical modelling approaches, contributing to a fundamental understanding of air pollution and biogeochemical cycling processes. Professor Shi is also involved in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses related to environmental sciences and air pollution management, and he supervises doctoral research in atmospheric chemistry, machine learning, Net Zero, indoor air quality, health, and mineral dust. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a member of several professional organisations, including the Royal Society of Chemistry and the European Association of Geochemistry. Professor Shi has served on the NERC peer review college and has reviewed for various scientific journals and funding bodies.
Research interests
Professor Zongbo Shi''s research focuses on atmospheric biogeochemistry, specifically the interaction between atmospheric processes and the biogeochemistry of the earth system, which impacts human and environmental health, air quality, and climate. His group addresses three central areas of research: sources and emissions of chemical substances to the atmosphere, physical and chemical transformation of aerosol particles and their constituents in the atmosphere, and the interaction of atmospheric chemistry with the biogeochemistry of ecosystems. Their work employs field measurement, laboratory analyses, chamber simulation, and numerical modelling approaches to provide fundamental understanding of air pollution and biogeochemical cycling processes, contributing to knowledge that supports sustainable developments. Professor Shi has research interests in atmospheric chemistry, machine learning, Net Zero, indoor air quality, health, and mineral dust.
Career overview
Professor Roy Harrison OBE FRS is the Queen Elizabeth II Birmingham Centenary Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Birmingham, UK, and also serves as a Distinguished Adjunct Professor at King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia. He obtained a B.Sc. in Chemistry (Class I Honours) in July 1969, a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in December 1972, and a D.Sc. in Environmental Chemistry in July 1989, all from the University of Birmingham. His research focuses on air pollution, particularly airborne particulate matter, and he has been actively involved at the science/policy interface, contributing to several government technical advisory groups for the Department of Health and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in the UK. Professor Harrison was a contributor to the World Health Organization''s Global Air Quality Guidelines and the Guidelines for Quality of Indoor Air. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2004 New Year Honours List and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2017. He has authored over 660 papers in peer-reviewed literature and is recognised as a Highly Cited Researcher by Web of Science. His pioneering research includes studies on airborne particle concentrations in the UK, the characterisation of ultrafine particulate matter emissions, and the measurement and modelling of exposure to air toxics. Professor Harrison has successfully supervised at least 30 doctoral researchers in his fields of interest.
Research interests
Professor Harrison''s research interests lie in the field of environment and human health, with a main specialism in air pollution. His work encompasses emissions, atmospheric chemical and physical transformations, exposure, and effects on human health, aimed at informing policy development. He has conducted pioneering research on airborne particle concentrations in the UK, characterisation of ultrafine particulate matter emissions, and the measurement and modelling of exposure to air toxics. His recent projects include the artificial chemical ageing of ambient atmospheric aerosol, novel compact after-treatment systems for diesel engine emissions, and understanding the fate of traffic-generated particles. Professor Harrison has also been involved in the science/policy interface, contributing to various government technical advisory groups and the World Health Organization''s Global Air Quality Guidelines. He has authored over 660 peer-reviewed papers and is recognised as a Highly Cited Researcher.
Air Pollution
Atmospheric Chemistry
Environmental Health
Environmental Chemistry
Aerosol Science
Airborne Particulate Matter
Emissions
Atmospheric Transformations
Exposure Assessment
Health Effects
Policy Development
Traffic Emissions
Chemical Fingerprinting
Ultrafine Particulate Matter
Air Quality Standards
Indoor Air Quality
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Nanoparticles
Air Quality Processes.
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