NERC ONE Planet DTP
Industrialisation has caused high anthropogenic stress, due to the release of toxic metal ions (e.g. arsenic, lead, and chromium) into water and soil, which has a lethal effect on humans and the ecosystem. So far, the detection of toxic ions still relies on sophisticated laboratory tools and the development of inexpensive but highly accurate sensors for especially field testing is highly desired. This is crucial for understanding water pollution at an anthropogenetic level, which can also help the development of environmental informatics related to water quality. Natural biopolymers (e.g. cellulose and chitin) due to their abundance, renewability, and environmentally friendliness have attracted wide research interest for water remediation. Previously, Dr Xie’s team developed highly efficient biopolymer-based materials for toxic ion removal [1] along with fluorogenic properties [2]. In this project, we plan to develop low-cost materials with high sensitivity to detect various heavy metals quantitively; and based on this tool, to collect, analyse and model the water quality information to understand the source, transport, and fate of heavy metals linked to human activity and industrialisation.
Methods:
Biopolymers such as cellulose and chitin will be chemically modified with fluorescent and colourimetric precursors to impart self-indicating properties for toxic metal ions (arsenic, chromium, and led) [3]. Further modification will lead to functional easy-to-use materials in the form of nanofibrous membranes and hydrogel beads for optimised sensitivity and reliability and efficient binding with toxic metal ions. We aim to use this functional material to quantitively indicate the level of metal ions in water via visual colour or fluorescence changes, which can be imaged and digitalised. The sensors developed will be used in multiple geographic locations in northern England for mapping, modelling and visualising the distribution of heavy metals in water bodies.
Links:
This project will be linked to Dr Xie’s ongoing EPSRC fellowship on functional biopolymer materials but for broader applications and impact and greater interdisciplinarity. Also, this project is well aligned with the current endeavours of water companies and local councils to achieve sustainability especially related to maintaining natural water quality.
Skills to be gained.
This project will allow students to gain knowledge and skills in biopolymer modification (polymer chemistry), hydrogel and fibre fabrications (materials engineering), pollutants detection and water remediation (environmental engineering), and the collection, analysis, and modelling of water quality information (environmental science). Besides, students will be trained for transferrable skills in e.g. problem-solving, experimental design, data analysis, modelling, project management, writing & oral communication.
Key Research Gaps and Questions:
- The source, transport and fate of heavy metals as a result of human activity impact need to be better understood for developing more effective water remediation strategies.
- Cost-effective detection of toxic metal ions (e.g. arsenic, chromium, and led) in groundwater, drinking water, and wastewater is highly necessary.
- Biodegradable materials for water quality monitoring and remediation are highly desired to avoid additional environmental issues.
Prerequisites:
Suitable candidates should have a minimum 2.1 undergraduate (BEng, MEng, BSc, MSci) and/or postgraduate masters’ qualification (MSc) in STEM areas. Knowledge and skills in polymer science, analytical techniques, adsorption kinetics, environmental science, and environmental informatics are desirable. For more information, please contact David Xie ([Email Address Removed]) and Lidija Siller ([Email Address Removed]).