Erik Björn: Trace element speciation analysis-biogeochemical Processes & metallomics of trace element compounds
The research concerns fundamental aspects, methodological developments and applications of speciation analysis of trace elements in environmental, biological and industrial samples.
The main objective is to provide fundamental understanding of chemical speciation, mechanisms and rate of reactions and interactions in the aquatic and terrestrial environments as well as in biological systems. The research is focused on formation of mobile and bioavailable forms of Hg in aquatic environments as well as fluxes and metabolism of Pt-containing chemotherapeutic substances in malignant cells.
Research group:
Post-doctoral researchers: Lars Lambertsson, Sylvain Bouchet
Ph.D. Students: Sofi Jonsson
Concerning trace element speciation analysis, see also the research activities of Solomon Tesfalidet.
The overall objective with the research is to develop new powerful analytical techniques and methods for studies of trace element compounds’ biogeochemical processes in aquatic environments and metabolism in human cells.
We carry out fundamental analytical chemistry research about reactivity of analyte species during sample storage and processing as well as aerosol and atom/elemental ion formation processes in atomic spectrometry. This knowledge provides the basis for development of improved instrumentation and methodologies for trace element speciation analysis in environmental, biological and industrial samples. These are applied, and combined with other techniques, to perform fundamental research on biogeochemical processes in the environment, and metallomics in biological systems.
Open PhD student position, reference number 313-650-11:
We are now seeking a PhD student within mercury biogeochemistry. During 2009-2010 we have successfully developed novel analytical methodologies for (i) determination of realistic reaction rates of simulated new and aged mercury deposits in sediments and soils by utilizing a novel isotope tracer methodology and (ii) determination of dissolved low molecular mass mercury thiol complexes utilizing LC-ICPMS. These methods open possibilities to perform new types of studies on biogeochemical processes of mercury in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. In the proposed PhD project these methods will be used for molecular level studies on factors controlling reactivity and mobility of solid mercury phases with different simulated geochemical “aging”. Such knowledge is vital to assess future risks concerning mercury as an increased reactivity/mobility of accumulated mercury pools in soils and sediments could contaminate aquatic environments for a foreseeable future even if anthropogenic mercury emission rates are significantly reduced. During 2010 we utilized the new isotope tracer methodology in a mesocosm-scale system at UMF where we constructed estuarine model ecosystems to study how ecological changes in the pelagic food web may alter CH3Hg formation rate from fresh and aged Hg depositions. The results of this project are currently being evaluated and it is clear that it spurs continued studies, using laboratory scale model systems, for a more detailed understanding of the key processes at the molecular level.
Apply here: http://www8.umu.se/umu/aktuellt/arkiv/lediga_tjanster/313-648-652-11.html
