Version 2 Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras PhD Project Template Use one form per project Please complete & submit to international@nuigalway.ie as soon as possible, and by 27/11/2012 In your email, begin the subject line with [SWB] (be sure to use square brackets) to ensure that your email is filed correctly. Emails will be automatically filed PI name & contact details: Prof. Peter Croot Email: peter.croot@nuigalway.ie School: School of Natural Sciences Has project been agreed with head (or nominee) of proposed registration school? Research Centre / group affiliation: Earth and Ocean Sciences Research group / centre website: http://www.nuigalway.ie/eos PI website / link to CV: http://www.nuigalway.ie/eos/staff/academic_staff/croot_p/croot.html Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max): If you are already involved in relevant scholarly activities relating to Brazil, please mention them here. The PI’s research is focused on redox processes affecting natural water chemistry. The main area of research is on the biogeochemical cycles of trace elements in the ocean. The PI has recently been involved in setting up links with Latin American scientists, including Brazil, as part of the international GEOTRACES program and currently has strong collaborations with Peru, Argentina and Chile. Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web): Iodine speciation in natural waters: reactions with Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) to form Dissolved Organic Iodine (DOI) This project will examine the interactions between Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) and inorganic iodine speciation in forming Dissolved Organic Iodine (DOI) species. DOI are Inorganic iodine speciation will be determined by voltammetry (iodide) and spectrophotometry (iodate) with DOI quantified by direct methods after separation from the inorganic species and subsequent conversion to iodide. CDOM will be characterised by absorbance and 3D Excitation Emission Matrix (EEM) fluorescence. The aim of this project is to Version 2 Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras improve our understanding of the chemical processes and kinetics involving Iodine and CDOM in natural waters. Unique selling points of PhD project in NUI Galway: NUI Galway projects should emphasise features that are not typically available in Brazil – specific equipment, multi-disciplinarity, aspects of structured programme, links with industry, placements, links with other research groups etc. EOS has a range of voltammeters and spectrophotometers for making iodine speciation measurements. A radiochemical suite also allows the use of iodine radioisotopes for pulse chase experiments. EOS as recently purchased a specialized spectroflorometer, HORIBA AQUALOG, for undertaking CDOM measurements and this instrument would also be utilized for this work. Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above: Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply: Chemistry, Geology, Earth Sciences, Ocean Sciences. Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area: Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only one (tick box): Engineering and other technological areas Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)/Physical Sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geosciences) Health and Biomedical Sciences / Clinical, Pré-clinical and Health Sciences Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Computing Aerospace Pharmaceuticals Sustainable Agricultural Production Oil, Gas and Coal Renewable Energy Minerals, Minerals Technology Biotechnology Nanotechnology and New Materials Technologies for Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Disasters Bioprospecting and Biodiversity Marine Sciences X Creative Industry New technologies in constructive engineering Version 2 Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras Please indicate which of the following applies to this project (referring to Science Without Borders arrangements): Suitable only as a Full PhD (Y/N): _ __Y__ Available to candidates seeking a Sandwich PhD arrangement (Y/N): __N___ Suitable for either/Don’t know: _____