Development of analytical methodologies for monitoring engineered
nanoparticles in the environment.
Supervisor:
Dr Gary Owens, Future Fellow – Mawson Institute, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide SA 5001, Australia
Phone: +61 8 8302 5043
Email: gary.owens@unisa.edu.au
Area: Analytical Chemistry/Environmental Science/Materials Science
Suitable for: PhD and Masters
Abstract:
Anthropogenic contamination of land and water is a worldwide problem. Recently
nanomaterials have been proposed as a new low-cost alternative to traditional remediation
technologies. However, there are several concerns associated with the fate and toxicity of
engineered nanoparticles when released into the environment and the potential effects of
nanoparticles on contaminant mobility (1). However, environmental nanotechnology is
currently hindered by a lack of analytical techniques capable of studying trace levels of
nanoparticles in complex matrices. This project will address this knowledge gap by developing
novel analytical methodologies, using a combination of ICP-MS and isotope labelling/doping
techniques to investigate the mobility, toxicity and environmental fate of emerging engineered
nanomaterials.
Related references:
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S.K. Brar, M. Verma, R.D. Tyagi and R.Y. Surampalli (2010) Engineered nanoparticles in wastewater and
wastewater sludge - Evidence and impacts, Waste Management, 30, 504-520.
A.D. Dybowska, M-N. Croteau, S.K. Misra, D. Berhanu, S.N. Luoma, P. Cristian, P. O’Brien and E. ValsamiJones (2011) Synthesis of isotopically modified ZnO nanoparticles and their potential as nanotoxicity
tracers, Environmental Pollution, 159(1), 266-273.
Jing Fang, Xiao-quan Shan, Bei Wen, Jin-ming Lin, Gary Owens and Shuai-ren Zhou (2011) Transport of
copper as affected by titania nanoparticles in soil columns, Environmental Pollution, 159(5), 1248-1256.
About Adelaide:
Adelaide is the capital of South Australia and offers a very high standard of living (top 6 in the
world according to “The Economist”), with great climate, food, wine, beautiful unspoiled
nature and beach environments, in an inexpensive setting.
The Mawson Institute (MI) has recently been established at the University of South Australia,
with strong support from the South Australian Government to research new manufacturing
technologies. Manufacturing is an important and substantial part of South Australia’s
economic base. The MI promotes a strategy based upon strong basic and applied research
that encourages scientific and technological innovation within the manufacturing sector.
Fundamental to this is the Institute’s multidisciplinary approach, building research teams in
concentrations that encompass a diverse range of disciplines, and collaboration with partners
from both academia and industry.
The institute is based in two new state-of-the-art buildings with outstanding research facilities
(see photo of the MM building).
For more information on this project please contact the supervisor.