ENVIRONMENTAL SURFACE AND COLLOID PROCESSES LABORATORY

In the Environmental Surface and Colloid Processes Laboratory, we study environmental chemistry, with an emphasis on evaluating reactions and processes involving important environmental interfaces. 

Interfacial processes are important to understand because they often control the fate of contaminants in the environment. To study these processes, we combine careful experimentation with mathematical and theoretical modeling. Our current research investigates contaminant interactions with interfaces in heterogenous systems, with an emphasis on the role of natural organic matter.

This includes characterizing metal coordination to oxide surfaces and the dependence of this coordination state on the structure of the underlying surface and co-adsorption of organic acids. We also study interactions between cyanotoxins and natural (e.g., clays) or engineered (powdered activated carbon) surfaces in order to better understand cyanotoxin fate in natural and treatment settings. In this research we collaborate with researchers across disciplines, including microbiology, geochemistry, chemistry, and engineering.

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