Project
Fate of erionite in New Zealand soil
Interested in studying the occurrence and environmental fate of a carcinogenic mineral in New Zealand? This project involving laboratory work at the University of Auckland may be for you!
Background
Erionite is a naturally occurring mineral fiber with a needle-like morphology that is linked with malignant mesothelioma: a disease typically associated with exposure to asbestos. Erionite was recently found at different locations of the North and South Island of New Zealand. There is thus an urgent need to look at the occurrence and fate of erionite in soil, with the aim of assessing and managing the risk to human health.
Master project opportunity
you will conduct tests that will help understand what happens to erionite once it is in soil and how weathering processes may affect its chemistry and, thus, toxicity.
You: our ideal candidate has a strong interest in soil chemistry and/or geochemistry and/or the environmental fate of contaminants. You are keen to integrate a multidisciplinary team of researchers and students, and you are willing to travel to New Zealand for a few months to conduct experiments (flights covered by the project + possible stipend).
The research team and supervisors
This is a collaboration between the University of Wageningen and the University of Auckland (New Zealand) where a large multidisciplinary team works on the occurrence, fate and risk associated with erionite.
Melanie Kah: https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/melanie-kah
Martin Brook: https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/m-brook
Used Skills
- Literature review
- Proposal and thesis writing
- Laboratory work
- Data analyses
Requirements
- Some laboratory experience is required
- The required courses forMSc thesis Soil Chemistry and Chemical Soil Quality (SOC-81336)