Claude-Emilie Martimbeau
Research Assistant, Biosorption
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Contact Points:
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Phone:
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Fax:
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E-mail:
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Lab: 7300 Wong, Envir-Biotech
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Office: Rm. 7280 Wong Building
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Degrees:
BEng Chemical Engineering (2001)
Research Project:
"Mercury
Biosorption by Brown Seaweed"
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Research:
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heavy metal recovery: biosorption
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metal: mercury
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biomass: Sargassum fluitans, brown algae from
Cuba
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analysis of uptake with AA (Atomic Absorption), ICP
(Inductively Coupled Plasma), FIAS-hydride (Flow Injection Atomic Spectrometry)
ABSTRACT
The objective of this research was to characterise the binding properties
of Sargassum brown algae for the mercurous cation in the aqueous
solution. The variables examined were the pH of the solution and
the initial metal concentration. The reaction dynamics of the sorption
system was investigated A 6-h contact time was established to reach equilibrium
binding of mercury ions (0.1-1.0 ppm) on the given Sargassum particles.
The optimum mercury uptake of 0.0022 mmol/g biomass (for Ci = 1 ppmHg)
and 0.023 mmol/g (for Ci = 10 ppm Hg) by Sargassum fluitans
was determined at pH 3.0. The uptake was lower at pH 4.5 and at pH 2.0
(0.00066 mmol/g and 0.0189 mmol/g for Ci = 1 ppm and
10 ppm respectively).
The chloride
level of the experiments was determined to be between 2.2 and 4.3 for the
pH range of the experiments. Under these conditions, the predominant
species present in solution is HgCl2-neutral. Finally, the mercury
results were compared to Cd uptakes to assess the efficiency of mercury
adsorption by Sargassum fluitans. At low metal concentrations and
pH 4.5, the uptake of mercury was less than that of
cadmium.
Technical Skills :
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Laboratory Equipment: AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrometer)
& ICP-AAS, FIAS-hydride (Flow Injection Atomic Spectrometry), TOC (Total
Organic Carbon)
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Computer Applications: MS Office, C, Fortran 90,
MINEQL
Activities
& Interests :
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Languages : ENGLISH, FRENCH - fluently bilingual,
SPANISH - converse
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Experience abroad:
Participated in an exchange program with France
Lived with a family in Mexico
Travelled extensively and independently in Europe,
and America
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DIVING: Competed as part of the Hotchkiss School
varsity team at
- New England Championship
- Connecticut State Championship
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PIANO, FLUTE: Inter-student
competition at Vincent-D'indy Music School
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Performed in Solo, Duo and Quatuor concerts for 12
years
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HOBBIES: hiking, travelling, skiing, snowboarding
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