Claude-Emilie MARTIMBEAU



 
Claude-Emilie Martimbeau
Research Assistant, Biosorption
 
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  • Lab: 7300 Wong, Envir-Biotech
  • Office: Rm. 7280 Wong Building 
Degrees:   BEng  Chemical Engineering (2001)

Research Project:     "Mercury Biosorption by Brown Seaweed"

  • Research: 
    • heavy metal recovery: biosorption 
    • metal: mercury
    • biomass: Sargassum fluitans, brown algae from Cuba 
    • 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 :

  • Laboratory Equipment: AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrometer) & ICP-AAS, FIAS-hydride (Flow Injection Atomic Spectrometry), TOC (Total Organic Carbon)
  • Computer Applications: MS Office, C, Fortran 90, MINEQL


Activities & Interests :

  • Languages :  ENGLISH, FRENCH - fluently bilingual, SPANISH - converse
  • Experience abroad:      Participated in an exchange program with France
      •                     Lived with a family in Mexico 
    Travelled extensively and independently in Europe, and America 
     
  • DIVING:  Competed as part of the Hotchkiss School varsity team at
      • - New England Championship 
        - Connecticut State Championship
  • PIANO, FLUTE:     Inter-student competition at Vincent-D'indy Music School
  • Performed in Solo, Duo and Quatuor concerts for 12 years
  • HOBBIES: hiking, travelling, skiing, snowboarding