Research interests
Our research interests involving radio-isotopes in the environmental and biomedical sciences include:-
- Development of methods for the measurement of long-lived radionuclides in marine/coastal samples by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and radiometric techniques. These methods are used to investigate the biogeochemical behaviour of long-lived radionuclides in the marine/coastal environment.
- Measurement of shorter-lived radio-isotopes (e.g. lead-210, caesium-137, beryllium-7) for dating sediments of terrestrial and marine origin over the previous ~100 years during which anthropogenic contaminants have been introduced into the environment. This is essential for providing pre-disturbance targets in environmental rehabilitation programmes. In addition, these isotopes provide valuable tracers within the environment, for example in studies of soil erosion, sediment flux and budgets and heavy metal transport and storage.
- Measurement of radionuclides in biological and inorganic samples (e.g. carbon-14 labelled toxins, such as dioxins, PCBs and gamma emitting metals) related to the effects of discharges of radionuclides to the environment and living organisms and pathways to humans.
- Measurement of radioactivity in samples of human tissue and body fluids (e.g. cholesterol and testosterone), involving the use of carbon-14, phosphorus-32 and iodine-125 labelled compounds. There are ongoing biomedical applications in Plymouth of radio-isotopes as tracers/markers, work which is set to expand with the Peninsula Medical School. The monitoring of radionuclides in human tissue is likely to increase in the Plymouth region over the next decade due to the enhanced use and/or disposal of radio-nuclides locally.
As a result of a perceived need for more nuclear power, consequent on the reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases (Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, 2000), and advancements in nuclear technologies, our research pertaining to the environmental fate and impact of the radio-nuclides is likely to increase in the coming decades. Furthermore, with uncertainty surrounding future climatic scenarios and potential environmental response, research is increasingly turning to radionuclide-based tracer and dating methodologies to improve understanding of environmental processes and change in marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments. Our strategic investment in a consolidate radio-isotope facility will allow the University of Plymouth to exploit this unique opportunity.