OPPORTUNITIES
Prospective students interested in the research projects described on this web site, or who would like to discuss ideas for original projects pertaining to environmental or forensic isotopes are encouraged to contact me. Ideally prospective students would have a background in environmental earth sciences. Please include a CV and a brief statement of your research interests.
CURRENT GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
PhD
David Au Yang
Status: PhD candidate (co-supervision U. Paris 7 – IPGP; France)
Title: Sulfur multi-isotopic compositions of urban aerosols : new insight for sources monitoring
The aim of this PhD is to try to constrain the sources and processes affecting the atmospheric sulfur in Paris (France) and Montreal (Canada) through the study of sulfur (33S/32S, 34S/32S, 36S/32S) and oxygen stable isotopes (17O/16O et 18O/16O). Moreover, the study of sulfur and oxygen multi-compositions isotopes enables the study of both the mass-dependent fractionation (MDF) and mass-independent fractionation (MIF) which lead to a better characterization of the transport and secondary oxidation processes of the SO2 in the atmosphere.
Monika Ciężka
Status: PhD candidate (co-supervision U. of Wroclaw; Poland)
Title: Assessing anthropogenic pressure in the Swietokrzyski National Park (Poland): A multi-isotope approach from bioindicators
The aim of this PhD is i) to assess the anthropogenic pressure in the park and ii) to trace changes in ecosystems during winter and summer seasons based on the study of coupled biological, chemical and multi-isotope analyses from bioindicators (Hypogymnia physodes and fir of Abies alba).
Pierre Taillardat
Status: PhD candidate (co-supervision U. of Singapore; Singapore)
Title: Nutrients and Carbon Dynamics in the Can Gio Mangrove (Vietnam)
The aim of my present research is to determine the local, regional and global contributions of mangrove ecosystems to biogeochemical processes and transfer fluxes within their adjacent ecosystems, with a particular attention paid to anthropogenic influences. Stable isotopes markers (δ13C, δ15N and δ18O) are being used to track the Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) elements. The study site is the Can Gio Biosphere reserve (Vietnam). Results from this biogeochemical study will provide relevant information (i) to evaluate the influence of human activity on mangrove ecosystems, (ii) to quantify and identify the major processes affecting the carbon balance and (iii) to identify the connexions and interactions between terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems. The research is fully integrated in the area of climate change, ecosystem connectivity/productivity and coastal management.
Williams Limon Akoyiré
Status: PhD candidate
Title: Sources and processes governing glyphosate and AMPA contamination in waters of the Quebec province
During the last decades the production and usage of glyphosate increased steadily, becoming one of the most used herbicides in the world for agricultural and non-agricultural uses. Aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) is a major metabolite of glyphosate in the environment. It may also occur as a by-product from the transformation of other phosphonate contaminants such as nitrilotris(methylenephosphonic acid) (NTMP), which complicates the identification of glyphosate degradation pathway. The investigation of carbon isotope compositions has widely demonstrated its added value as a tool in environmental contaminant research so far and should once again show its added value in investigating sources and processes controlling glyphosate and AMPA contamination in waters from the Quebec province.
Parfait Séhé
Status: PhD candidate
Title: Metal contamination in the Ebrié laguna (Abidjan, Ivory Coast)
MSc
Alice Morard
Status: MSc candidate
Title: Cadmium (Cd) and Zinc (Zn) chemistry and isotope characteristics in the Loire River (France)
The goal of my study is to characterize both the zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) concentrations and isotope compositions of the geochemical background from the upper part of the Loire river watershed. My objective is to try to characterize specific metal isotope signatures of small watersheds presenting homogenous lithologies (6 watersheds with distinct lithologies have been selected). My project is in close collaboration with Romain Nigris and in partnership with the University of Tours (France) within the frame of a regional environnemental project funded by the “Agence de l’eau Loire-Bretagne” (France).
Laetitia Guibourdenche
Status: MSc candidate
Title: Strontium multi-isotope (87Sr/86Sr & 88Sr/86Sr) characterisation of wines from the Québec terroir
Following the recent results obtained by our research group (e.g. Victor Vinciguerra MSc), this MSc aims at characterizing even more precisely wines made in the Quebec province by trying to couple strontium radiogenic and stable isotope ratios. We will try to constrain the Sr budget between the soil (bulk and labile fractions), the grape and the wine.
Romain Nigris
Status: MSc candidate
Title: Lead (Pb) chemistry and isotope characteristics in the Loire River (France)
The aims of this study are both to reassess the concentration data of the natural lead (Pb) geochemical background from the upper part of the Loire River watershed and to precisely characterise the Pb isotope ratios of its various natural sources in the dissolved load of the river. As both the Loire River and its tributaries meet the French Environmental Quality water standards, we are expecting very low Pb concentrations. Thus, specific protocols will be developed and implemented during the sampling and analytical phases to eliminate potential sources of error.
BSc
Marjorie Bagur
Status: BSc candidate
Title: PM10 contamination in the atmosphere of Montreal between 1968 and present.
Jessica Landry
Status: BSc candidate
Title: Sulfur isotopes in aerosols from Paris (France)
INTERNSHIP
Duminy Auriane
Dates: February – May 2016
Status: MSc candidate
Internship: δ13C and δ15N characterization of PM10 aerosols collected on Montreal island
Moez Balhoul
Dates: May-June 2014
Status: PhD candidate
Title: Understanding the geochemical cycle and the sources of metals in the Sfax saltmarshes (Tunisia)
Internship: Coupling the Carbon and Nitrogen concentrations and the corresponding isotope compositions (δ13C and δ15N) from aerosols collected in the saltmarshes to help decipher their origin(s)
Enias Antoine
Dates: April-August 2015
Status: BSc candidate (co-supervision: J. Verreault, TOXEN research center)
Title: Sources of metals and non-conventional isotopes in bioindicator bird species
The aim of our project is i) to detect the presence of metals in excess in tissues of ring-billed gull individuals sampled in Montreal, and ii) to evaluate the possibility of using non-conventional isotope systematics (e.g. Cd, Zn…) in order to trace their respective origins
Valérie Hilango
Dates: May-October 2016
Status: MSc candidate (University Paris 6, France)
Title: Atmospheric deposition of pesticides in Montreal
PAST GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Victor Vinciguerra
Status: MSc obtained in 2015
Title: Sr isotope characterisation of wines from the Québec terroir
Within the frame of the future implementation of a controlled designation of origin for the Quebec terroir, my project aims at accurately characterizing the origin of local wines from Quebec. The methodology proposed here is based on an isotope approach, looking at strontium isotopes.
Frédérique Desmarais-Girard
Status: BSc candidate (2012-2013)
Title: Constraining the carbon budget in the Loire River (France) using isotopes