Water Quality

Melodie Naja, Water Quality Scientist -- CV and other projects

Webpage :  http://www.biosorption.mcgill.ca/home_gn/najawww.htm

RECENT POSITIONS

Corporate management (2006- 2008):  New technology venture – technology introduction, financing and management, BV Sorbex, Inc., Canada

Research Officer (04/2006 – 11/2008): Biotechnology Research Institute National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount, Montreal,  Canada  H4P2R2

Visiting Professor and Research Associate (08/2004 – 08/2008): 
McGill University, Department of Chemical Engineering, 3610 University Street,  Montreal, Canada  H3A2B2
Tél.: (1-514) 398-4494  Fax.: (1-514) 398-6678 and Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics, 817 Sherbrooke Street,  Montreal, Canada  H3A2K6
Tél.: (1-514) 398-6860  Fax.: (1-514) 398-7361

Expert Consultant (01/2007- 10/2008): Invited specialist-member of the International Working Group - AFSSET  (Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire de l'environnement et du travail) – France.
French government advising
253, Avenue du Général Leclerc
94701 Maisons-Alfort Cedex - FRANCE
Tel.: (33-1) 56 29 19 38; Fax.: (33-1) 43 96 37 67

Expert Consultant (2002-2004):  Water Quality and Treatment
Ondeo Corp. (Suez-Degremont),  Tripoli, LEBANON.

Visiting Professor (2004 –2005):  National University of Singapore, Department of Chemical and Bio-molecular Engineering
SINGAPORE

Professor Affiliate (2001-2007) Department of Chemistry
Lebanese University, Faculty of Sciences, Branch III, Koubba, TRIPOLI, Lebanon
Tél.: (961-6) 385391 ; Fax.:  (961-6) 382554

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2001 - 2002): LIMOS - Laboratoire des Interactions Microorganismes-Minéraux-Matière Organique dans les Sols CNRS,  Nancy, FRANCE.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

1997-2001 PhD (Physical-Chemistry) - Environmental Physical Chemistry
 University Henry Poincaré,  Nancy –I,  FRANCE.
Thesis:  “Organo-mineral interactions in a mining water reservoir; Lead reactivity in the presence of Rhizopus arrhizus”. 
Supervisors:  Dr. J. Berthelin and C. Mustin, CPB-CNRS,  Dr. M. Cathelineau G2R-CNRS.
Financial support and collaboration: COGEMA Corp.,  FRANCE.

1996-1997 MSc (DEA-French)  -  Molecular Chemistry and Physical-Chemistry
University Henry Poincaré, Nancy –I,  FRANCE.
Subject: “Biosorption of metal elements onto organic constituents of soil and biomass”.
Financial support and collaboration: COGEMA Corp. - FRANCE.

1992-1996 BSc  -  Physical Chemistry
University Henry Poincaré, Nancy –I,  FRANCE.
Subject: “Physico-chemical study of sorption phenomenon of metal cations and rare earth elements onto clays, biomass and goethite. Analysis of the metallic elements in mining sites.”
Degree training for 3 months, Supervisor: Dr. M. Cathelineau.
Financial support: COGEMA Corp. - FRANCE.

1991-1992 High School - Baccalaureate C:  Soeurs des Saints Cœurs school, Tripoli, LEBANON.

AWARDS, HONORS, FELLOWSHIPS & SCHOLARSHIPS
- NSERC Research Fellowship (2006-2007)
- Scientific and Cultural Merit Award from the Municipality of Tripoli, Lebanon (2004-2005)
- UNESCO-L’Oreal International Fellowship for Women in Science (2004-2005) - Visiting Professor, McGill University, Montreal, CANADA
- EDIGE Postdoctoral Fellowship – France (2001-2002)
- CIES/CPB Doctoral Scholarship – France (1997-2001)
- CIES /Cogema /CPB Master's Scholarship – France (1996-1997)
- G2R/Cogema Undergraduate Student Research Scholarship – France (1995-1996)

- Lebanese Legion of Honor (National Order of the Cedar, Knight)

REFEREED PUBLICATIONS

26- Liu, G., Naja, G., Kalla, P., Scheidt, D. and Cai, Y. (2010). Legacy and fate of mercury and methylmercury in the Florida Everglades. Environmental Science and Technology (submitted).

25- Chebud, Y., Naja, G. and Rivero, R. (2010). Phosphorus run-off watershed assessment: from monitoring to modeling through a case study. Environmental Science and Technology (submitted).

24- Naja, G., Rivero, R., Davis, S. and Van Lent, T. (2010). Environmental impacts of limestone rock mining: a case study. Environmental Science and Technology (submitted).

23- Banerjee, R., Katsenovich, Y., Lagos, L., Naja, G., Pannell, K. H. and Li, C. (2010). Functional magnetic nanoparticles integrated magnetic sensor for amperometric tracing of environmental uranium contamination. Electrochimica Acta (submitted).

22- Modelon, H., Rousselle, C., Leroux, C., Bellenfant, G., Ramalho, O., Naja, G. and Jaeg, J. P. (2010). Health risk assessment of chemical compounds for biogas home users. Risk Analysis (submitted).

21- Naja, G., Raychoudhury, T. and Ghoshal, S. (2010). Transport of surface modified zerovalent nanoiron in a porous media: 3-D imaging and 2-D simulation model. Environmental Science and Technology (submitted).

20- Naja, G., Bouvrette, P. and Luong, J. H. T. (2009). Detection limit of E. coli in milk and apple juice using two types of activated silver nanoparticles. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology (in press and online first).

19- Naja, G., Murphy, V. and Volesky B (2009). Biosorption, metals. Encyclopedia of Industrial Biotechnology: Bioprocess, Bioseparation, and Cell Technology. Ed: Flickinger, M. C. Wiley, pp. 4500.

18- Naja, G., Apiratikul, R., Pavasant, P., Volesky, B and Hawari, J. (2009). Dynamic and equilibrium studies of the RDX removal from soil using CMC-coated zerovalent iron nanoparticles. Environmental Pollution, 157, 15, 8-9, 2405-2412.

17- Naja, G. and Volesky, B. (2008). Optimization of a biosorption column performance. Environmental Science and Technology, 42, 15, 5622-5629.

16- Naja, G., Halasz, A.M., Thiboutot, S., Ampleman, G. and Hawari, J. (2008). Degradation of Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) using zerovalent iron nanoparticles: Dynamics and pathway. Environmental Science and Technology, 42, 12, 4364-4370.

15- Naja, G., Hrapovich, S., Male, K., Bouvrette, P. and Luong, J. H. T. (2008). Rapid detection of microorganisms with nanoparticles and electron microscopy. Microscopy Research and Technique, 71, 10, 742-748.

14- Naja, G., Mustin, C., Volesky, B. and Berthelin, J. (2008). Biosorption study in a mining wastewater reservoir. International Journal of Environmental Pollution, 34, 1-4, 14-27.

13- Diniz, V., Weber, M. W., Volesky, B. and Naja, G. (2008). Column biosorption of lanthanum and europium by Sargassum.  Water Research, 42, 1-2, 363-371.

12- Naja, G., Bouvrette, P., Liu, Y., Hrapovich, S. and Luong, J. H. T. (2007). Detection of bacteria aided by immuno-nanoparticles.  Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 38, 11, 1383-1389.

11- Volesky, B. and Naja, G. (2007). Biosorption technology: starting up an enterprise. International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, 6, 196-211.

10- Naja, G. (2007). Environmental Crisis and Public Policy. Agora : Click here for project link.

9- Naja, G., Bouvrette, P., Hrapovich, S. and Luong, J. H. T. (2007). Detection of bacteria using silver nanoparticles and antibodies: a SERS study.  Analyst, 132, 7, 679-686.

8- Naja, G., Volesky, B. and Schnell, A. (2006). Comparative testing of tangential microfiltration for microbial cultures. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 95, 4, 584-598.

7- Naja, G. and Volesky, B. (2006). Multi-metal biosorption in a fixed-bed flow-through column.  Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 281, 1-3, 194-201.

6- Naja, G. and Volesky, B. (2006). Behavior of the mass transfer zone in a biosorption column. Environmental Science and Technology, 40, 12, 3996-4003.

5- Naja, G., Volesky, B. and Schnell, A. (2006). Performance analysis of an integrated tangential microfilter fermentor.  Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 81, 4, 648-658.

4- Naja, G., Mustin, C., Volesky, B. and Berthelin, J. (2006). Association constants of Pb2+ with binding sites of fungal biomass using metal-based titrations. Environmental Technology, 27, 1, 109-117.

3- Naja, G., Mustin, C., Volesky, B. and Berthelin, J. (2006). Stabilization of the initial electrochemical potential for a metal-based potentiometric titration study of a biosorption Process. Chemosphere, 62, 1, 163-170.

2- Naja, G., Mustin, C., Volesky, B. and Berthelin, J. (2005). Lead biosorption study with Rhizopus arrhizus using a metal-based titration technique. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 292, 2, 537-543.

1- Naja, G., Mustin, C., Volesky, B. and Berthelin, J. (2005). A High resolution titrator: A new approach to studying binding sites of microbial biosorbents. Water Research, 39, 579-586.

PAPERS IN PREPARATION

4- Naja, G., Halasz, A. and Hawari, J. (2010). Degradation of HMX and TNT in water using stabilized zerovalent iron nanoparticles. (in preparation).

3- Naja, G., Naja, R. and Volesky, B. (2010). Comparing the performance of mathematical models for simulation of the column biosorption process (in preparation).

2- Naja, G., Bouvrette, P., Daschan, W., Liu, Y., Hrapovich, S. and Luong, J. H. T. (2010). Immunosilver nanorice for the detection of bacteria using Raman and Infrared techniques (in preparation).

1- Naja, G., Bouvrette, P., Liu, Y., Hrapovich, S. and Luong, J. H. T. (2010). Optimization of bacterial sorption onto activated iron microbeads (in preparation).

BOOK CHAPTERS (Upon Invitation)

5- Naja, G. and Volesky, B (2010-2011). Mechanisms and (Bio)chemistry of Metal Ion Biosorption.  In: Microbial Biosorption of Metals.  Ed: Kotrba, P., Mackova, M. and Macek, T.  Springer, Germany (submitted for publication).

4- Naja, G. and Volesky, B (2010-2011). Environmental Biotechnology: Biotechnology in Constructed Wetlands for Water Quality Amelioration.  In: Comprehensive biotechnology.  Ed: Agathos, S. Elsevier, Amsterdam (submitted for publication).

3- Naja, G. and Volesky, B (2009-2010). Environmental Biotechnology: Biosorption for Industrial Applications. In: Comprehensive biotechnology. Ed: Agathos, S. Elsevier, Amsterdam (submitted for publication).

2- Naja, G. and Volesky, B (2009). Metals in the Environment: Toxicity and sources. In: Heavy Metal in the Environment. Handbook of Environmental Engineering. Ed: Wang, L. W., Chen, J. P., Hung, Y-T. and Shammas, N. K. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. pp. 13-61.

1- Naja, G. and Volesky, B (2009). Treatment of metal bearing effluents: removal and recovery. In: Heavy Metal in the Environment. Handbook of Environmental Engineering. Ed: Wang, L. W., Chen, J. P., Hung, Y-T., Shammas, N. K. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. pp. 247-292.

REFEREED PROCEEDINGS

8- Liu, G., Cai, Y., Naja, G., Rivero, R., Kalla, P. and Scheidt, D. (2009). Mass budget estimation for seasonally deposited mercury in different regions of the Florida Everglades, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) North America 30th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.

8- Banerjee, R., Katsenovich, Y., Naja, G. and Li, C. (2009). Using nano-sensors in environmental radionuclide monitoring, 25th Southern Biomedical Engineering Conference, IFMBE (International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering) Proceedings 24, pp. 197-198.

7- Prabhulkar, S., Alwarrapan, S., Naja, G. and Li, C. (2009). Electrochemical immunosensor for the direct, reagentless detection of tumor biomarkers, 25th Southern Biomedical Engineering Conference, IFMBE (International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering) Proceedings 24, pp. 195-196.

6- Leroux, C., Modelon, H., Rousselle, C., Bellenfant, G., Jaeg, J. P., Ramalho, O., Zdanevitch, I. and Naja, G. (2009). Risk assessment of biogas exposure in kitchens, Healthy Building, Syracuse, New York, pp. 4-8.

5- Naja, G., Raychoudhury, T. and Ghoshal, S. (2008). Bare and modified nanoiron characterization and transport in sand packed columns. 24th Eastern Canada Symposium of the Canadian Association for Water Quality and 8th Annual Symposium of the McGill Brace Center for Water Resource Management, pp. 48-49.

4- Volesky, B. and Naja, G. (2005). Biosorption: application strategies. In: Harrison, S.T.L., Rawlings, D.E. and Peterson, J. (eds.). Proceedings, 16th Internat. Biohydromet. Symposium, pp. 531-542.

3- Naja, G., Diniz, V. and Volesky, B. (2005). Predicting metal biosorption performance. In: Harrison, S.T.L., Rawlings, D.E. and Peterson, J. (eds.). Proceedings of the 16th International Biohydrometallurgy Symposium, pp. 553-562.

2- Naja, G., Deneux-Mustin, S., Mustin, C., Rouiller, J., Munier-Lamy, C. and Berthelin, J., (2000). Potentiometric titration: A dynamic method to study the metal-binding mechanism of microbial biomass. In: Amils, R., Ballester, A., (Eds.).  International Biohydrometallurgy Symposium - Part B, pp. 201-210.

1- Naja, G., Peiffert, C., Cathelineau, C. and Mustin, C., (1999). Sorption of rare earth elements and uranium on biomass: A kinetic study of competition processes.  In: Amils, R., Ballester, A., (eds.). International Biohydrometallurgy Symposium - Part B, pp. 343-350.

REPORTS

7- Sewage of Tripoli (2006), McGill, Lebanese University and Cesmo Report.

6- Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Methods used and proposed for the drinking water analyses in Tripoli (2003), Ondeo Co. Report.

5- Technical Expertise of the Analytical Methods. Water Quality-2002, Suez Co. Report.

4- Study of the biological stability of organo-metallic associations, (1999), Cogema Report.

3- Characterization of sorption/desorption phenomenon onto an organo-mineral component for water remediation. Studies of a mining water lake 18000 Ecarpière, (1998), Cogema Report.

2- Biosorption of metallic elements onto the organic constituents of soil and biomass. Evaluation of the physico-chemical and biological stabilities of the formed organo-metallic components (1997), Henry Poincaré University Report.

1- Physico-chemical study of sorption phenomenon of metallic cations and rare earth elements onto clays, biomass and goethite. Analysis of the metallic elements in mining sites (1996), Henry Poincaré University Report.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

INVITED CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS

8- Invited speaker:  Everglades Coalition 25th Annual Conference, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, January 2010.

7- Invited speaker:  Columbia River Watershed Workshop – Canadian Water Network invitation, Cranbrook, BC, July 2009.

6- Invited keynote speaker:  Amer. Soc. Civ. Eng. - Symposium on Water Reuse, Miami, Florida, USA, May 15, 2009.

5- Invited keynote speaker: Launching of NSERC/Industrial Alliance, Chair for Women in Science and Engineering, Universite Laval, Quebec City, Canada, 30 April 2008.

4- BIOVISION 2008, International Council for Science, Alexandria, Egypt, April 2008, (World Academy of Sciences invitation).

3- ICSU, International Council for Science, Lindau, Germany. April 2007, (UNESCO invitation).

2- International Conference on Environmental Epidemiology and Exposure, AFSSET, Paris, France. 2-6 September 2006, (L'Oreal invitation).

1- 4th World Conference of Science Journalists. Reporting the future: Journalism meets emerging science. Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 4-8 October 2004, (L'Oreal invitation).

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

6- Leroux, C., Modelon, H., Rousselle, C., Bellenfant, G., Jaeg, J. P., Ramalho, O., Zdanevitch, I. and Naja, G. Risk assessment of biogas exposure in kitchens, Healthy Building, Syracuse, New York, USA (2009).

5- Naja, G., Raychoudhury, T. and Ghoshal, S. Bare and modified nanoiron characterization and transport in sand packed columns. 24th Eastern Canada Symposium of the Canadian Association for Water Quality and 8th Annual Symposium of the McGill Brace Center for Water Resource Management, Montreal, CANADA (2008).

4- Naja, G., Volesky, B. Bio-products for water treatment around the Mediterranean. BIOVISION 2008,  Alexandria, EGYPT (2008).

3- Naja, G., Deneux-Mustin, S., Rouiller, J., Mustin, C. and Berthelin, J. Potentiometric titration as a dynamic method to study sorption mechanisms of metallic cations onto biomass. Journées Sciences du Sol AFES (2000),  FRANCE.

2- Naja, G., Munier-Lamy, C., Mustin, C. Peiffert, C., Cathelineau, C. and Berthelin, J.
Adsorption and Biosorption of Metal on Organic and Mineral matter in a Mine drainage. In BIODEPOL’ 99, Rennes, FRANCE.

1- Naja, G., Peiffert, C., Cathelineau, C. and Mustin, C. Sorption of Rare Earth Elements and Uranium on Biomass: a Kinetic Study of Competition Processes. In:  International Biohydrometallurgy Symposium, Madrid (1999), Madrid,  SPAIN.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS (Conferences & Seminars)

12- Invited Speaker, Departmental Seminar, Univ. of Sherbrooke, CANADA, June 2009.

11- Invited Speaker, Departmental Seminar, Univ. du Quebec a Montreal, CANADA, April 2007.

10- Invited Speaker, International Conference for Young Scientists, ICSU, Lindau, GERMANY, April 2007.

9- Biosorption: Process modeling and computer simulations guide experimental work, (Invited Seminar, Department of Chemistry, Delaware State University, April 2006),  USA.

8- Sorption and Biosorption Processes for the Environment and Product Recovery, (Seminar, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, March 2005), SINGAPORE.

7- Sorption mechanisms of metal immobilization onto organic matter, (UNESCO, For Women in Science Press Conference, Paris 2004),  FRANCE.
6- Organo-mineral interactions in a mining water reservoir; Lead reactivity in the presence of Rhizopus arrhizus, (Seminar, Henri-Poincaré University, Nancy 2001), France.

5- Study of organic and mineral reactivities: dynamic and kinetic aspects, (Seminar, Centre de Pédologie Biologique-CNRS, Nancy 1999),  FRANCE.

4- Potentiometric titration: A dynamic method to study the metal binding mechanism of microbial biomass, (Internat. Biohydromet. Symposium, Madrid, 1999),  SPAIN.

3- Remediation of the mining waters: Reactivity of organic and mineral materials in presence of metallic cations, (Vosges, 1999),  FRANCE.

2- Action of calcaire on mining waters, (Cogema Corp., 1998), FRANCE.

1- Study of sorption and desorption phenomenon in the Ecarpiere lake, (Cogema Corp., 1997),  FRANCE.

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE  (University Teaching and Courses, Personnel Training)

June 2009 Intensive Course (30 June-2 July): "Water decontamination techniques".  Organized during the “First International Conference on Advances in Wastewater Treatment and Reuse”, Teheran, Iran.
Presentations with Prof. B. Volesky (McGill University).

2009-2010 Co-supervision of Amy Cohen, an intern at Everglades Foundation and a MSc student at Florida International University, “Phosphorus mapping in the Everglades.”

2009-2010 Co-supervision of Yirgalem Chebud, an intern at Everglades Foundation and a PhD student at Florida International University, “Phosphorus transport north of Lake Okeechobee, South Florida”.

2008-2009 Co-supervision of Trishikhi Raychoudhury, a PhD student, McGill University – Department of Civil Engineering: “Iron nanoparticle transport modeling – 2 and 3 D.”

2007-2008 Co-supervision of Dr. Ronbanchob Apiratikul, a Postdoctoral  Fellow, A Thai government-supported research scholar at McGill University and NRC-BRI: “Nanoparticle transport in soil.”

August 2007 Intensive Course (30-31 Aug.): "Sorption and Biosorption".  Organized by DECHEMA, Frankfurt, Germany.  Presentations with Prof. B. Volesky (McGill University).

2005-2006 Co-supervision of Vivian Diniz, a PhD student, A Brazilian government-supported research scholar at McGill University: “Biosorption of lanthanum and europium by Sargassum.”

2004-2006 Professor Affiliate, Lebanese University, teaching full-time student courses (200 hrs/year): Experimental Physical-Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Biochemistry for undergraduates (~100 students) and graduate students.

2004-2005 Direct supervision of Graduate Projects.
Lebanese University.
Study of the wastewater treatment in Tripoli
(students:  Maya Omar, Mohamad Zakaria and Sana Jamouss).
Study of the analytical methods used for the assessment of the drinking water quality in Tripoli (students:  Marie Rose Frangieh, Manal Rahmoun)

2003-2004 Professor Affiliate, Lebanese University, teaching full-time student courses (200 hrs/year):
Experimental Physical-Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Mineral Chemistry for undergraduates (~100 students) and graduate students.
Professional Training Courses (Physical-Chemistry) for the ONDEO Corp.
Lebanon professional staff  (20 hours).

2002-2003 Professor Affiliate, Lebanese University, teaching full-time student courses (200 hrs/year):
Experimental Physical-Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Analytical Chemistry for under-graduates (~100 students) and graduate students.
Professor Affiliate, University of Beirut, Balamand, Lebanon (90 hrs/year):
Teaching Analytical Chemistry

2001-2002 Co-supervision of Roberto Briones, a PhD student, A Mexican government-supported research scholar at Henry-Poincaré University:
“Metal binding capacity of plants and of the arbuscular mycorrhizal mycelium.”

2001-2002 Professor Affiliate, Lebanese University, teaching full-time student courses  (148 hrs/year):
Experimental Physical-Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Analytical Chemistry for under-graduates (~100 students) and graduate students.
Professor Affiliate, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Lebanon  (100hrs/year):
Teaching Physical-Chemistry

1999-2000 Direct supervision of a Graduate Project  (Ms. Marion Tallieux, ing.).
Henry-Poincaré University, Nancy, France.
Field:  Study of the capacity of fixation of a resin in relation to different parameters (pH, ionic strength, and cationic amount).
1996-1997 Teaching Assistantships,  Henry-Poincaré University, Nancy, France:
Teaching Physical-Chemistry to undergraduate student classes.

INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE

2006-2007 Corporate management: New technology venture - introduction, financing and management, BV Sorbex, Inc., Canada

2002-2004 Expert Consultant:  Water quality,  technical analytical methods:  Ondeo Corp., Lebanon.

1997-2001 Collaboration and Training (technical and scientific): 
COGEMA-France (nuclear industry). In-situ and laboratory studies of a COGEMA mining water reservoir (Nantes uranium mining site) to assess the behavior of cations in a polluted environment and to develop bioremediation techniques.

RESEARCH & ACADEMIC INTERESTS

- Theory and practice of spectroscopic and physico-chemical analytical techniques: 
FTIR, Raman, Mass spectrometer, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Electronic Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), Chromatographic techniques.
- Physical Chemistry in industrial processes (chemical engineering).
- Physical Chemistry of nanomaterials and reactivity of bio-organic compounds.

Recent Specific R&D Activities
- Mass Spectrometry techniques (LC/MS, GCMS, HPLC) to follow the degradation of nitroso-compounds (NRC-BRI Montreal)
- Degradation of explosives using iron nanoparticles (NRC-BRI Montreal)
- Detection of bacteria using nanoparticles and different analytical techniques (NRC-BRI Montreal)
- Study of bacterial sorption onto activated nanoparticles  (NRC-BRI Montreal)
- Raman techniques (SERS, UVRR) for bacterial detection  (NRC-BRI Montreal)
- Protein sorption onto nanoparticles and process optimization  (NRC-BRI Montreal)
- Mathematical modeling and computer simulation of bio-sorption processes  (McGill Univ., Montreal)
- Remediation of waters.  Industrial water pollution control  (McGill Univ., Montreal)
- Study of the fate of some cations in aqueous solutions in the presence of biomaterials for environmental purpose.  Thermodynamic simulation using software (Mineql+, EQ3/6) to specify the metal/solid interactions  (McGill Univ., Montreal)
- Study of organo-metallic associations developing different techniques (acid-basic titration, granulometric breakdown, and FTIR) to determine the fixation sites (acid chelating functions)
- Development of the metal-base titration to analyze sorption of lead onto an organic surface (France)

Invited Peer Reviewer - Journals
Chemosphere, Environmental Science and Technology, Water Research, Journal of Separation Science.

Extracurricular activities
Serving as a judge in a panel for evaluation of environmental projects for the Fairchild Challenge Program, Coral Gables, Florida, April, 2009, 2010.
Serving as an expert scientific consultant for the Everglades Law Center.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Software: DMSTA software package for modeling wetland water purification performance
Gaussian 94, MOPAC (molecular modeling software)
FEMLAB – process modeling software
MINEQL+  (thermodynamic simulation software)
Microsoft office

Programming Languages: Basic, Lisp (Scheme), Turbo Pascal.

Additional Projects

2. PROTECTING LAKE OKEECHOBEE THROUGH PHOSPHORUS TRADING

The Everglades Foundation is participating in development of a plan to meet the Total Maximum Daily Load for Lake Okeechobee. We are evaluating alternatives and developing actionable recommendations to identify workable plans to achieve legally mandated phosphorus loads to Lake Okeechobee.

One of our projects is to develop the cap-and-trade program in the Lake Okeechobee watershed:

Exceedingly high nutrient loading is threatening the already eutrophic Lake Okeechobee.  The Lake cannot cope with the load and its water quality has deteriorated rapidly.  Although agricultural “best management practices” have been implemented in the watershed of Lake Okeechobee, the phosphorus concentration in the Lake quadrupled between 1975 and 2008 (50 parts per billion and 200 parts per billion, respectively).  It is clear that the lake is losing its ability to assimilate phosphorus.

The proposed collaborative work is focusing on the application of an ecological-economics approach to environmental problem solving by offering direct incentives for decreasing the phosphorus level in the runoff using the “tradeable emission” principles.  Phosphorus trading, if carefully implemented and enforced, will assure that real phosphorus reductions actually occur in the Lake.  The project, aimed at developing these principles, will be in collaboration with the Florida International University (Prof. Miralles-Wilhelm, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Prof. Bhat, Department of Economics).

Similar to established carbon trading, the concept of marketable phosphorus discharge permits and their applications in environmental quality enhancement through pollution reduction will be studied.  The project will provide specific guidance on phosphorus trading issues such as trading mechanisms, eligibility, geographic scope, trading ratios, types of trading, monitoring and compliance. An efficient and equitable pilot trading system and policies will then be developed for the Lake Okeechobee watershed.

3. PHOSPHATE MAPPING IN THE EVERGLADES:  WATER AND SOIL

Data on water and soil phosphorus concentrations in the Everglades are widely dispersed in scientific literature.  Available data from disparate sources (South Florida Water Management District, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Environmental Protection and universities) will be consolidated in a database and comprehensive interactive visual graphics will be developed to track phosphorus conditions and changes in the Everglades (Water Conservation Area 1, Water Conservation Area 2, Water Conservation Area 3 and Everglades National Park).  The overall objective of this proposed research is to follow the temporal and spatial distribution of some water and soil geochemical properties in these four water management units. Geographic Information Systems capabilities will be used to illustrate spatial and temporal water and soil phosphorus data variations.  The interconnectivity and relationships governing several parameters will be highlighted using a statistical approach. The “impacted” soil parameter will be considered depending on the studied area. Geostatistical and Geographic Information Systems analysis techniques will be used to measure the extent of these impacted areas and to characterize the spatial variability of the physico-chemical properties and quantify changes through time.

4. MERCURY MASS BALANCE IN THE EVERGLADES

Highly toxic mercury (Hg) bio-accumulates in fish and the EPA had to issue warnings concerning fish from the Everglades.  The chemical reactivity of Hg above and below Tamiami Trail differs depending on environmental parameters (dissolved organics in water). This project will determine the mass balances and distribution of Hg in water, soil, sediments and fish in the Everglades.  The Everglades Foundation is collaborating with Florida International University and Florida Atlantic University in addressing this area of research.  Research associates are working on this issue.

Compilation of a spatio-temporal bio-geochemical database of Hg and methyl-Hg in the freshwater of the Everglades:  surface water, pore water, soil, floc,[rg1]  periphyton and fish (Hg-bioaccumulation indicator) will be produced.  The goal is to elucidate the environmental methyl-mercury trends and local peaks, providing a solid scientific foundation for policy makers and others to understand the importance of the issue as well the impact of this substance on fish consumption advisories.

5. ROCK MINING IN THE EAA

Because of the gigantic comprehensive restoration project in the Everglades and the sensitivity of the area, the impact of rock mines in the EAA (because of their location) should be carefully investigated before any permit is issued.  The purpose of this study is to highlight the environmental cumulative impacts of these mines on the canal waters feeding the Everglades natural and constructed wetlands. We are evaluating and documenting expected and potential impacts from EAA rock mining to prevent irreversible damage to the Everglades. This involves water quality data compilation as well as groundwater-surface water interaction modeling.

6. ELECTRICITY AND HEAT GENERATION FROM EVERGLADES DAIRY FARM BY-PRODUCTS – a Feasibility Study

Agricultural land runoff is the most important environmental concern for the Everglades watershed.  Phosphorus rich animal manure is a source of contamination causing serious deterioration of water quality in the Everglades.  Introduction of anaerobic digestion in farming operations represents an alternative clean way to handle animal waste with environmental and economical benefits.  Anaerobic digestion of manure produces methane (energy - extra benefit to the farmer) while improving the quality of surrounding waters (phosphorus reduction), as well as reducing odor problems and methane emissions (greenhouse gas) to the atmosphere.

This collaborative project proposal focuses on the application and transfer of most advanced manure digestion technology to one dairy farm.  The economic viability and environmental impact studies, digester design, construction and operation of the bio-gas plant as well as the training of the dairy employees will be the outcome of this project.  Cow manure anaerobic digestion, if implemented and enforced, will assure that real phosphorus reductions actually occur in the runoff. 

7. STORMWATER TREATMENT AREAS

Stormwater treatment areas are to be built in the EAA (Everglades Agricultural Area) for water treatment and phosphorus decontamination. We are involved in the Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) design in the Everglades Agricultural Area, contributing water quality and modeling/optimization expertise to the design process.Mercury / Methyl mercury database available:

 

A comprehensive mercury /methyl mercury database* (1970-2009) is available and could be requested from the Everglades Foundation by contacting Dr. Melodie Naja (mnaja@evergladesfoundation.org). This database contains also ancillary parameters connected to mercury methylation.

* The project work was carried out by Shannon O'Brien (Everglades National Park fellow and Florida Atlantic University student) under the supervision of Drs. J. William Louda (PI/PD - Florida Atlantic University), Melodie Naja (Everglades Foundation), Matthew C. Harwell (Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge) and Donatto Surratt (National Park Service). The project was funded by the South Florida Ecosystems Office of Everglades National Park, the National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior.