Project proposal Bright Minds Assistantships February 2022
Manganese dynamics in coastal sediments
Department: Earth Sciences Research group: Geochemistry
Supervisors: Prof. dr. Caroline P. Slomp, Dr. Wytze Lenstra, Robin Klomp, MSc Email address: c.p.slomp@uu.nl, w.k.lenstra@uu.nl, r.klomp@uu.nl
Telephone number: 030-2535514 (please use email for a quick answer)
Project description
Manganese (Mn) is an essential element for life and its cycling in marine environments affects the dynamics of key elements such as carbon, iron and phosphorus. In coastal sediments, where the input of organic matter is high, Mn oxides typically dissolve directly below the surface sediments and form dissolved Mn. This dissolved Mn may be present as either Mn(III) or Mn(II), but the factors controlling the presence of either form and the consequences for the cycling of Mn are still incompletely understood.
The student will perform experimental research using samples from various coastal environments to increase the understanding of Mn cycling in coastal sediments and its impact on other elemental cycles. Sediment samples will be analyzed with a newly developed sequential sediment extraction for Mn. Porewater samples will be subjected to kinetic spectrophotometric analysis to distinguish between porewater Mn(II) and Mn(III). The student will also help prepare and contribute to fieldwork.
The balance between fieldwork, laboratory work and office work (on campus and at home) will depend on the Covid-19 situation. The Bright Minds student will have frequent (at least weekly) contact with the supervisors, either in person or through teams.
Job requirements
The student should have basic skills in chemical work in the laboratory.
