UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Master of Science

Environmental Chemistry

COURSES STUDIED:

Aquatic Chemistry: Aqueous Chemistry, Estuarine Chemistry, Lake and Sedimentary Chemistry;

Atmospheric Chemistry: Tropospheric Chemistry, Stratospheric Chemistry, Atmospheric Modelling, Meteorology;

Environmental Biochemistry: Environmental Microbiology, Environmental Enzymology, Food Chemistry;

Environmental Toxicology and Health: Heavy Metals, Chemical Carcinogens, Chemical Speciation, Risk Assessment, Toxicology in the Environment;

Pollution Control and Remediation: Catalysis, Environmental Sampling and Monitoring;

Terrestrial Chemistry: Environmental Radioactivity, Pesticides, Organic Geochemistry.

Thesis: Manganese Geochemistry in Loch Bradan, South-West Scotland.

Summary: Manganese concentrations in Loch Bradan, south-west Scotland frequently exceed the E.U., W.H.O. and Potable Water Standard limits (50 m g l^-1). Waters containing manganese concentrations above this level become turbid and highly unacceptable from the aesthetic viewpoint of the customer. Loch Bradan is situated in an area of high rainfall on the margins of the Loch Doon granite intrusion. The catchment includes manganese rich rocks and organic soils. There is little if any manganese concentration gradient in Loch Bradan waters. Loch Bradan sediments show characteristic diagenetic surface (0-1 cm) enrichments of manganese in the region of 1-4 %. Soil manganese concentrations are less than 1/1000 th of those found in sediments. Input streams to Loch Bradan contain higher concentrations in sediments compared with the loch itself. Two of the streams contain the highest concentrations of manganese of all streams in the Loch Doon granite intrusion. The high manganese concentrations found in Loch and stream waters and sediments are a result of natural climatological, topological and pedological conditions encountered in this area.

Abbr. Summary: Responsible for an integrated sampling programme joint venture between South West Water and the University to determine the origins of manganese pollution in Loch Bradan reservoir.

EXTERNAL PLACEMENT November - December 1994

Mid-Lothian Regional Analyst, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Monitoring of Environmental Pollutants: Asbestos Monitoring, Nitrogen Dioxide, Sulphur Dioxide and Smoke in Air, Water Analysis.

INTERNAL PLACEMENTS

University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Electroanalysis, Dr. L.Y. Yellowlees

Electrochemistry, Dr. Mount

Computer Modelling, Dr. Heal

Humic Substances in Sediments, Dr. M.C. Graham

ESSAYS

Urban Air Modelling — A Review, Dr. Heal

Petroleum Hydrocarbons in the Coastal and Marine Environment, Dr. M.C. Graham