Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/D000939/1
Fluorescence for the Water Sciences
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor A Baker, University of Birmingham, Sch of Geography, Earth & Env Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor J Lead, University of Birmingham, Sch of Geography, Earth & Env Sciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Birmingham, Sch of Geography, Earth & Env Sciences
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Marine
- Freshwater
- Earth
- Atmospheric
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Pollution and Waste
- Natural Resource Management
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Science Topics:
- Water Quality
- Pollution
- Hydrological Processes
- Technol. for Environ. Appl.
- Abstract:
- Many substances in the environment fluoresce, or glow in the dark. In rivers, estuaries, canals, lakes and the ocean, this fluorescence comes from a wide variety of organic substances that are dissolved in the water. This fluorescence can be used to tell us about many properties of the dissolved matter that would otherwise be impossible. But of course, we don't see rivers and oceans glowing in the dark! That is because the fluorescence occurs at wavelengths of light that we can't see (it is in the ultraviolet). So we need to use new laboratory methods to see it. This is a technique called fluorescence spectroscopy, which has been developed mainly for medical optics and biotechnology. Technology has rapidly improved in recent years such that we can analyse a wider range of compounds, at a faster speed, and at lower detection limits. However to date these improvements has only been used by very few environmental scientists in different research disciplines who at present do not collaborate between subjects. This network proposal seeks to address this issue for the water science sector. We seek to bring together scientists from marine science, freshwater science, remote sensing, computer science and water engineering with industrial partners from instrument manufacturers, water companies, environmental regulators and environmental consultants, all with an interest in using this new technology to further their understanding of organic matter fluorescence in water. The network will hold regular technical meetings, specialist conferences and training workshops. It is intended that the network will grow to become a 'knowledge centre', as well as a group that sets the research agenda, for environmental applications of fluorescence technologies in the water sciences.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/D000939/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- EO Programmes Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Networks Project
This grant award has a total value of £60,681
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| £22,113 | £20,023 | £9,334 | £9,211 |
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