Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/D/S/2003/00678
Optimisation of bone reactivity for use in the remediation of toxic metals.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor E Valsami-Jones, The Natural History Museum, Mineralogy
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor PL Younger, University of Glasgow, School of Engineering
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor M Collins, University of Cambridge, Archaeology & Anthropology
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor DAC Manning, Newcastle University, Sch of Natural & Environmental Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor T Wess, Cardiff University, Optometry and Vision Sciences
- Grant held at:
- The Natural History Museum, Mineralogy
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Earth
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Pollution and Waste
- Natural Resource Management
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Science Topics:
- Pollution
- Environment & Health
- Glacial & Cryospheric Systems
- Environmental biotechnology
- Abstract:
- Bonemeal, as one of many sources of phosphate, has been shown to act as an effective remediation medium for toxic metals, through a mechanism involving release of phosphate and precipitation of insoluble metal phosphates in soils and waters. A substantial number of studies has emerged in the past five years providing laboratory and field evidence of metal immobilisation (e.g. lead, cadmium, uranium) via phosphate precipitation. The wider adoption of the method by the remediation industry has been however slow, mainly due to concerns about the safety of cattle bone. However, health concerns are only related to the organic component of bone, which is not active in the remediation process, and indeed, may be hindering this process by restricting bone porosity, and availability of active mineral sites. Heat treatment can remove the organic component of bonemeal, but will, if too intense, deactivate the mineral source of phosphate, apatite, by improving its crystallinity and thus reducing its solubility and active surface area. The project will investigate optimising bonemeal by heat treatment, to maximise its reactivity. The research-industry partnership in the project will maximize the potential for adoption of the new methodology.
- NERC Reference:
- NER/D/S/2003/00678
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- EO Programmes Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Connect B
This grant award has a total value of £136,500
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Equipment | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £9,066 | £51,050 | £30,341 | £6,000 | £40,044 |
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