Role
I am a lecturer in the environmental science, with focus on catchment science, aquatic geochemistry, water resources and introducing students to GIS. My teaching activities centre around our BSc Environmental Science programme, for which I am Stage 2 tutor, and the MSc Environmental Consultancy course.
I developed an interdisciplinary residential fieldcourse for Stage 2 students of our BSc Environmental Science course to Hong Kong and Guangdong Province, China. The academic theme of this course is the environmental and social impact of rapid economic development and its links with post-industrial consumer societies. Students investigate air and water pollution, evaluate coastal conservation measures and use biomarkers to assess ecosystem health. The unique character of this field course, however, arises from the close collaboration of students from Guangzhou (Sun Yat-sen University), Hong Kong (City University) and Plymouth in the pre-field course preparation of research projects, which are jointly carried out in the field and laboratories in China.
In a new 'Outreach' initiative, I am developing a science backpack with the Tamar Valley AONB that will provide families with a guide to simple field experiments on the Tamar Valley Mining Heritage trails that bring science closer to young people.
Currently, my research activities centre around the geochemistry of mine waste in the environment.
Qualifications & background
I am a lecturer in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Plymouth. In my previous career, I graduated as a Dipl.-Ing. Electrical Engineering/Communication Electronics in 1989 and worked as a project engineer in industrial process controll systems for the engineering consultancy Metallurgische Gesellschaft/LURGI in Germany until 1993. I obtained a BSc Environmental Science at the University of Plymouth in 1996 and continued to do a Ph.D. inmarine geochemistry (Metal biogeochemistry of a mine contaminated estuarine-coastal system in SW Spain) at the same University in 2000. Two EU-funded post-doctoral research fellowships followed between 2000 and 2003, on the projects MEMOSEA (UV digestion of metal complexing natural organic matter and humic substances) and IMTEC (In situ automated monitoring of trace metal speciation in estuaries and coastal zones). Between 2001 and 2006, I took on various part-time lecturing roles in environmental science and marine science and obtained the LTHE (Learning and Teaching in Higher Education) qualification. I obtained a permanent position at the University of Plymouth in 2006.
Professional membership
MI - Marine Institute
ERF - Estuarine Research Federation
IMWA - International Mine Water Association
SETAC - Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
MBA - Marine Biological Association
Research interests
My research interests lie in the geochemistry and biogeochemistry of catchment systems, from headwaters to estuaries and into the coastal zone. Current research projects investigate point and diffuse sources of elements associated with metal mining activities and the impact of contamination on the aquatic environment and soils. For this work, I collaborate with a number of external partners, including local organisations (e.g. Tamar Valley Service), the Environment Agency, Camborne School of Mines and the British Geological Survey. The application of novel techniques to assess the impact of metal inputs into catchments have been the focus of recent activities. These integrate metal speciation measurements obtained with an in-situ voltammetric profiling system with speciation modelling and ecotoxicological studies on oyster embryo bioassays. The MARA bioassay (Microbial Assay for toxic Risk Assessment) is used to determine toxic effects of mixtures of metals and organic compounds.
Current research projects
1. Sustainable management of minewater pollution from headwaters to estuaries. PhD student Alison Turner, co-investigators: Prof. Paul Worsfold, Dr. John Rieuwerts, Dr. Ben Williamson, Dr. Hugh Potter. In collaboration with the Camborne School of Mines and the Environment Agency. GWR studentship co-funded by the EA.
2. Metal geochemistry in agricultural soils. PhD student Thomas Robson, co-investigator: Dr. Miranda Keith-Roach. Supported by QR funds.
UoP Research group membership
Biogeochemistry and Environmental Analytical Chemistry
Biogeochemistry Research Centre (BGC)
Grants & contracts
Current funding
2010-2011
Geochemical transformation of toxic metal-rich mining waste in agricultural soils: implications for crops (with Dr. Miranda Keith-Roach (PI)).
2009-2010
Geoprocessing of contaminant transport in catchments affected by abandoned metal mines, collaboration with the British Geological Survey, funded by the Environment Agency and HEIF3.
2007-2010
Sustainable management of minewater pollution from headwaters to estuaries (with Prof. Paul Worsfold and Drs John Rieuwerts, Benedict Williamson (Camborne School of Mines) and Hugh Potter (Environment Agency)), GWR Studentship co-funded by the EA.
Past funding
2005-2008
The legacy of metal mining in the Tamar Valley: Impact on environmental quality and solutions (with Drs John Rieuwerts, Fethi Azizi and John Summerscale). Scholarship from the Royal Thai Government.
2004-2008
Novel integration of trace element speciation measurements and marine bioassays (with Profs. Eric Achterberg (NOC), Awadhesh Jha, Paul Worsfold). Nerc Case Studentship.
Publications
Tappin, A.D., Barriada, J.L., Braungardt, C.B., Evans, E.Hl, Pattey, M.D., Achterberg, E.P. (2010) Dissolved silver in European estuarine and coastal waters. Water Research. In Press.
Turner, A., Braungardt, C.B., Worsfold, P.J., Rieuwerts, J., Williamson, B., Potter, H. (2009) Dynamic up-flow percolation tests - a model for mining waste leachate generation. International Mine Water Association and The Water Institute of Southern Africa. Proceedings of the International Mine Water Conference, 19-23 October 2009, Pretoria, South Africa, p. 858-867. ISBN: 978-0-9808683-5-3.
Braungardt, CB, Achterberg, EP, Axelsson, B, Buffle, J, Graziottin, F, Howell, KA, Illuminati, S., Scarponi, G., Tappin, AD. (2009) Analysis of dissolved metal fractions in coastal waters: An inter-comparison of five voltammetric in situ profiling (VIP) systems. Marine Chemistry, 114 (1-2),47-55.
Mighanetara, K., Braungardt, CB., Rieuwerts, JS., Azizi, F. (2009) Contaminant fluxes from point and diffuse sources from abandoned mines in the River Tamar catchment, UK. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 100(2-3), 116-124.
Braungardt, CB., Achterberg, EP., Gledhill, M., Nimmo, M., Elbaz-Poulichet, F., Cruzado, A., Velasquez, Z. (2007) Chemical Speciation of Dissolved Cu, Ni, and Co in a Contaminated Estuary in Southwest Spain and Its Influence on Plankton Communities. Environmental Science and Technology, 41(12), 4214-4220.
Beckers, JM., Achterberg, EP., Braungardt, CB. (2007) Comparison of high spatial resolution trace metal distributions with model simulations for surface waters of the Gulf of Cadiz. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 74, 599-609.
Badr, E-SA, Achterberg, EP, Tappin, AD, Hill, SJ, Braungardt, CB. (2003) Determination of dissolved organic nitrogen in natural waters using high-temperature catalytic oxidation. Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 22(11) 819-827.
Howell, KA., Achterberg, EP., Braungardt, CB., Tappin, AD., Worsfold, PJ., Turner, DR. (2003) Voltammetric in situ measurements of trace metals in coastal waters. Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 22(11) 282-835.
Braungardt, CB., Achterberg, EP., Elbaz-Poulichet, F., Morley, NH. (2003) Metal geochemistry in a mine-polluted estuarine system in Spain. Applied Geochemistry, 18(11) 1757-1771.
Howell, KA., Achterberg, EP., Braungardt, CB., Tappin, AD., Turner, DR., Worsfold, PJ. (2003) The determination of trace metals in estuarine and coastal waters using a voltammetric in situ profiling system. Analyst, 128(6) 734-741
Achterberg, EP., Herzl, VMC., Braungardt, CB., Millward, GE. (2003) Metal behaviour in an estuary polluted by acid mine drainage: the role of particulate matter. Environmental Pollution, 121(2) 283-292.
Elbaz-Poulichet, F., Braungardt, C., Achterberg, E., Morley, N., Cossa, D., Beckers, JM., Nomerange, P., Cruzado, A., Leblanc, M. (2001) Metal biogeochemistry in the Tinto-Odiel rivers (Southern Spain) and in the Gulf of Cadiz: a synthesis of the results of TOROS project. Continental Shelf Research, 21(18-19) 1961-1973.
Achterberg, EP., Braungardt, CB., Sandford, RC., Worsfold, PJ. (2001) UV digestion of seawater samples prior to the determination of copper using flow injection with chemiluminescence detection. Analytica Chimica Acta, 440(1) 27-36.
Elbaz-Poulichet, F., Dupuy, C., Cruzado, A., Velasquez, Z., Achterberg, EP., Braungardt, CB. (2000) Influence of sorption processes by iron oxides and algae fixation on arsenic and phosphate cycle in an acidic estuary Tinto river, Spain). Water Research, 34(12) 3222-3230.
Achterberg, EP., Braungardt, C. (1999) Stripping voltammetry for the determination of trace metal speciation and in-situ measurements of trace metal distributions in marine waters. ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA, 400(SI) 381-397.
Achterberg, EP., Braungardt, C., Morley, NH., Elbaz-Poulichet, F., Leblanc, M. (1999) Impact of Los Frailes mine spill on riverine, estuarine and coastal waters in southern Spain. Water Research, 33(16) 3387-3394.
Elbaz-Poulichet, F., Morley, NH., Cruzado, A., Velasquez, Z., Achterberg, EP., Braungardt, CB. (1999) Trace metal and nutrient distribution in an extremely low pH(2.5) river-estuarine system, the Ria of Huelva (South-West Spain). Science of the Total Environment, 227(1) 73-83.
Braungardt, C., Achterberg, EP., Nimmo, M. (1998) On-line voltammetric monitoring of dissolved Cu and Ni in the Gulf of Cadiz, south-west Spain. Analytica Chimica Acta, 377(2-3) 205-215.
