Andrew Turner

Academic profile

Dr Andrew Turner

Associate Professor (Reader) in Environmental Sciences
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering)

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The Global Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Andrew's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

Goal 02: SDG 2 - Zero HungerGoal 03: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-beingGoal 04: SDG 4 - Quality EducationGoal 06: SDG 6 - Clean Water and SanitationGoal 11: SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesGoal 12: SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and ProductionGoal 13: SDG 13 - Climate ActionGoal 14: SDG 14 - Life Below WaterGoal 15: SDG 15 - Life on LandGoal 16: SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong InstitutionsGoal 17: SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

About Andrew

  • I am an Associate Professor in marine and environmental biogeochemistry at the University of Plymouth. My teaching focuses on marine, terrestrial and atmospheric processes and the impacts of pollutants on these processes.
  • My research is mainly related to marine pollution by plastics, pharmaceuticals, antifouling paints, rare earth elements and other emerging contaminants, human health impacts arising from exposure to chemicals and microplastics, contamination of consumer plastics through recycling of electronic waste, and the analysis of low-density materials through X-ray fluorescence. I have also recently seen the many benefits of combining conventional scientific research with citizen science.
  • I am currently collaborating with colleagues from Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Birmingham University, The Cornish Plastic Pollution Coalition, The University of Geneva, Lancaster University, University of Toronto and Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, and I am on various advisory boards and committees, including “Lead Safe World” and the International Scientific Committee for Estuarine Biogeochemistry. Research outputs are in numerous scientific publications and reports, as well as media outlets, blogs and forums. 
  • Reader in Environmental Sciences (Biogeochemistry)
  • Lecturer on the Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Ocean Science, Applied Marine Science and Environmental Consultancy programmes 
  • Stage Two tutor for Environmental Science and Environmental Management
  • Module leader for ENVS2005/ENVS3001/ENVS3003

Supervised Research Degrees

  • C. Crowther; Analytical, taxicogenomics and modelling approaches to determine the impacts of radionuclides and metals. PhD (2021)
  • D. Mohammed; Toxicity of metals and surfactants to freshwater macroalgae. MPhil (2017).
  • C. Levy; Study of modified calcium carbonates as active-agent slow-release and environmental clean-up agents. PhD (2016)
  • N. Vyas; Effectiveness of a closed system device in reducing occupational exposure and environmental concentrations of anticancer drugs. PhD (2014).
  • L. Holmes; Interactions of trace metals with plastics in the marine environment. PhD (2013) 
  • L. Dallas; Assessing the impacts of chronic exposure of contaminants on marine organisms. PhD (2013) 
  • C. M. Gribble; Surface adsorption and pore-level properties of mineral and related systems of relevance to the recycling of paper. PhD (2010) 
  • L. Shams; Uptake of platinum group elements by the marine microalga, Chlorella stigmatophora. PhD (2010) 
  • S. Batchelli: Multi-method characterisation of terrestrial and marine colloids in coastal waters. PhD (2010) 
  • S.J. Watts; Recovery of the Mersey Estuary from metal contamination. PhD (2004) 
  • E. Mawji; Speciation and hydrophobicity of trace metals, MRes (2003) 
  • Y. Dogra; Biological effects of tritium, MRes (2003) 
  • T.L. Jones-Hughes; Surfactants in rivers and estuaries, PhD (2003) 
  • M.S. Williams; Radionuclides in estuaries, PhD (2001) 
  • S.M. Le Roux; Speciation and reactivity of metals in estuaries, PhD (2000) 
  • A. Punt; Estuarine modelling of trace metals, PhD (2000) 
  • M. Martino; Reactivity of nickel in estuaries, PhD (2000) 
  • M.C. Rawling; Partitioning of organics micropollutants in estuaries, PhD (1999) 
  • T.J. Mathews; Void structure, colloid and tracer transport properties of stratified porous media, PhD(1998) 
  • T.K. Sands; Metal Reactivity in the North Sea, PhD (1997) 
  • Supervisor for research projects of 60 MSc Students

Teaching

  • Marine and environmental biogeochemistry 
  • Marine pollution 
  • Environmental radioactivity 
  • Air quality modelling 
  • Environmental impact and risk assessment
  • Applied statistics and data management 
  • Meteorology 
  • Persistent organic pollutants
  • Plastic recycling and pollution
  • Waste management and WEEE

Contact Andrew

B511, Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
+44 1752 584570