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Environmental Biogeochemistry Research Group | Research Themes

Fate of cyanobacterial toxins in surface waters
This new study is examining the interaction of hydrophobic and hydrophilic toxins derived from cyanobacteria with minerals in the water column and bed sediments. Accumulation mechanisms and remobilization events with concomitant implications for water quality are under investigation.

Water treatment to removal metals from drinking water
Through a series of projects this work is examining the application of oxide minerals to remove metals from drinking water supplies. The intention is to develop quantitative mobile treatment units that may be readily applied in rural areas and in developing nations.

ELEY, M. and NICHOLSON, K. (1993). Chemistry and adsorption-desorption properties of manganese oxides deposited in Forehill Water Treatment Plant, Grampian, Scotland. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 15, 85-91.

NICHOLSON, K., and ELEY, M. (1997), J.K. Manganese oxide geochemistry: metal adsorption in freshwater and marine environments. In: NICHOLSON, K. , HEIN, J.R., BÜHN, B. and GUPTA, S. (Editors). Manganese Mineralization. Geological Society Publishing House (London), 309-326.

THOMSON, B., YORDANOV, R., LITTLEJOHN, J. and NICHOLSON, K. (1995). Chemistry of biogenic manganese oxides from a water treatment plant, Grampian. 13th European Environmental Geochemistry and Health Meeting, Aberdeen, April, 1995.

ELEY, M. and NICHOLSON, K. (1995). Manganese oxide deposition in water treatment filter beds: A possible water treatment media? 13th European Environmental Geochemistry and Health Meeting, Aberdeen, April, 1995.

THOMSON, B. and NICHOLSON, K. (1996). The Effect of pH and Humic Substances on the Adsorption of Metal Cations on Manganese Oxides from Natural Waters. 14th European Environmental Geochemistry and Health Meeting, London, April, 1996.

THOMSON, B. and NICHOLSON, K. (1997). Factors Influencing the Adsorption of Metal Cations on Manganese Oxide-Coated Filter Sand from a Water Treatment Plant. 15th European Environmental Geochemistry and Health Meeting, Dublin, March, 1997

THOMSON, B. and NICHOLSON, K. (1998). Multi-metal adsorption on manganese oxides: the effect of lead on the adsorption process and its implications in the formation of manganese minerals. 16th European Environmental Geochemistry and Health Meeting, Derby, March, 1998

Water treatment to remove boron from drinking water
As boron commonly occurs as a neutral boric acid species, this is not removed by common water treatment processes and can therefore accumulate in areas of surface water abstraction where there is multiple utilisation downstream. This work is examining methods that may be employed to bring the boron drinking water level below WHO guidelines of 0.3mg/L.

Application of multi-variate statistics to water chemistry
The use of correlation coefficients and principal components analysis can be used to characterise waters of different origins. In this way, it is possible to distinguish between riverine, reservoir and near-surface well waters, and to correlate waters of a common source.

SALVANIA, N.V. and NICHOLSON, K. (1990). Chemometrics applied to the fluid chemistry of geothermal fields in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand. In: Harvey C.C., Browne, P.R.L., Freestone, D.H. and Scott, G.L. (eds), Proc. 12th NZ Geothermal Workshop, Auckland University Press, Auckland, ISBN 0-86869-012-0, 157-163.

TSE TIG CHEONG, M. and NICHOLSON, K. (1993). Identification of element associations and controls on freshwater chemistry in Grampian Region, Scotland. Abs. Proc. 11th European Symposium on Environmental Geochemistry and Health, Aberystwyth, April, 1993 and Environmental Geochemistry & Health, 1994, 16, 88-89.

Deposition of manganese oxides in freshwater systems
The occurrence of manganese oxide deposits in freshwater environments can influence the behaviour of riverine systems receiving domestic and industrial effluents. Moreover, understanding the behaviour of manganese in these systems aids interpretation of ancient deposits and can be a guide to mineral deposits.

NICHOLSON, K. (1992). Contrasting mineralogical-geochemical signatures of manganese oxides: guides to metallogenesis. Econ. Geol., 87, 1253-1264.

NICHOLSON, K. (1987). Rhodochrosite from Islay, Argyllshire, and Dalroy, Inverness-shire, Scotland. Mineralog. Mag., 51, 677-680.

NICHOLSON, K. (1988). Birnessite from Gourock, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Mineralog. Mag., 52, 415.

NICHOLSON, K. (1988). An ancient manganese-iron deposit of freshwater origin, Islay, Argyllshire. Scott. J. Geol., 24, 175-187.

NICHOLSON, K. (1988). Manganese cemented Quaternary gravels: birnessite, lithiophorite and quenselite from an example in Wigtownshire. Scott. J. Geol., 24, 194-200.