Pascal Salaun

Biography

- post graduate coordinator of Oceans and Ecosystems section of the School of Environmental Sciences. - Academic Organiser of Faculty of science for Conitnuing Education. - Member of the Athena SWAN team (http://www.athenaswan.org.uk/content/athena-swan) of the School of Environmental Sciences to promote women in science.

Research Interest

My domain of expertise is electroanalysis applied to trace metal speciation. I am interested in the development of novel sensors and analytical methods for the detection and speciation of trace elements at levels encountered in the environment (e.g. freshwater, seawater, biological fluids) and/or pharmaceutical solutions. At the heart of these measurement is the vibrated gold microwire electrode (VGME). During the last few years, I have revisited the use of these electrodes. Due in part to their small diameter (5-10 micrometer), very low detection limits are obtained and same electrodes can be used for weeks. In particular, together with PhD students (Kristoff Gibbon-Walsh, Kalle Miran-Uroic, Zaoshun Bi) and Prof. Van den Berg, we developed reliable fabrication and conditioning procedures. This electrode is the best currently available for the electroanalytical detection of metalloids (As, Sb) and metals (Cu, Hg and Mn). Recently, we also developed a new amalgam electrode consisting of an electrodeposited layer of Hg on silver for speciation of low levels of lead (pM levels) in coastal and open ocean waters. Few examples of applications of these developments are: - On-site detection of arsenic (III)/(V) in groundwater in a contaminated area of West Bengal where arsenic poses a huge health problem; - In-situ (i.e directly in the water column) detection of dynamic/reactive levels of copper in Liverpool Bay. The sensor was placed under a buoy and continuously run for 5 weeks; - Pseudopolarography of copper which gives a detailed view of the speciation of Cu in seawater; this was the first report of pseudopolarography at a solid electrode; - Speciation of antimony in pharmaceutical drug solutions of pentavalent antimonial that are used for the treatment of laeshmaniasis (skin disease that afflicts millions of people). Levels of Sb(III), that are believed to be responsible for toxic effect within patients, were found to be much higher than previously reported; - Detection of sulphide in seawater.