Evaluation of biodegradation kinetics of organic micropollutants in a reed bed filter

Agriculture Sciences, Engineering and/or Technology, Natural Sciences
France
Champs-sur-Marne (Greater Paris)
Period: 
1 Feb, 2021 to 30 Jun, 2021
Deadline: 
1 Jan, 2021

General information

Duration: 
6 months
Commitment: 
Full-time
Description: 

Background:

Road runoff is known to contain heavy metals and organic pollutants, mainly originating from traffic. This runoff contribute to the degradation of receiving aquatic environments when discharged without treatment. Among recent nature based devices for runoff treatment, we find reed bed filters. In 2019, the city of Paris launched the European LIFE-ADSORB project to study the performance of this type of treatment on real scale in the Bois de Boulogne park by treating runoff from the ring highway. The main objectives of this project is to understand how micropollutants are retained and eliminated in order to to model their behavior and optimize the treatment. As the necessary modelling parameters cannot be determined in situ, laboratory experiments are necessary.

Missions:

The main objective of this internship is to set-up the most appropriate method to measure the biodegradation of organic micropollutants in a situation as close as possible to the field conditions. After a review of scientific literature, the degradation kinetics of pollutants such as PAHs or bisphenol-A will be determined in reed planted columns using hydraulic regime comparable to that of that in situ. The internship should allow the establishment of an experimental protocol that can then be used on a larger scale as part of the current project.

Profile:

2nd year University Master student or Engineering School student (4th year), specialized in environmental chemistry with knowledge of urban hydrology with good knowledge of analytical chemistry and organic chemistry tools in aquatic or porous environments, ease with environmental experimentation, intellectual rigor, understanding of technical documents in English, ability to work in a team and spirit of initiative are assets needed to fulfill the trainee’s missions

Compensation: 
Financial compensation
Transportation costs
Reimbursement costs
Other
Years of Experience required: 
Yes

Keywords

environmental chemistry  reed bed filters  urban hydrology  

Additional Information

Contract condition: be enrolled in an European university cursus; inter-university internship agreement offering financial support of approx. 600 €/month for full time presence; Application: ASAP, until January 15, 2021 by sending CV and cover letter to [email protected]
Requirements
Languages: 
English: Independent User B1
French: Independent User B1
Level of Studies: 
Master
Skills: 
good knowledge of analytical chemistry and organic chemistry tools in aquatic or porous environments
ease with environmental experimentation