Environmental Biogeochemistry Research Group | Research Themes

Biological growths on building stone surfaces
Biogenic weathering and decay of historic buildings and monuments is a major conservation problem. Two separate projects examined biocide efficacy and the mechanisms of biogeochemcial decay.

URQUHART, D.C.M., NICHOLSON, K., TONGE, K., WAKEFIELD, R. and YOUNG, M. (1993). Biological growths, biocide treatment, soiling and decay of sandstone buildings and monuments in Scotland. Report to Historic Scotland, 394pp.

YOUNG, M., WAKEFIELD, R., TONGE, K. URQUHART, D.C.M., and NICHOLSON, K. (1995). Assessment of the efficacy of various biocides on sandstones under laboratory and field conditions. In: Proc. ICCROM Deterioration and Conservation of Stone Conference, Rome.

WAKEFIELD, R., JONES, M. NICHOLSON, K. and WILSON, M.J. (1995). Initial observations into the decay of sandstone colonised by an epilithic algal community. 13th European Environmental Geochemistry and Health Meeting, Aberdeen, April, 1995.

WAKEFIELD, R.D., JONES, M.S., WILSON, J. YOUNG, M.E., NICHOLSON, K. and URQUHART, D.C.M. (1996). Investigations of decayed sandstone colonised by a species of Trentepolia. Aerobiologia, 12, 19-25.

Impacts of hydrocarbons on the decay of sandstone buildings and monuments
Through atmospheric aerosol deposition crude hydrocarbons were coated over historic sandstone buildings and prehistoric monuments in Shetalnd following the Braer wreck. This project was established to monitor the influence on hydrocarbons on sandstone decay processes. Experimental investigations complemented the field studies.

WILSON, J., WAKEFIELD, R. and NICHOLSON, K. (1995). Effect of oil pollution on stone biodeterioration: Impact of the Braer Wreck on Historic Scotland Monuments in Shetland. 13th European Environmental Geochemistry and Health Meeting, Aberdeen, April, 1995.

YORDANOV, R. V. and NICHOLSON, K. (1997). Effect of hydrocarbons on biofilm development on sandstone. 15th European Environmental Geochemistry and Health Meeting, Dublin, March, 1997

Boron fractionation and mass balance across sewage treatment plants
Borates fractionate between the aqueous effluent and the sewage cake from a treatment plant. This study is examining the speciation of boron in the effluent, the proportion fractionated between the aqueous and solid phases and the total annual mass of boron discharged into the environment.

Behaviour of boron in soil profiles treated with sewage sludge
As disposal of sewage sludge onto agricultural land is a common practice that will see increased application, this project is investigating the fate of sewage-boron in the soil profile and the concomitant impacts on agricultural land quality.

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.