Short Description

Elemental speciation analyses are increasingly recognised as key to understanding the behaviour of pollutants in the aquatic and terrestrial environments. Models that are able to predict elemental reactivity, bioavailability and transport are needed to better assess short and long-term risks from trace elements in the environment. As yet, geochemical models are limited in the extent to which they incorporate the formation kinetics and transport properties of metal and radionuclide complexes, and colloidal associations, in a fully mechanistic way. We propose a meeting which brings together geochemists, aquatic chemists, experts in speciation, mineralogists, biologists, ecologists, toxicologists and engineers to discuss recent progress in this field and identify avenues for future research and collaboration. The meeting will aim to create channels of collaboration between scientific research institutes, Universities, regulatory bodies and industries interested in reducing metal contamination in the environment. In addition, we propose a one day training on selected speciation packages at the beginning of this meeting.

Conference themes
Suggested conference themes include but are not restricted to:

1. Modern Analytical techniques for measuring complex species in aqueous and terrestrial environments (e.g. DGT, DMT, radio-and stable-tracer techniques, stripping voltammetry, etc.)
2. Models describing metal ion binding (e.g. WHAM, CD-MUSIC, NICA-DONNAN) by simple ligands, macromolecules (e.g. Humic acid), micro-particles and nano-colloids .
3. Prediction of radionuclide speciation in the environment
4. Elemental Speciation in extreme geochemical environments and role of microbial activity.
5. Risk assessment of hazardous elements in natural and engineering systems
6. Integrated Studies: speciation analysis and reactivity of solid surfaces

Key Dates

30th March 2010: deadline for reciving pre-registration

30th April 2010 (NOW EXTENDED To the 30th July 2010): deadline for early-bird registration and securing accommodation at Lancaster University

30th July 2010 (NOW EXTENDED To the 15th August 2010): deadline for submitting abstracts for poster presentation (registration will remain open until this date)

7th September 2010: Meeting starts with registration at 9:00 - 10:00 am.

Pre-registration

Pre-registrations are strongly encouraged as spaces are limited due to space restrictions; please send your message of interest to Dr. Imad Ahmed (i.ahmed@Lancaster.ac.uk) no later than 30th March 2010. You may use the form below.

Registration

Registration fees are £90 per person (if paid by 30th July 2010, £110 thereafter) with a student rate of £55 per person (before 30th July 2010, £75 thereafter). Registration includes refreshments, lunches, conference dinner, car parking, book of abstracts etc. Bed and Breakfast accommodation will be at the University campus, with ensuite rooms at £46 per night. Please register before the 30th July 2010.

Please follow this link to register and upload your abstract.

Conference Best Poster Prize

You may now submit an abstract for the plenary poster session. Selected abstracts will be invited for a full paper publication at the RSC Environmental Chemistry Bulletin. A prize will be awarded to the ‘best poster’ by a research student at the meeting. Those eligible to enter must present a poster at the meeting and should normally be a current graduate student, or one who has recently graduated and is presenting work that was completed when they were still a student. The entrant must be the first author of the poster and have undertaken the majority of the work being presented.