Offer Description
Metals’ Fate During Extreme Floods
Mobilization of metals in contaminated wetlands under climate forcing, by coupling multi-tracer isotopic system and spectroscopic speciation
Background
Demographic growth, the energy transition and the increase in living standards result in an exponential increase in the quantities of metals extracted, while technological developments lead to a diversification of the metals necessary for industrial development, causing an unprecedented increase in releases of metals in the environment. Metals are considered toxic (e.g., Cd, Pb) or as micronutrients (e.g., Cu, Zn), but increasing their concentrations beyond certain thresholds degrades the quality of ecosystems and threatens human and animal health (concept “One Health”) in contaminated areas.
Climate models predict that the frequency, intensity and number of short-term extreme precipitation events and flood variability will increase as the global climate changes. This state of affairs no longer makes it possible to precisely constrain the fate and source-sink balance of metals in the Earth critical zone (ECZ) and consequently, the overall contributions of the continent to the oceans. In the ECZ, soils are metal sinks, especially wetlands. Their hydrological cycle (high water/low water) favors the formation of chemical gradients and biogeochemical processes controlling the metal cycle. Extreme floods are characterized by water levels and flows significantly higher than the oscillatory levels observed over time. The source-sink balance of metals in wetlands is then unbalanced, increasing the metals exported in very short periods of time (“flash pollution”) and in partially known physicochemical forms, possibly toxic and in quantities and concentrations that we have to estimate.
Keywords
- Climate changes
- Soil biogeochemistry
- Metal contamination
- Isotopic systems
- Solid spectroscopy
- Iron and carbon cycles
- Redox gradient
Objectives
During extreme rains in contaminated wetlands
- Identifying the biogeochemical processes responsible of the metal remobilization (focus on organic matter and Fe speciation)
- Using antagonistic isotopic behavior to decipher the remobilization of metals from various anthropogenic sources and their subsequent interactions with soil components.
Methods
The subject will include
- Laboratory experiments to mimic observed conditions to work under controlled conditions and identify metal remobilization processes. The basic tools of geochemistry and mineralogy will be coupled with isotopic geochemistry, speciation at the molecular scale (spectroscopic techniques at Synchrotron facility and Mossbauer spectroscopy) and microbiology.
- Field campaign for collecting samples from contaminated wetlands and leading laboratory experiments.
- Analytical platforms: Elemental geochemistry, Controlled cultures, soil/bacteria/plants (https://lpg-umr6112.fr/plateformes-angersnantes/), and GEOBIOSE platform (https://ccem.ifremer.fr/Actualites/Plateforme-GEOBIOSE)
Supervision: Gildas Ratié (gildas.ratie@univ-nantes.fr)
Collaborators: Daniel F. Araújo (IFREMER), Diego Baragaño (CSIC), Veronika Veselská (CATRIN).
Where to apply
E-mail: postdoc-lpg-geochemistry@emploi.beetween.com
Requirements
- Research Field: Environmental science » Earth science
- Education Level: PhD or equivalent
- Research Field: Environmental science » Water science
- Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
The candidate will have a PhD degree or Postdoc experience in Environmental Isotope Geochemistry. He/she will have knowledge of metal (geo)chemistry, meaning of experimental analysis (ICP AES, ICP MS), work in precision laboratories in a controlled environment (clean lab), interest for spectroscopy techniques (XAS, Mossbauer). Experience in microbiological experiment would be a great asset. Good English language skills are expected in order to ensure exchanges with foreign partners, to ensure bibliographic monitoring as well as for the promotion of scientific results (conference and article writing).LanguagesENGLISHLevelGoodLanguagesFRENCHLevelGoodResearch FieldEnvironmental science » Earth scienceYears of Research Experience1 – 4Research FieldEnvironmental science » Water scienceYears of Research Experience1 – 4
Additional Information
Benefits
- An unprecedented model in France combining a university, a university hospital (CHU de Nantes), a technological research institute (IRT Jules Verne), a national research organization (Inserm) and the Grandes Écoles (Centrale Nantes, École des Beaux-arts Nantes Saint-Nazaire, Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Nantes)
- Commitment to professional equality, diversity and inclusion and addressing gender-based and sexual violence
- Membership in the EUniWell European Alliance committed to wellness
- Certified HR Excellence in Research since 2022 as part of the HRS4R strategy
- Transport subscription up to 75 % supported
- Sustainable mobility package, in line with the institution’s commitment to sustainable development
- Access to university restaurants with a preferential rate
- Access to sports, university libraries and other activities on campus
Selection process
Please send a CV, a description of research interests, a publication list, and email addresses of 2-3 referees as a single PDF file- to postdoc-lpg-geochemistry@emploi.beetween.com
- Deadline for receipt of applications: 07 April 2025
- Date of the selection committee / recruitment commission : 14 April 2025
- Desired start date: 01 June 2025
- Terms of application and communication with the candidate :
- Application link : postdoc-lpg-geochemistry@emploi.beetween.com
- Link to the Nantes Université job offers page : https://www.univ-nantes.fr/universite/recrutement/recrutement-personnels-enseignants-et-recherche
- Website of the research unit : https://lpg-umr6112.fr/
