|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Partner 4. IPREM (UMR 5254 CNRS-UPPA)
IPREM Institut des sciences analytiques et de Physico-chimie pouR l'Environnement et les Matériaux - LCABIE Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio-inorganique et Environnement has a strong expertise in analytical and environmental sciences.
This research unit has been pioneering the development of innovative methods of speciation analysis since now more than 2
decades with the objective of understanding biogeochemical cycles and environmental impacts of trace
elements and metals in the environment. Part of its work is based in laboratory experiments to better
characterize the molecular forms of trace elements and metals, the mechanisms of their transformations
and the relative contribution of biotic and abiotic processes. To improve the knowledge on the origin,
anthropogenic contribution of chemical forms of trace metals in the environment and, study the
environmental mechanisms of isotopic fractionation, analytical methods are also developed to determine
the isotopic composition of trace elements and metals "at the molecular level". LCABIE team lean on
various analytical means including electrochemistry and several equipments of mass spectrometry:
elemental (QICP-MS), molecular (ESI QTOF, ESI MS/MS, MALDI TOF MS) and isotopic (MC ICPMS).
The IPREM expertises also include collaborative investigations between biogeochemists and microbial
ecologists, on the role and impact of metal (Hg, Sn, Cr) and metalloids (Se, Te) on microbiota and in turn
the role of micro-organisms in the biotransformations of these elements. One of the main transversal
investigation axes concerns the "role of microorganisms on the ecodynamics of metal contaminants". The
multidisciplinary approaches developed within the IPREM are based either on field studies (mercury
biogeochemistry and microbial communities) and lab-scaled studies with research focused on pure strains
of micro-organisms and the study of the metabolic pathways for mercury methylation. Participants have a
strong expertise both in the development of analytical methods as well as a very large experience in field
monitoring or reactivity studies on metallic compounds in the environment.