OceanExpert ID : 71900
Dr. Pedro Aboim DE BRITO
Researcher
DMRM
Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, I. P.
Rua C – Aeroporto de Lisboa
1749-077 Lisboa
Portugal
Nationality
Portugal
Email(s)
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Telephone
+351 213027101
ORCID :
0000-0002-2248-4240
PhD Marine Sciences
Research
Chemical Oceanography
Deepsea
Pollution
1. Estuarine/Coastal Sampling Campaigns
- Site Selection: Identification of sampling locations based on specific environmental variables or the presence of known pollutants.
- Field Equipment Setup: Use specialized tools such as water samplers (e.g., Niskin bottles), sediment corers, and nets for biological sampling.
- Water Sampling: Collection of surface and subsurface water to analyse contaminants like heavy metals, microplastics, or nutrients.
- Sediment Sampling: Using sediment cores to extract bottom layers for chemical and biological evaluation.
- Biological Sampling: Collection of bioindicator species (e.g., fish, shellfish, algae) that accumulate hazardous substances, allowing assessment of ecological health.
- Data Logging: Recording environmental parameters like water temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen levels in situ.
2. Sample Processing
- Filtration and Preservation: Water samples may be filtered to separate suspended particles and preserved using acids or refrigeration for later chemical analysis.
- Homogenization: Sediment samples are mixed to ensure uniformity before analysis, and larger biological samples are prepared (e.g., dissected, frozen).
- Drying and Sieving: Sediment samples are often dried and sieved to separate particles by size, allowing for targeted chemical tests.
- Biomass Preparation: Tissues from bioindicator species are extracted and prepared for analysis of contaminant levels (e.g., heavy metals or persistent organic pollutants).
- Labeling and Storage: Proper labeling, documentation, and storage of all processed samples to maintain traceability and integrity for future laboratory testing.
3. Chemical Analysis
- Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Highly sensitive for detecting trace elements, including rare earth elements and heavy metals.
- Quality Control: Regular use of blanks, duplicates, and calibration standards to ensure the accuracy and precision of measurements.
North Atlantic Ocean
Strait of Gibraltar
Drawing on my background in biotechnology and marine biology, along with more than 20 years of experience in analytical chemistry, I have a strong interest in the biogeochemistry of emerging contaminants in estuarine and coastal ecosystems, with a focus on their origins, toxicity, and environmental pathways.
English
Portuguese
