Applied-RadioIsotope & Environmental Laboratory (ARIEL)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Surrey
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
The primary objective of the project is to provide the United Kingdom with a unique, world-class research & training radioisotope infrastructure for environmental science. The general technique of radiolabelling involves labelling a molecule with radioactive atoms to follow the fate of that molecule within a specific cell, a particular tissue, an entire organism, or even an ecosystem (e.g. using mesocosms). Current use of radiotracer techniques in medicinal sciences has reduced the price of ultra-sensitive analytical equipment and made them accessible to other areas of knowledge such as biogeochemistry, ecotoxicology, environmental engineering as well as food security. It is important to note that radiolabelling approaches always uses very low doses of radiation so that the labelled molecules never pose any threat to the organisms under investigation or to the experimenter. Nevertheless, the envision facility is designed so that radioisotopes are never released into the environment.
The project consists of setting up an Applied Radioisotope & Environmental Laboratory (ARIEL) for the safe handling of radioisotopes and their use as radiolabels in various type of samples such as sediments, soils, water, and organisms exposed to very low levels of radiations in environmentally realistic experimental settings. The laboratory will include (i) an experimental bench for organism exposures to radiotracers; (ii) a working space for syntheses of labelled molecules, sample preparations as well as space for chromatographic separation and cryo-microtomy; (iii) a dark analytical room with various radioisotope detectors (alpha, beta and gamma radiation) to perform the Quantitative Whole-body Autoradiography.
We are proposing the expansion and refurbishing of the radiochemistry laboratory in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Surrey on a modest surface of no more than 30 m2. Currently, our radiotracer working group has only the exclusive use of a very small laboratory (ca. 12 m2) where we cannot house the NX 70 cryomicrotome (recently funded by CAMS # 600310/10 fellowship - Tracking Nanoplastic in Biological Tissue awarded to the present PI) and other equipment already in our possession (i.e. dedicated Glove box, in vivo gamma counter, liquid scintillation counter). This space could not house the necessary equipment for the long-term development of the radiotracer laboratory herein proposed.
To complete the laboratory, we are proposing to acquire new equipment including an oxidizer, a liquid gamma counter, a super low-level liquid scintillation counter and a phosphor imager with lead shielding boxes.
ARIEL will offer a unique opportunity world-wide to train highly qualified personnel via the Bachelor, master and doctoral programs in radiochemistry at the University of Surrey. The research that will be generated by the laboratory will be key in terms of acquiring new knowledge on the behaviour of aquatic species and ecosystems in the face of environmental stressors (e.g. toxic inputs and environmental change). As such, the project proposed aligns with the university strategic research theme of sustainability. The priority of the laboratory is to provide a full characterisation of the fate of plastic particles and other hazardous emerging contaminants in environmental matrices. The laboratory will provide a state-of-the-art facility for the next generation of ecotoxicology and environmental studies.
The project consists of setting up an Applied Radioisotope & Environmental Laboratory (ARIEL) for the safe handling of radioisotopes and their use as radiolabels in various type of samples such as sediments, soils, water, and organisms exposed to very low levels of radiations in environmentally realistic experimental settings. The laboratory will include (i) an experimental bench for organism exposures to radiotracers; (ii) a working space for syntheses of labelled molecules, sample preparations as well as space for chromatographic separation and cryo-microtomy; (iii) a dark analytical room with various radioisotope detectors (alpha, beta and gamma radiation) to perform the Quantitative Whole-body Autoradiography.
We are proposing the expansion and refurbishing of the radiochemistry laboratory in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Surrey on a modest surface of no more than 30 m2. Currently, our radiotracer working group has only the exclusive use of a very small laboratory (ca. 12 m2) where we cannot house the NX 70 cryomicrotome (recently funded by CAMS # 600310/10 fellowship - Tracking Nanoplastic in Biological Tissue awarded to the present PI) and other equipment already in our possession (i.e. dedicated Glove box, in vivo gamma counter, liquid scintillation counter). This space could not house the necessary equipment for the long-term development of the radiotracer laboratory herein proposed.
To complete the laboratory, we are proposing to acquire new equipment including an oxidizer, a liquid gamma counter, a super low-level liquid scintillation counter and a phosphor imager with lead shielding boxes.
ARIEL will offer a unique opportunity world-wide to train highly qualified personnel via the Bachelor, master and doctoral programs in radiochemistry at the University of Surrey. The research that will be generated by the laboratory will be key in terms of acquiring new knowledge on the behaviour of aquatic species and ecosystems in the face of environmental stressors (e.g. toxic inputs and environmental change). As such, the project proposed aligns with the university strategic research theme of sustainability. The priority of the laboratory is to provide a full characterisation of the fate of plastic particles and other hazardous emerging contaminants in environmental matrices. The laboratory will provide a state-of-the-art facility for the next generation of ecotoxicology and environmental studies.
Publications
Costa C
(2022)
Exploring New Methods to Study and Moderate Proton Beam Damage for Multimodal Imaging on a Single Tissue Section.
in Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry
Raymond J
(2024)
Sub-100 nm nanoplastics: potent carriers of tributyltin in marine water
in Environmental Science: Nano
Description | Many findings have been enable with this new facility. We have been able to demonstrate that nanoplastics below 100 nm behave differently due to their small size and increase of surface area providing more opportunity for interaction. We also have preliminary results showing that 20 nm plastics are uptake by crops up to pollen of flower. currently we are analysing the uptake in bee and see the potential impact on them. |
Exploitation Route | this award is provide a facility where radionuclide can be use for tracing purposing either for emerging contaminant or any other radioisotope occurring into the environment. This will unlock a lot of finding about understand the fate and behaviour of toxicant into the environment. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Communities and Social Services/Policy Education Environment Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | Characterisation and Quantification of 14C-nanoplastics in biological tissue at super low level |
Amount | £20,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RGS\R2\202231 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2020 |
End | 09/2021 |
Description | Computational Investigation into the Origin and Effects of Micro- and Nano- Plastics in the Food Chain |
Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Surrey |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2022 |
End | 12/2025 |
Description | Tracking nanoplastic particles in biological tissue |
Amount | £30,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 600310/10 |
Organisation | Community of analytical measurement sciences |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2020 |
End | 12/2024 |
Description | Tracking plastic particles and co-contaminants in biological tissues |
Amount | £115,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Surrey |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2021 |
End | 12/2024 |
Description | UNSEEN: Are unseen plastic particles in the global ocean already beyond the "no-effect" concentrations? |
Amount | £80,865 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/X012891/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2023 |
End | 07/2024 |
Title | radiolabelling of different shape and composition of plastic particles and co-contaminants to track them in environmental matrices at predicted concentration |
Description | We are developping synthesis of micro- and nanopalstics such as polystyrene or polyethylene with radioisotope to use techniques which have high sensitivity to measure radioactivity at environmental concentration. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | We developped radiosynthesis to be able to track and quantify plastic at the lowest level never done before. The method is currently in development and the preliminary data are promising. |
Description | CRYOPLAST - Unravelling the fate and effects of MPs in the polar Environment: a multidisciplinary and multiscale approach. |
Organisation | University of Southampton |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | CRYOPLAST investigates the impact of microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) in the Surface Micro-Layer (SML) of polar environments on ice formation processes. The study aims to understand the intricate relationship between globally prevalent MPs and early ice formation through comprehensive experimental and observational analyses. The overarching goal is to assess the specific mechanisms by which MPs influence ice formation at nano, micro, and macro scales, providing valuable insights into the potential impacts of this widespread marine contaminant on sea-ice formation and stability in polar regions. We propose to simulate cold environment processes by coupling modelling approaches anchored into data through mesocosm experiments and radiolabelling. CRYOPLAST aims to determine if MPs significantly impact ice nucleation and growth processes in the surface SML, a vital component of key biogeochemical processes, including ice formation and gas exchange in polar environments. This project bridges Analytical Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Modelling, and Oceanography. Utilizing a unique interdisciplinary approach, it employs innovative analytical chemistry and environmental research alongside state-of-the-art multiscale molecular modelling to offer novel insights and predictive capacity into pressing issues at the intersection of these fields. |
Collaborator Contribution | Marco Sacchi is modelling the impact of NP on ice formation. Andrew Cundy is providing facility to be able to work in cold marine environment Myself, provide support on radiolabelling of plastic particles. |
Impact | We are awaiting answers from NERC about a proposal submitted on Jan 2024. There is a manuscript in preparation about modelling and size effect of nanoplastics on the nucleation of ice with our PhD student Adam Pestana Motala. We are also planning to have PhD studentship from DTP NERC programs to be submitted October (2024) |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | Computational Investigation into the Origin and Effects of Micro- and Nano- Plastics in the Food Chain |
Organisation | Francis Crick Institute |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | A PhD will lwork on the 3D modelling of quantitative autoradiography. The student will have the support of Francis criks institute to build his 3D modelling. |
Collaborator Contribution | They will support the student for developping the modelling and offer to use their facility |
Impact | PhDstuentship. this collaboration will gather chemist and computer scientist to be able to develop the 3D modelling |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Quantification of 14C-nanoplastic in biological tissue |
Organisation | ETH Zurich |
Country | Switzerland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We perform bioaccumulation experiments with 14C-nanoplastics. We perform the exposure and prepare all the samples for ETH |
Collaborator Contribution | ETH give us free time on the accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) and a Postdoc who is preparing and doing the analysis for us |
Impact | We are preparing a manuscript for developing a new analytical method to quantify 14C-labelled plastic at super low levels (the lowest level never done before). |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Quantification of 14CNanoplastics in biological tissues using the accelerator mass spectrometry |
Organisation | ETH Zurich |
Department | Department of Physics |
Country | Switzerland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We developped a reproducible sample preparation for the measurement of 14C by combustion AMS. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborators in ETH did all the analysis and performed the quantification of our samples. |
Impact | We succesfully quantify for the first the toxicokinetics of nanoplastic in mussels exposed to 100 ppt of NPs. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Translocation of nanoplastics from soil to crops impairs pollen viability and poses risk to pollinators |
Organisation | University of Siena |
Country | Italy |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We welcomed all students from Siena to perform their 14C analysis in ARIEL. |
Collaborator Contribution | They supplied the 14C for their exposure experiment and conducted the exposure of zucchini and bees. |
Impact | Following our initial results, we are preparing a manuscript for submission to a high-impact journal. It should be ready for submission by the end of August 2023. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Upatke of 14C-nanoplastic in mussels at super low levels |
Organisation | Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Sample preparation and measurement of 14C by accelearator mass spectrometer with ETH |
Collaborator Contribution | Perform exposure of mussel at super low level of 14C-nanoplastics and perform 14C analysis by conventional nuclear method for comparison with the AMS |
Impact | They will be part of the manuscript that we are laning to produce with ETH about 14C measurement in biological tissues |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Upatke of 14C-nanoplastic in nectar to assess bee exposure |
Organisation | University of Siena |
Country | Italy |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | WE are producing the 14C-nanoplastics and measuring the total content of 14C-nanoplastics |
Collaborator Contribution | They are performing the growth of the zuchini and the exposition of the plants. They have a master student working on the project. |
Impact | We are producing some data for a manuscript about the uptake of 14C-nanopolystyrene in zuchini and how they transfer into the nectar. this invovle a biologist of plants, an ecotoxicologist and us as chemist. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Are Nanoplastics in the Global Ocean Already Beyond the "No-Effect" Concentrations? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A community of scientists from around the globe, representing academia, industry, government, and NGOs will assemble to present and discuss cutting edge, unpublished research with other experts in the field. In appreciation of the multi-disciplinary nature of this growing field, the program includes a comprehensive vision of critical and emerging research areas. This conference will encompass nanotechnology research advances across the field of agricultural science, inclusive of food science, plants / soil, animal science, human health and disease, and address safe deployment of nanotechnology in these areas with a view to public perception and policy. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.grc.org/nanoscale-science-and-engineering-for-agriculture-and-food-systems-conference/20... |
Description | International Woman day - When did I become a researcher? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | 50 students attended for the international woman day to the research organisation, which sparked questions and discussion afterwards, and the university reported increased interest in related to the challenges of being a women in STEM. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | WWEM - Water, wastewater & Environmental monitoring conference - Water Analysis Conference - Inited speaker: Tracking plastic particles by labelling the carbon back bone using radioisotopes |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The conference was done online on 1 day with 3 session including COVID, Microplastics, PFAs. Maya Al-Sid-Cheikh was one of the four expert in microplastics. Collaborative conference hosted by the University of Porstmouth with industries and key research and government stakeholders on sustainable environmental management within future policy and regulations. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.ilmexhibitions.com/wwem/conference-programme-2021/ |
Description | school Visit (Royal Grammar School of Guildford) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | I have been invited by the school to present my research on the theme of "revolution." I presented my pioneering work on the use of radioisotopes to decipher the uptake and accumulation of nanoplastics in organisms. This has sparked a lot of questions and interesting thoughts from the pupils. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |