Bachelor / Master Thesis on Biochar adsorbents for urban pollutant removal

This thesis is a part of the UFZ PhD College CLEANER, aimed on developing multifunctional blue-green technologies for protecting water quality in urban water reuse and stormwater management systems. Among those, tree trench biofilters have untapped potential to reduce pollutants in road runoff. Runoff is characterized by highly variable quantities and chemical loads that may overwhelm microbial transformation and lead to contaminant transfer to the subsurface. Augmenting biofilter systems with biochar may allow for fast transitory retention of contaminants in high load periods and continuous slow release for long-term biodegradation. However, the role of physicochemical biochar properties for efficient transitory adsorption and slow pollutant desorption for subsequent biodegradation is still poorly studied.

In this thesis project, you will perform column experiments to investigate the adsorption and desorption behavior of urban runoff contaminants with various biochars. Then, you will validate transport models using the experimental data and apply these models to make predictions for performance in real-world scenarios.

The position is expected to last for six months, and can be combined with an extra internship. Supervision will take place on-site in Leipzig., The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) with its 1,100 employees has gained an excellent reputation as an international competence centre for environmental sciences. We are part of the largest scientific organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz association. Our mission: Our research seeks to find a balance between social development and the long-term protection of our natural resources.

Ihre Aufgaben

This thesis is a part of the UFZ PhD College CLEANER, aimed on developing multifunctional blue-green technologies for protecting water quality in urban water reuse and stormwater management systems. Among those, tree trench biofilters have untapped potential to reduce pollutants in road runoff. Runoff is characterized by highly variable quantities and chemical loads that may overwhelm microbial transformation and lead to contaminant transfer to the subsurface. Augmenting biofilter systems with biochar may allow for fast transitory retention of contaminants in high load periods and continuous slow release for long-term biodegradation. However, the role of physicochemical biochar properties for efficient transitory adsorption and slow pollutant desorption for subsequent biodegradation is still poorly studied.

In this thesis project, you will perform column experiments to investigate the adsorption and desorption behavior of urban runoff contaminants with various biochars. Then, you will validate transport models using the experimental data and apply these models to make predictions for performance in real-world scenarios.

The position is expected to last for six months, and can be combined with an extra internship. Supervision will take place on-site in Leipzig.

Your tasks

• Set-up and conduct sampling for column experiments in the lab

• Analysis of urban runoff contaminants by LC-MS

• Validation and prediction with open-source transport models (FAST model, AdDesignS model)

• Data analysis and interpretation

Ihr Profil

• Studies in Chemistry, Environmental Sciences or related majors

• Previous hands-on experiences in the lab

• Knowledge about biochar and column experiments is an advantage

• Highly motivated and able to work independently

• Proficiency in English

Wir bieten Ihnen

• Exciting insights into the work of a leading research institute

• Excellent supervision that supports your personal and professional development

• The chance to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a wide range of perspectives

• The opportunity to contribute and actively shape your own ideas and impulses right from the start

• A topic with high chances of future scientific outcome (e.g., publications)

Kontakt

Xiangyu Ji (xiangyu.ji@ufz.de)