Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollution Control (NRPOP) Laboratory |  |
 Research Expertise
| Institution Memorial University  Website Address Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science (S.J. Carew Building) Memorial University 240 Prince Phillip Drive St. John’s, NL Canada A1B 3X5 Contact Dr. Bing Chen Lidan Tao |
Brief Introduction The Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollution Control (NRPOP) Laboratory is funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the Industrial Research and Innovation Funds (IRIF) of Newfoundland and Labrador Government. It is a first of its kind in Canada hosting pioneering research on quantitative understanding of persistent and toxic organic pollution and their effects in harsh marine and freshwater environments and development of innovative engineering and managerial solutions by integrating environmental engineering with nano/biological technologies and risk-simulation-optimization methods. The lab is equipped with a multi-scale experimental system which can be used to support model development through simulating the transport processes of persistent organic pollutants and their degradation products, testing the effects of pollution control and remediation practices, and gathering data for driving and validating models. Its associated research aims to enhance the understanding of the pollution mechanisms and help governments and industries improve their practices for mitigation of the POPs-related pollution problems, leading to short-/long-term environmental, economic and social benefits. | |
Research Strengths and Interests
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Lab Facilities | ||
Advanced analytical instruments
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Biological and nanomaterial devices
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Physical simulation chambers/models
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Data/image processing tools and modeling software
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Faculty of engineering
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Major Equipment | ||
Equipment | Function | Image* |
Agilent 7890A - 5975C Gas Chromatograph Single Quadruple Mass Spectrometer System (GC-MS) | Analysis of volatile compounds in complex samples |  |
Agilent 8890 - 7000D Gas Chromatograph Triple Quadruple Mass Spectrometer/FID System (GC-FID/MS) | identify and quantify low-level analytes and unknown volatile components in complex samples |  |
SRI 8610V Gas Chromatograph System (GC-HID/ECD/TCD) | Analysis of volatile compounds in complex samples |  |
Agilent 1260 Infinity/6420A QQQ Triple Quadruple High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometer System (HPLC-MS) | Identify, quantify, and purify individual components from the mixture |   (Upcoming) |
Thermo Scientific iCE 3500 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) | Quantitatively determine chemical elements using the absorption of optical radiation by free atoms in the gaseous state |  |
Biotage Isolera One equipped with an Evaporative Light-Scattering Detector (Flash Chromatography) | Separation and purification of liquid analytes |  |
Spectro Scientific InfraCal 2 ATR-SP Oil in Water/Soil Analyzer (TPH) | Determine the sum of volatile petroleum hydrocarbons (VPH) and extractable petroleum hydrocarbons (EPH) |  |
Shimadzu TOC-L Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOC) | Measure the total amount of carbon in organic compounds in water/wastewater |  |
Thermo Scientific GENESYS 10S UV-Vis Spectrophotometer | Measure light absorbance across the ultraviolet and visible ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum |  |
Agilent Cary 60 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer | Measure light absorbance across the ultraviolet and visible ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum |  |
Horiba Scientific Fluorolog-QM 21 | Measure the fluorescence or light emitted by different fluorescing objects |  |
Thermo Scientific Savant SpeedVac SPD140DDA Vacuum Concentrator | Remove solvents and concentrate samples while maintain sample integrity |  (Upcoming) |
Biotage V-10 Touch | Dry samples dissolved in both aqueous and organic solvents |  (Upcoming) |
Thermo Scientific Dionex ASE 350 Accelerated Solvent Extractor System (ASE) | Extract compounds from solid and semi-solid samples quickly with small solvent volume |  |
Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 3D Digital PCR System (PCR Thermal Cycler) | Precise and highly sensitive detection and quantification of nucleic acids |  |
Modern Water Microtox Model 500 Analyzer | Detect toxic substances in water, air, soils, or sediments |  |
Labconco FreeZone 6 Liter Benchtop Freeze Dryer | Low temperaure dehydraion for materials |  |
Challenge Technology AER-208 Aerobic/Anaerobic Respirometer | Measure respiration rates of a living organism and investigate the factors affect respiration rates. |  |
SEQUOIA Scientific LISST-200X Particle Size Analyzer | Measure particle size and concentration in rivers, streams, ports, harbors, coasts, and oceans |  |
Malvern Nano ZS90 ZEN3690 Zetasizer | Measure the particle size and analyze particle mobility, charge (zeta potential), and the molecular weight of particles in solution |  |
Quesant Q Scope 250 Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) | Image matter at the nanoscale and is used to measure and localize adhesion strength, magnetic forces and mechanical properties |  |
BioTek Synergy H1M Multi-Mode Microplate Reader | Quantification of different biological and chemical assays in a microplate |  |
KRUSS DSA25S Drop Shape Analyzer (Equipped with Refrigerated/Heated Bath Circulator) | Determine the wettability of solids by the contact angle and surface tension of liquids |  |
WorldViz Custom VR Research Suite | Integrated virtual reality system for environmental pollution simulation and emergency response training and research |  (Upcoming) |
Hansatech Handy PEA+ Chlorophyll Fluorimeter | Detect the chlorophyll fluorescence emission from a sample. |  |
Soil Tank (3.6m L x 1.2m W x 1.8m H) | Physically simulate the transport and fate of oil and other pollutants in oil and groundwater; test diverse remediation technologies |  |
Wave Tank** (13.0m L x 2.3m W x 1.7m H) | Simulate marine oil spills and conduct mesoscale and pilot-scale tests on oil spill response technologies |  |
(* Photo credit: NRPOP lab) | ||