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Description
Our research group applies organic analytical chemistry to the understanding
of environmental problems. Most of our work uses mass spectrometry for the
analysis of trace levels of potentially toxic environmental pollutants. We
are looking for one or two post-doctoral associates to work on one or more
of the following projects:
Global Scale Transport of Halogenated Compounds. Halogenated organic
compounds move through the atmosphere to remote regions of the globe. Our
work has focused on semi-volatile organics such as polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs), pesticides, and dibenzo-p-dioxins. In collaboration with several
Canadian groups, we are making a long-term set of atmospheric measurements
of the concentrations of these compounds near the shores of the Great Lakes.
>From these data, we will be able to deduce long-term rates of change in the
absolute concentrations and atmospheric residence times.
Reactions of Pollutants with the Hydroxyl Radical. In order to determine
the atmospheric fates of various semi-volatile organic compounds, we are
determining gas-phase, second order rate constants for their reactions with
the hydroxyl radical (OH). In this way, we can estimate residence times due
to these atmospheric removal pathways. In the future, we plan to study the
kinetics and the primary and secondary products of OH reactions with various
biogenic olefins.
Polybrominated flame-retardants. The use of these compounds is widespread
and completely unregulated in the United Sates. Perhaps not surprisingly,
the concentrations of these compounds are increasing in humans with a
doubling time of about 5 years. In collaboration with some colleagues in
the IU Medical School, we are measuring, over a 3-4 year period, the
concentrations of these compounds in umbilical cord blood of newborn
infants. We are also studying PBDE concentrations in fishes and sediment
from the Great Lakes.
Starting times are flexible. If you are interested, please just send a
message to me, and I will answer your questions.
Ron Hites