Description du poste

As French Geological Survey, BRGM is France's reference public institution for Earth Science applications in the management of surface and subsurface resources and risks (www.brgm.fr). Its actions encompass research, support to public policies, international cooperation and post mining activities.

BRGM recruits, in the Eau, Environnement et Ecotechnonogies Division, a post-doctoral researcher (F/M), for a total duration of 12 months.
The position is based in Orléans, France, and to be filled early March 2015.

Context
The efficiency of nano-sized metal particles (NPs, e.g. Zero Valent Iron, nZVI) to dechlorinate chlorinated hydrocarbons, proven at laboratory scale, results from very high reactivity of the nanoparticles. For application at field scale, this reactivity must be combined with sufficient mobility to reach contaminants located meters away from the injection point. Succeeding in increasing mobility while preserving reactivity (optimized use) is a major scientific and technological challenge.To tackle this challenge, the properties of the NPs or/and of the aquifer material must be modified. Various types of coatings can modify the NPs properties and help increasing mobility, while aquifer modifiers can be used to act on the porous medium through which the NPs must migrate. Another component of aquifer systems can also play a role on NPs mobility and reactivity: biofilms.
Fundings
Carnot Institutes Program (http://www.instituts-carnot.eu/en) and European FP7 project NanoRem 2013-2017 (Taking Nanotechnological Remediation Processes from Lab Scale to End User Applications for the Restoration of a Clean Environment; 26 academia and industries from 11 EU countries; http://www.nanorem.eu/).

Research Approach
- Mechanistic approach: well characterized sand, NPs (e.g. nZVI, nano carbo-iron), aqueous phase and contaminants (e.g. TCE) will be used in 1- and 2-D columns experiments investigating first transport alone, then transport and reactivity. The effect of the NPs formulation and aquifer modifiers will be quantified. Optimization of the experimental devices will be required to improve reliability and repeatability. Various physico-chemical parameters will be monitored in the fluid and solid phases. The experiments will be conducted in collaboration with other researchers focusing on biofilms in the columns. Modeling will possibly be carried out by project partners with a minimum involvement of the post-doc.
- Holistic approach: scientific exchanges with Brgm and nanorem teams working on upscaling at field scale, biofilms radiolabeled NPs, and modeling.
- Expected results dissemination: 2 peer-reviewed papers are expected, as well as participation to 1 international conference and regular exchanges with NanoRem partners.

Experimental and Analytical facilities: 1- and 2-D columns, injection and auto-sampling equipments, nanoparticle tracking tools, GPC, TOC, ICP-AES, ICP-MS, AAS, SEM, biofilm characterization.