Arthur Gourain

The PhD project I am currently doing in the Ocean, Earth and Ecological Science department at the University of Liverpool is focusing on the speciation of copper at the estuarine interfaces. Copper is an essential micronutrient for the biology. It is involved in several protein structures as Iron transport but it could be toxic. Copper toxicity and bioavailability is a function of its concentration and its speciation. That is why understanding the speciation is essential to understanding the key role of copper in the ecosystem.

I will determine the speciation of copper using electrochemistry techniques including the Gold Microwire Electrode. This electrode was developed at Liverpool opening new perspectives in metal determination. Another topic of my project will be the interaction between Iron and Copper and implication for biomass.