Research Projects

To date, the sources, chemical structures, and degradation mechanisms of metal-binding ligands are still not well understood, making it difficult to predict how they, effect trace/toxic metal cycling in natural/marine systems. Availability of minimal information on natural ligands characterization and their interactions with trace/toxic metals in the tropical estuarine systems motivate us to offer this research program. We propose to work on molecular characterization of natural ligands (from upstream to downstream) in tropical estuarine systems and carry out metal speciation to provide better understanding on their key role in metal biogeochemical cycling in estuarine environments. Molecular characterization of natural organic matter (SOM, DOM, and DOC) will be done by using UV-Vis spectrometer, IR-spectrometer, C13 NMR (payment basis). Chemical speciation of metals will be carried out by applying appropriate wellestablished methodologies/protocols. Knowledge of dynamic interactions between chemically characterized natural ligands and trace/toxic metals is not only essential to delineate fate of trace/toxic metals but also to understand different biogeochemical processes in estuarine ecosystems. The proposed research demands extensive field work, sample collection and sample processing. The objective of the work cannot be met without manpower, extensive sampling, chemical consumables and small equipment, as requested in the budget section. We have requested only minimum requirements (97.39560 Lakhs) for the proposed study.