(Dr. S. Stoll)

The fate and transport of contaminants in ecosystems, such as trace metal elements and pesticides, introduced by rivers or by atmospheric inputs in waters by human activities, needs to be understood to evaluate their long-term impacts as well as their influences and effects on biota. With industrialization, their fluxes in aquatic systems and accumulation in soils and sediments have continuously increased in the past decades. Our research activities are dealing with the characterization and the understanding of the physico-chemical processes which are controlling pollutants circulation, including nanoparticles, as well as the behaviour of the suspended material (colloids) in aquatic systems. We are also investigating the physical and chemical processes involved in water treatment in particular for the rational use of polymeric flocculants.

Some Important physico-chemical processes in aquatic systems.

The group members are giving courses and practical labs on environmental chemical processes, chemistry of aquatic systems, atmosphere chemistry, water analysis and on the importance of colloids and polymers in the environment. Teaching is given at the Faculty of Sciences within the framework of the Master Universitaire of Environmental Sciences. Students are welcome for training and research courses.

Water sampling in the Swiss Alpen (Cadagno Lake) for chemical analysis.