Faculty Profile
James Cizdziel
Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Phone Number: (662)915-1814
Email: cizdziel@olemiss.edu
http://chemistry.olemiss.edu/james-cizdziel-2/
Key Words: Analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, forensic chemistry, biogeochemical cycling of mercury, environmental radioactivity, environmental monitoring and fingerprinting, analytical method development.
Research Description: My research interests are in the area of analytical, environmental, and forensic chemistry. I am particularly interested in environmental monitoring and fingerprinting using isotope based methods. What counts in science is novelty. To that end, we enjoy developing new measurement techniques or applying standard techniques in novel ways. Listed below are some examples of the type of research that you may pursue if you were to join my group. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss these and other research possibilities with you. Trace Elemental Analysis. I am interested in studying the behavior of trace elements (both stable and radioactive) in the environment. This sometimes involves developing novel analytical methods for measurement of the element or forms of the element (speciation). Mercury. Mercury (Hg) has probably the most complex biogeochemical cycle among the elements. Because of its tendency to bioconcentrate in food chains in the form of methyl-Hg and cause detrimental human health and ecological effects, it continues to be a hot button issue and a priority pollutant. Indeed, Hg is responsible for the most fish consumption advisories in the nation due to elevated Hg levels in fish flesh. This includes reservoirs in northern Mississippi nearby our campus. The studies often include a combination of method development and field experiments that serve to provide much needed quality data to address current hype on an issue or to increase understanding of natural phenomena. My experience and expertise in environmental and analytical chemistry offers opportunities for students to apply chemical principles to understand environmental problems, the first crucial step in solving them. ICP-MS Facility. We are fortunate to have a new state-of-the-art ICP-MS facility housed in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. ICP-MS is a sensitive multi-element technique which provides a powerful analytical tool for trace elemental and isotope analysis. It is used in a wide-variety of environmental, biological, medical, forensic, geological and archaelogical studies.
Honors Theses:
Lofaso, Megan (2021) Determination of Metals in Whey and Vegan Protein Supplements using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (full text)
Missling, Klara (2021) Microplastic Pollution: Analytical Method Development and Current Policy (full text)
Goza, Shelby (2021) Determination of Metals and Microplastics in Sediment from Oyster Reefs in the Mississippi Sound (full text)
Ball, Parker (2019) Development of a DART-Mass Spectral Database for 3D-Printed Firearm Polymers, and Airborne Mercury at Three Lakes in North Mississippi (full text)
Feng, Ruiqi (2015) Development of Methods for Determining Dry Deposition of Mercury Using an Ion-exchange membrane: Relative Rates of Mercury Dry Deposition at Sardis, Enid, and Grenada Lakes. (full text)
Sessums, Ryan (2015) Effect of Biochar and Activated Carbon Amendments on Gaseous Mercury Emissions of Soil and Mercury Methylation Rates in Sediment. (full text)
Wolff, Stacy (2014) Mercury in Fish in North Mississippi Reservoirs: Statistical Analysis and Risk Assessment. (full text)
Dempsey, Sara Kathleen (2013) "Evaluation of Homing Pigeons (Columbia Livia) as Biomonitors of Airborne Metal Pollution and Horseweed (Conyza Canadensis) for Bioremediation of Radiocesium"
Available Research Projects:
Development and application of passive air samplers for gaseous mercury
Project Description: Mercury (Hg) is a persistent and toxic pollutant transported globally through the atmosphere. Airborne Hg stems from both natural and anthropogenic sources, and anthropogenic emissions, particularly the burning of fossil fuels lead to an increase in Hg in the biosphere. This increase is a worldwide environmental concern because airborne Hg deposits to terrestrial and aquatic systems where it can be transformed to methylmercury; a neurotoxin that accumulates in biological tissues and concentrates up food-chains to certain levels that can be toxic to wildlife and humans. Thus, measuring Hg in the atmosphere is important to support models that help understanding of Hg deposition, sources, cycling and spatial and temporal trends in airborne Hg concentration. Furthermore, air measurements are essential for measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of the recent Minamata Convention, a global regulatory mechanism to decrease environmental Hg loadings. In this project, the student will be developing an inexpensive passive air sampler to measure gaseous Hg in the atmosphere. The student will validate the analytical method and then apply the technique to measure airborne Hg near a coal-fired power plant and at Sardis, Enid and Grenada Lakes. I encourage interested students to come visit my laboratory and learn more about the project. You may also wish to check out the website on the newly enacted Minamata Convention on Mercury which went into effect 16 August 2017.
Desired Student Qualifications: Ideally the student should have taken courses in analytical chemistry (quantitative analysis) and possibly instrumental analysis.
Project Timeline: Sept 2017 - April 2018
Duties of Student Researcher: The student will carry out research as directed by myself and my graduate students. He/she will meet with me weekly, participate in group meetings, and write-up results as they are generated.
Last Updated on 2017-09-23 08:19:44