Science | Environmental Science

Environmental Science applications of synchrotron light

Synchrotron based techniques have made a major impact in the field of environmental science in the last ten years. High resolution allows the study of ultra-dilute substances, the identification of species and the ability to track pollutants as they move through the environment. Diamond is playing an important role in monitoring and predicting the effects of human activities on local and global environments.  This knowledge will enable the development of strategies to reduce our overall environmental impact.

To discuss possible environmental science experiments at Diamond, please contact the relevant beamline scientist or Andy Dent.

Environmental Science Highlights

  • Towards efficient hydrogen storage
    09 Sep 2009
    Hydrogen is difficult to store or transport with current technology. Hydrogen gas has good energy density by weight, but poor energy density by volume compared to the hydrocarbons used currently to power Read more...
  • Green rust – a good guy!
    13 Sep 2008
    When you encounter rust of the brown variety it is, by all accounts, bad news. If your pride and joy car, favourite bike or most useful tools fall prey to rusting you lament their ageing and take steps Read more...
  • Does bonemeal have a role in removing metals from contaminated soil?
    13 Sep 2008
    Metals may be present in soils from a variety of sources such as former mining and industrial sites and can represent a potential hazard to humans and the environment if they are readily released into Read more...
  • Earthworms tackle environmental problems
    13 Sep 2008
    Earthworm populations are helping scientists to understand more about soil that is contaminated with metal, how metals can drive evolution and what affect they themselves have on potentially toxic elements Read more...
  • Environmental Science
    25 Feb 2008
    Metal oxyhydroxide nanoparticles form in many natural (e.g. rivers) and contaminated land environments. These mineral particles are an important part of the global iron cycle and, due to their high surface Read more...