School of Earth and Environment
Untitled Document

Robert Whittleston Robert Whittleston

Postgraduate Student

Telephone number: +44(0) 113 34 35605
Email address: R.A.Whittleston@leeds.ac.uk
Room: 10.128

Qualifications

  • 2005 - 2008 BSc (hons) Earth System Science, University of Leeds

Research Interests

My research interests surround the complex geomicrobiological interactions occurring within the subsurface that directly or indirectly affect contaminant transport. I am particularly interested in the fate and stability of contaminants in extreme environments e.g. high pH, including the ability of novel microorganisms to transform minerals capable of hosting contaminants (e.g. Cr) in-situ. The biogeochemical complexity of subsurface environments means that a multidisciplinary approach to investigation is essential, requiring a wide range of geochemical and microbiological analytical techniques.

Teaching Interests

Demonstrating:

  • First year undergraduate residential fieldtrip to Blencathra
  • First year undergraduate Geochemistry module - tutorials and laboratory practicals.
  • Second year undergraduate residential fieldtrip to Blencathra
  • Third year undergraduate and masters module ESS Biogeochemical Cycles Stella modelling practical

Teaching:

  • TA 2010 Saudi Aramco Leadership and Management Summer School

Project details

Project title

Bioremediation of chromate in alkaline sediment-water systems

Supervisors

I. Burke, R. Mortimer and D. Stewart

Funding

John Henry Garner Endowed Scholarship (University of Leeds), School of Earth and Environment top-up bursary (University of Leeds)

Start date

October 2008

Project outline

This project investigates the globally widespread problem of Cr(VI) contamination resulting from poorly controlled landfilling of Chromite Ore Processing Residue (COPR). Traditional chromium extraction processes involved roasting its ore, chromite, in the presence of an alkali carbonate to oxidise Cr(III) to Cr(VI) which due to its increased solubility could then be extracted with water. This processes is notoriously inefficient and resulted in large volumes of high pH wastes containing significant quantities of residual Cr(VI) often being disposed of in and around urban areas with little regard to the local environment.

Cr(VI) exists as the highly toxic, carcinogenic and mobile anion chromate (CrO42-), and therefore poses significant threat to the surrounding environment especially where contamination of aquifers or direct human interaction is likely. This project looks in detail at a site in the north of England where hyperalkaline (pH >12) Cr(VI) contaminated water has been leaching from a COPR tip into the surrounding environment for over 100 years.

A multidisciplinary approach is used to provide a detailed understanding of the processes effecting Cr(VI) fate upon interaction with the soils beneath the tip. Emphasis is placed on biogeochemical influences occurring at this interface zone, and the importance they play on contaminant behaviour.

Publications

  • Burke, IT; Mortimer, RJG; Palani, S; Whittleston, RA; Lockwood, CL; Ashley, DJ; Stewart, DI. Biogeochemical reduction processes in a hyper-alkaline affected leachate soil profile. Geomicrobiology Journal (In press).
  • Whittleston, RA; Stewart, DI; Mortimer, RJG; Tilt, ZC; Brown, AP; Geraki, K; Burke, IT. Chromate reduction in Fe(II)-containing soil affected by hyperalkaline leachate from chromite ore processing residue. Journal of Hazardous Materials, (2011), doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.07.067
  • Whittleston, RA; Stewart, D; Mortimer, R; Ashley, D; Burke, I Effect of Microbially Induced Anoxia on Cr(VI) Mobility at a Site Contaminated with Hyperalkaline Residue from Chromite Ore Processing. Geomicrobiology Journal, vol. 28, pp.68-82. 2011.
  • Stewart, DI; Burke, IT; Hughes-Berry, DV; Whittleston, RA Microbially-mediated chromate reduction in soil contaminated by highly alkaline leachate from chromium containing waste. Ecological Engineering, vol. 36, pp.211-221. 2010.
  • Whittleston, RA; Stewart, DI; Mortimer, RJG; Burke, IT. Geomicrobiology of hyperalkaline Cr(VI) contaminated land. Geomicrobiology Journal (In preparation).

Conference Proceedings

  • Libert, M; Pointeau, I; Sellier, R; Lillo, M; Burke, IT; Stewart, DI; Whittleston, RA; Albrecht, A. (2011) Nitrate-reducing bacterial activity under alkaline conditions such as bituminous nuclear waste repositories. 1st International Symposium on Cement-based Materials for Nuclear Wastes, Avignon, France.
  • Whittleston RA, Burke IT, Stewart DI, Mortimer RJG. Geomicrobiology of hyperalkaline Cr(VI) contaminated land. Goldschmidt, Prague, CZ, 14 Aug 2011 - 19 Aug 2011. Mineralogical Magazine. 75 (3): A2155.
  • Whittleston, RA; Stewart, DI; Mortimer, RJG; Burke, IT. Geomicrobiology of hyperalkaline Cr(VI) contaminated land in Environmental Mineralogy Group Research in Progress meeting, Edinburgh, UK. 2011.
  • Whittleston, RA; Stewart, DI; Mortimer, RJG; Burke, IT Biostimulation of nitrate, iron and chromate reduction at hyperalkaline conditions in: Geochmica et Cosmochimica Acta, vol. 73, pp.A1436-A1436. 2009.
  • Whittleston, RA; Stewart, DI; Mortimer, RJG; Burke, IT Microbially mediated chromate reduction in hyperalkaline conditions. Geological Society William Smith Meeting, London, England, 2009 (DIS oral).
  • Stewart, DI; Burke, IT; Hughes-Berry, D; Whittleston, RA Microbially-mediated chromate reduction in highly alkaline groundwater systems in: 1st international BioGeoCivil Engineering Conference, Delft, The Netherlands. 2008 (DIS oral).
  • Whittleston, RA; Hughes-Berry, D; Stewart, DI; Burke, IT A Natural In-situ Reactive Zone beneath a COPR Tip in: 3rd International Symposium on Permeable Reactive Barriers and Reactive Zones, Rimini, Italy . 2007 (DIS oral).