School of Geographical and Earth Sciences

Dr Vernon Phoenix

Vernon Phoenix
  • Reader (School of Geographical and Earth Sciences)
  • Adviser of Studies (Science and Engineering College Academic & Student Administration)

email: Vernon.Phoenix@glasgow.ac.uk


Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Pollutant Transport and Fate

A particular strength of MRI is its ability to image inside systems which are too opaque for other imaging methods (such as light based methods). Thus, MRI can be used to ‘look inside’ sediment, rocks and thick biofilms. We are using MRI to image the transport and fate of nanoparticles, heavy metals and organics inside these systems. Our focus is on the use of paramagnetic tracers. For example, when a nanoparticle is labelled with a paramagnetic tag, such as Gadolunium or a nanomagnetite core, it becomes readily visible to MRI. This enables us to image the movement of the nanoparticle in 1, 2 and 3 dimensions and in real time. These “movies” of nanoparticle transport are fully quantifiable, so that the concentration of nanoparticles in each image voxel at each time point is known. This enables us to develop new understanding of the transport and fate of pollutants a diverse range of systems, ranging from river beds and aquifers to biofilms in waste-water treatment systems.

Microbial Geochemistry and Environmental Biotechnology

Bacteria play a fundamental role in controlling the cycling of (heavy) metals in natural systems. We are interested in how these organisms control metal cycling and mineral precipitation. In particular we are currently focussed on 1) microbial mineral plugging and 2) bioremediation of nanoparticles.

1) Microbial mineral plugging is the use of bacterially precipitated minerals to plug porosity in rock and sediment. We are developing this technique as a means to prevent pollutant migration in water-rock systems.

2) Despite the rapid increase in the use of industrial nanoparticles, there are no dedicated remediation strategies designed to deal with nanoparticle pollution events in ground-waters and soils. We are developing bioremediation methods designed specifically for nanoparticles.

We are also examining the role bacteria play in the weathering of historic buildings in Scotland

Past interests have focussed on the role of the bacterial surface as a reactive interface, and subsequently its role in metal adsorption

Exobiology

The question of how life evolved and inhabit our ancient Earth and other planets has fascinated both earth and life scientists alike. To better understand how life survived in these extreme habitats, we utilize modern day environments and laboratory simulations to provide contemporary analogous for these systems

Biography

Reader (August 2011 - present) University of Glasgow.

Lecturer (July 2010 - July 2011) University of Glasgow.

RCUK Academic Fellow (July 2005 - present) University of Glasgow.

Research Associate (March 2004 – June 2005) University of Guelph, Canada.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (March 2001 – Feb 2004) University of Toronto, Canada.

Ph.D. (1997-2001) University of Leeds, UK.

M.Sc. Geochemistry (1996-1997) University of Leeds, UK.

Research and Development (1995-1996) Ayton Products Ltd, UK.

B.Sc.(Hons) Geology (1992-1995) University of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK.

Jump to: 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001
Number of items: 24.

2012

Tobler, D.J., Maclachlan, E., and Phoenix, V.R. (2012) Microbially mediated plugging of porous media and the impact of differing injection strategies. Ecological Engineering, 42 . pp. 270-278. ISSN 0925-8574 (doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2012.02.027)

Cuthbert, M.O., Riley, M.S., Handley-Sidhu, S., Renshaw, J.C., Tobler, D.J. , Phoenix, V.R. , and Mackay, R. (2012) Controls on the rate of ureolysis and the morphology of carbonate precipitated by S. Pasteurii biofilms and limits due to bacterial encapsulation. Ecological Engineering, 41 . pp. 32-40. ISSN 0925-8574 (doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2012.01.008)

Ramanan, B., Holmes, W.M. , Sloan, W.T. , and Phoenix, V.R. (2012) Investigation of nanoparticle transport inside coarse-grained geological media using magnetic resonance imaging. Environmental Science and Technology, 46 (1). pp. 360-366. ISSN 0013-936X (doi:10.1021/es2012726)

2011

Tobler, D.J., Cuthbert, M.O., Greswell, R.B., Riley, M.S., Renshaw, J.C., Handley-Sidhu, S., and Phoenix, V.R. (2011) Comparison of rates of ureolysis between Sporosarcina pasteurii and an indigenous groundwater community under conditions required to precipitate large volumes of calcite. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 75 (11). pp. 3290-3301. ISSN 0016-7037 (doi:10.1016/j.gca.2011.03.023)

2010

Hunter, R.C., Phoenix, V.R. , Saxena, A,, and Beveridge, T.J. (2010) Impact of growth environment and physiological state on metal immobilization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Canadian Journal of Microbiology, 56 (7). pp. 527-538. ISSN 0008-4166

Ramanan, B., Holmes, W.M. , Sloan, W.T. , and Phoenix, V.R. (2010) Application of Paramagnetically Tagged Molecules for Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Biofilm Mass Transport Processes. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 76 (12). pp. 4027-4036. ISSN 0099-2240 (doi:10.1128/AEM.03016-09)

2009

Phoenix, V., Ramanan, B., and Sloan, W. (2009) Imaging biogeochemical processes with MRI: application of paramagetic tracers. In: 19th Annual VM Goldschmidt Conference, 21 June 2009, Davos, Switzerland.

2008

Phoenix, V.R., and Holmes, W.M. (2008) Magnetic resonance imaging of structure, diffusivity, and copper immobilization in a phototrophic biofilm. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 74 (15). pp. 4934-4943. ISSN 0099-2240 (doi:10.1128/AEM.02783-07)

Konhauser, K.O., Lalonde, S.V., and Phoenix, V.R. (2008) Bacterial biomineralization: where to from here? Geobiology, 6 (3). pp. 298-302. ISSN 1472-4677 (doi:10.1111/j.1472-4669.2008.00151.x)

Phoenix, V.R., and Konhauser, K.O. (2008) Benefits of bacterial biomineralization. Geobiology, 6 (3). pp. 303-308. ISSN 1472-4677 (doi:10.1111/j.1472-4669.2008.00147.x)

Phoenix, V.R., Holmes, W.M. , and Ramanan, B. (2008) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of heavy-metal transport and fate in an artificial biofilm. Mineralogical Magazine, 72 (1). pp. 483-486. ISSN 0026-461X (doi:10.1180/minmag.2008.072.1.483)

2007

Phoenix, VR, Korenevsky, AA, Ferris, FG, Gorby, YA, and Beveridge, TJ (2007) Influence of lipopolysaccharide on the surface proton-binding behavior of Shewanella spp. Current Microbiology, 55 . pp. 152-157. (doi:10.1007/s00284-007-0077-2)

2006

Phoenix, V (2006) Chilean high-altitude hot-spring sinters: a model system for UV screening mechanisms by early Precambrian cyanobacteria. Geobiology, 4 (1). pp. 15-28.

2005

Phoenix, V (2005) Bacterial S-layer preservation and rare arsenic-antimony-sulphide bioimmobilization in siliceous sediments from Champagne Pool hot spring, Waiotapu, New Zealand. Journal of the Geological Society, 162 . pp. 323-331.

2004

Benning, LG, Phoenix, VR , Yee, N, and Konhauser, KO (2004) The dynamics of cyanobacterial silicification: An infrared micro-spectroscopic investigation. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 68 . pp. 743-757. (doi:10.1016/S0016-7037(03)00488-5)

Benning, LG, Phoenix, VR , Yee, N, and Tobin, MJ (2004) Molecular characterization of cyanobacterial silicification using synchrotron infrared micro-spectroscopy. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 68 . pp. 729-741. (doi:10.1016/S0016-7037(03)00489-7)

Phoenix, V (2004) Kinetics of calcite precipitation induced by ureolytic bacteria at 10 to 20 degrees C in artificial groundwater. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 68 (8). pp. 1701-1710.

Phoenix, V (2004) The microbial role in hot spring silicification. Ambio, 33 (8). pp. 552-558.

Yee, N, Benning, LG, Phoenix, VR , and Ferris, FG (2004) Characterization of metal-cyanobacteria sorption reactions: A combined macroscopic and infrared spectroscopic investigation. Environmental Science and Technology, 38 . pp. 775-782. ISSN 0013-936X

2003

Phoenix, V (2003) Experimental study of iron and silica immobilization by bacteria in mixed Fe-Si systems: implications for microbial silicification in hot springs. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 40 (11). pp. 1669-1678.

Yee, N, Phoenix, VR , Konhauser, KO, Benning, LG, and Ferris, FG (2003) The effect of cyanobacteria on silica precipitation at neutral pH: implications for bacterial silicification in geothermal hot springs. Chemical Geology, 199 . pp. 83-90. (doi:10.1016/S0009-2541(03)00120-7)

2002

Phoenix, VR, Martinez, RE, Konhauser, KO, and Ferris, FG (2002) Characterization and implications of the cell surface reactivity of Calothrix sp strain KC97. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 68 . pp. 4827-4834. (doi:10.1128/AEM.68.10.4827-4834.2002)

2001

Konhauser, KO, Phoenix, VR , Bottrell, SH, Adams, DG, and Head, IM (2001) Microbial-silica interactions in Icelandic hot spring sinter: possible analogues for some Precambrian siliceous stromatolites. Sedimentology, 48 . pp. 415-433.

Phoenix, VR, Konhauser, KO, Adams, DG, and Bottrell, SH (2001) Role of biomineralization as an ultraviolet shield: Implications for Archean life. Geology, 29 . pp. 823-826.

This list was generated on Sat May 26 14:59:19 2012 BST.

Phoenix V.R., and Holmes W.M. (2012-2015) The black box opened: non-invasice observation of nanoparticle transport in rock pore systems.  £450k (EPSRC EP/J017493/1).  Joint proposal with Tellham J.H., Stevenson CTE and Riley MS, University of Birmingham (total £650k).

Cusack, M., Phoenix V.R., and Kamenos, K.N. (2011-2015) Biomineralisation, protein and mineral response to ocean acidification £255k. Leverhulme Trust.

Haynes, H, ...Phoenix, V.R. (Co-I with 11 others) (2011-12). Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in interdisciplinary science and engineering research: 3D analysis of fluid-material interaction, £40k (Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland)

Phoenix V.R. and Holmes W.M. (2009-2010). Opening the black box: Imaging nanoparticle transport with magnetic resonance imaging. £29k (NERC NE/G010269/1).

Dorea, C., Pulford, I., Haynes, H. and Phoenix, V.R. (2009-2013) Towards a more rational design for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems. Lord Kelvin/Adam Smith (Ph.D. scholarship plus £22,000 research costs).

Phoenix V.R. (2009-2011) Bug-free prostheses: Reducing infection risk and improving reliability £8k (EPSRC EP/H024603/1). PI, R. Lunn (Strathclyde), total: £202k.

Phoenix V.R. (2009-2013) Bacteriogenic barries to flow, £350k. Part of consortium bid (EPSRC EP/G063699/1). Biogeochemical applications in nuclear decomissioning and waste disposal. PI R.J. Lunn (Strathclyde) £2.1M

Phoenix, V. R., Holmes, W. M. and Sloan, W. T. (2009-2011) Magnetic resonance imaging of biofilm mass transport processes with gadolinium tracers. £296k (EPSRC EP/G028443/1).

Lee M.R. & Phoenix V.R. (2007-2010) The impact of climate change on weathering in urban environments: prediction and mitigation. NERC/CASE Ph.D. scholarship (NE/F006403/1). Co-Is, C. Kennedy (Historic Scotland) & E. Hyslop (BGS)

Phoenix V.R. Holmes W.M & Sloan W.T. (2007-2011). Quantifying Mass Transport in Biofilms with Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Lord Kelvin/Adam Smith (Ph.D. Scholarship plus £22,000 research costs)

Phoenix V.R. (2006) Coupled arsenic and ultraviolet radiation resistance in cyanobacteria from the El Tatio geyser field, Chile. £1.4k (Nuffield foundation URB/33085)

Phoenix V.R. (2006) Impact of solar radiation on near surface microbiology of the Chilean Altiplano: A Mars analogue. £1.9k (Carnegie Turst for the Universities of Scotland)

  • Rebecca Skuce (PhD candidate)
  • Marnie Norris (PhD candidate)
  • James Minto (PhD candidate)
  • Dr. Dominique Tobler (post-doc)
  • Dr. Susi Lakshmanan (post-doc)

Past members

  • Laura Duthie (PhD candidate)
  • Baheerathan Ramanan (PhD candidate)
  • Environmental Science (Level 1)
  • Earth Science 2U, materials (Level 2)
  • Hydrogeology and Environmental Geoscience (level 3/4)
  • Arran residential field class (level 2)
  • Course Co-ordinator: Level 2 Earth Science