Dr. Zhenyu Tian is an assistant professor of chemistry and chemical biology at Northeastern University. His lab focuses on the identification and quantification of known and unknown contaminants in our environment to assess their risks to human health and the ecosystem.
This meeting will occur on Tuesday, November 19th, from 12 pm – 1 pm EST.
Title: Environmental non-targeted analysis: unveiling emerging contaminants in rubber, plastic, and surface water.
Abstract: In the Anthropocene, human beings are changing the earth chemically. Hundreds of thousands of synthetic chemicals are manufactured, and production numbers keep increasing. These chemicals don’t magically disappear, and many end up in environmental compartments such as soil, water, and air, becoming “emerging contaminants”. Our group focuses on chemical contaminants in crumb rubber from end-of-life tires, microplastics, and persistent and mobile organic contaminants in water. By developing new sample preparation and non-targeted analysis methods, we investigate the chemical profiles, transformation products, and environmental fate of these emerging contaminants. Our studies reveal complex mixtures of chemicals in artificial turf crumb rubber, develop novel “fingerprinting” methods for microplastic source tracking, and characterize previously unknown polar chemicals in water supplies. By combining laboratory experiments, environmental monitoring, and innovative data analysis approaches, we provide new insights into the occurrence, sources, and potential risks of these contaminants. The results will advance our understanding of emerging contaminants and inform improved water treatment technologies, support green chemistry initiatives, and enhance environmental management strategies.
