Bastian Saptura
Department of Civil and Structural Engineering
Research Student
Full contact details
Department of Civil and Structural Engineering
Room D01
Sir Frederick Mappin Building (Broad Lane Building)
Mappin Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD
- Research interests
-
Research Project: Developing Biosensors To Measure The Bioavailability Of Heavy Metals In The Remediation Of Contaminated Soil
The application of biochar to contaminated soil can reduce the bioavailability of heavy metals towards microorganisms. Adsorption of heavy metals to biochar can potentially decrease their toxicity, thus increasing soil function and productivity.
To assess biochar performance as a soil amendment, we develop bacterial biosensors to measure heavy metal bioavailability. Sequential extraction and chemical analysis only measure the heavy metal concentrations in different soil phases, but biosensors measure directly the impact of heavy metal at cellular level.
This research focuses on the development and application of biosensors to monitor the bioavailability of heavy metals in the remediation of biochar-amended contaminated soil.
The results from biosensor measurement are expected to provide information on conditions that can enhance soil microbial activity and plant growth after biochar amendment, thus improving the soil quality.
- Research group