Department & Program:
- Soil Science, Ph.D.
Funding Sources:
- Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
- Manitoba Livestock Manure Management Initiatives (MLMMI)
- University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship (UMGF)
Research Interest:
I joined the Chemodynamics Research Group in the Department of Soil Science as an M.Sc. student in 2001 to commence research on the fate of phosphorus (P) in agricultural soils with history of manure and fertilizers applications. That research was of particular practical importance because eutrophic level of phosphorus in surface water is of serious environmental concern in Manitoba and elsewhere in the world. Many environmental scientists and policy-makers worldwide are now interested in mitigating and preventing P addition to surface waters, particularly from soil.
In investigating the reaction of manure P in soils and risk of transport to water bodies, the convention is to characterize P in manure and manure-amended soil using chemical extractant to describe how available the different forms of P are to the environment. This approach is now considered ‘operational’ at best. My current research is focused on molecular-scale speciation of phosphorus in manures and manure-amended soil, with the goal of understanding the forms of P, their stabilization and association with soil. This will strengthen the scientific approach towards the best use and management of P fertilizers and animal manures without compromising the quality of our environment. This study is made possible by recent advances in the state-of-art synchrotron radiation based techniques, specifically x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and complimentary technique like 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
The results from my research have been extensively disseminated via conference presentations, seminars, newspaper articles, and scientific publications. I have also been involved in teaching a module in Soil Chemistry at the senior undergraduate level. My community services span across many spheres of the University and professional organizations.
My future aspiration is to start the ladder in the ‘reward system’ as a teacher and researcher.
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