Research

Environmental Chemistry

The environmental chemistry/analytical chemistry group studies the fate and effects of xenobiotics in the terrestrial and aquatic environment. Focuses are sources, inputs, persistence, transformation and metabolism as well as toxic effects
of pollutants in the respective compartments. Within these projects new analytical procedures are elaborated and validated to identify and quantify analytes that are not included in standard protocols. Of special interest are compounds for which no or no sufficient regulations exist.

Research projects

• Structural identification of unknown xenobiotics, their metabolites as well as of biogenic compounds (GC-MS, LC-MS)
• Metabolism of pesticides in the environment (¹⁴C-Experiments)
• Veterinary drugs: on the passage: pigs->manure->soil->water
• Input, sources, fate and toxicology of phosphororganic flame retardants in sewage treatment plants and surface waters.
• Distribution of polycyclic- and nitroaromatic musk fragrances as well as transformation in sewage treatment plants (wastewater and sludge), surface waters and soils.
• Enantioselective degradation of xenobiotics in sewage plants and soil and method development for chiral analysis
• Endocrine disruptors in industrial waste, waste water, municipal sewage treatment plants and surface waters
• Interactions of xenobiotics with humic compounds

Contact

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Spiteller
M.Spiteller@infu.uni-dortmund.de
Phone: +49-(0)231-755-4080

Molecular imprinting

ur research is focused on molecular imprinting and on template synthesised materials in a more general sense. Polymerisable functional monomers are here designed to strongly and reversibly associate with a template molecule. The resulting assemblies are stabilised by polymerisation with extensive crosslinking leading to the formation of specific binding or catalytic sites for the template or an analogue molecule.
The resulting network polymers (MIPs) can rebind the template molecule with a very high affinity and selectivity. Moreover the materials are readily made and stable which has spurred a search for applications in the fields of separation science, analytical chemistry, chiral technologies, therapeutics and in catalysis. Antibody like recognition properties have been demonstrated for instance for drugs, toxins and environmental pollutants present in complex matrices. The use of imprinted polymers as selective sorbents for solid phase extraction is one of the most promising applications of MIPs (see www.miptechnologies.se). In our previous EU sponsored TMR Network project (MICA), the objective was to explore MIPs for selective sample clean-up in the area of bioanalysis, food analysis and environmental analysis. This project is now being continued within the framework of a new 5th FP IHP project named AquaMIP (http://www.aquamip.org).
Other important applications of MIPs are as recognition elements in chemical sensors, as stationary phases in chromatography, as catalysts or therapeutic agents. The following projects are being pursued in Dortmund:

Research projects:

• Syntheses and use of porous network polymers and spherical polymer vesicles with molecular recognition properties.
• Water-compatibility and recognition of large target molecules
• Reversible selfassembly of aromatic amidines for mono- and multi-layer buildup, molecular recognition of DNA and proteins and as linkers for the buildup of ordered nanocomposites.
• High throughput and combinatorial techniques in MIP development.
• The use of peptide solid phase synthesis products as templates to generate surface confined imprinted sites with good accessibility.
• Synthesis of composite materials containing thin imprinted films prepared by the “grafing from” process.

Contact

Priv.-Doz. Dr. Börje Sellergren
B.Sellergren@infu.uni-dortmund.de
Phone: +49-(0)231-755-4082

Sustainable concepts

The main focus of the working group is the registration and assessment of environmental pollution and working place contamination through chemicals, which are used in various industries. The main goal is an ecological product development through the use of environmental friendly raw materials and aids. Numerous research projects were executed on behalf of the Federal Office of Environment (Umweltbundesamt). The results are available throughout publications and have mainly contributed an objective view on the discussion concerning critical chemicals or products, which contain such chemicals. On an international level, we develop Emission Scenario Documents (ESDs), which are used for the assessment of new introduced chemicals. At www.oekopro.de you will find the first interactive chemical database in the internet which is providing toxicological and ecological information about chemicals used e.g. in colors and varnishes, in printed products, batteries, tires or photo developers.

Research projects

• Research for the detection of environmental exposure of chemicals of the color and varnish industry, in the rubber industry, in the paper and printing industry, in the metall working and battery industry
• Preparation of "Emission Scenario Documents (ESDs)" for assessing the exposure of old and new products for many branches and e.g. for biocides
• Inspection of treatment facilities e.g. for the desilverization of washing liquids in photo labs
• Recycling of used furniture

Contact

Dr.-Ing. Werner Baumann
W.Baumann@infu.uni-dortmund.de
Phone: +49-(0)231-755-4095

Environmental Economics

The economic analysis has become increasingly important to understand and solve environmental issues. One current research project deals with co­operation between agriculture, drinking water supply and nature conservation.
The basis of the three years EU research project is the question why the existing environmental laws in the EU cannot get completely the water contamination under control, which is still too high as a result of the intense cultivation. The focal point of interest is whether and in how far voluntary agreements between farmers and water suppliers and / or nature conservation groups can contribute to a more sustainable agriculture. Besides the Institute of Environmental Research (INFU) as the co­ordinator, also scientists of the Water Research Centre (WRc) in Great Britain (Dr. Tom Zabel), and the Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI) in the Netherlands (Dr. Floor Brouwer) work on the research project.

Research projects

• Economic aspects of liability and joint compensation Systems for remedying environmental damage
• Economic efficiency calculations in conjunction with the drinking water directive (Directive 80/778/EEC); Part III: The parameter for pesticides and related products
• Co­operative agreements in agriculture as an instrument to improve the economic and ecological efficiency of the European Union water policy Institute of Environmental Research (INFU)

Contact