(in collaboration with Jose Cerrato’s research group, University of New Mexico)
The main objective of this research is to assess the mechanism controlling uranium uptake and accumulation by plants growing in the vicinity of contaminated sites (Jackpile Mine, NM).
Fieldwork and in vitro experiments, together with wet chemistry and microscopy and spectroscopy are used to follow the uranium uptake pathway from the river into the plant, and to elucidate the interaction between the uranium and cell.
The results from this study can be applied to enhance or prevent metal phytoaccumulation in plants.
PI/Collaborators:
Lucia Rodriguez-Freire
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, lrfreire@njit.edu
Jose Cerrato’s Research Group
University of New Mexico
