GERALD J. RAMELOW
Professor
Email: ramelow@mail.mcneese.edu
Office: 318-475-5775
Fax: 318-475-5950
ANALYTICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY
Trace metal monitoring using biomass sensors
EDUCATION
- Ph.D., Middle East Technical University, 1978,
Chemistry(Analytical)
- M. S., Montana State University, 1967,
Chemistry(Analytical)
- B. S., Gonzaga University, 1964, Chemistry
- Postdoctoral research at National Institute of
Oceanography, Haifa, Israel, and Texas A&M University
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Professor, Department of Chemistry, McNeese State University,
1990-present.
- Adjunct Professor, Department of Business, Mathematics,
and Science, Lamar University-Orange, 1995-96.
- Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, McNeese
State University, 1986-90.
- Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, McNeese
State University, 1982-86.
- Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Middle
East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, 1981-82.
- Visiting Lecturer (on leave from Middle East Technical
University), Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M
University, 1979-81.
- Assistant Professor and Assistant Department Head,
Department of Chemistry, Middle East Technical
University, 1978-79.
- Instructor, Department of Marine Sciences, Middle East
Technical University, 1975-78.
- Instructor, Department of Chemistry, Middle East
Technical University, 1971-75.
- Graduate Assistant, Department of Microbiology, Rutgers
University, 1970-71.
- Instructor, Department of Chemistry, Middle East
Technical University, 1969-70.
- Peace Corps Volunteer in Turkey, 1967-69.
- Teaching and Research Assistant, Department of Chemistry,
Montana State University, 1964-67.
PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
Our current research centers around the use of biomonitors for
measuring air and water pollution by metals. Nonliving biomass of
many microbioal species is an excellent sorber of metal ions. We
are investigating the uptake of metal ions in the laboratory by
using dried biomass prepared from lichen and seaweed, as well as
water hyacinth root and peat moss. We are studying the effect of
pH on metal binding and also the effect of chemical and physical
treatments of the biomass prior to metal adsorption experiments.
We are also incorporating biomass into polymeric materials for
use in the field as air and water pollution monitors. In related
experiments we have incorporated biomass into carbon paste
electrodes to study the potential of such electrodes for use as
water pollution monitors.
SUPERVISED GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH
- Wei Zhang, Development of an in situ dissolved
metal ion sensor, M. S. graduate research, McNeese State
University, in progress.
- Leo Amiot, Environmental monitoring of trace metals in
agricultural runoff, M. S. graduate research, McNeese
State University, in progress.
- Wei Zhuang, Monitoring dissolved metal ions in waterways
by biomass sensors, M. S. thesis, McNeese State
University, August 1997.
- Hua Yao,Effect of Treatments on Metal Ion Binding by
Nonliving Biomass and Development of Biomass-Based
Electrochemical Sensors for Dissolved Metal Ions, M. S.
thesis, McNeese State University, December 1996.
- Yanyan Hao, "Effect of pH on the uptake of metals by
micro and macro sea algae," M. S. thesis, McNeese
State University, May 1994.
- Yanfu Zhao, "Evaluation of several pretreatment
techniques for increasing metal uptake by seaweed,"
M. S. thesis, McNeese State University, May 1994.
- Patricia Harris, "Metal entrapment by algal
biosorption," M. S. thesis, McNeese State
University, May 1988.
- L. Nathaniel Robertson, "Evaluation of various
materials as working electrodes for the analysis of
metals by anodic stripping voltammetry," M. S.
thesis, McNeese State University, May 1984.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
- H. Yao and G. J. Ramelow, 1997. Biomass-modified carbon
past electrodes for monitoring dissolved metal ions. Talanta,
in press.
- G. J. Ramelow, H. Yao, and W. Zhang, 1997. Metal ion
binding by biomass derived from nonliving algae, lichens,
water hyacinth root and Sphagnum moss. In
"Wastewater Treatment With Algae", Chapter 6,
Academic Press, 1997.
- H. Yao and G. J. Ramelow, 1997. Evaluation of treatment
techniques for increasing the uptake of metal ions from
solution by nonliving biomass derived from several
strains of lichen, Sphagnum (peat) moss, and Eichhornia
crassipes (water hyacinth) root. Microbios,
50, 97-109.
- Y. Zhao, Y. Hao, and G. J. Ramelow, 1994. Evaluation of
pretreatment techniques for increasing the uptake of
metal ions from solution by nonliving seaweed algal
biomass. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment,
33, 61-70.
- Y. Hao, Y. Zhao, and G. J. Ramelow, 1994. Uptake of
metals by nonliving biomass derived from marine
organisms-effect of pH and chemical treatments. J.
Environ. Sci. Health., A29(10), 2235-2254.
- C. Tong, U. S. Ramelow, and G. J. Ramelow, 1994.
Evaluation of polymeric supports for immobilizing biomass
to prepare biosorbents for metals. Int. J. Environ.
Anal. Chem., 56, 175-191.
- Y. Hao, A. L. Roach, and G. J. Ramelow, 1993. Uptake of
metal ions by nonliving biomass derived from Sphagnum
moss and water hyacinth roots. Journal of
Environmental Science and Health, Part A -Environmental
Science and Engineering, A28(10), 2333-2343.
- G. J. Ramelow, L. Liu, C. Himel, D. Fralick, Y. Zhao, and
C. Tong, 1993. The analysis of dissolved metals in
natural waters after preconcentration on biosorbents of
immobilized lichen and seaweed biomass in silica. Int.
J. Env. Anal. Chem., 53(3), 219-232.
RECENT PRESENTATIONS
- Wei Zhuang and Gerald J. Ramelow, 1997. Monitoring
dissolved metal ion concentrations in a bayou by biomass
sensors and surface sediment, presented at Louisiana
Academy of Sciences, February 1997.
- Gerald J. Ramelow and Hua Yao, 1996. Physical and
chemical treatments of non-living biomass to metal
accumulating ability, presented at Louisiana Academy of
Sciences, February 1996.
- Hua Yao and Gerald J. Ramelow, 1996. Dissolved metal ion
electrosensors based on biomass immobilized in carbon
paste, presented at Louisiana Academy of Sciences,
February 1996.
- G. Ramelow, 1995. Silent environmental pollution
monitors, featured speaker presentation at 1995 Chemistry
Challenge, McNeese State University, April 1995.
- G. Ramelow, 1995. Biomass-modified carbon paste
electrodes for monitoring dissolved metal ions in water,
presented at Pittsburgh Conference, New Orleans, March
1995.
- G. Ramelow, 1994. Voltammetry with modified electrodes,
seminar presented to McNeese State University chemistry
Department, March 1994.
- Y. Hao, Zhao, Y., and , G. J. Ramelow, 1994. A study of
some factors affecting metal binding by nonliving biomass
of marine algae, peat moss, and water hyacinth root,
presented at Louisiana Academy of Sciences.
- Y. Hao, Y. Zhao, and G. J. Ramelow, 1993. Uptake of
metals by nonliving biomass derived from marine
organisms: effect of pH and chemical pretreatments,
presented at 49th Southwest American Chemical Society
meeting, Austin, Texas, October 1993.
- Y. Hao, A. L. Roach, and G. J. Ramelow, 1993. Uptake of
metal ions by nonliving biomass derived from Sphagnum
moss and water hyacinth root, presented at 49th Southwest
American Chemical Society Meeting, Austin, Texas, October
1993.
- Y. Zhao, Y. Hao, and G. J. Ramelow, 1993. Evaluation of
pretreatment techniques for increasing the uptake of
metal ions from solution by nonliving seaweed algae,
presented at 49th Southwest American Chemical Society
Meeting, Austin, Texas, October 1993.
PROPOSALS SUBMITED/FUNDED
- Computerization update of a uv/visible spectrophotometer,
gaming revenue proposal submitted to McNeese State
University, April 1997.
- Development of sorbents for metal based on water hyacinth
root biomass immobilized in polymeric materials (with
Ulku S. Ramelow), proposal submitted to Louisiana
Education Quality Support Fund, November 1993.
- A study of metal binding by marine micro and macroalgae,
(with Prof. M. Unsal), proposal submitted to the National
Science Foundation, 1993.
- The development of a prototype water monitor for
measuring dissolved metals in environmental samples,
proposal submitted for Shearman Endowed Professorship,
March, funded April 1993