Announcement of the Call for expression of interest to attend the 1st PFAStwin Summer School

It is a pleasure for the PFAStwin team from the Spanish National Research Council, Institute of General Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC) to announce and host the 1st PFAStwin Summer School on Advancing Knowledge on POPs and Environmental Analysis - PFAS as a case study that will be held at IQOG (Madrid, Spain) from 3-7 June 2024.

The Summer School 2024, hosted by IQOG-CSIC under the PFAStwin project, is a comprehensive educational event dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) with special emphasis on perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment. This intensive program covers essential topics, from understanding the nature of POPs to navigating international regulations, advanced analytical techniques, case studies and remediation technologies. Participants will gain insights into effective sampling, sample treatment, and state-of-the-art analytical methods, including gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC) techniques, coupled with advanced mass spectrometry detectors. With expert speakers and a wealth of knowledge, the PFAStwin Summer School 2024 promises to provide attendees with the expertise needed to address challenges posed by POPs, PFAS in particular, and their impact on the environment effectively. Join us for an engaging and informative educational experience.

Objectives:

• Equipping attendees with comprehensive knowledge and skills in addressing POPs with special emphasis on PFAS and their impact on the environment.
• Providing insights into effective sampling, sample treatment, and advanced analytical methods, including GC, LC, and mass spectrometry techniques.
• Offering practical case studies to enhance understanding and application of learned concepts

Contents:

1. Understanding POPs and Regulations

1.1. General Introduction to POPs: Fundamentals and Characteristics

Presents the fundamental concepts defining POPs and their key characteristics in terms of persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulation.

1.2. International Regulations: A Global Perspective on POPs Control and Management

Explores international regulations that control and manage POPs, providing an overview of global agreements and treaties aimed at addressing this environmental issue.

2. Techniques for Environmental Analysis

2.1. Sampling Techniques for All Environmental Matrices: Best Practices and Applications

Offers optimal methods and their applications for sample collection in different environmental matrices, ensuring representativeness and accuracy in analytical results.

2.2. Sample Treatment: Preparation for Accurate Analysis

Explores necessary techniques for the proper treatment and preparation of samples, ensuring precision in laboratory analyses.

2.3. Extraction and Clean-up Techniques: Ensuring High-Quality Samples

Covers methods for sample extraction, cleaning, and ensuring their quality to obtain reliable and precise analytical results.

3. Advanced Analytical Methods

3.1. GC and LC Techniques: Separation and Identification of POPs

Details the use of GC and LC techniques to separate and identify POPs in environmental samples.

3.2. qMS, QQQ, and HRMS Detectors: Precision and Sensitivity in Analysis

Explores the precision and sensitivity provided by mass spectrometry detectors like qMS, QQQ, and HRMS in identifying POPs.

3.3. Quantification: Accurate Measurement of POPs Concentrations

Details methods for accurately quantifying POPs concentrations in environmental samples using advanced analytical techniques.

4. Case Studies and Contaminated Sites

4.1. Case Studies: Real-World Examples of POPs Contamination

Presents real cases exemplifying contamination by POPs in specific environments, showcasing practical situations and their associated challenges.

4.2. Contaminated Sites: Assessing and Addressing Environmental Challenges

Focuses on evaluating and addressing environmental challenges at sites contaminated by POPs, offering strategies to tackle these issues.

 

The final Program of the School, consisting of 5 days of theoretical and practical sessions, will be published on the project website.

The lectures will be delivered by researchers from the IQOG-CSIC and invited lecturers. Leading expert is Dr. Begoña Jiménez. The laboratory support will be given by the IQOG-CSIC researchers. The official language will be English.

1st PFAStwin Summer School is open to any PhD student or employees of University of Belgrade-Faculty of Chemistry (UBFC) or the partner institutions of PFAStwin project (Spanish National Research Council, Institute of General Organic Chemistry and Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières) onsite. Early-stage researchers are specially encouraged to apply. Because of restrictions in the available space, we can accommodate only a limited number of trainees. Therefore, only complete applications (including the application form and CVs with demonstrated interest in the field related to the 1st Summer School) will be considered for evaluation. Registration for the Summer School is free, and expenses of travel and accommodation will be covered for best evaluated applicants. The Summer school will be held in person, and access to the lectures will also be available online. Therefore, we encourage all researchers working in the field related to PFAStwin project to apply for online participation. Project management team (PMT) will be in charge of the selection process both onsite and online presence.

Those interested to participate in 1st PFAStwin Summer School are kindly invited to send the applications following the Call conditions to pfastwin@chem.bg.ac.rs. Information on the application evaluation will be available on on the project website.

Looking forward to receiving your expression of interest to participate in the 1st Summer School within our project,

 

The PFAStwin Team