Ian Burke

Dr. Ian Burke is a Professor of Environmental Science at the University of Leeds' School of Earth and Environment. With expertise in environmental geochemistry, radionuclide behavior, and contaminated land management, his research focuses on metal contaminants, alkaline wastes, and molecular environmental science. He employs advanced techniques like EXAFS, SEM/TEM, and geomicrobiology to study contaminant mobility and bioavailability in natural and engineered systems.

• PhD in Marine Geochemistry (University of Southampton, 2001)
• BSc (Hons) in Environmental Geoscience (University of Edinburgh, 11998)

His work addresses critical environmental challenges through projects like StormFlux (storm pollution dynamics) and SREPTAL (alkaline leachate treatment). Key areas include:

• Metal speciation and leaching in municipal/industrial wastes
• Biogeochemical processes in hyperalkaline environments
• Phytoremediation strategies for mine tailings
• Radiochemistry of nuclear site contaminants
• Mineral-based metal recovery systems

Recent publications analyze metal dynamics in coastal landfills, concrete waste disposal, and microbial remediation mechanisms. He supervises postgraduate researchers and collaborates with nuclear, mining, and metallurgical industries.