Biodiversity, Environment, Conservation and Sustainability Research Group (BECoS)

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About us

About us

The core aim of the Biodiversity, Environment, Conservation, and Sustainability (BECoS) group is to advance knowledge and inform practices that enhance the health and resilience of ecosystems and their living components; from the simplest of microbes to the vertebrates that depend upon them.

Integrating a range of innovative approaches and techniques (from sustainable urban drainage approach to phytoremediation, drone technology and bioinformatics, proteomics, biomonitoring and more), we take a whole systems approach to addressing an array of environmental issues.

Our research focuses upon ecosystems experiencing anthropogenic drive impacts and challenges to biodiversity maintenance, ranging from the Scottish Highlands to the Amazonian region, encompassing both wild areas and highly modified to urban environments.

Our research outputs generate new knowledge, inform policy development and support its subsequent implementation. Thus, we support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and further understanding and conservation efforts to ensure the survival of the intricate tapestry of life on Earth.

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Projects

Projects

Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation via Remote Advanced LoRa-Driven Detectors for Heavy Metal Contamination (EMERALD)

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Funding: British Council

Partnership: Middlesex University, Vellore Institute of Technology (India)

This partnership aims to create accessible, real-time solutions to track and address heavy metal contamination, fostering global efforts to restore polluted environments and protect biodiversity.

Clean Air Barnet
Clean Air Barnet logo

Partnership: Middlesex University, Barnet Council, Friends of the Earth Barnet, Mother’s Climate Action Network

Clean Air Barnet is a collaborative initiative focusing on improving urban air quality, engaging students and the public in environmental monitoring. We gather data that raises awareness, informs decision-making, and promotes healthier environments in Barnet.

Genomic and Microbiome Research on Collembola

MDXWorks Internship

Our group currently provides students with hands-on experience studying Anurida maritima (seashore springtail), an intertidal species. This work explores how species adapt and survive in changing habitats, contributing to conservation research.

Microbial Assisted Ground Improvement Project
Network Rail logo

Funding: Network Rail

Partnership: Middlesex University, London South Bank University

This project explored the potential of carbonic anhydrase (CA)-producing bacteria to stabilise soils through calcite precipitation, creating a natural biocement that enhances soil engineering properties. This biotechnological advancement could offer an environmentally friendly solution for soil stabilisation in infrastructure projects.

Prioritizing Climate Actions Needs across Barnet - Mapping barriers to sustainability
Barnet Council logo

Funding: Barnet Council

We worked with Barnet Council to identify the key challenges to sustainability in the area, helping local leaders make informed decisions on climate action.

Publications

Publications

Waste-to-Energy book cover

Waste-to-Energy

Pooja S, Tong YW, Mohapatra S, Purchase D, Khuntia HK, Singh SP. (eds) 2024. Waste to Energy: Sustainable Approaches for Emerging Economies. Elsevier. ISBN 9780443223563

A study of bacteria producing carbonic anhydrase enzyme for CaCO3 precipitation and soil biocementation

Meandira, W., Mavroulidou, M., Timmermans, M., Gunn, M., Gray, C., Pantoja Munoz, L. and Purchase, D. 2024. A study of bacteria producing carbonic anhydrase enzyme for CaCO3 precipitation and soil biocementation. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 31 (33), pp. 45818-45833. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-34077-0

Campus source to sink wastewater surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)

Folkes, M., Castro-Gutierrez, V., Lundy, L., Bajón-Fernández, Y., Soares, A., Jeffrey, P. and Hassard, F. 2024. Campus source to sink wastewater surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Current Research in Microbial Sciences. 6, p. 100240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100240

Molding the future: optimization of bioleaching of rare earth elements from electronic waste by Penicillium expansum and insights into its mechanism

Gonzalez Baez, A., Pantoja Munoz, L., Timmermans, M., Garelick, H. and Purchase, D. 2024. Molding the future: optimization of bioleaching of rare earth elements from electronic waste by Penicillium expansum and insights into its mechanism. Bioresource Technology. 402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130750

Pied tamarins change their vocal behavior in response to noise levels in the largest city in the Amazon

Sobroza, T., Gordo, M., Dunn, J., Pequeno, P., Naissinger, B. and Barnett, A. 2024. Pied tamarins change their vocal behavior in response to noise levels in the largest city in the Amazon. American Journal of Primatology. 86 (5). https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23606

Sustainable wastewater reuse for agriculture

Christou, A., Beretsou, V., Iakovides, I., Karaolia, P., Michael, C., Benmarhnia, T., Chefetz, B., Donner, E., Gawlik, B., Lee, Y., Lim, T., Lundy, L., Maffettone, R., Rizzo, L., Topp, E. and Fatta-Kassinos, D. 2024. Sustainable wastewater reuse for agriculture. Nature Reviews Earth and Environment. 5 (7), p. 504–521. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-024-00560-y

Turning the tide: rhythmic aggregation behaviour in Anurida maritima (Collembola) is entrained by inundation

Timmermans, M., King, M., Purchase, D., Dickins, J.A., Dickins, T. and Kett, S. 2024. Turning the tide: rhythmic aggregation behaviour in Anurida maritima (Collembola) is entrained by inundation. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2024.152062

A novel technology of solarization and phytoremediation enhanced with biosurfactant for the sustainable treatment of PAH contaminated soil

Futughe, A.E., Jones, H. and Purchase, D. 2023. A novel technology of solarization and phytoremediation enhanced with biosurfactant for the sustainable treatment of PAH contaminated soil. Environmental Geochemistry and Health. 45 (6), pp. 3847-3863. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-022-01460-0

Absence of Staphylococcus aureus in wild populations of fish supports a spillover hypothesis

Matuszewska, M., Dabrowska, A., Murray, G., Kett, S., Vick, A., Banister, S., Pantoja Munoz, L., Cunningham, P., Welch, J., Holmes, M. and Weinert, L. 2023. Absence of Staphylococcus aureus in wild populations of fish supports a spillover hypothesis. Microbiology Spectrum. 11 (4). https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.04858-22

Combining phytoremediation with bioenergy production: developing a multi criteria decision matrix for plant species selection

Amabogha, O., Garelick, H., Jones, H. and Purchase, D. 2023. Combining phytoremediation with bioenergy production: developing a multi criteria decision matrix for plant species selection. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 30 (14), pp. 40698-40711. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-24944-z 

Development of a biofilm-forming bacterial consortium and quorum sensing molecules for the degradation of lignin-containing organic pollutants

Yadav, S., Tripathi, S., Purchase, D. and Chandra, R. 2023. Development of a biofilm-forming bacterial consortium and quorum sensing molecules for the degradation of lignin-containing organic pollutants. Environmental Research. 226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.115618

Environmental impact of e-waste management in Indian microscale informal sectors

Dasgupta, D., Majumder, S., Adhikari, J., Ghosh, P., Purchase, D., Garelick, H., Debsarkar, A. and Chatterjee, D. 2023. Environmental impact of e-waste management in Indian microscale informal sectors. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 30 (11), pp. 29581-29597. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-23700-7

Natural flood management: Opportunities to implement nature‐based solutions on privately owned land

Thaler, T., Hudson, P., Viavattene, C. and Green, C. 2023. Natural flood management: Opportunities to implement nature‐based solutions on privately owned land. WIREs Water. 10 (3). https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1637

Valorisation of brewery wastes in a circular bioeconomy – from low-cost animal feed to high-value products

Purchase, D. 2023. Valorisation of brewery wastes in a circular bioeconomy – from low-cost animal feed to high-value products. in: Wong, M.H., Purchase, D. and Dickinson, N. (ed.) Food Waste Valorisation: Food, Feed, Fertiliser, Fuel and Value-Added Products World Scientific. pp. 471-502

Wastewater monitoring for detection of public health markers during the COVID-19 pandemic: Near-source monitoring of schools in England over an academic year

Hassard, F., Vu, M., Rahimzadeh, S., Castro-Gutierrez, V., Stanton, I., Burczynska, B., Wildeboer, D., Baio, G., Brown, M., Garelick, H., Hofman, J., Kasprzyk-Hordern, B., Majeed, A., Priest, S., Denise, H., Khalifa, M., Bassano, I., Wade, M., Grimsley, J., Lundy, L., Singer, A. and Di Cesare, M. 2023. Wastewater monitoring for detection of public health markers during the COVID-19 pandemic: Near-source monitoring of schools in England over an academic year. PLoS ONE. 18 (5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286259

Wolbachia and Spiroplasma endosymbionts in the Anurida maritima (Collembola) species group

Timmermans, M., Prabha, H. and Kett, S. 2023. Wolbachia and Spiroplasma endosymbionts in the Anurida maritima (Collembola) species group. Evolutionary Journal of the Linnean Society. 2 (1). https://doi.org/10.1093/evolinnean/kzad001

A critical review of household recycling barriers in the United Kingdom

Oluwadipe, S., Garelick, H., McCarthy, S. and Purchase, D. 2022. A critical review of household recycling barriers in the United Kingdom. Waste Management & Research: The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy. 40 (7), pp. 905-918. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X211060619

Characterization of industrially pre-treated waste printed circuit boards for the potential recovery of rare earth elements

Gonzalez Baez, A., Pantoja Munoz, L., Garelick, H. and Purchase, D. 2022. Characterization of industrially pre-treated waste printed circuit boards for the potential recovery of rare earth elements. Environmental Technology and Innovation. 27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2022.102481

Monitoring occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in school populations: A wastewater-based approach

Castro-Gutierrez, V., Hassard, F., Vu, M., Leitao, R., Burczynska, B., Wildeboer, D., Stanton, I., Rahimzadeh, S., Baio, G., Garelick, H., Hofman, J., Kasprzyk-Hordern, B., Kwiatkowska, R., Majeed, A., Priest, S., Grimsley, J., Lundy, L., Singer, A. and Di Cesare, M. 2022. Monitoring occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in school populations: A wastewater-based approach. PLoS ONE. 17 (6). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270168

Multiclass target analysis of contaminants of emerging concern including transformation products, soil bioavailability assessment and retrospective screening as tools to evaluate risks associated with reclaimed water reuse

Beretsou, V., Nika, M., Manoli, K., Michael, C., Sui, Q., Lundy, L., Revitt, D., Thomaidis, N. and Fatta-Kassinos, D. 2022. Multiclass target analysis of contaminants of emerging concern including transformation products, soil bioavailability assessment and retrospective screening as tools to evaluate risks associated with reclaimed water reuse. Science of the Total Environment. 852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158391

The bacterial urban resistome: recent advances

Vassallo, A., Kett, S., Purchase, D. and Marvasi, M. 2022. The bacterial urban resistome: recent advances. Antibiotics. 11 (4), pp. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11040512

Antibiotic-resistant genes and bacteria as evolving contaminants of emerging concerns (e-CEC): is it time to include evolution in risk assessment?

Vassallo, A., Kett, S., Purchase, D. and Marvasi, M. 2021. Antibiotic-resistant genes and bacteria as evolving contaminants of emerging concerns (e-CEC): is it time to include evolution in risk assessment? Antibiotics. 10 (9), pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10091066

Antifungals, arthropods and antifungal resistance prevention: lessons from ecological interactions

Kett, S., Pathak, A., Turillazzi, S., Cavalieri, D. and Marvasi, M. 2021. Antifungals, arthropods and antifungal resistance prevention: lessons from ecological interactions. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 288 (1944), pp. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2020.2716

Development of a qualitative approach to assessing risks associated with the use of treated wastewater in agricultural irrigation

Revitt, D., Lundy, L. and Fatta-Kassinos, D. 2021. Development of a qualitative approach to assessing risks associated with the use of treated wastewater in agricultural irrigation. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 406, pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124286

Evaluation of measured dissolved and bio-met predicted bioavailable Cu, Ni and Zn concentrations in runoff from three urban catchments

Lindfors, S., Österlund, H., Lundy, L. and Viklander, M. 2021. Evaluation of measured dissolved and bio-met predicted bioavailable Cu, Ni and Zn concentrations in runoff from three urban catchments. Journal of Environmental Management. 287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112263

Evolutionary history of Carnivora (Mammalia, Laurasiatheria) inferred from mitochondrial genomes

Hassanin, A., Veron, G., Ropiquet, A., Jansen van Vuuren, B., Lécu, A., Goodman, S., Haider, J. and Nguyen Thanh, T. 2021. Evolutionary history of Carnivora (Mammalia, Laurasiatheria) inferred from mitochondrial genomes. PLoS ONE. 16 (2). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0240770

Towards the development of sustainable ground improvement techniques—biocementation study of an organic soil

Safdar, M., Mavroulidou, M., Gunn, M., Purchase, D., Gary, C., Payne, I. and Garelick, J. 2021. Towards the development of sustainable ground improvement techniques—biocementation study of an organic soil. Circular Economy and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-021-00071-8

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Diplostomum baeri

Landeryou, T., Ropiquet, A., Kett, S., Wildeboer, D. and Lawton, S. 2020. Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Diplostomum baeri. Parasitology International. 79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parint.2020.102166

Environmental and health hazards of textile industry wastewater pollutants and its treatment approaches

Kishor, R., Purchase, D., Ferreira, L., Mulla, S., Bilal, M. and Bharagava, R. 2020. Environmental and health hazards of textile industry wastewater pollutants and its treatment approaches. in: Hussain, C. (ed.) Handbook of Environmental Materials Management Cham, Switzerland Springer Nature. pp. 1-24

Exploitation of nitric oxide donors to control bacterial adhesion on ready‐to‐eat vegetables and dispersal of pathogenic biofilm from polypropylene

Islam, M., Durie, I., Ramadan, R., Purchase, D. and Marvasi, M. 2020. Exploitation of nitric oxide donors to control bacterial adhesion on ready‐to‐eat vegetables and dispersal of pathogenic biofilm from polypropylene. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 100 (7), pp. 3078-3086. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.10340

Global occurrence, chemical properties, and ecological impacts of e-wastes (IUPAC technical report)

Purchase, D., Abbasi, G., Bisschop, L., Chatterjee, D., Ekberg, C., Ermolin, M., Fedotov, P., Garelick, H., Isimekhai, K., Kandile, N., Lundstrom, M., Matharu, A., Miller, B., Pineda, A., Popoola, O., Retegan, T., Ruedel, H., Serpe, A., Shevah, Y., Surati, K., Walsh, F., Wilson, B. and Wong, M. 2020. Global occurrence, chemical properties, and ecological impacts of e-wastes (IUPAC technical report). Pure and Applied Chemistry. 92 (11), pp. 1733-1767. https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2019-0502

Mimicry diversification in Papilio dardanus via a genomic inversion in the regulatory region of engrailed – invected

Timmermans, M., Srivathsan, A., Collins, S., Meier, R. and Vogler, A. 2020. Mimicry diversification in Papilio dardanus via a genomic inversion in the regulatory region of engrailed – invected. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 287 (1926). https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2020.0443

Phytoremediation using native plants

Futughe, A., Purchase, D. and Jones, H. 2020. Phytoremediation using native plants. in: Shmaefsky, B. (ed.) Phytoremediation. Concepts and Strategies in Plant Sciences Cham, Switzerland Springer Nature. pp. 285-327

Recommendations to derive quality standards for chemical pollutants in reclaimed water intended for reuse in agricultural irrigation

Deviller, G., Lundy, L. and Fatta-Kassinos, D. 2020. Recommendations to derive quality standards for chemical pollutants in reclaimed water intended for reuse in agricultural irrigation. Chemosphere. 240, pp. 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124911

Postgraduate research

Postgraduate research

  • Factors influencing zooplankton communities in small freshwater lochs – 2024 MSc by Research
  • Eavesdropping on speech in wild carrion crows – 2024 PhD
  • Recovery of rare earth elements (REE) from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) through heterotrophic bioleaching – 2024 PhD
  • Sustainable Urban Waste Management Through the Lens of Service Users – 2023 DProf 
  • Combining phytoremediation with bioenergy production; exploring options for sustainable remediation – 2022 PhD
  • Advanced phytoremediation using soil solarization enhanced with biosurfactant as a novel approach for sustainable remediation of contaminated land in the Niger Delta, Nigeria – 2022 PhD
  • Analysis of the microbiota of human milk and baby faeces in Nigeria, using molecular and culture-based approaches – 2022 PhD
  • Evaluating the impacts of an urban catchment on water and sediment quality of a receiving river – 2021 PhD
  • Enhanced vermiremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated land using biosurfactant: an integrated approach – 2020 PhD
  • Intercellular production of Hydrogen peroxide in Solanum lycopersicum: an immune response to Salmonella infection – 2020 MSc by Research
Collaborations

Collaborations

Our team is part of an expansive global network, collaborating with leading institutions and experts to advance our research. Internationally, we partner with esteemed organisations such as the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), the University of Florence, the University of Cagliari, Luleå University of Technology, the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vellore Institute of Technology, and Lincoln University New Zealand.

Within the UK, we work closely with highly regarded institutions including The Natural History Museum, Rothamsted Research, Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Network Rail, Thames Water, Thames 21,  Wester Ross Fisheries Trust, The Lundy Field Society, the London Borough of Barnet, Westminster City Council, King’s College London, Queen Mary University of London, London South Bank University, the University of Aberdeen, and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

Media/Events

Media/Events

News

MDX students’ digital air quality campaign goes on display in Edgware town centre

Past Events

Our staff

Our staff

Group Lead: Prof Diane Purchase
Professor of Environmental Biotechnology

Co-Lead: Dr Alejandra Gonzalez Baez
Microbiology/Biosciences Technician

Valentina Basso
Lecturer in Environmental Health

Salma Conner
Lecturer in Environmental Health

Prof Hemda Garelick
Professor Emeritus

Dr Huw Jones
Associate Professor of Environmental Chemistry

Prof Lian Lundy
Professor of Environmental Science

Dr Leonardo Pantoja Munoz
Technical Tutor Analytical Chemistry

Dr Giovanni Quattrone
Senior Lecturer in Computer Science

Dr Martijn Timmermans
DoP Natural Science/Associate Professor in Biology

Dr Christophe Viavattene
Associate Professor of Environmental Sustainability

Dr Dirk Wildeboer
Senior Lecturer Bioscience and Biomedical Science

Julia Wilson
Senior Lecturer in Environmental Health

Associate members

Dr Steve Kett
Visiting Lecturer

Dr Anne Ropiquet
Queen Mary University of London

Dr Adrian Barnett
University of Roehampton

Get in touch

Get in touch

For enquiries, collaborations, or more information about our research, please contact Prof Diane Purchase (D.Purchase@mdx.ac.uk)

Social media handles

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