AGU Chapman Conference on Organic Matter Fluorescence

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
20–23 October 2008

Cosponsor

The U.K. Natural Environment Research Council Knowledge Transfer Network 'Fluorescence for the Water Sciences (NERC 'Fluoronet')

Conveners

Paula Coble, College of Marine Science, University of Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tel: +1-727-553-1631
Andy Baker, School of Geography, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, U.K.; Tel: +1-44-121-415-8133

Program Committee

George Aiken, U.S. Geological Survey, Boulder, CO USA; Tel: +1-303-541-3036
Diane McKnight, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, Boulder, CO USA; Tel: +1-303-492-4687
Brian Bergamaschi, U.S. Geological Survey, California State University, Sacramento, CA USA; Tel: +1-916-278-3053
Darren Reynolds, Environmental and Interdisciplinary Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, U.K.; Tel: +44-117-3282563
Jennifer Boehme, The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD USA; Tel: +1-443-482-2200
Rob Spencer, Dept. of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, CA USA
Robyn Conmy, College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
Colin Stedmon, Department of Marine Ecology, National Environmental Research Institute, Frederiksborgvej, DK; Tel: +45-4630-1805

Introduction

Fluorescence spectroscopy is one of the most sensitive of analytical techniques. Its application is widespread across diverse scientific subjects and disciplines. Over the past 20 years, progress in medical physics and biomedical science research has driven substantive technological and methodological advancements in fluorescence based applications. These developments have ensured that fluorescence spectroscopy is now widely utilized in the water sciences.

Presently, there are a number of active research groups worldwide that are using fluorescence techniques for the investigation of aquatic systems. Such groups represent a diverse user community including scientists, engineers, and policy makers from across a wide range of private and public sectors involved in the monitoring and management of fresh, potable, ground, marine, and waste waters.

However, advancement of the use of fluorescence more broadly by the water science community is hampered by a lack of a forum at which the fluorescence community regularly convenes. This has hindered the advancement of knowledge in both water science and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of the conference is to provide a focused forum for scientists from different research communities interested in organic matter fluorescence, to develop research ideas, define methodologies, and disseminate results. The conveners anticipate that the final outcome will include a timely, focused publication on the conference topics, including summaries of working group discussions. Plans include an instrument exhibit session for vendors to display and demonstrate products. Vendors will be invited participants as well, so users and manufacturers can benefit from discussions.

The conference will gather this diverse community to participate in knowledge exchange and knowledge transfer providing the first-ever forum to discuss community practices for sampling, measurement, and data analysis of fluorescence substances in water. The conference will specifically address the following topics:

Learning From Different Disciplines: Inter Calibration, Standards, and Sample Handling: Session Leaders: George Aiken, Jennifer Boehme

Environmental Influences on Organic Matter Fluorescence: Session Leads: Robert Spencer, Andy Baker

Data Analysis: Session Lead: Colin A. Stedmon

What's Next? Future Directions and Novel Applications: Session Lead: Darren Reynolds

Conference Format and Topics

There will be morning and afternoon sessions, and evenings reserved for both informal hands-on workshops and social events. Morning plenary sessions will consist of invited overview talks followed by several short presentations. Attendees are encouraged to submit poster abstracts for the lunchtime poster sessions. Afternoon sessions will allow subgroups of participants to identify issues not addressed elsewhere in presentations and provide a central focus for discussion. Major resolved and unresolved issues will be presented to the whole community in the 'topic presentations' sessions for further input and direction.

Abstract Submissions

Deadline: 4 August 2008
Abstract submission instructions (.doc) are available.

Travel Support

Application Deadline: 4 August 2008
Travel support for the conference will depend on the fund-raising effort and commitments from the cosponsors. Updated information on financial assistance will be provided once available. Graduate students and young scientists will be given priority for financial assistance.

Venue

The conference takes place at the University of Birmingham in Edgbaston, Birmingham. Birmingham is a cosmopolitan and vibrant city ideally placed for travel in and out of the U.K. Just 2 hours from London by train and 30 minutes from the international airport, Birmingham has excellent access to the U.K.'s road and rail network, making it ideal for days out to explore the U.K. or to visit friends at other universities. The Edgbaston campus is within easy reach of the city's highlights. The University train station is right on the doorstep and one stop from the city centre, buses run every few minutes, and black cabs and private hire cars are freely available. The city isn't far from the open countryside of Warwickshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire or Stratford-upon-Avon, where the Royal Shakespeare Company stages plays regularly. Warwick and Kenilworth Castles are well-known landmarks and for those who like the great outdoors, Coombe Park and the expanses of Cannock Chase are easily accessible. The beautiful towns of the Cotswolds are ideal for day trips, as are Bath and Cheltenham. Smaller villages like Painswick, Biddestone, Winchcombe, or Woodstock have unspoilt walks and small independent shops.

Accommodations

Housing Deadline: 22 August 2008
Group housing reservations will be made on campus at the University. Meals will be included as part of the accommodations package. Information for reserving sleeping rooms will be made available in mid-June.

Further Information

If you would like to receive future updates about this conference, e-mail chapman-help@agu.org. For information about the scientific program, please contact one of the conveners via e-mail: Paula Coble or Andy Baker