Anka Lekhi
M.Sc. student

B.Sc. University of British Columbia, Chemisty (2002)

Office: NCE 342

Tel: 604-822-9283

Supervisor: Kristin Orians

High cadmium levels in deep water cultured Pacific oysters have lead to the loss of some international markets for the BC shellfish growers. The cadmium levels in BC oysters are highly varied and unpredictable and no confirmed sources or pathway of the cadmium has been established. Together with the BC shellfish Growers Association, Dr. Maldonado and David Cassis of UBC, we are working to source the cadmium and to establish the pathway of cadmium uptake by the oysters. My part of the study is to look at the dissolved and particulate cadmium levels in the seawater surrounding two representative oyster farms.

Other research interests include studying the distribution of various trace metals (including Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu and Mn) along the coast of British Columbia in Hecate Strait. These distributions are indicative of the biogeochemical processes that control the elements as well as their use as physical tracers. My work includes developing sampling and sample preparation techniques, which involves the separation of trace metals from major ions present in seawater, that are contamination-free as well as developing reproducible and reliable instrumental analysis for each element.

last updated October 29, 2004