Objective The environmental pollution by ecotoxic heavy metals is an issue of increasing significance for ecological and human health reasons. Among these elements, cadmium (Cd) is of special concern due to its high mobility in the soil/plant system and its acute toxicity towards most forms of life, which requires monitoring of food products, especially crops. Improving food security represents a major European priority and is one of the societal challenges targeted by Horizon 2020. In this context, SPECADIS overarching objective is to enhance our understanding of Cd bioavailability to crops and bring constraints on the mechanisms that govern the uptake and fate of Cd in the plants that feed the world. Previous studies have demonstrated that Cd bioavailability in the plant/soil system depends ultimately on its chemical speciation, for which in situ determination remained out-of-reach until now. To investigate Cd speciation in crops, SPECADIS will use a novel multidisciplinary framework combining the most recent advances of two cutting-edge technologies: X-Ray absorption spectroscopy and stable isotope mass spectrometry. SPECADIS will (i) use the newly developed High Energy Resolution Fluorescence Detected X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy technique to bring, for the first time, in situ Cd speciation measurements in crops and (ii), combined with Cd isotope geochemistry, unravel the relationships between Cd isotope fractionation and Cd speciation changes in crops to develop a tracer of Cd speciation in dilute samples. SPECADIS will be hosted by the environmental geosciences AMU department CEREGE. The fellow will bring her expertise in heavy metal isotope geochemistry to a team of internationally renowned spectroscopists and soil scientists, who will train her and encourage her to develop her leadership skills. SPECADIS results will be disseminated to the range of specialist and non-specialist audiences, enhancing the visibility of its innovative approach on an international scale. Fields of science natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metalsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeochemistryisotope geochemistrynatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopyabsorption spectroscopynatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesenvironmental sciencespollutionnatural scienceschemical sciencesanalytical chemistrymass spectrometry Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2017 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2017 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator UNIVERSITE D'AIX MARSEILLE Net EU contribution € 185 076,00 Address BOULEVARD CHARLES LIVON 58 LE PHARO 13284 Marseille France See on map Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Bouches-du-Rhône Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 185 076,00