The Global Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Paul's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
About Paul
Since graduating with a 1st Class BSc Hons in Environmental Science from the University of Plymouth I completed a Ph.D. in 2000 entitled "The quantitative isolation of 'insoluble organic matter' (IOM) from sediments and bacteria and its attempted dissolution using the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride-aluminium (III) chloride" under the supervision of Professor Steve Rowland.I have completed two Post-Doctoral Research Fellowships. The first investigated the nutritional status of soils and grasses in the Shimba Hills National Reserve, Kenya, a collaboration between the University of Plymouth (John Maskall) and Imperial College, London (Professor Ian Thornton) on behalf of The People's Trust for Endangered Species. The second (NERC; 2000-2003), investigated the molecular characterisation of chromatographically 'unresolved complex mixtures, (UCMs) obtained from crude oils using preparative-gas chromatography, "Hydrocarbon 'humps' a forgotten petroleum fraction" under the supervision of Professor Rowland and Dr Anthony Lewis.
Between 2000-2008 I was employed as a Scientific Officer in the School of Earth, Ocean and Environmental Sciences.
In 2008 I was seconded to a two-year Joint Industry Project co-ordinated by Oil Plus Ltd., Newbury, U.K., on behalf of five oil companies: BG Group, BP, Chevron, Nalco and Total. The purpose of this project was to develop a method for the quantification of C80 tetraacids 'ARN' acids in crude oils.
In 2011 my role changed to a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences. My interests include developing chromatographic separation techniques for organic geochemistry applications, especially isolation of high molecular weight organic compounds and the application of high temperature gas chromatography (HTGC) and HTGC coupled with mass spectrometry. My role changed in 2019 to a Technical Specialist in Mass Spectrometry, responsible for maintenance and training in the use of three gas chromatographs with flame ionisation detection (GC-FID; two can be operated in high temperature mode, HTGC-FID), two GCs coupled with single quadrupole mass spectrometers (GC/MS), an HTGC-ToF-(Select eV) MS, a Flash chromatography system with evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD), a semi-preparative liquid chromatography (HPLC) system with ultraviolet (UV) and refractive index (RI) detectors (can be coupled with an external ELSD), and a QE Focus uHPLC (reverse and normal phase pumps; heated electrospray ionisation (HESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI), atmospheric pressure photoionisation (APPI) and atmospheric solids analysis probe (ASAP) interfaces) with Orbitrap high-resolution accurate-mass mass spectrometer. I manage the wet chemistry laboratory (630) and undertake practical demonstration work and instrument training as part of undergraduate teaching and project work, and post-graduate project training.
Contact Paul
626 Davy Building, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
+44 1752 584553
P.A.Sutton@plymouth.ac.uk
