The University of Western Australia

Assoc/Prof Sandra (Sam) Saunders

Associate Professor
School of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Contact details

Address

School of Chemistry and Biochemistry
The University of Western Australia (M313)
35 Stirling Highway
CRAWLEY WA 6009
Australia

Phone

6488 3153

Fax

6488 1054

Email

sandra.saunders@uwa.edu.au

Location

Room 310, Bayliss Building, Crawley campus

Qualifications

BSc PhD Leeds

Biography

I joined UWA as a research fellow in 2002, appointed lecturer in chemistry in 2004, and promoted to senior lecturer 2007. My research interests are in determining anthropogenic impacts, to develop practical tools for environmental impact assessment. Research projects range from laboratory based chromatographic analysis of environmental samples, field campaign measurements, to chemical simulations of the atmosphere. Study regions extend from local WA to wider Australia, Hong Kong, China and as far a field as the UK and antarctica.


I have a career record of over 60 publications and conference papers, with a total of 1044 citations. Prior to relocation to Australia I was a member of the European Union scientific steering committee on EUROTRAC-2 for the Chemical Mechanism Development group, and have since become a member of MASSANZ (Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand) CASANZ (Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand)


I undertook my degree and PhD at the University of Leeds, UK followed by research fellowships at Leeds and also the University of Melbourne in 1991. Building on the groundwork of my experimental elementary reaction kinetics PhD, understanding complex chemical kinetics, generating and measuring gas phase radicals at concentrations of 10^11 molecules cm-3 has led me to applying this knowledge in developing highly complex chemical models of the troposphere, as well as undertaking field measurements of atmospheric components, to aid in validating the model work.


I am a member of the original concept and development team of the Master Chemical Mechanism, and undertook the chemical software development and mechanism writing together with Mike Jenkin (Imperial College London), together we have written in excess of 10,000 elementary reactions appropriate to the planetary boundary layer, and made this available to the scientific community through a dedicated website. (see useful links below)

Key research

Chemistry in the biosphere - Experiments, modelling and analysis.

Much of my research involves the use of computer models to study atmospheric processes in detail. The models are constructed using a combination of detailed chemical mechanisms, measurements and emissions data. I have been instrumental in the development of a Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM) for use in these models.

Publications

S.M. Saunders, B. Radford, S.A. Bourke, Z. Thiele, T. Bech and J. Mardon – A rapid method for determining lipid fraction ratios of hard corals under varying sediment and light regimes. Environmental Chemistry 2, p331-336 (2005)

R.G. Hynes, D.E. Angove, S.M. Saunders, V. Haverd, M. Azzi – Evaluation of two MCM v3.1 alkene chamber mechanisms using indoor environmental chamber data. Atmospheric Environment 39, p7251-7262 (2005)

R.G. Derwent, M.E. Jenkin, S.M. Saunders, M.J. Pilling, N.R. Passant – Multi-day ozone formation from alkenes and carbonyls investigated with a master chemical mechanism under European conditions. Atmospheric Environment 39, p627-635 (2005)

R.G. Derwent, M.E. Jenkin, S.M. Saunders, M.J. Pilling, P.G. Simmonds, N.R. Passant, G.J Dollard, P. Dumitrean and A. Kent. Photochemical ozone formation in north-west Europe and its control. Atmospheric Environment 37(14), p1983-1991 (2003)

S.M. Saunders, S. Pascoe, A.P. Johnson, M.J. Pilling and M.E. Jenkin. Development and preliminary test results of an expert system for the automatic generation of tropospheric VOC degradation mechanisms. Atmospheric Environment 37(13), p1723-1735 (2003)

S.M. Saunders, M.E. Jenkin, R.G. Derwent and M.J. Pilling. Protocol for the development of the master chemical mechanism MCMv3 (Part A): Tropospheric degradation of non-aromatic volatile organic compounds. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 3, p161-180 (2003)

M.E. Jenkin, S.M. Saunders, V. Wagner and M.J. Pilling. Protocol for the development of the master chemical mechanism MCMv3 (Part B): Tropospheric degradation of aromatic volatile organic compounds. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 3, p181-193 (2003)

V. Wagner, M.E. Jenkin, S.M. Saunders, J. Stanton and M.J. Pilling. Modelling of the photoxidation of Toluene: Conceptual ideas for validating detailed mechanisms. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 3, 89-106 (2003)

M.E. Jenkin, S.M. Saunders, R.G. Derwent and M.J. Pilling. Development of a reduced speciated VOC degradation mechanism for use in ozone models. Atmospheric Environment 36, p4725-4734 (2002)

N. Carslaw, P.J. Jacobs, D.J. Creasey, D.Harrison, D.E. Heard, M.C. Hunter, J.D. Lee, A.C. Lewis, M.J. Pilling, S.M. Saunders, P.W. Seakins and M.E. Jenkin. OH and HO2 radical chemistry in a forested region of north-western Greece. Atmospheric Environment 35, p4725-4737 (2001)

R. G. Derwent, M.E. Jenkin, S.M. Saunders and M.J. Pilling. Characterisation of the reactivities of volatile organic compounds using a master chemical mechanism. Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association 51, p699 – 707 (2001)

K.M. Cooke, S. Hassoun, S.M. Saunders and M.J. Pilling. Identification and quantification of volatile organic compounds found in a eucalyptus forest during FIELDVOC’94 in Portugal. Chemosphere – global change science 3, p249-257 (2001)

Selected Published Abstracts, Conference Proceedings and Presentations

S. M. Saunders, S. Lam, R. G. Hynes, D. E. Angove, V. E. Haverd, M. Azzi Photo-oxidation of emissions from well defined refinery sources: Measurements, modelling and further developing the Master Chemical Mechanism. RSC Gas Kinetics Discussion Group, Leeds, UK Sept. (2007)

J. Mardon , S.M. Saunders, F. Bonadonna, Chemical communication in birds: petrel seabirds’ olfactory make up , 6th International Zoo and Wildlife Research Conference on Behaviour, Physiology and Genetics, Berlin (2007)

B. Radford, S.M Saunders, T. Bech, Investigation of the relationship between coral distribution and an environmental gradient by measuring changes in lipid content, 83rd Australian Coral Reefs Society Conference, Perth (2007)

S.M. Saunders, D. Todd and E. Zardin. Perth airshed modelling: Developments and preliminary results. RACI Interact, Perth 24-28 Sept. (2006)

T. Lyons, R. Donnelly, S.M. Saunders, S. Goh , S. Wilkinson, N. Rothnie, D. Flemming, J. Genovese, L. Higgins. Measurements and preliminary modelling of pollutant dispersion in the Perth CBD. RACI Interact, Perth 24-28 Sept. (2006)

L. Singh, R. Hynes, D. Angove, M. Azzi and S.M. Saunders. Simulation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from the photo-oxidation of isoprene using the master chemical mechanism (MCMv3.1). 14th International Conference on Air Pollution 2006. Wessex Institute of Technology, New Forest, UK. 22 - 24 May (2006)

Y. Ma and S.M. Saunders. A case study of the effectiveness of WebCT as a student-learning tool and platform for structured assessment. TL Forum (2006). The Experience of Learning. Proceedings of the 15th Annual Teaching Learning Forum, 1-2 February 2006. Perth: University of Western Australia

S.M. Saunders and D. Todd. Assessing aromatic compound impacts on photochemical ozone generation utilizing an updated Perth airshed model. In Zerger, A. and Argent, R.M. (eds) MODSIM 2005 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand, December (2005), pp. 306-311. ISBN: 0-9758400-2-9

S. Lam and S.M. Saunders. Simulation and analysis of high ozone episodes observed in the Hong Kong airshed: An explicit model approach In Zerger, A. and Argent, R.M. (eds) MODSIM2005 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand, December (2005), pp. 293-299. ISBN: 0-9758400-2-9

S. A. Bourke, S.M. Saunders, B. Radford. Determination of lipid fraction ratios as an index of condition in hard corals exposed to sediment addition from dredging. Australian Marine Science Association, AMSA conference, Darwin, NT, 11- 13 July (2005)

S. A. Bourke, S.M. Saunders, B. Radford. Lipid ratios as potential tool for monitoring sediment stress in hard corals. Indian Ocean Marine environmental Conference, IOMEC, Perth WA Feb. (2005)

S.M. Saunders. Application of the MCM in modelling photochemical ozone formation and ambient VOC measurements in Hong Kong – Hong Kong PolytechnicUniversity, Research Centre for Environmental Technology and Management, Department of Civil & Structural Engineering with the Air and Waste Management Association (A&WMA) HK Section, June (2004)

S.M. Saunders, M.E. Jenkin, A.R. Rickard, V. Wagner, C. Bloss, L. Whitehouse, S. Pascoe and M.J. Pilling – The master chemical mechanism latest improvements (MCMv3.1), 18th International Symposium on Gas Kinetics University of Bristol, August (2004)

S.M. Saunders and Y. Ma. Development and Preliminary test results of an Explicit West Australian Tropospheric Photochemical Model. MODSIM – International Congress of Modelling and Simulation, Townsville, July (2003)

R.G. Derwent, M.E.Jenkin, S.M. Saunders, M.J. Pilling and N.R. Passant. Policy applications of the Master Chemical Mechanism to NOx and VOC controls. BMU/UBA – USEPA – EMEP Workshop, Bad Breisig, Germany, Oct. (2002)

Selected Major Research Contract Reports

S.M. Saunders and E. Zardin. PTR-MS measurements during the winter 2006 monitoring campaign at Yarloop WA. p.1-37 (2006).

S.M. Saunders and E. Zardin. Work experience participants on the CMAR and DEC PTR-MS instruments. Report on the in-field calibration exercise Yarloop. p.1-28 (2006).

Environmental Alliance. Alcoa Wagerup Refinery Field Odour Surveys Winter 2006. p.1-79. (2006). S.M. Saunders (UWA) contribution.

M.J. Pilling (Co-ordinator). (2003) Effects of the oxidation of aromatic compounds in the troposphere (EXACT).Contract number EVK2-CT-1999-00053. Final report, p1-113.

M.J. Pilling (Co-ordinator). (2002) Effects of the oxidation of aromatic compounds in the troposphere (EXACT) Contract number EVK2-CT-1999-00053. End of year 2 report, p1-69

M.E. Jenkin, L.J. Clapp, T.J. Davies, G.D. Hayman, J.R. Stedman, R. Thetford, P.L. FitzGerald, R.G. Derwent, W.J. Collins, S.M. Saunders and M.J. Pilling. (2002) Modelling of tropospheric ozone formation. Final report prepared for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on contract EPG 1/3/143.

M. E. Jenkin, S. M. Saunders, R. G. Derwent, V. Wagner, M. J. Pilling. (2002) EUROTRAC-2 CMD final report, http://imkaida.fzk.de/CMD/final_report/index.html.

M.E. Jenkin, L.J. Clapp, T.J. Davies, G.D. Hayman, J.R. Stedman, R. Thetford, P.L. FitzGerald, R.G. Derwent, W.J. Collins, S.M. Saunders and M.J. Pilling. (2001) Modelling of tropospheric ozone formation. 2nd annual report prepared for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on contract EPG 1/3/143.

M.J. Pilling (Co-ordinator). (2001) Effects of the oxidation of aromatic compounds in the troposphere (EXACT). Contract number EVK2-CT-1999-00053. End of year report.

M.E. Jenkin, T.J. Davies, G.D. Hayman, J.R. Stedman, R. Thetford, P.L. FitzGerald, R.G. Derwent, W.J. Collins , S.M. Saunders and M.J. Pilling. (2000) Modelling of tropospheric ozone formation. 1st annual report prepared for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on contract EPG 1/3/143.

Teaching

2005-2008 Unit coordinator: CHEM1105, Introductory chemistry, CHEM1104, biological inorganic and physical chemistry, and CHEM3310, environmental chemistry. Lecturer in CHEM3311 green chemistry, and EART2235, introduction to geochemistry.

PSB Singapore: lecture preparation, and coordinator for CHEM1104 PSB. Supervision of undergraduate research projects as part of the CHEM3309 unit, chemistry in the workplace, running throughout semester 2.

FLPS Science Communications Units: participant News publication article, Science Communication Writing, COMM2208.

Useful links

http://www.chem.leeds.ac.uk/Atmospheric/MCM/mcmproj.html

Current projects

Atmospheric Science and Air Quality Issues

- On-site, long term measurements of tropospheric VOC by proton-transfer- reaction mass spectrometry (PTR- MS)
- Atmospheric reactions of organic compounds from Bayer Refinery Stack Emissions (BRSE)
- Aromatic compounds and the development of secondary organic aerosol (SOA); questions of toxicity and associated health impacts
- Biogenic emissions in WA, identification and tropospheric degradation pathways
- Mechanistic sensitivity testing comparisons of single VOC (volatile organic compound) atmospheric chamber experiments with tropospheric ozone models.
- Assessment of emissions, monitoring and meteorological data to develop a regional chemical mechanism for simulating observed ozone formation and ambient VOC measurements in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta of CHina
- Pollutant dispersion within the CBD, Perth WA
- Indoor air pollution: Investigation of organic compound processes in the indoor environs; observations and modelling.

Marine Environmental studies

- VOC analysis of olfactory signatures from Antarctic seabirds
- Effects of Sediment and Turbidity on the Reef Corals in the NW of Western Australia
- Identification and quantification of the lipid extracts using quantitative gas chromatographic (GC-MS) methods, and TLC analysis for lipid fraction assessment.

Research profile

Research profile and publications