Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Expertise
Having joined ERI as a Research Fellow in 2011, I am currently Senior Research Fellow and theme leader for “Environmental Contamination and Ecological Health”. Prior to ERI I spent four years in Spain, at the University of Castilla-la Mancha, where I held a “Juan de la Cierva” Research Fellowship. Before this, I spent 7 years at the University of Aberdeen undertaking my PhD (in arsenic biogeochemistry) and subsequently a post-doctoral teaching and research fellowship.
I have 30 years experience in the environmental sector and have worked not only within academia, but also within industry (in Power Generation/Flue Gas Desulphurisation) and in regulation (having worked for the UK Environment Agency for 4 years). I hold a broad range of interdisciplinary research interests which are founded on a background in earth science, soil science and biogeochemistry. Current research tends more towards ecotoxicology and the fate, behaviour and effects of pollutants and toxicants within the environment. Much of my work involves the use/application of advanced analytical techniques (LC-MS/MS (ToF, triple quadrupole), GC-MS, ICP-AES, ICP-MS, SEM-EDS, XANES/EXAFS, XRF) to answer questions regarding the uptake, transfer and toxicity of metals/metalloids and emerging contaminants (i.e., pharmaceuticals) at higher trophic levels (in birds, mammals, etc).
A primary research theme since 2004 has involved the study of the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), specifically diclofenac, on what are now Critically Endangered Gyps vultures on the Indian sub-continent. This work has been driven by an active on-going collaboration with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. For more comprehensive information regarding this research, please see the “Saving Asia's Vultures from Extinction” (SAVE) website at http://www.save-vultures.org/.
Research links
Since 2004 I have been closely engaged with the SAVE (Saving Asia's Vultures from Extinction) conservation and research consortium. I also sit on the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for SAVE and have published >20 papers related to the collapse of Asia's vulture populations due to NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) poisoning. For more information on this, see:
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development 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. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, Arsenic Biogechemistry, University of Aberdeen
1 Sept 2000 → 1 Jan 2005
Award Date: 1 Jan 2005
Master of Science, Geochemistry, University of Leeds
1 Sept 1995 → 1 Sept 1996
Award Date: 1 Sept 1996
Bachelor of Science, Earth Science + Countryside Management, Liverpool JM University
1 Sept 1991 → 1 Jul 1994
Award Date: 1 Jul 1994
Keywords
- QD Chemistry
- Geochemistry
- Biogeochemistry
- Ecotoxicology
- Wildlife Forensics
- Soil Science
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations from the last five years
-
Biochar production from wood waste and investigation of its potential use in nutrient removal
Taggart, M. (PI) & Pap, S. (Researcher)
Project: Research
-
Developing frameworks for eco-directed sustainable prescribing: Towards reducing environmental pollution from healthcare practices
Niemi, L. M. (CoI), Taggart, M. (CoI), Gibb, S. (CoI), Pfleger, S. (PI), Anderson, C. (CoI) & Arakawa, N. (CoI)
5/10/22 → 13/10/23
Project: Research
-
Do you think medicines can be prescribed in a more eco-directed, greener way? A qualitative study based on public and prescriber focus groups on the impact of pharmaceuticals in Scotland's water environment
Niemi, L., Anderson, C., Arakawa, N., Taggart, M., Gibb, S. & Pfleger, S., 20 Jan 2025, In: BMJ open. 15, 1, e088066.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Insights into phosphate removal and recovery from wastewater using biosolids biochar: Pyrolysis optimisation, mechanistic and column studies
Pap, S., Karmann, C., Thompson, T., McConnell, R., Kennedy, T. & Taggart, M. A., 1 Jun 2025, In: Journal of water process engineering. 75, p. 107954Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Long-term monitoring of constructed wetlands in distilleries in Scotland - Evaluating treatment performance and seasonal microbial dynamics
Cakin, I., Marcello, L., Morrissey, B., Gaffney, P. P. J. & Taggart, M. A., 1 Feb 2025, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 375, 124279.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Sampling of red grouse carcasses in Britain indicates no progress during an intended five-year voluntary transition from lead to non-lead shotgun ammunition
Green, R. E., Taggart, M. A., Pain, D. J., Cakin, I., Clark, N. A., Cromie, R., Greenwood, L., Guiu, M., Porter, R., Smith, K. W., Smith, L. & Wilson, J. D., 6 Feb 2025, In: Conservation Evidence Journal. 22, p. 9-15Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile13 Downloads (Pure) -
The proportion of common pheasants shot using lead shotgun ammunition in Britain has barely changed over five years of voluntary efforts to switch from lead to non-lead ammunition
Green, R. E., Taggart, M. A., Pain, D. J., Clark, N. A., Cromie, R., Dodd, S. G., Elliot, B., Green, R. M. W., Greenwood, L., Huntley, B., Leslie, R., Porter, R., Price, M., Roberts, J., Robinson, R. A., Smith, K. W., Smith, L., Spencer, J., Stroud, D. & Thompson, T., 25 Feb 2025, In: Conservation Evidence Journal. 22, p. 18-25Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure) -
A comparison between constructed wetland substrates: Impacts on microbial community and wastewater treatment
Cakin, I., Morrissey, B., Marcello, L., Gaffney, P. P. J., Pap, S. & Taggart, M. A., 29 Aug 2024, In: Chemosphere. 364, p. 143179Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access4 Citations (Scopus) -
Comparing DNA isolation and sequencing strategies for 16S rRNA gene amplicon analysis in biofilm containing environments
Cakin, I., Morrissey, B., Gordon, M., Gaffney, P. P. J., Marcello, L., Macgregor, K. & Taggart, M. A., 20 Mar 2024, In: Journal of Microbiological Methods. 220, 106921.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Citations (Scopus)6 Downloads (Pure)
Press/Media
-
Pledge To Phase Out Toxic Lead Ammunition In UK Hunting By 2025 Has Failed
7/03/25
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
-
PLEDGE TO PHASE OUT TOXIC LEAD AMMUNITION IN UK HUNTING BY 2025 HAS FAILED
7/03/25
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
-
Promise to phase out lead from UK game shooting has failed, study finds
6/03/25
3 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
-
Pledge to phase out toxic lead ammunition in UK hunting by 2025 has failed
6/03/25
4 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
-
Instituto de Investigacion Reports Findings in Veterinary Research (Pharmaceuticals in avian scavengers and other birds of prey: A toxicological perspective to improve risk assessments)
24/07/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
-
Research Partnership Established Between UHI Scientists and Bangalore North University in India
25/03/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
-
Research Partnership Established Between UHI Scientists And Bangalore North University In India To Support Groundbreaking Water Recycling Project
23/03/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
Impacts
-
Motion raised in Scottish Parliament
Gibb, S. (Participant) & Taggart, M. (Participant)
Impact: Public policy Impacts