Peter Smith

Position: Research Technician

General Background:

My main interest is in soil science, particularly how soils interact with the environment as a result of anthropogenic activities such as agriculture, climate change and pollution.  I came into environmental radioactivity quite by chance at the University of Stirling and over the last few years have been working on differing projects including monitoring of radionuclides discharged into the waste water system from hospitals and also the HABITS monitoring program. These proved useful when engaging with members of the public and specialist groups in order to complete face to face questionnaires and elicit information about activities and habits people undertake in and around nuclear installations across Scotland.  As a result I have gained a unique insight into how people’s habits can interact with the radionuclide environment and pathways.  I am trained to ISO: 17025 in measuring gamma and beta radiation in the field and experience of field sampling and in-situ dosimetry as well as the setting up of automatic water samplers and subsequent collection of samples for analyses.  Additional I have developed data management skills along with field work planning and execution and have improved my report-writing abilities.

Academic background:

1994-1997 BSc (Hons):  Crop and Soil Science (Bangor University)

1998-2000 MSc (By Research):  Environmental Soil Microbiology (Stirling University)

2005-2012 MPhil:  Sustainability of Landfill Leachate Irrigation on Vegetation and Impact on Soil and Water Quality (Bangor University)

Publications:

  • Radiological Habits Survey: Rosyth 2015. Tyler, A. Watterson, I. Dale, L. Evans, V. Peredo-Alverez, D. Copplestone, S. Bradley, B. Shaw, P. Smith, P. Bartie and P. Hunter.
  • Radiological Habits Survey: Chapelcross 2015. Tyler, A. Watterson, I. Dale, L. Evans, V. Peredo-Alverez, D. Copplestone, S. Bradley, B. Shaw, P. Smith, P. Bartie and P. Hunter.
  • Radiological Habits Survey: Faslane 2016. . I. Dale, P. Smith, A. Tyler, A. Watterson, D. Copplestone, A. Varley, S. Bradley, L. Evans, P Bartie, M. Clarke, M. Blake, P. Hunter and R. Jepson
  • Radiological Habits Survey: Torness 2016. Dale, P. Smith, A. Tyler, A. Watterson, D. Copplestone, A. Varley, S. Bradley, L. Evans, P Bartie, M. Clarke, M. Blake, P. Hunter and R. Jepson