2026 Internship Opportunities

Toxic element contamination of soils from human induced activities is of a major global environmental problem. Many of these elements/metals, such as arsenic, selenium, cadmium, mercury, lead, are common in such contaminated soils. Under low soil pH and high organic matter content, many of these elements become highly soluble and enter the food web, first through the plants and then ultimately to humans. Interestingly the geochemical behavior of many of these toxic metals is similar to those of important plant nutrients, such as calcium, iron and phosphorous, and plant does not distinguish these elements well. Among plants, blue berries (Vaccinium sp.) prefer acidic soils and thus are highly vulnerable to heavy metal accumulation. Because big and bountiful blueberries require soil acidification, many farmers use mine spoils as a cheaper way to reduce soil pH and as an iron conditioner of soils where blueberries are grown. Many of these additives contain these toxic elements, and unknowingly, contaminating the blueberries (while producing high yields). This study evaluates the toxic element content of commercially available and grown blueberries in NJ, and compare their metal content with those grown in organic farms as well as growing naturally in pine lands of NJ. The study hopes to help both the growers and consumers of blueberries.

Students will collect blueberries from supermarkets and also from pinelands, analyze them using different analytical approaches, evaluate datasets and come up with a link between blueberry growing conditions, soil type, and heavy metal content.

Introductory chemistry background is essential (CHM 202).

Prior lab experience is essential. Students should know how to evaluate datasets using any graphing softwares.

Laptop required

• Students are responsible for securing accommodations for the duration of their internship. On-campus summer housing is typically available the first week of June until the first week of August (details to become available in Spring 2026). If the internship falls outside of on-campus housing availability, students will need to secure alternate housing.