Prof. Kevin J. Wilkinson

Professor: Department of Chemistry (since 2005)
Senior lecturer, lecturer, post-doc: University of Geneva, Switzerland (1994 - 2005)
Ph.D. M.Sc.: Institut national de la recherche scientifique (Eau), Québec, QC (1988-1993)

Associate Editor: Environmental Chemistry (CSIRO), Environmental Science : Nano (RSC)
Member: Quebec Centre for Advanced Materials (QCAM), Quebec Centre for Research in Ecotoxicology (EcotoQ)

Research Interests

Our research interests lie in the field of "molecular" environmental chemistry. Our group specializes in determinations of bioavailability and mobility for trace metals and metal-based nanomaterials.

For example, current projects are examining the nature of the physicochemical processes influencing trace metal bioaccumulation by microorganisms. We are especially interested in understanding how complexation and the presence of multiple contaminants affects trace metal bioavailability. Our work on nanoparticles attempts to quantify their fate (dissolution, aggregation) and bioavailability (bioaccumulation, genomic and proteomic effects).

We are also interested in developing strategies for the detection of nanomaterials in the environment. Our laboratories are among the best equipped in the world for the detection and characterization of nanoparticles in biological and environmental media.

For a complete list of publications, please visit  

Google Scholar.

Highlights
Publications

Characterizing Atmospheric Emissions of Particulate Matter from Copper Smelting through Coriolis-μ Air Sampling and Single Particle ICP–MS Analysis

30 January 2026

This content is not available in the selected language. A J Goodman, H-E Ahabchane, P L Hayes, K J Wilkinson Environmental Science: Nano 2025, 12, 4994 – 5007 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestair.5c00307 Abstract New methods of air sampling and analysis are needed to better understand atmospheric emissions from industrial sources. To close this knowledge gap, 80 air samples […] Read more

Publications

Release of TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles from sunscreens into natural waters: detection and discrimination from natural particles using SP-ICP-ToF-MS

28 January 2026

This content is not available in the selected language. M Barabash, H-E Ahabchane, M Hadioui, K J Wilkinson Environmental Science: Nano 2025, 12, 4994 – 5007 https://doi.org/10.1039/D5EN00444F Abstract From an ecological risk perspective, it is important to differentiate engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) from naturally occurring nanoparticles (NNPs). The aim of this research was to characterize and […] Read more

Publications

Characterization of colloidal particles in soils, sediments and sludges by single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: a comparative study using sector field and time-of-flight instruments

28 January 2026

This content is not available in the selected language. Li, Z., Hadioui, M. and Wilkinson, K.J. J. Analytical Atomic Spectrometry 2025, 40, 2487-2497 https://doi.org/10.1039/D5JA00181A Abstract Colloids and nanoparticles in solid phase environmental matrices (soils, sediments, sludges) are widely heterogenous and polydisperse, which complicates their sampling and characterization by bulk analysis techniques. Indeed, techniques based upon […] Read more