Samira Ibrahim Korfali
Personal information
Samira Ibrahim Korfali
Chairperson
Contact information (Private)
+961 1 753295
+961 3 568415
Contact information (Work)
Natural Science Department at the Lebanese American University
+961 1 786456 ext 1224
Community/Lebanon Impact
Estimated the transport of toxic metals from water to soil and sediment; stressing what renders metals to be toxic is not its total content but speciation forms whether in soil or water. Due to our calcareous soils, these toxic metals will be incorporated in soils and/or sediments and in water speciation as carbonate complexes lowering the toxic metal effects. To render less metal toxicity in Lebanese water bodies’ acid drainage or waste should be banned. Also the risk assessment of phthalate contaminates in children’s toys were estimated. Proposing the banning of manufactured clays to children and substituting it by moulding food products, to avoid heath risk factors.
Work history
Previous Professions:
- Chairperson of the Natural Science Department, 2006 - 2010, Lebanese American University.
- Associate Professor, 1978 - present, , Chemistry Department, Lebanese American University.
- Chemistry Instructor, 1982 - 1983, Hariri Nursing School-Kfrafalos.
- Chemistry Instructor , 1977, Lebanese University, Education Department.
- Research Assistant, 1974 - 1975, Environmental Science Department/School of Public Health, American University of Beirut.
Major Achievements
Publications (Books, Articles, Reports, etc.):
- Korfali, S. Karake, H. (2018) Speciation of metals in soils and water: risk assessment. Environmental process, 5, 101-125.
- Korfali, S.I. (2012). Total and speciated metals and metal scales in domestic water: Impact of metallic water distribution system, Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering, A 1 732-749.
- Korfali, S.I., Jurdi, M. (2011) Suitability of Surface Water for Domestic Water Use: Al -Awali River Case Study, EWRA, European Water, 35, 3-12.
- Korfali, S.I., Abou Hamdan, W. (2013). Essential and toxic metals in Lebanese marketed canned food: Impact of metal cans, Journal of Food Research, 2 (1), 19-30.
- Korfali, S., Jurdi, M. (2009). Provision of safe domestic water for the promotion and protection of public health: A case study of Beirut, Lebanon. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 31, 283–295, DOI 10.1007/S10653-008-9218-1.
- Korfali, S, Jurdi, M, Davies, B.E. . (2006). Variation of metals in bed sediments of Qaraaoun Reservoir, Lebanon. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 151, 307-319.
- Korfali, S. Davies, B.E. (2005). Seasonal variation of trace metal chemical forms in bed sediments of a karstic river in Lebanon: implications for self- purification. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 27, 385-395.
- Korfali, S., Massoud, M. (2003). Assessment of community noise problem in Greater Beirut Area, Lebanon. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 84, 203-218.
- Korfali, S. (1994). Chemistry basic concepts. Beirut, Lebanon : Le Pointier.
- Korfali, S.I. Hawi, T., Mroueh, H. (2013). Evaluation of Heavy metals content in dietary supplements in Lebanon, Chemistry Central Journal, 7:10
- Korfali, S.I., Mroueh, M., Al-Zein, M, Salem, R. (2013). Metal concentration in commonly used medicinal herbs and infusion by Lebanese population: Health Impact, Journal of Food Research, 2 (2), 70-82.
- Korfali, S.I., Sabra, R., Jurdi, M., Taleb, R. (2013). Assessment of Toxic Metals and Phthalates in Children’s Toys and Clays. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 65, 368–381.
- Hariri, E., Abboud, M.I., Demirdjian, S., Korfali, S., Mroueh, M., Taleb, I. (2015). Carcinogenic and neurotoxic risks of acrylamide and heavy metals from potato and corn chips consumed by the Lebanese population. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 42, 91-97.
- Wazne, M, Korfali, S. (2016) Spatial and temporal assessment of metal pollution in the sediments of the Qaraoun Reservoir, Lebanon. Environmental Science and Pollution Research , 23 (8) , 7603- 7614.
- de Namor, A., Al Hakawati, N. , Abou Hamdan, W., Soualhi, R., Korfali, S., Valiente, L. (2017) Calix[4]pyrrole for the removal of arsenic (III) and arsenic (V) form water. Journal of Hazardous Materials., 326, 61- 68.
Major achievements:
- Discussion leader of Role Model Series: Scientist, the World Economic Forum (WEF) for the sessions on Science and Technology, 2009.
- Received Research Acknowledgment from PubMed International Journal Publishers, 2008.
Accomplishments
Awards:
- Said Akl Prize, 2001.
Competences & Skills
Field(s) of Expertise:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Metal Sediment Water Interaction
- Water Assessment
- Noise Pollution
- Metal Speciation
- Science and Technology
- Toxic metals in food and children products
Languages:
- Arabic
- English