Application Deadline: 13 March 2024
Details
3.5 year full time PhD
NERC Red-ALERT CDT: Transport and Spatial Distribution of Microplastics and Byproducts, and Associated Risks to Freshwater Ecosystems
Project Description
Natural Environment Research Council funded RED ALERT Centre for Doctoral Training (NERC Centre for Doctoral Training in Real-Time Digital Water-Based Systems (RED-ALERT CDT) (bath.ac.uk))[JB1] will provide training in water-based early warning systems for environmental and public health protection focused around 4 UK and 3 international Living Labs aimed to provide the in-depth knowledge and enable a step-change in managing environmental and public health.
Cardiff University Schools of Engineering and Biosciences, and University of Manchester Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering
An opportunity to apply for a fully funded NERC PhD Red-Alert Centre for Doctoral Training at Cardiff University. This PhD will be funded by NERC and Dwr Cymru.
Biofouling, the unintentional accumulation of sediments, chemicals, microbes and other organisms on submerged substrates, is exacerbated by the ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) in freshwaters. The transportation of pristine and befouled MPs in water increases contamination and infection risk resulting in unexpected ecological consequences to aquatic and human health. This interdisciplinary project will explore how aquatic microplastics and their byproducts are transported. The relationship of microplastics with farming activity, public sewerage network and wastewater treatment will be examined with specific emphasis on the effectiveness of constructed wetlands and reed beds to treat wastewater and MP. This will be achieved using Dwr Cymru’s existing network of online monitors in the Taff/Ely catchments and at a downstream constructed wetland treatment site which routinely measure pH, conductivity, DO, temperature, ammonia, nitrate and phosphate. These datasets will be augmented by spot-MP sampling at the same locations of MPs, metal and pathogen load to examine the dispersion and spread of pollutants and whether existing water monitoring can act as a proxy for other pollutants. In addition, pristine and bioaccumulated MP transport experiments will be conducted in the hydraulics laboratory at Cardiff University.
Microplastics have been found in all riverbed substrates despite these particles having lower densities than water; byproduct attachment on MPs (biofouling) can increase density and this may be a possible reason. The current understanding of the transport and fate of pristine and biofouled microplastics in freshwater systems is lacking. The varying size, density and shape of MPs in the environment impacts their buoyancy, settling velocity, and critical bed shear stress, making it challenging to predict their transport and distribution (Waldschläger and Schüttrumpf, 2019b; Khatmullina and Chubarenko, 2020; Waldschläger et al., 2022). This research will help our understanding of how MPs are transported in turbulent flow (e.g. rivers) as well as low velocity systems (e.g. constructed wetlands) so that we can understand travel time and wastewater treatment capabilities. This will benefit freshwater ecosystem health, human health and help water companies optimise wastewater treatment methods.
Academic Criteria
Candidates should hold or expect to gain a first-class degree or a good 2.1 in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Environmental, Chemical or a related subject).
Desirable skills:
Ability to write reports, collate information and present it in a clear and engaging manner
Excellent communication skills
Self-motivation and independence, with an ability to engage in team work.
A desire to learn and contribute to a cleaner sustainable practices.
Experience working in the laboratory and designing own experiments.
Data analysis and presentation skills.
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent)
Contact for further information
Please contact Prof Catherine Wilson for further details. Contact details: WilsonCA@cardiff.ac.uk;
https://profiles.cardiff.ac.uk/staff/wilsonca
How to apply
Applicants should submit an application for postgraduate study via the Cardiff University webpages (http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/programme/engineering ) including;
· an upload of your CV
· a personal statement/covering letter
· two references (applicants are recommended to have a third academic referee, if the two academic referees are within the same department/school)
· Current academic transcripts
Applicants should select Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering), with a start date of October 2024.
In the research proposal section of your application, please specify the project title and supervisors of this project and copy the project description in the text box provided. In the funding section, please select “I will be applying for a scholarship / grant” and specify that you are applying for advertised funding, reference CW CDT 24
Deadline for applications
13th March 24. We may however close this opportunity earlier if a suitable candidate is identified.
Funding Notes
Amount of Funding: Tuition fees at the home/EU rate (ÂŁ4,806 in 2024/5) and an annual stipend equivalent to current Research Council rates (ÂŁ19,237 stipend for academic year 2024/5), plus support for travel/conferences/consumables.
Eligibility: Full funding is currently available to Home and International applicants on a full time basis.
