Supervisory Team:
Prof. Alistair Boxall – University of York
Dr Frances Orton – Heriot-Watt University
Prof. Tom Hutchinson – Reckitt
Freshwater wetlands are increasingly threatened by a complex mix of chemicals, which can have harmful effects on the health of resident species. With climate change driving significant changes in the physico-chemical environment (e.g., temperature shifts, changes in pH, wet-drying cycles), the risks posed by these chemicals could alter in ways that we currently do not fully understand. This PhD project will investigate how climate change could alter the risks of chemical exposure in wetland ecosystems and develop new models to forecast these risks under future climate scenarios.
Supported by a CASE award with Reckitt, an international leader in consumer hygiene and healthcare, this research will explore how climate-induced environmental changes impact the fate, uptake, and toxicity of chemical contaminants in wetland invertebrate species.
What You Will Do:
You will conduct innovative research to understand the interactions between chemical exposure and climate change in wetland ecosystems. Specifically, you will:
Conduct a systematic review exploring how key environmental parameters (e.g., temperature, pH, wet-drying cycles) impacted by climate change influence the fate, uptake, and effects of chemical pollutants in wetland ecosystems.
Design and carry out experiments to test how climate-induced changes (e.g., heatwaves, pH fluctuations) affect the distribution, degradation, bioavailability, and toxicity of various chemicals in wetland environments.
Develop predictive models to estimate the future risks of chemical exposure for wetland species, helping to shape strategies for ecosystem protection under changing climate conditions.
Collaborate with Reckitt during a secondment to explore the implications of your findings for environmental risk assessment methodologies, particularly for chemicals used in consumer products.
What You Will Learn:
As part of this PhD, you will gain hands-on experience in a wide range of research techniques, including:
Environmental analytical chemistry (e.g., LC-MS-MS)
Environmental fate testing (e.g., sorption and persistence studies)
Ecotoxicology assessments to evaluate the impact of chemicals on wetland invertebrates
Modelling the bioaccumulation and ecological effects of chemical contaminants
Risk assessment methodologies relevant to environmental policies and regulatory frameworks
Essential Skills: Field-based skills and laboratory experience, Strong data analysis and modelling capabilities, Excellent communication skills for working with diverse stakeholders