Supervisory Team:
Lead Supervisor: Ben Keane (University of York)
Stakeholder Supervisor: Rachael Cooney (Yorkshire Water (member of UKWIR))
Co-Supervisor 1: Sam Robinson (UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology)
Co-Supervisor 2: Jason Snape (University of York)
Co-Supervisor 3: James Chong (University of York)
Project Description: Engineered wetlands treating domestic wastewaters have a chemical gradient that drives microbial ecology and spatial differences in biogeochemistry, nutrient cycling and gaseous emissions. The GHG dynamics of these systems are understudied and it is not known whether they are a potential sink or source of global GHG emissions. The student will have an impact-focused research project that will (i) determine the GHG footprint of engineered reedbeds relative to natural wetlands, (ii) describe the extent to which reed beds may be a source of sink or GHGs during their lifecycle, (iii) evaluate the impact that temperature and rainfall have on GHG emissions, and (iv) describe possible interventions to minimise GHG emissions and maximise CO2 sequestration. The objectives of this project are to:
Deploy an in-situ Skyline automated flux chamber system on natural and engineered wetlands to measure spatial and temporal differences in GHGs. This will focus on established natural and engineered wetlands, and those being established from scratch.
Use microbiological and molecular methods to quantify changes in the diversity and function of bacteria and archaea responsible for carbon and nitrogen cycling (e.g. methanogens, nitrifiers, denitrifiers etc.) over a 18-month period in natural and engineered wetlands; with increased sampling frequencies at high temperatures and periods of high or low rainfall to see if changes in microbial community structure and function impact GHG formation or sequestration.
Determine whether engineered wetlands are a sink or source of GHGs and strategies to maximize CO2 sequestration and minimise GHG emissions.
The student will have access to engineered wetlands for enhanced nitrogen and phosphorus removal (including some under construction and establishment), molecular biology, in situ analytical chemistry for GHG emissions, ex situ analytical chemistry for pollution and nutrient analysis, and microbiology facilities. This student will have a balance of field and laboratory work on an issue of global significance.
What do you need to know:
Do want to conduct research on issue of global significance? Do you want to shape policy that will help mitigate the impact of climate change? Climate change is a complex issue with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions arising from anthropogenic and biogenic sources. Engineered wetlands are being increasingly used to remove chemical pollution and nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from treated and untreated wastewaters. The GHG dynamics of these systems are understudied and it is not known whether they are a sink or source of global GHG emissions. This research project will (i) quantify GHG flux across the spatial chemical gradients within natural and engineered wetlands, and (ii) identify the impact that seasonal impacts have on the GHG chemistry and microbial ecology dynamics. The supervisory team provide global leadership in measuring GHG flux in the natural environment and microbial ecology that underpins the biogeochemical cycles for carbon and nitrogen.
What expertise and skills will the student develop?
In addition to the core ECOWILD training (e.g., field work design, digital awareness, commercialisation and entrepreneurial skills, responsible research and innovation, ethics, reproducibility, research integrity, open research methodology, communication skills etc.), the successful candidate will be trained in (i) relevant and reliable experimental design to support regulatory decision-making, (ii) deploying approaches to measure GHG chemistry and flux in situ, (iii) microbiological culturing, (iii) microbial metagenomics, (iv) molecular techniques such as quantitative PCR, (v) bioinformatics and (vi) analytical chemistry. The student will also be exposed to different stakeholder perspectives and taught how to negotiate effectively to build trust and create a positive impact.
Why is the project novel?
Engineered wetlands are being increasingly used to remove chemical pollution and nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from treated and untreated wastewaters. Engineered wetlands treating domestic wastewaters have a chemical gradient that drives microbial ecology and spatial differences in biogeochemistry, nutrient cycling and gaseous emissions. The GHG dynamics of these systems, from anthropogenic and biogenic sources, are understudied and it is not known whether they are a potential sink or source of global GHG emissions. This research project will (i) quantify greenhouse gas flux (CO2 sequestration, N2O formation and methanogenesis), microbial ecology (focused on nitrogen cycle and methanogenesis) and chemical exposure dynamics across the spatial chemical gradients, within natural and engineered wetlands, and (ii) identify the impact that seasonal impacts (e.g. temperature and rainfall events) have on the GHG chemistry and microbial ecology dynamics. Opportunities will also be explored to maximise CO2 sequestration whilst limiting biogenic sources of N2O and CH4.
What real-life challenge does it address?
Measuring greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes in engineered wetlands addresses the real-life challenge of determining whether these multifunctional systems, designed to improve water quality, also act as net sources or sinks of GHGs like methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (NO). This understanding is crucial for designing sustainable management strategies for treating wetlands and for accurately quantifying their impact on global warming targets, as if not properly managed they may emit more GHGs per unit area than natural wetlands.
