PhD Study : Remediation of eutrophic freshwater systems using phosphorus fixing chemicals

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Summary

It has been estimated in the US that freshwater eutrophication can cost up to £1.7 billion per year in damage costs (Dodds et al., 2009), while in the UK, the cost has been put at £114 million per year ar (Pretty et al., 2003).  The greatest proportion of these economic losses can be attributed to drinking water treatment costs, lakefront property values, cleanup costs to waterways to maintain flood defence and preserve channel capacity and reduced recreational and amenity value of water bodies for water sports, angling, and general amenities.

Due to improved management practice, the external nutrient loading has generally decreased to lakes during recent decades, however,  many shallow eutrophic lakes still have difficulties in improving their ecological condition (Egemose et al., 2010).  This lack of improvement is often caused by the release of years of accumulated nutrients (phosphorus) from the lake sediment into the water column during the spring and summer months. The increased bioavailable phosphorus then supports phytoplankton growth which can result in extreme ecological change for the aquatic system.  Implied recovery times after cessation of nutrient inputs varies widely, but recent work has modelled recovery times of upwards to a century (McCrackin et al., 2017).

The addition of phosphorus fixing chemicals have been used to improve lakes ecological condition and reverse eutrophication.  This eutrophication management strategy is both expensive and the longterm success is uncertain, however, the results can be almost instantaneous.  Knowledge of the effects of lake resuspension processes and sediment stabilization on phosphorus fixing chemicals is limited.  This project will work alongside a recently awarded INTERREG CatchmentCARE €13.7 million grant and use sediment trapping techniques and a remote access sampler to explore the behaviour and stability of sediments before and after a phosphorus fixing chemical has been added to a range of lakes.  The student will be trained in chemical techniques, GIS, boat handling and will use high resolution sampling equipment (e.g. Technicap sediment trap, Mclane Remote Access sampler and YSI Multiparameter Sondes) to investigate related sedimentation processes in lakes from border catchments in the North and South of Ireland.  The output of this project will improve the phosphorus fixing regime recommended for lakes dependent on basic knowledge of a lake’s sedimentation processes. This will result in the targeted and successful application of phosphorus fixing chemicals to problem lakes on a larger scale, improving both the trophic status and the economic impact.

Dodds, W.K., Bouska, W.W., Eitzmann, J.L., Pilger, T.J., Pitts, K.L., Riley, A.J., Schloesser, J.T. and Thornbrugh, D.J. (2009). "Eutrophication of US Freshwaters: Analysis of Potential Economic Damages." Environmental Science & Technology 43(1): 12-19.

Egemose, S., Reitzel, K., Andersen, F.O. and Flindt, M.R. (2010). "Chemical Lake Restoration Products: Sediment Stability and Phosphorus Dynamics." Environmental Science & Technology 44(3): 985-991.

McCrackin, M.L., Jones, H.P., Jones, P.C. and Moreno-Mateos, D. (2017). "Recovery of lakes and coastal marine ecosystems from eutrophication: A global meta-analysis." Limnology and Oceanography 62(2): 507-518.

Pretty, J.N., Mason, C.F., Nedwell, D.B., Hine, R.E., Leaf, S. and Dils, R. (2003). "Environmental costs of freshwater eutrophication in England and Wales." Environmental Science & Technology 37(2): 201-208.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

  • A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

  • First Class Honours (1st) Degree
  • Masters at 65%
  • Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
  • Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
  • Work experience relevant to the proposed project
  • Experience of presentation of research findings

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

  • Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
  • Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
  • Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Friday 29 June 2018
12:00AM

Interview Date
July 2018

Preferred student start date
Mid September 2018

Applying

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Contact supervisor

Dr Richard Douglas

Other supervisors