PhD Study : Remediation of freshwater lakes using phosphorus fixing chemicals and developing drone technology for subsequent post application monitoring.

Summary

Due to improved management practice, nutrient loading has generally decreased to lakes during recent decades, however, many shallow lakes still have difficulties in improving their ecological condition (Koski et al., 2020).  This lack of improvement is often caused by the release of years of accumulated nutrients (phosphorus) from the lake sediment into the water. 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 (Zhang et al., 2020).  This management strategy has rarely been used in the UK and Ireland, and is expensive with the long-term success uncertain.

However, the results can be almost instantaneous in removing phosphorus from the water column and precipitating it to the lake sediment.  To select lakes which are suitable for phosphorus remediation, it is vital to understand the effects of lake resuspension processes and sediment stabilization on phosphorus fixing chemicals. This project will use sediment trapping techniques and multiparameter sondes to explore the behaviour and stability of sediments before and after a phosphorus fixing chemical has been added to a range of lakes (part of an Interreg funded www.catchmentcare.eu grant).

In addition, the rapid development in drone technology has seen drone-assisted water sampling payloads increase resulting in the ability of drones to reliably retrieve water samples from aquatic ecosystems (Lally et al., 2019).  Off-the-shelf drones now have the ability to carry payloads of over 4 kgs.  In conjunction with the phosphorus remediation element of the project, the study will also investigate the ability of drones to carry out post remediation sampling, in the hope that a significant financial saving can be implemented to enable fixing chemicals to be used in a wider range of applications.

The student will be trained in laboratory chemical techniques including toxicity experiments, boat handling and will use state of the art lake sampling equipment (e.g. Technicap Sediment Trap, YSI Multiparameter Water Quality Meters and DJI Matrice Drones). The main aims of the project therefore are:

1. Improve knowledge for the phosphorus fixing regime recommended for lakes dependent on our experience of a lake’s sedimentation processes before and after phosphorus remediation.
2. Carry out laboratory based toxicity studies using phosphorus fixing chemicals on native invertebrate species common in Ireland’s lakes to add local rigour to lake remediation studies risk assessment.
3. Assess the suitability of drone technology to collect water samples to support post remediation monitoring of lakes and perform a cost benefit analysis as to the feasibility of using drones on a larger scale for regulatory bodies.

References will be requested for shortlisted candidates.

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
• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

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.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• 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.

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