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Prof I J Fairchild
Applications accepted all year round
Self-Funded PhD Students Only
About the Project
Background: Over the past 10 years, speleothems (calcareous cave deposits) have been the fastest-developing type of proxy record for past environments and climates in the Quaternary, and Birmingham scientists have been at the forefront of these developments. Whilst records from monsoonally influenced areas are arguably the definitive records of the state of the global climate system, many other records reveal unique information about the response of specific regions to changing climate. A huge range of parameters can be measured in speleothems, some of them on a micro-scale, allowing seasonal cave responses to be characterized. Examples are annual growth rate which can be a function either or temperature or rainfall, depending on the climatic zone; oxygen isotopes which normally reflect changing atmospheric dynamics and sometimes directly rainfall or temperature; alkaline earth trace elements which in drier climates are good indicators of aridity and can be combined with carbon isotopes in this case; trace elements associated with organic colloids, which we have shown to be infiltration proxies. In the studentship, new combinations of techniques can be explored or some of a range of other proxies could be applied as discussed below. Speleothem material is available from a number of geographic areas.
To find out more about studying for a PhD at the University of Birmingham, including full details of the research undertaken in each school, the funding opportunities for each subject, and guidance on making your application, you can now order your copy of the new Doctoral Research Prospectus, at: www.birmingham.ac.uk/students/drp.aspx
To find out more about studying for a PhD at the University of Birmingham, including full details of the research undertaken in each school, the funding opportunities for each subject, and guidance on making your application, you can now order your copy of the new Doctoral Research Prospectus, at: www.birmingham.ac.uk/students/drp.aspx
Funding Notes
Applicants should apply via http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/gees/courses/postgraduate/phd-projects.aspx
where they should click on ‘Apply now’ and choose the option ‘PhD in Department of Earth Sciences’ and give the PhD title in the ‘Funding details’ section of the online application.
where they should click on ‘Apply now’ and choose the option ‘PhD in Department of Earth Sciences’ and give the PhD title in the ‘Funding details’ section of the online application.
References
Fairchild, I.J. et al. 2006 Modification and preservation of environmental signals in speleothems. Earth Sci. Rev. 75, 105-153.
Fairchild, I.J. & Treble, P.C. 2009 Trace elements in speleothems as recorders of environmental change. Quaternary Sci Rev 28, 449-468.
Fairchild, I.J. & Baker, A. 2012 Speleothem Science. From Process to Past Environments. Wiley-Blackwell.
Fairchild, I.J. & Treble, P.C. 2009 Trace elements in speleothems as recorders of environmental change. Quaternary Sci Rev 28, 449-468.
Fairchild, I.J. & Baker, A. 2012 Speleothem Science. From Process to Past Environments. Wiley-Blackwell.
Open Days
Project supervisors
Career overview
Professor Ian Fairchild is an Emeritus Professor at the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham. He holds a BSc and a PhD from the University of Nottingham. As a geoscientist, Professor Fairchild has broad interests in the geochemistry of the Earth’s surface, climate change, and Quaternary and Neoproterozoic earth history. His research encompasses a wide range of topics, including speleothems and climate change, the development of palaeoclimate proxies, and the understanding of karst processes and their hydrology. He has significant experience in glacial environments, caves, and rock successions, and has worked at both national and international geochemical research facilities. Professor Fairchild is actively involved in public outreach, geoconservation in the West Midlands, and various professional activities such as examining and research assessment. He has served as Chair of the NERC Isotope Geoscience Facilities Steering Committee and is a trustee of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust. He is also a member of the Anthropocene Working Group and a voting member of the Cryogenian sub-commission of the International Commission on Stratigraphy.
Research interests
Professor Fairchild''s research interests encompass the geochemistry of the Earth’s surface, climate change, and the Quaternary and Neoproterozoic earth history. He focuses on speleothems and climate change, particularly the development of palaeoclimate proxies and the understanding of karst processes, including their hydrology. His work also involves the study of glaciation and carbonates in deep time, specifically during the Cryogenian period, and aqueous geochemistry related to weathering reactions and hydrology in glacial and riverine environments, including locations such as Iceland and the Himalayas. Additionally, he conducts experimental studies of mineral-water interactions. Professor Fairchild actively engages in research and public outreach, including geoconservation efforts in the West Midlands.
Geochemistry
Earth''s Surface
Climate Change
Quaternary Earth History
Neoproterozoic Earth History
Speleothems
Palaeoclimate Proxies
Karst Processes
Hydrology
Glaciation
Carbonates
Aqueous Geochemistry
Weathering Reactions
Mineral-Water Interactions
Glacial Environments
Riverine Environments
Public Outreach
Geoconservation
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