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Prof I J Fairchild
Dr R Bartlett
Applications accepted all year round
Self-Funded PhD Students Only
About the Project
Background: In the Neoproterozoic Era occurred some of the most extraordinary events in Earth history including extreme glaciation and the emergence of animal life in some way associated with increased oxidation of surface environments. Although much of the sedimentary rocks deposited during this interval are shales, these lithologies have been much less studied than carbonates and glacial facies. Where closer investigations have been made startling interpretations have been made, e.g. in terms of changes in oxidation state from the location of iron in the shales, or depositional pH from clay mineralogy, or changes in the carbon cycle from carbon isotope evidence. It is timely to look more closely at shales in classic Neoproterozoic successions, particularly since changes in their character over time, under relatively constant physical conditions, should reveal key aspects of the evolution of the marine chemistry and potentially the whole Earth system.
There is a flourishing cross-disciplinary research culture at Birmingham, including a number of relevant areas within the host School, e.g. carbonate geology, colloid science, rock magnetism, hydrochemistry and palaeoclimate modelling. At Birmingham we also have extensive rock collections from previous fieldwork on classic Neoproterozoic successions in Svalbard and East Greenland. St. Andrews boasts a range of mineral characterization and geochemical techniques.
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
There is a flourishing cross-disciplinary research culture at Birmingham, including a number of relevant areas within the host School, e.g. carbonate geology, colloid science, rock magnetism, hydrochemistry and palaeoclimate modelling. At Birmingham we also have extensive rock collections from previous fieldwork on classic Neoproterozoic successions in Svalbard and East Greenland. St. Andrews boasts a range of mineral characterization and geochemical techniques.
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. & Hambrey, M.J. 1995 Vendian basin evolution in East Greenland and NE Svalbard. Precamb. Res., 73, 217-233.
Fairchild, I.J. and Kennedy, M.J. 2007 Neoproterozoic glaciation in the Earth System. J. Geol. Soc., Lond., 164, 895-921.
Tosca, N.J. et al. 2010, Clay mineralogy, organic carbon burial, and redox evolution in Proterozoic oceans, Geochim. Cosmochim Acta, 74, 1579-92
Fairchild, I.J. and Kennedy, M.J. 2007 Neoproterozoic glaciation in the Earth System. J. Geol. Soc., Lond., 164, 895-921.
Tosca, N.J. et al. 2010, Clay mineralogy, organic carbon burial, and redox evolution in Proterozoic oceans, Geochim. Cosmochim Acta, 74, 1579-92
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
Career overview
Dr Rebecca Bartlett is an Associate Professor in Biogeochemistry at the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham. She received her PhD in Biogeochemistry from the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds in 2005, following an MSc in Environmental Geochemistry from the same institution in 2002, and a BSc in Geological Sciences in 1999. Dr Bartlett''s research focuses on nutrient cycling and environmental change in both modern and past environments. She specialises in the biogeochemistry of peats, soils, and sediments during periods of environmental disturbance, investigating the subsurface microbial responses to both natural and anthropogenic changes, including variations in atmospheric sulphur deposition, temperature fluctuations, storms, floods, mineral reactivity, and chemical pollution. Employing a combined field and laboratory approach alongside stable isotopic techniques, her work examines the local consequences of long-term global environmental changes, particularly their impacts on pH, carbon dynamics, major nutrient cycles, and water quality.
Research interests
Dr Bartlett''s research focuses on biogeochemistry, specifically nutrient cycling and environmental change in both modern and past environments. Her work examines the biogeochemistry of peats, soils, and sediments during environmental disturbances, as well as the subsurface microbial response to natural and anthropogenic changes such as atmospheric sulphur deposition, temperature fluctuations, storms, floods, mineral reactivity, and chemical pollution. Dr Bartlett employs a combined field and laboratory approach, utilising stable isotopic techniques to investigate the local consequences of long-term global environmental changes, including their impacts on pH, carbon dynamics, major nutrient cycles, and water quality.
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