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The estuaries in southern England are experiencing rapid environmental change associated with the die-back of spartina, rising sea-levels and contrasting coastal management practices. In some areas mudflats and saltmarshes are experiencing rapid erosion whilst in others rapid accumulation is taking place with salt marsh systems expanding. Similarly there are plans to breach existing coastal defences to promote the development of new coastal wetlands. However, the sediment dynamics of these systems remains poorly understood. As a consequence there is a clear need to assess the recent evolution of estuarine systems in terms of rates of sedimentation, sediment sources, vegetation dynamics and the impact of contrasting management approaches on the stability of these systems.
The aim of the study will be to determine current and recent (last 150 years) rates/patterns of estuarine sedimentation in a variety of settings in southern England. Monitoring sites will be set up to evaluate current rates of sedimentation in areas which have experienced or are experiencing set-back, vegetation die-back and wetland stability. It is anticipated that at least one set-back site will be monitored via collaboration with the Environment Agency. The source of sediments will be evaluated by ‘finger-printing’ estuarine materials and by quantifying rates of erosion and sedimentation. This will involve the chemical characterisation of source and depositional sites by using XRF and XRD analysis. These sites will be set into the context of recent rates of sedimentation by making reference to short-term radiometric dating (Lead210, Caesium 137 ) and palaeo-environmental reconstruction (e.g. diatoms) techniques. The rates of sedimentation from stable high marsh sites will be used to determine recent rates of sea level change (e.g. Teasdale et al, 2010) and assess the ability of current estuarine systems in southern England to cope with future changes in sea level.
The project will be based in the Aquatic Research Centre, housed within the School of Environment & Technology. The interdisciplinary Centre brings together earth, environmental and social scientists with ecologists and civil engineers to develop sustainable management solutions for aquatic environments. This project will aid in the development of policies and practices for estuaries that are responding to climate change and rising sea levels and will be undertaken in collaboration with the Environment Agency. The PhD project builds upon previous and ongoing research on estuarine sedimentation and recent sea level changes in the UK and elsewhere in Europe conducted by the supervisors. Some of the study sites in Sussex that will be used during this project will be established as a long term research facility to monitor the response of estuarine systems to environmental change.
Application deadline
The university cannot guarantee that students can start at their requested date unless deadlines are met.
•UK/EU students: Application deadline for an entry date of October is 1 August, for January entry it is 1 November and for May it is 1 March.
•International students: Application deadline for an entry date of October is 1 June, for January entry it is 1 September and for May it is 1 January.
Funding Notes:
Funding notes:
The Brighton Doctoral College is pleased to welcome applications from self-funded or externally sponsored students for programmes of research in this or a closely related area, beginning from October 2012. Applications are welcome from students wishing to study full time or part time, and applications are welcome from students in employment who have the support of their employers.
References:
Teasdale, P., Collins, P.E.F., Firth, C.R. and Cundy, A.B. 2010: Recent estuarine sedimentation rates from shallow inter-tidal environments in Western Scotland: implications for future sea-level trends and coastal wetland development Quaternary Science Reviews, 30 (1-2). pp. 109-129.