Susceptibility of Arctic permafrost carbon to microbial respiration (advert reference EE/DRFBUIR7/53591)

Project Description

Recent climate change in the Arctic has increased air and soil temperatures and thawed large areas of ancient frozen soils (permafrost up to 30,000 y old). Permafrost contains vast stocks of carbon (C) approximately twice the size of the entire current atmospheric pool as CO2. Once thawed, these newly available C pools become available for processing by microorganisms in soils directly, but can also be mobilised into aquatic systems where their subsequent fate is as yet poorly understood.

This interdisciplinary project aims to examine the rate and type of C loss during transit through Arctic aquatic systems. Recent research suggests that permafrost-derived C in freshwaters is preferentially utilised by microbes and photo-degraded by sunlight, thus providing important positive feedbacks upon climate. The overall objectives of the project are to identify the major constraints and controls upon degradation rates and to develop simple numerical models to allow predictions of future changes to C turnover under future climate change scenarios.

Laboratory and field experiments in North East Siberia will be conducted to examine how the composition of organic C (and its associated nutrient pool) influences its removal. Bioassays will be used to assess differences in bacterial community composition, production/ respiration and enzymatic expression under different mixing scenarios.

The project is best suited for applicants that enjoy both field and laboratory work and with a strong interest in physical geography, aquatic science or biogeochemistry. Applicants will work closely with US, Dutch and Russian collaborators and should be fit and able to conduct fieldwork.

Informal Enquiries
Enquiries regarding this studentship should be made to: [Email Address Removed]

Eligibility criteria:

Applicants should hold a first or upper second class honours degree (in a relevant subject) from a British higher education institution, or equivalent. Students who are not UK/EU residents are eligible to apply, provided they hold the relevant academic qualifications, together with an IELTS score of at least 6.5.

To apply, e-mail [Email Address Removed] to request the appropriate application form, quoting the advert reference above. Alternatively, use the application link on this page.

Deadline for applications: 7 April 2014
Start Date: 1 October 2014