Plastic pollution in the marine environment is increasing globally, with predictions that there will be more plastic than fish in the sea by the year 2020. The problem has received international attention, and the investigation of the effects of emerging pollutants including marine plastics on marine species has been identified as one of the ‘grand challenges’ for marine ecosystems research.
The knowledge base is, however, currently lacking for many marine systems. To understand the impacts of microplastics on marine ecosystems and species we need to improve our sampling and analytical capabilities. This project will combine field surveys and sampling on the MarClim project, which has the largest time-series of rocky intertidal systems in the world, with analyses using state-of-the-art instruments including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to investigate the concentrations of microplastics in the UK Regional Seas. The project will also study the uptake of these plastics by filter feeding organisms that are the ecosystem engineers of rocky shore ecosystems. The plastics will be classified by size and type, and the physiological impacts on marine species will be investigated using mesocosm experiments.
This novel project has the potential to advance our understanding of the hotspots of coastal plastic pollution around the UK coastline, and develop novel assessments of the uptake of microplastics by ecosystem engineer species. Modelling these data will produce the first national maps and assessments of microplastic pollution in UK waters, and the impacts of coastal marine species.
HOW TO APPLY
Notes and details of how to apply are available here: https://accedtp.ac.uk/acce-dtp-phd-opportunities-at-university-of-liverpool/
All applicants to ACCE must complete the ACCE personal statement proforma. This is instead of a normal personal/supporting statement/cover letter. The proforma is designed to standardise this part of the application to minimise the difference between those who are given support and those who are not.
The ACCE DTP is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.
Informal enquiries may be made to [Email Address Removed]
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