Microplastic pollution occurs in about 65% of Scotland’s estuaries and coastal seas [1] and significantly threatens the health of marine life and humans via food chain contaminations [2]. The most contaminated site was found in the Clyde Scottish Marine Region (SMR), which accommodates 18% of Scotland’s population [1] and provides 34% of the country’s jobs [3]. Microplastic transport in marine waters is controlled by various bio-chemical and physical processes (e.g., turbulent diffusion, sinking, washing-off, biofouling, resuspension, degradation, fragmentation) that lead to high spatiotemporal variability in the microplastic concentration [4]. Due to poor understanding and representation of these processes, numerical modelling of microplastic transport and trapping in estuaries is still in its infancy [5]. This makes it impossible to predict and mitigate the adverse impact of microplastic pollution on these environments and their socio-economic values particularly under escalating climate change (e.g., sea level rise, extreme storms, waves, and runoff). One of the largest uncertainties from the state-of-the-art microplastic models concerns parameterisations of horizontal and vertical turbulent diffusion [6], since the potentially important dynamic influence of small-scale eddies on microplastic processes is generally over-simplified. This project will advance the understanding and parameterisations of the above-mentioned influence and develop the computer simulation tools for microplastic transfer within the Clyde SMR, which can also be applied to other Scottish marine waters.
Selection will be made on the basis of academic merit. The successful candidate should have, or expect to obtain, a UK Honours Degree at 2.1 or above in civil engineering, physical geography, environmental or earth sciences, mathematics, or a related subject.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php
• Apply for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering
• State name of the lead supervisor as the Name of Proposed Supervisor
• State ‘Self-funded’ as Intended Source of Funding
• State the exact project title on the application form
When applying please ensure all required documents are attached:
• All degree certificates and transcripts (Undergraduate AND Postgraduate MSc-officially translated into English where necessary)
• Detailed CV, Personal Statement/Motivation Letter and Intended source of funding
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