PhD Studentship in Biogeochemical controls on source zone depletion at petrochemical sites

Petroleum impacted sites have varied and complex sources of contamination in their underlying soil and groundwater, which pose a risk to off-site receptors and a cost for a company to treat. Engineered methods for reducing the mass of petroleum products can remove substantial amounts but this declines substantially over time. In addition, there are microorganisms, present in the subsurface, that can degrade organic compounds through metabolic processes. This natural attenuation (NA) becomes increasingly important over time, as products weather. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia is working with the petroleum industry in Western Australia on the long term management of oil spills and releases into the subsurface. The aim is to quantify the role of NA as a mechanism for the long-term depletion of crude oil and refinery products. A comprehensive programme (over 3-5 years) of site investigation and monitoring is just getting underway to compile a detailed database on the physical, chemical and biological processes which are believed to control NA. CSIRO is jointly funding a PhD studentship through the EPSRC’s Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Civil Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Imperial College London to assist in this investigation. We are looking for applicants with an interest in biogeochemical modelling, who have a good knowledge of geochemistry, strong mathematical skills and experience in computer programming (e.g., Fortran/Matlab/C++, and perhaps coding for parallel processors). The aim is to develop a multiphase biogeochemical model that can be used in the interpretation of the field data being collected. The key outcomes from the modelling are to quantify the rates of and controls on NA, in order to help guide the long-term management of these sites. The work would be based at Imperial’s South Kensington campus in London with opportunities for site visits to Australia and to work alongside scientists at CSIRO.