Dr M Hoque, Dr M Bloor, Prof Kazi Matin Ahmed
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Project code: SEES3210217
Salinity is a widespread problem in Asian deltas where most people live, work and feed off the reclaimed land. Episodic storm surges associated with tropical cyclones and low-lying topography are the main factors causing intermittent inundation and contamination of drinking water by salinity. The role of tropical cyclones on long-term salinity of water resources has remained unresolved.
The project focuses on Bangladesh as a case study and investigates the complex interaction between sea-level rise, storm inundation, increasing economic activities, and the flow of freshwater from rivers. Salinity is pervasive in the low-lying coastal areas of Bangladesh, which is home to around 35 million people. Soil salinity affects 20-30% of net cultivable land and is causing productivity declines. Drinking water salinity has been shown to have an association with prevalent hypertension - a risk factor for pre-eclampsia in pregnant women and cardiovascular disease in general, and with increased rate of infant mortality. The hydrological hazards such as, tropical cyclones and associated storm surges, and low elevation make the area particularly vulnerable to salinisation, which is further exacerbated by the economically favourable but environmentally damaging shrimp cultivation, where saline water is deliberately retained in storage ponds. It is envisaged that, by developing appropriate management strategies, drinking water ponds and groundwater salinity, as well as soil salinity, can be managed more successfully.
The project aim is to broaden the research community’s understanding of water resources salinisation and its temporal dimension. This will link to water security practice, and influence water management policy, for impoverished communities in Asian delta coastal areas. Consequently, it will help formulate climate change adaptation strategies, in relation to sea level rise and increased cyclonic activity, both in Bangladesh as well as for other Asian deltas.
Initially you will test the conceptual understanding of how salinity is transported through the river, soil, aquifers and pond, and ultimately into the population through different exposure routes, particularly via drinking water. You will carry out fieldwork and a geophysical survey in coastal Bangladesh and may also need to visit the Red river delta, Vietnam. A source – pathway – receptor approach will be undertaken to identify a pattern and create a theory from the data (both secondary and primary). Finally a numerical model will be developed and applied to address the research aim.
The project involves international fieldwork in Bangladesh and you will gain laboratory, fieldwork, data analysis and modelling skills related to the subject area. This project would suit a candidate with a background in Hydrogeology, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Science, Modelling, or a closely related field. A willingness to participate in fieldwork and to adopt a hands-on approach to laboratory work will be an advantage but training will be provided. Similarly, data analysis and modelling experience is desirable but not essential as relevant training is available. The University has an active Graduate School offering general postgraduate training alongside the more specialist subject specific training (via PGRS Moodle). In addition you will have access to Graduate School Development Programme and Department Postgraduate Researcher Training.
Funding Notes
Home/EU applicants only. Please use the online application form and state the project code (SEES3210217) and studentship title in the personal statement section.
Funds will be provided for 3 or 4 years which will include: bursary (at current RCUK rates), University fees (UK/EU rate) plus £1,500 pa project costs/consumables for the duration of the studentship.