PhD Studentship - Assessing the impact of pollution management on freshwater biodiversity

Freshwater habitats comprise a small proportion of the world land surface area (2.3%), but support over 10% of global biodiversity [1]. However, freshwater biodiversity has significantly declined in recent decades, recording greater species losses than terrestrial and marine environments [1]. This is principally driven by the unsustainable use of freshwater by people (e.g., for waste removal, industrial and domestic uses, and modern agriculture) [2]. In particular, habitat degradation (such as pollution) is a long term and pervasive issue that has underpinned reduced ecosystem functioning and freshwater biodiversity losses globally [3]. Pollution events can be ubiquitous (e.g., eutrophication) or can be unique to a particular location, reflecting the composition of contaminants (including traditional and emerging pollutants) and the origin of the pollutants [4]. The consequences can be lethal or sub lethal, and their interactions with other pressures can result in unexpected consequences [4]. In the UK, the release of raw sewage and stormwater into rivers has been extensive in recent years, with combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharge events totalling 372,000 in 2021 [5]. This, combined with other stressors (fine sediment increases, habitat modification) have resulted in declines in water quality, and impacted faunal and floral communities in UK rivers [8]. The impact of pollution is not only limited to the main river channel but can be catchment wide, as during high flow events polluted water and sediment can move onto the floodplain degrading important habitats such as ponds and mires [9] and have been shown to detrimentally impact terrestrial species, particularly soil invertebrates [10].

This is a fully-funded PhD studentship which includes a stipend of £18,622 each year to support your living costs.

Key information

Next start date:

September 2024

Location:

Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus

Duration:

36 months

Entry requirements:

Outstanding academic potential as measured normally by either a 1st class honours degree or equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA), or a Master’s degree with distinction or equivalent. If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (with a minimum 6.0 in each component, or equivalent). For more information check our full entry requirements below.