PhD opportunity:
To celebrate the University's research successes, the University of Hull is offering a full-time UK/EU PhD Scholarship or International Fees Bursary on The Ecological Fate of Microplastic in Antarctic Marine Environments - A Source to Sink Approach
Project Rationale:
Our oceans are Earth's greatest resource but face unprecedented challenges from anthropogenically-derived plastic pollution, with micro- and nano-scale plastic particles of significant, and growing, concern. An estimated 15 Mt of plastic waste is discharged from terrestrial sources to the marine environment each year, with significant volumes dispersed within the wider ocean; either through the water column, locked within sediments on the ocean floor, or retained within living marine organisms.
There is little understanding of how these microplastics move through marine foodwebs. This is particularly evident in the Southern Ocean, thought to be one of the most pristine environments on the planet. Microplastic pollution has received little scientific attention in the Southern Ocean and it was thought that Antarctica was relatively free of microplastic contamination. However, Waller et al., (2017) found that the levels of microplastics in waters around Antarctica were up to five orders of magnitude greater than expected. We have no real understanding of where these microplastics originate from, how they propagate through foodwebs, through processes such as bioaccumulation and trophic transfer, nor their ultimate fate.
The project aims to quantify concentrations of microplastics in nearshore sediments, surface and sub-surface waters, and to analyse interactions between plastics and the wider shallow-water marine foodweb specifically by quantifying levels of microplastics in benthic and pelagic species through to higher predators.
This project aims to provide a baseline understanding of the presence and effects of microplastics on nearshore benthic and pelagic communities in the South Atlantic, including Ascension Island, the Scotia Arc and Antarctic Peninsula regions. It will consider transfer to and potential bioaccumulation in higher predators such as fish, seals and penguins.
Specific objectives:
1. To quantify concentrations of microplastic particles in nearshore waters and sediments at sites around the Scotia Arc, the Falkland Islands and Ascension Island.
2. To assess the interactions between microplastics and nearshore benthic and pelagic taxa
3. To quantify levels of microplastics in higher predators (fish, seabirds and seals).
The outcomes will be delivered by the integration of innovative field and experimental research. Field studies will quantify the types and concentrations of plastics in marine organisms across the food chain, using novel techniques for the identification and aging of plastics in the marine environment. Mesocosm work will examine the influence of different concentrations of microplastics on the overall fitness of marine organisms (i.e. survival, behaviour and physiological mechanisms).
To apply http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BIT961/phd-in-environmental-sciences-3-years-full-time-the-ecological-fate-of-microplastic-in-antarctic-marine-environments-a-source-to-sink-approach/ DEADLINE 11th April
