Student Opportunity Announcements
PhD opportunity - Sediment carbon cycling
Patch carbon cycling in sediment accumulations from different sources
Dissolved and particulate organic matter is potentially a major energy source for stream biota, and hence could drive in-stream respiration and CO2 efflux. Yet we know very little about what happens to this dissolved organic matter once it enters our river networks. Stream monitoring and isotopic data suggest that, in streams draining peaty upland catchments, in-stream C cycling plays a relatively minor role in attenuating organic carbon fluxes. In contrast, lowland streams draining more base-rich environments, show strong evidence that in-stream cycling of organic matter is a major source of dissolved CO2.
This PhD project will explore the influence of multiple factors on patch-scale C dynamics in streamwaters draining catchments with markedly different soil parent materials and land-use. The research will focus on: i) the relative size of C flux respired in sediment patches compared to total aquatic C flux; ii) the differences in C cycling (accumulation, respiration) between catchments with different geology and land-use; iii) the influence of physical habitat (sediment particle size), substrate quality (DOC characteristics), and chemical habitat (water quality) on sediment C cycling in field and lab experiments.
Applications are invited from candidates with a minimum qualification equivalent to a UK first class or high 2i degree in an appropriate discipline, with preference given to those with an interest in or experience of carbon cycling and aquatic biogeochemistry. Successful applicants will be considered for full-time funding for 3.5 years duration from a range of sources including NERC, departmental and university sources. Self funded students are also welcome to apply for the project. Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Sheila Palmer (s.m.palmer@leeds.ac.uk) or Dr Clare Woulds (c.woulds@leeds.ac.uk). Further details about postgraduate research degrees at the School of Geography, University of Leeds can be found on our website (http://www.geog.leeds.ac.uk/study/phd.html).