Novel autonomous techniques to understand a volatile problem: Biological controls on seawater sulfur

BELL_UPML25ARIES

Novel autonomous techniques to understand a volatile problem: Biological controls on seawater sulfur

BELL_UPML25ARIES

Project Description

Hosted at Plymouth Marine Laboratory

Supervisors

Professor Thomas Bell, Plymouth Marine Laboratory – contact me

Professor Carol Robinson, ENV, UEA

Dr Frances Hopkins, PML

Dr Claire Widdicombe, PML

 

Project background

The oceans release huge quantities of the gas dimethylsulfide (DMS) and this contributes to the formation and growth of atmospheric particles and clouds, reflecting solar radiation. DMS therefore is a key influence on Earth’s climate, similar in size (but opposite in sign) to the global warming caused by human CO2 emissions.

DMS in seawater is produced when phytoplankton die and break apart, or by bacteria as they feed on the substances plankton excrete. Seawater DMS levels can vary dramatically over small spatial and temporal scales, with intense DMS production often linked to blooms of certain plankton types. However, previous technical capabilities and sampling campaigns have not measured the variations in great detail or fully understood the plankton community dynamics that lead to elevated concentrations. Current models are unable to accurately reproduce DMS observations, and future predictions of plankton and DMS are very uncertain.

Project Aim

Unravel the drivers of seawater DMS to better understand and improve global emission predictions.

You will develop and use cutting-edge instrumentation such as a miniature gas chromatograph to measure seawater DMS. You will link this with PML’s autonomous technologies to improve sampling capability, and compare results with established methods (e.g. gas chromatography, mass spectrometry). Seasonal DMS at the Western Channel Observatory will be assessed along with phytoplankton community dynamics, including data from the novel Automated, in situ Plankton Imaging Classification System (APICS).

You will also participate in an exciting, large-scale Atlantic research campaign focussed on understanding the drivers of multiple volatile gases. You will compare your data and other PML Air-Sea Exchange data with output from the European Regional Seas Marine Ecosystem Model to assess the predictive capability of the model. You will gain sea-going field experience and be trained in a range of state-of-the-art instruments and novel techniques in ISO accredited labs. You will learn programming skills (including Python) to analyse, interpret and present your data, and valuable transferable career skills (e.g. writing and communication, good laboratory practice, quality assurance and safety procedures). You will be strongly encouraged to participate in a summer school, and to attend relevant international workshops and meetings.

Person specification

Suited for someone passionate about multidisciplinary environmental research and field work, with an aptitude for operating scientific instrumentation and processing large data sets.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Environmental, Chemical, Marine and/or Atmospheric Sciences (or similar).

References

  • Hopkins, F. E., Archer, S. D., Bell, T. G., Suntharalingam, P., & Todd, J. D. (2023). The biogeochemistry of marine dimethylsulfide. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 4(6), 361-376. https://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-023-00428-7
  • Bell, T. G., Porter, J. G., Wang, W. L., Lawler, M. J., Boss, E., Behrenfeld, M. J., & Saltzman, E. S. (2021). Predictability of Seawater DMS During the North Atlantic Aerosol and Marine Ecosystem Study (NAAMES). Frontiers in Marine Science, 7, 596763. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.596763/full
  • Bock, J., Michou, M., Nabat, P., Abe, M., Mulcahy, J. P., Olivié, D. J., ... & Séférian, R. (2021). Evaluation of ocean dimethylsulfide concentration and emission in CMIP6 models. Biogeosciences, 18(12), 3823-3860. https://bg.copernicus.org/articles/18/3823/2021/bg-18-3823-2021.pdf
  • Manville, G., Bell, T. G., Mulcahy, J. P., Simó, R., Galí, M., Mahajan, A. S., ... & Halloran, P. R. (2023). Global analysis of the controls on seawater dimethylsulfide spatial variability. Biogeosciences, 20(9), 1813-1828. https://bg.copernicus.org/articles/20/1813/2023/
  • Bolas, C. G., Ferracci, V., Robinson, A. D., Mead, M. I., Nadzir, M. S. M., Pyle, J. A., ... & Harris, N. R. (2020). iDirac: a field-portable instrument for long-term autonomous measurements of isoprene and selected VOCs. Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 13(2), 821-838. https://amt.copernicus.org/articles/13/821/2020/

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2025. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 8th January 2025.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£19,237 p.a. for 2024/25) and research funding. A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note however that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgradute researcher (PGRs) benefit from bespoke graduate training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or imigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive, and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential, and will be stored on the UEA sharepoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships, and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be ask to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • If funded under the BBSRC-NERC DLA scheme, ARIES studentships will be subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. See https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information

Apply Now

Apply via the  University of East Anglia application portal