Impacts of upwelling and internal waves on deep-water coral reefs around the Galapagos archipelago

HALL_UENV25ARIES

Impacts of upwelling and internal waves on deep-water coral reefs around the Galapagos archipelago

HALL_UENV25ARIES

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr Rob Hall, Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia – contact me

Professor Adrian Matthews, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia

Dr Veerle Huvenne, Ocean BioGeosciences, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton

 

Scientific background

The Galapagos archipelago is a hotspot of biodiversity and hosts one of the worlds’ largest marine reserves, including pristine deep-water coral reefs. The rich ecosystem is sustained by a dynamic current system, air-sea interactions, and flow-topographic interactions around the multiple islands and seamounts. One critical process is upwelling, driven by local winds, which brings nutrient-rich deep water into the photic zone, fuelling phytoplankton growth. A second important process is the generation and breaking of internal waves. These large-amplitude waves in the ocean’s interior have recently been observed in the region and are thought to enhance the upward flux of nutrients around the seamounts. However, due to a sparsity of data, we do not understand how these local-scale processes are influenced by global-scale weather systems (e.g. El Niño and the Madden-Julian Oscillation), or how they impact the ecosystem at reef scales.

Research methodology

During this project you will use a unique, recently collected oceanographic dataset to investigate the critical physical processes that sustain the rich Galapagos ecosystem, from global-scale weather systems down to reef-scale hydrodynamics. Analysis of the observations will be supported by a global reanalysis model and idealised 2-D numerical model simulations.

Project objectives

1) Determine how global-scale weather systems influence ocean circulation and upwelling around the Galapagos Islands.

2) Investigate how flow over the seamounts generates internal waves and where these waves eventually break.

3) Assess how circulation around the archipelago impacts the distribution and health of deep-water coral reefs.

Training

You will develop highly sought-after expertise in oceanography, meteorology and numerical modelling and be trained in advanced methods for data processing, analysis and visualisation. You will collaborate with leading UK and international marine scientists and present your research at conferences and workshops. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a research cruise to gain first-hand experience in observational oceanography.

Person specification

You will have a physical science degree or similar (e.g. oceanography, meteorology, geophysics, environmental sciences, natural sciences, physics, mathematics, engineering). Experience with a computer programming language (e.g. Python, Matlab) will be an advantage. This exciting project is suitable for candidates from numerical disciplines.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Oceanography, Meteorology, Geophysics, Environmental Sciences, Natural Sciences, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering.

References

  • Forryan, A., A. C. Naveira Garabato, C. Vic., A. J. G. Nurser, and A. R. Hearn, 2021: Galápagos upwelling driven by localized wind–front interactions. Nature Scientific Reports, 11, 1277, doi:10.1038/s41598-020-80609-2.
  • Jakoboski, J., R. E. Todd, W. B. Owens, K. B. Karnauskas, and D. L. Rudnick, 2020: Bifurcation and Upwelling of the Equatorial Undercurrent West of the Galápagos Archipelago. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 50, 887−905, doi:10.1175/JPO-D-19-0110.1.
  • Karnauskas, K. B., R. Murtugudde, and A. J. Busalacchi, 2007: The Effect of the Galápagos Islands on the Equatorial Pacific Cold Tongue. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 37, 1266−1281, doi:10.1175/JPO3048.1.
  • Azaneu, M. V. C., A. J. Matthews, K. J. Heywood, R. A. Hall, and D. B. Baranowski, 2024: Impact of a fresh-core mesoscale eddy in modulating oceanic response to a Madden-Julian Oscillation. Deep-Sea Research Part II, 216, 105396, doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2024.105396
  • Pearman, T. R. R., K. Robert, A. Callaway, R. A. Hall, F. Mienis, and V. A. I. Huvenne, 2023: Spatial and temporal environmental heterogeneity induced by internal tides influences faunal patterns on vertical walls within a submarine canyon. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10, 1091855, doi:10.3389/fmars.2023.1091855.

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