Linking water quality, estuarine processes and sedimentation

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Organisation

University of Turku

Description

Estuaries can efficiently trap catchment-derived nutrients, trace metals, organic carbon and microplastics through various processes. Hence, estuaries have potential to act as filters decreasing access of these harmful substances from coastal areas to oceans. This could further decrease the water quality in the systems suffering multiple environmental problems such as eutrophication, oxygen depletion and pollutants. Hydrometeorological conditions control much of riverine supply and estuarine processes. Hence, their importance in controlling the transport and accumulation of these harmful substances will change in future. In order to understand and predict the future environmental risk posed by changing climate conditions in these sensitive systems, it is crucial to understand the flux rates and processes controlling microplastics, nutrients and trace metal accumulation within estuarine systems.

PhD project description:

We are looking for an enthusiastic doctoral researcher with knowledge on aquatic sediment studies and time series, basic understanding on catchment dynamics, climate forcing on sedimentation and/or estuarine processes. Experience in geochemical methods, and contaminants (nutrients, heavy metals, microplastics) are of advantage. The PhD project aims to monitor vertical fluxes of microplastics, nutrients, organic carbon and detrital material throughout the estuarine system in relation to contemporary water column concentrations under seasonally varying conditions. This work will provide crucial knowledge and future scenarios on the climate driven transport and sinking of these key-materials within the land sea continuum. This PhD project utilises existing sediment samples and collected data from the estuarine site, combined with the continuing monitoring program and water column monitoring carried out during this PhD work.

Specific requirements:

The applicant should be motivated, self-guided and have willingness for field, laboratory and team work. We expect an excellent master’s degree in geology, physical geography, hydrology, or related fields.

Secondment/: 

SYKE

Dept./Faculty to which the thesis belongs

Department of Geography and Geology/ Faculty of Science

Principal supervisor

Adj.prof. Saija Saarni (TY)

2nd supervisor

Vivi Fleming (SYKE)

3rd supervisor

TBA

Secondment host

TBA

More information:

https://sites.utu.fi/tohtorikoulutuspilotti/diwa-digital-waters-flagship/