ACCE+ DLA programme: Mountain lakes as sentinels of change: linking nitrogen deposition rates to greenhouse gas emissions

This is an exciting project, linking science to real-world policy, and with lots of fieldwork in upland and mountain environments.

Inland waters (including lakes, reservoirs, rivers) emit globally significant volumes of the greenhouse gases (GHGs) methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide. As well as emitting GHGs, freshwaters bury carbon in their sediments, and so sometimes may be “net good” for climate. Human pressures on freshwaters disturb their natural functioning; for example, eutrophication from agricultural activities can amplify methane emissions. One human pressure that has received less attention is nitrogen deposition. This pollution comes from agricultural and industrial sources, and primarily affects upland and mountain lakes where rainfall is higher, and inputs of nutrients from local sources tend to be much lower. We hypothesise that enrichment from nitrogen deposition exacerbates GHG emissions, and burial of carbon, in upland lakes. This project will test this hypothesis using a combination of monthly sampling at core sites in Snowdonia and the English Lake District, and seasonal sampling at a wider range of lakes with contrasting N deposition histories across the UK. We will use sites from the UK Upland Waters Monitoring Network giving access to decades of historical data to put our new measurements into context.

The student will learn how to sample water and sediments for a range of measures: greenhouse gases, water chemistry, sediment chemistry, carbon accumulation, algal metrics. They will benefit from a network of academic and practitioner contacts that the supervisory team work with (e.g. close working with the National Trust in Snowdonia), giving them a holistic and rounded PhD experience.

How to Apply

Please see the ACCE website for all details of how to apply to the programme at each ACCE+ institution: https://accedtp.ac.uk/how-to-apply/. 

All applicants to ACCE+ must complete the ACCE+ personal statement proforma. This is instead of a personal/supporting statement or cover letter. The proforma is designed to standardise this part of the application to minimise the difference between those who are given support and those who are not. Candidates should also submit a CV and the contact details of two referees.

Part-Time Study Options

All ACCE+ PhDs are available as part time or full time, with part time being a minimum of 50% of full time. Please discuss potential part time arrangements with the primary supervisor before applying to the programme. 

Project CASE Status

This project is not a CASE project.