ACCE+ DLA programme: TIMELOESS: Temporal Investigation of Moisture and Environmental change in the Tagus Basin using loess sequences

The modern Iberian Peninsula has an east-west climate gradient, but studies show that during Holocene these patterns were weaker and linked to changes in long-term climatic drivers. Beyond Holocene little is known about the climate and environment gradient and its drivers. The Tagus River, the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula, flows along that gradient. In its lower reaches it is influenced by the North Atlantic, while in the middle reaches the climate becomes more continental and areas experience semi-arid conditions. The combination and complexity of these factors make the region particularly susceptible to climate change with the region expecting to shift towards arid conditions.

Project Goals

This project will use loess-palaeosol deposits along the Tagus River to provide a continuous record of past environmental conditions over the last glacial-interglacial cycle. This will be achieved by:

•       Developing detailed chronologies for key loess-palaeosol profiles that form an east-west transect in the basin.

•       Reconstruct the environmental history at each site, using a range of sedimentary and geochemical proxies. The project will improve understanding of past environments in a region that is important for interpreting early human migration into Europe and provide data that will strengthen climate predictions for this water stressed and sensitive region.

Skills, techniques, and training

During this PhD you will be trained in a wide range of specialist techniques (and their application to other aspects of geosciences) in field and laboratory. These will include:

Fieldwork: This project will include an opportunity for at least two sampling campaigns in the Iberian Peninsula. There you will learn about landforms and how they interact, as well as sampling strategies, organisation, and planning. There also will be scope to learn mapping techniques.

Sedimentology and stratigraphy: You will learn how to interpret sedimentary records. Sedimentological investigation will take place in the laboratory where you will learn about a range of properties such as shape, size, magnetic properties and what they can tell us about past environments.

Geochronology: To develop timing of deposition and a basis for interpreting other data in a context of known drivers of change you will apply Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating.

Geochemistry: A range of geochemical indicators will be used to reconstruct past environments to infer past weathering conditions.

Data analysis: These techniques will generate significant numerical data. You will learn how to manage large datasets, process, and process them in a statistically meaningful way.

Training will be delivered in laboratories and workshops, as well as through mentoring by experienced supervisors.

Research Environment

You will be joining an international and interdisciplinary team of researchers who work at the forefront of Quaternary and geomorphology to better understand past environmental and climatic conditions. The project is an independent offshoot of a project funded by the government of Castilla-La Mancha that aims to understand climate, tectonics and human occupation of Tagus River over the last 5 million years. Therefore, the project offers an opportunity to work closely with an international team.

In Liverpool you will use state-of-the-art OSL, sedimentology, and geochemistry laboratory facilities. You will also join Liverpool’s luminescence research cluster (LivLum) - a vibrant, international group of researchers, post-doctoral researchers, and PhD students. Throughout your PhD you will be encouraged to communicate your research to academic (by attending conferences, publishing papers) and public (writing blogs, giving public talks, outreach activities) audiences.

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. 

Candidate webinar

The project primary supervisor will hold a candidate Zoom webinar in December 2024 to discuss the project with interested candidates. Please register here if you would like to join!