U.K. nationals: Discharges of treated sewage wastewaters to groundwater-dominated river ecosystems: processes and impacts in headwater chalk streams - PhD

University of Southampton

Southampton, UK 🇬🇧

About the project

Chalk stream headwaters are highly vulnerable to the influences of pollutants that are discharged into chalk groundwater. Discharges of phosphorus are of particular concern, due to their potential to contribute to the eutrophication of chalk streams with consequences for their water quality and ecology.

The project seeks to develop understanding of the impacts of sewage-related phosphorus on chalk streams. Where treated sewage wastewaters are discharged to chalk groundwater, their relatively high levels of P augment the usually low levels of groundwater P. Unless the sewage-associated P is substantially attenuated or diluted within the groundwater, there is a risk that levels of P in surface waters will become elevated and increase the risk of eutrophication. This study seeks to address this issue by: 

  • establishing the scale at which the discharge of treated sewage wastewaters to chalk groundwater occurs.
  • modelling solute and water flows using SHETRAN to determine the risk(s) associated with discharges of treated sewage wastewaters to chalk groundwater.
  • close-focus evaluation of patterns and processes relating to a detailed case study and interactions of different chemical forms of phosphorus with chalk substrates. 

The PhD study will combine hydrological modelling and water resources modelling to link data compiled through the initial audit to assess the scales and likelihood of impacts on English chalk rivers due to the discharge of treated sewage wastewater to groundwater. 

Close-focus study will complement the broader-scale study by contributing to the calibration and testing of modelled flows. The outputs of this study should inform decision-making with regard to regulation and management of groundwater-derived inputs of P to chalk streams.

The project sits within the broader research activity of the Environmental Change and Sustainability research group, which provides opportunities for interaction with other researchers and for career development.

Potential supervisors

Lead supervisor

PS

Doctor Peter Shaw

Associate Professor

Supervisors

Professor Justin Sheffield

Head of School

Research interests

  • Large-scale hydrology and its interactions with climate variability and change.
  • Hydrological extremes, climate change, and hydrological processes from catchment to global scale.
  • The application of fundamental research to natural hazards impacts reduction, including monitoring and prediction systems.

Entry requirements

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent in a relevant environment-related subject

Fees and funding

For UK students, tuition fees will be paid and you’ll receive a stipend (living allowance) of £17,668 tax-free per year.

How to apply

Apply now

You need to:

  • choose programme type (Research), 2023/24, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences
  • choose PhD in Geography(Full time)
  • add supervisor Doctor Peter Shaw in section 2

Applications should include:

  • research proposal
  • your CV (resumé)
  • 2 reference letters
  • degree transcripts to date

Contact us

Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences

If you have a general question, email our doctoral college (fels-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk).

Project leader

For an initial conversation, email Doctor Peter Shaw (p.j.shaw@soton.ac.uk).


POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

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