The role of the wind in dispersing and generating plastic pollution

Director of Studies: Dr Matt Telfer
2nd Supervisor: Dr Lauren Biermann
3rd Supervisor: Aser Mata (email asm@pml.ac.uk), Plymouth Marine Laboratory

Applications are invited for a 3.5 years PhD studentship within the Environmental Intelligence doctoral training programme at the University of Plymouth. The studentship will start on 01 October 2024. 

In the past two decades, there has been much attention and research on the problem of macroplastic pollution of the environment, and the generation and dispersion of microplastics. Although the emphasis originally focussed on marine and aquatic environments (Thompson et al., 2004), the past decade has seen widening of focus to incorporate terrestrial habitats and soils (Rillig & Lehmann, 2020). The focus in terms of processes of transport, modification and deposition of plastics, however, remains primarily on the role of hydrological processes and particularly the oceans. The role of the wind, especially important in coastal and arid environments, by contrast, has seen very little attention (Zylstra, 2013). Although some recent laboratory studies have begun to explore the role of the wind in generating microplastics (Bullard et al., 2021; Bullard et al., 2022), field-based studies of the problem are scarce (Yang et al., 2022). At the same time, recent years have seen many advances in identifying and monitoring plastic pollution using remote sensing techniques, again with a predominantly marine focus (Salgado-Hernanz et al., 2021), using both satellite (e.g. Biermann et al., 2020) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technologies (e.g. Geraeds et al., 2019). This project seeks to address the research gap regarding the lack of field-based quantitative data relating to the wind-blown dispersal of plastic pollution and the role of aeolian processes in field-based studies in generating microplastics. 

This project will combine remotely-sensed, field, and laboratory studies. Field sites will be selected where a clear aeolian contribution can be isolated from hydrological factors, using a combination of UK coastal locations and/or arid/semi-arid regions. The spatial distribution of macroplastics will be described by UAV-based surveys and Machine Learning, supported by field validation. Well-established laboratory-based methodologies (e.g. FT-IR spectroscopy) will be applied to identify the composition of micro-plastics. These will be combined with spatial analysis to address the role of the wind in dispersing, modifying and generating plastics in the natural environment.

The successful applicant can expect to receive training in the use of remotely sensed data collection, including UAV operation, and spatial analysis within Geographical Information Systems (GIS) frameworks, using appropriate software. Any necessary laboratory training (e.g. spectroscopy) will be provided. The student will also receive appropriate training appropriate for doctoral-level research, such as the design and implementation of original research in the development of new knowledge. Related academic skills and experiences (e.g. presentation of results at academic conferences) will be promoted.

Biermann, L., Clewley, D., Martinez-Vicente, V. & Topouzelis, K. (2020) 'Finding plastic patches in coastal waters using optical satellite data'. Scientific Reports, 10 (1), pp. 5364.

Bullard, J. E., Ockelford, A., O'Brien, P. & McKenna Neuman, C. (2021) 'Preferential transport of microplastics by wind'. Atmospheric Environment, 245 pp. 118038.

Bullard, J. E., Zhou, Z., Davis, S. & Fowler, S. (2022) 'Breakdown and modification of microplastic beads by aeolian abrasion'. Environmental Science & Technology, 57 (1), pp. 76-84.

Geraeds, M., van Emmerik, T., de Vries, R. & bin Ab Razak, M. S. (2019) 'Riverine Plastic Litter Monitoring Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)'. Remote Sensing, 11 (17), DOI: 10.3390/rs11172045.

Rillig, M. C. & Lehmann, A. (2020) 'Microplastic in terrestrial ecosystems'. Science, 368 (6498), pp. 1430-1431.

Salgado-Hernanz, P. M., Bauzà, J., Alomar, C., Compa, M., Romero, L. & Deudero, S. (2021) 'Assessment of marine litter through remote sensing: recent approaches and future goals'. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 168 pp. 112347.

Thompson, R. C., Olsen, Y., Mitchell, R. P., Davis, A., Rowland, S. J., John, A. W. G., McGonigle, D. & Russell, A. E. (2004) 'Lost at sea: where is all the plastic?'. Science, 304 (5672), pp. 838-838.

Yang, Z., Lü, F., Zhang, H., Wang, W., Xu, X., Shao, L., Che, Z., Lu, B., Ye, J. & He, P. (2022) 'A neglected transport of plastic debris to cities from farmland in remote arid regions'. Science of The Total Environment, 807 pp. 150982.

Zylstra, E. R. (2013) 'Accumulation of wind-dispersed trash in desert environments'. Journal of Arid Environments, 89 pp. 13-15. 

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in a cognate discipline, or a relevant masters qualification. 

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component test area) or equivalent. 

The studentship is supported for 3.5 years and includes full home tuition fees plus a stipend of £19,088 2024/25 rate (TBC). The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for home fees with relevant qualifications. Applicants normally required to cover international fees will have to cover the difference between the home and the international tuition fee rates approximately £12,697 per annum 2023/24 rate (2024/25 rate TBC).

NB: The studentship is supported for 3.5 years of the four-year registration period. The subsequent 6 months of registration is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ period.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr Matt Telfer.

Please see our how to apply for a research degree page for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application.

For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our how to apply for a research degree webpage or contact The Doctoral College at research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview after the deadline. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications.  Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.