Studentships

Project Description

Continued demand for rare earth minerals has generated extensive interest in mining mineral-rich deposits in the deep sea. Currently, mineral mining at hydrothermal vent systems along mid ocean ridges, bathyal seamounts, polymetallic nodule areas at abyssal depths, as well as phosphorites on margins are all being considered. The small size of deep-sea organisms, the slow population growth rates and long generation times could make benthic ecosystems especially vulnerable to impacts of deep-sea mining.

This PhD project will investigate the benthic biogeochemical cycling in areas being targeted for deep-sea mining, and assess rates of seafloor chemoautotrophy, oxygen consumption and production.

The student will participate in sample collection with deep-sea landers at deep-sea field sites in the Pacific Ocean and carry out isotope labelling studies to parameterize deep-sea biogeochemical cycling. The student will also undertake electrochemical studies using polymetallic nodules and microbial studies to better understand the role of electrochemistry and microbiology in deep-sea biogeochemical cycles. The PhD student will work within the Benthic Ecology and Biogeochemistry laboratory at the Scottish Association for Marine Science. The studentship will be a part of a major deep-sea project exploring dark oxygen production in deep-sea environments led by SAMS, Northwestern University, and Boston University. The student will be required to attend multiple 45-day research cruises to sample deep-sea field sites in the Pacific Ocean. The studentship will also have the possibility to make research exchange trips to collaborators in the USA, as well as attend national and international research conferences and project meetings.