Sediment & contaminant transport and effects

We investigate the transport mechanisms and ecological effects of anthropogenic inputs in estuarine environments. Biofilms and microbial mats on sediment surfaces and the fauna living in the sediment bed can mediate the resuspension and transport of different materials including sediments, particulate organic matter and contaminants. These biotic systems can also capture and trap different particles on the bed. We have recently demonstrated that benthic biofilms can mediate the transport of microplastics through estuaries, with greater flows required to resuspend microplastics from biofilm-rich sediments compared to 'clean' sediments. This has implications for the benthic-pelagic exchange of microplastics and may influence their transport rates from land-to-sea.

We investigate the effects of climate change, rising temperatures, extremes such as heatwaves and storm events on benthic communities and ecosystem functions. Many functions such as primary productivity, nutrient and carbon cycling and sediment stability can be altered by climate change.