The effect of particulate matter (PM) deposition on crop productivity
Supervisors:
Prof Martin McAinsh, Lancaster Environment Centre (Lancaster University)
Dr Will Allwood, The James Hutton Institute
Dr John Hardy, Materials Science Institute (Lancaster University)
Dr Sam Taylor, Lancaster Environment Centre (Lancaster University)
Summary:
Particulate matter (PM) pollution is a ubiquitous and increasing global challenge. The World Health Organisation estimates 99% of the world’s population is exposed to unsafe levels of PM. While the impact of exposure to PM on human health is an active area of research, the impact of PM pollution on vegetation remains under-studied and unknown.
You will join an innovative and creative team of researchers with expertise spanning atmospheric sciences, plant physiology, microbiology, metabolomics and materials science to conduct a series of ground-breaking experiments to address this issue.
- What is the impact of the deposition and accumulation of PM on major crop species?
- What defensive strategies do plants adopt to prevent oxidative damage?
- Could these be harnessed to build resilience in vulnerable species and mitigate the impact?
You will receive hands-on training in the development of a PM fumigation system and a wide range of plant physiology, morphology and phenology measurement techniques using a suite of start-of-the-art instruments. You will take tissue samples to study leaf surface traits and for subsequent biochemical analysis. Based at Lancaster, you will have placements at Hutton learning advanced metabolomic techniques and targeted gene expression analyses of plant tissue.
All we ask is that you are curious, creative and looking for a challenge!