This project will provide essential fieldwork and data analysis to engage stakeholders in communication about climate change, sewage pollution and river health. Working with River Mole River Watch, the aim is to investigate the relationships between rainfall patterns, sewage discharge and water quality to action change for the River Mole.
Department: Geography & Environmental Science
Supervised by: Dr Jess Neumann
The discharge of untreated sewage by water companies into our rivers during rainstorm events, and increasingly during dry weather, causes high levels of toxic pollution with serious implications for river, wildlife and human health. Intense rainfall and drought events are projected to increase. Understanding the relationships between rainfall patterns and sewage discharge, and their effects on river health is paramount. The River Mole (Surrey) flows along the base of Box Hill SSSI and through densely populated towns to the River Thames. In 2020, more than 10,000 hours of sewage was discharged into the river – the worst in the UK. In 2023, the River Mole River Watch (RMRW) charity formed, with the aim of returning the river to a good ecological state. Citizen scientists have been collecting phosphate data, recording pollution events, and holding those responsible to account. The UROP student will work with the PI, alongside RMRW scientists and experts, to investigate water quality of the River Mole in a standalone project. They will develop field skills to conduct intensive water quality testing in addition to monthly data collected by volunteers. They will correlate field data with daily rainfall data (Met. Office) and Thames Water Event Duration Monitors (providing near real-time data on sewage discharge), and present their analyses as graphs and maps using Excel and GIS. The data will be used to foster ongoing discussions with stakeholders including Thames Water, Environment Agency and landowners, to raise awareness, influence policies and drive positive change in river management practices.
Based on a 5-day working week for 6 weeks: Field-based tasks 4 weeks of data collection at sites along the River Mole. 2-3 days a week depending on weather, student interests and travel requirements. - Water quality testing e.g. phosphorus / nitrates / ammonia / invertebrate survey. Full training will be provided by RMRW and fieldwork risk assessment will be completed by SAGES at UoR. (There is safe access at all the data collection sites and the student will not have to enter the river). Desk-based tasks 2-3 days per week (weeks 1-4) and 5 days per week (weeks 5 and 6). - Data entry and record keeping. - Downloading and processing Met. Office rainfall data, and Thames Water Event Duration Monitoring data. - Correlation and basic statistical analyses to compare field-based and Met. Office / Thames Water data. - GIS and graphical presentation of results (if required, the PI will provide support using ArcGIS Pro or ArcGIS Online). - Preparation of the scientific paper.
Essential - An interest in water quality monitoring and river ecology. - A willingness to conduct fieldwork and collect simple water quality measures. - An understanding of the importance of rigorous data recording. - Ability to travel (the River Mole is approximately 1 hour from Reading by car). There may be the opportunity to stay locally if required. - A student who is hard-working, reliable and able to manage their own time effectively. Desirable - A working knowledge of ArcGIS Pro or similar GIS package. - Experience of producing graphs in Excel. - A willingness to communicate their results with interested volunteers or stakeholders.
Field work, data analysis, GIS and communication are highly ranked skills for employment in geography and environment disciplines. This placement will enable the student to hone their interests, while providing experience in scientific best practice (fieldwork, data recording, data management and presentation). It is anticipated that the student will also develop their skills in research and enquiry (data types, survey methods, meteorology, water pollution theory). Finally, the student will have the opportunity to communicate and network with experts at RMRW, Thames Water and local communities, and contribute to writing the research paper.
Fieldwork at known sites along the River Mole. Desk work can be carried out at the University or Home.
35 hours per week – fieldwork to be conducted during the day, but desk work can be flexible to suit the student.
Monday 10 June 2024 - Friday 19 July 2024
The deadline to apply for this project is 5pm on Friday 5th April 2024. To make an application, please go to the following link and complete the application form: https://forms.office.com/e/pMgea0dAHv. To find this project in the application form, please filter ‘school of project applying to’ and select School of Archaeology, Geography & Environmental Science