Project Description:
Glaciers in the Himalayas are retreating rapidly, driving major shifts in river flow, geomorphology, and water chemistry. These changes affect highly biodiverse
freshwater ecosystems, however consequences for primary producers, such as algae, are currently uncertain. This project aims to understand how algal
biomass, measured using chlorophyll‑a and ash‑free dry mass (AFDM), varies as glacier cover declines. The student will analyse samples collected in April
2025 and 2026, conducting laboratory measurements of chlorophyll‑a, AFDM, and water chemistry to compare streams along gradients of glacier influence.
The student will be involed in research group meetings and networking with the School of Geography Ice Club, and will receive training in laboratory
analyses, statistics (e.g. linear regression) and data presentation. The results of this project will help clarify how algal biomass and primary productivity, which
underpin ecosystem functioning, may respond as Himalayan glaciers retreat in the future.
The student will undertake laboratory analyses of chlorophyll-a, AFDM and water chemistry (with training and supervision from N Kerr and laboratory
technicians) of samples from Himalayan rivers (approximately 100 samples).
The student will conduct data analyses (with training and supervision from N Kerr) to compare algal biomass to glacial gradients, along with the opportunity
to develop other research ideas such as comparisons with anthropogenic influences or the impacts of monsoons, with the aim of presenting their data to the
research group and/or Ice Club.
The student will have the opportunity to interact with PGRs, ECRs and academics through our aquatic ecology research group, Ice Club and others
conducting lab work.
Skills: laboratory analyses of chlorophyll-a, AFDM and water chemistry (e.g. nitrogen and phosphorous); data analysis skills in R; data presentation skills.
Pre-requisites:
N/A
Supervisory Team:
Nicky Kerr
Contact:
Nicky Kerr: [email protected]