Life below water 2020

The University of Huddersfield’s research includes some which is relevant to the maintenance of marine ecosystems and their biodiversity. For example, the longstanding tradition of work in geography and environmental science which has recently been reinforced by the formation of Geography group within the Department of Biological and Geographical Sciences has meant the arrival of researchers with relevant interests.

Dr Phil Hwang in one of those who contributes, in his case to work on the Arctic and he is currently working with sea ice/climate modelling scientists within the NERC MIZ project to improve the marginal ice zone physics in climate models.

He is also involved in the NERC Changing Arctic Ocean programme, providing sea ice data/analysis to the programme collaborators. He is leading a NERC MOSAiC project in which he is investigating the year-long sea ice dynamics and its effect on sea ice breakup/melting in summer.

Geophysicist Dr Phil Hwang Geophysicist Dr Phil Hwang

Also of direct relevance is the University’s work to reduce plastics, for example their elimination from catering services’ activity.

Further, the University aims to enhance ecosystems in its immediate vicinity and is exploring the potential to support peatland restoration as part of its proposed programme of carbon mitigation.

Geophysicist Dr Byongjun Phil Hwang optimistic for Arctic ozone layer despite huge hole Dr Byongjun (Phil) Hwang (left and inset) with fellow scientists in the Arctic.