Life below water 2022
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 their effect on sea ice breakup/melting in summer.
Similarly, Dr Matthew Hill, an ecohydrologist and a Senior Lecturer in Geography, is one of a group of leading experts in their field who will be working with South East Water on the project entitled CatchmentLIFE supported by the Ofwat £2 million Innovation in Water Challenge (IWC). The project addresses how different pressures impact freshwater wildlife, and aims to identify collaborative options to resolve issues at the root-cause. In the longer term, CatchmentLIFE could be used as a national tool to improve the ecological condition of waterways.
Geophysicist Dr Phil HwangAlso 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.
Dr Byongjun (Phil) Hwang (left and inset) with fellow scientists in the Arctic.