The impact of climate driven changes on microbial diversity and ecology in ice-marginal lake in Greenland

A blue-green lake in Greenland surrounded by rocks. — The warming of Greenland is leading to the creation of more and more lakes ©Jhony_Eguzki/Shutterstock

About the Project

Over the past 50 years, the Arctic has warmed at more than twice the global rate. It is virtually certain this will continue. In response, the Greenland Ice Sheet has lost mass and retreated, leading to growth in the number and size of ice-marginal lakes. These lakes are likely warming in line with atmospheric temperatures, with vital feedbacks on the ice sheet itself.

In addition, the evolving thermal complexity of these lakes is likely impacting their biology and ecology. The lakes have benthic microbial mats and microplankton in the water column that can be comprised of cyanobacteria, other bacteria, protists, fungi and microalgae, however the richness and relative abundance of these microbial communities have not been characterized and the impact of climate-driven warming of these lakes on freshwater microbial communities and biogeochemical cycling has not been previously explored.

The aim of the project therefore is to assess the microbial richness and community composition, and evaluate how climatic-driven environmental change might affect the microbial diversity and ecology of benthic and microplanktonic communities found in ice-marginal lakes using a combination of field-based and laboratory-based analyses. The project is multidisciplinary, providing training in methodologies across glaciology, environmental sciences and polar microbiology.

This proposal will piggyback on a NERC grant recently awarded to Rippin, which will gather high temporal and spatial resolution temperatures in several ice-marginal lakes – these will be utilized by this ACCE studentship. The student will also have the opportunity to join the larger field campaign and collect additional data to address the following key objectives:

Collect samples of benthic and microplanktonic communities from ice-marginal lakes.
Characterise the taxonomic composition and community structure of benthic and microplanktonic assemblages using DNA sequencing.
Evaluate the chemical and physical conditions of ice-marginal lakes that control microbial community composition.

Essential and desirable criteria

Essential - A willingness to undertake a period of fieldwork in Greenland, living and camping adjacent to a suite of ice marginal lakes (to be carried out in collaboration with Rippin’s funded NERC grant identified above). An ability to work with and analyse time series of lake temperature data. Experience in molecular biology and environmental microbiology.

Desirable - An understanding of glaciology, particularly in relation to ice sheet hydrology. This is only listed as desirable since such knowledge can be learned. Ability to use R, Matlab, IDL etc (or enthusiasm and willingness to learn). Ability to use GIS packages such as QGIS or ArcGIS (or enthusiasm and willingness to learn). Ability to analyse DNA sequence data (or enthusiasm and willingness to learn).

How to Apply

Further information to support the development of your application are available here: https://accedtp.ac.uk/phd-opportunities/

All applicants to ACCE must complete the ACCE personal statement proforma. This is instead of a personal/supporting statement or cover letter. The proforma is designed to standardise this part of the application to minimise the difference between those who are given support and those who are not. Candidates should also submit a cv and the contact details of 2 referees. 

Applicants should also complete an EDI form which should be e-mailed to acce.dtp@liverpool.ac.uk.

Informal enquiries may be made to accedtp@liverpool.ac.uk 

Part-Time Study Options

 All ACCE PhDs are available as part time or full time, with part time being a minimum of 50% of full time. Please discuss potential part time arrangements with the primary supervisor before applying to the programme.

Project CASE Status

This project is not a CASE project. While individual applicant quality is our overriding criterion for selection, the ACCE DTP has a commitment for 40% of all studentships to be CASE funded - as such, CASE projects may be favoured in shortlisting applicants when candidates are otherwise deemed to be equal or a consensus on student quality cannot be reached. This will only be done as a last resort for separating candidates.

Entry Requirements

Students with, or expecting to gain, at least an upper second-class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply. The interdisciplinary nature of this programme means that we welcome applications from students with backgrounds in any biological, chemical, and/or physical science, or students with mathematical backgrounds who are interested in using their skills in addressing biological, ecological or evolutionary questions.