Biological Sciences

Human Impact on the Aquatic Environment

The work of this group is principally focused on anthropogenic effects on coastal and aquatic environments.

Particular areas of interest are: introduced algal species, electrochemical and biological treatment of waste water, eutrophication, pest control, impact of biocides, on invertebrate behaviour and on fish physiology.

The multidisciplinary approach required to effectively address this subject area is reflected in the range of skills within the group and in the particularly broad collaborative links.

Summary Of Staff Research Interests

  • Dr Simon Cragg, Principal Lecturer
    • Marine wood borers
    • Protection of wood in the sea
    • Impact of biocides used in wood protection on marine invertebrates
    • Bivalve larvae
    • Mangrove ecology in relation to the utilisation and the breakdown of wood
  • Dr. Paul Farrell, Research Fellow
    • PhD research on the ecology and distribution of an alga (Undaria pinnatifida), first introduced into the UK via the Solent in 1994
    • Aquaculture
    • Surveys of marine flora and fauna
    • Environmental impact assessments
  • Dr Bob Fletcher, Reader in Marine Environmental Sciences
    • Taxonomy and systematics of the Brown Algae
    • Fouling / antifouling studies
    • Pollution studies
  • Dr Richard Greenwood, Head of School
    • Toxicokinetics
    • Mode of action of insecticides
    • Chemoinformatic studies
    • Toxicology, and design of biologically active compounds
    • Application of mathematical modelling and multivariate analysis to environmental and toxicological data
  • Dr Eric May, Reader in Microbiology
    • Role of bacteria in decay of stone in monuments
    • Mineral cycling in biofilms of sewage treatment systems
    • Use of reed beds for treatment of wastewater and road runoff
    • Degradation of industrial pollutants in reed-bed biofilm systems
  • Dr Julian Mitchell, Senior Lecturer
    • Molecular systematics of marine fungi
    • Molecular systematics of fungi pathogenic on insects
    • Molecular studies on the marine protist Thraustochytrium roseum and polyunsaturated fatty acid production
    • Degradation of industrial toxic waste in gravel bed hydroponics systems
  • Dr Colin Waring, Senior Lecturer
    • Ecotoxicology and ecophysiology of fish and marine invertebrates
    • Fish endocrinology
    • Sensory biology of fish and invertebrates
  • Dr Gordon Watson, Lecturer
    • Environmental and endocrine control of reproduction in marine invertebrate
    • Ecotoxicology
    • Effects of pollutants and other human impacts (bait collection) on invertebrate reproduction
    • The role of chemical signalling in marine invertebrates.