Biological Sciences

Materials in the Environment

This group brings a collaborative interdisciplinary approach to investigations of the behaviour of materials under a range of environmental conditions.

Active research areas include: degradation of material performance in aquatic environments due to biological agencies (biocorrosion, biofouling and biodeterioration); chemical and physical aspects of materials degradation (coatings, corrosion, conservation); alternative energy systems (solar energy, solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) fuel cells, microhydropower systems); characterisation of materials and interfaces by experimentation and theoretical modelling.

Summary Of Staff Research Interests

• Graham Bremer, Experimental Officer
  • Marine fungi and protists: their roles in the environment and their biotechnological applications
  • N(omega) 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid production by thraustochytrids
  • Fungal pathogen / plant host interactions
• Dr Bob Fletcher, Reader in Marine Environmental Sciences
  • Taxonomy and systematics of the Brown Algae
  • Fouling / antifouling studies
  • Pollution studies
• 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 John Peterkin, Senior Lecturer
  • Plants - water and ionic relations; mineral nutrition
  • Photosynthesis, growth and assimilate partitioning
• Alison Webster, Research Fellow
  • Bioremediation
  • Using bacteria to help restore damage to the surface of historic buildings