The Environmental Pollution and Microbiology Research Group brings together expertise from academics, research associates and post-graduate research students to better understand the presence and impacts of different kinds of pollution on diverse environmental systems, and on ecological and biological processes within the environment.
We study a broad range of organic and inorganic pollutants, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, nutrients, wastewater, metals and radioactivity. Research on the effects of pollutants on biology spans from microscopic to invertebrates and macro-fauna, and plants. Our research spans across key environments, from marine and freshwater systems, to terrestrial, groundwater, and the atmosphere.
Microbiological research also focuses on topics including bioleaching (biomining), anti-microbial resistance in the environment, wastewater treatment, bioremediation and biodegradation of pollutants.
We have technical expertise, analytical capabilities, and world-class laboratories for measuring and analysing diverse pollutants, and laboratories and aquaria to study effects of pollution on biological systems. These are complemented with microbiological (BSL2) laboratories and molecular analysis capabilities.
Our research provides new insights into key environmental processes, and offers practical solutions for managing pollution, conserving biodiversity, and adapting to climate change. Our research has broad societal impact, and has regularly featured in top scientific journals, and in the national and international media.
Key areas of research
- Biogeochemical cycles, nutrient, and carbon cycling
- Bioleaching
- Earth system sciences
- Environmental microbiology of marine and extreme environments
- Environmental pollution and ecosystem impacts
- Environmental restoration and bioremediation
- Sustainability and Governance
Current and recent projects
Carbon cycling in acidic waters and implications for metal bioremediation,
PhD candidate: Zacarias Fresno Lopez. Supervisors: Carmen Falagan, Ken Wasmund, Joy Watts, Javier Sanchez-España
Vertical Coupling in the Canary Upwelling System: Source Water Depth, Nutrient Transport, and Plankton Responses.
PhD Candidate Vanessa Cavucci (University of Southampton). Supervisors: Pete Brown (NOC), Sarah Reynolds, Ed Mawji (NOC), Mark Moore (University of Southampton), Elisa Loveccio 9NOC)
Assessing nutrient bioremediation, carbon sequestration and biodiversity uplift capacity of seaweed culture.
Project funded by Southern Water with Sea Tree Farms Ltd as partner.
Micropollutant-degrading bacteria in marine systems - identifying, characterising and examining distributions & activity
NIHR Global Health Research Centre on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Environmental Change
Genomics and proteomics of organohalide-respiring bacteria
Wastewater treatment microbiology and genomics
Project researchers
Professor Alex Ford
Dr Athanasios Rizoulis
Dr Carmen Falagan
Professor Gary Fones
Professor Gordon Watson
Media ready expert
Professor Jim Smith
Professor Joy Watts
Dr Kabari Sam
Dr Kenneth Wasmund
Dr Michelle Hale
Dr Mo Hoque
Dr Olusegun Fawole
Dr Sarah Reynolds
Recent publications and research outputs
Smith, J. T., Levchuk, S. E., Bugai, D. A., Beresford, N. A., Wood, M. D., Yu, K., ... & Kashparov, V. A. (2025). Journal of environmental radioactivity, 286, 107698
Mapping arsenic risks in the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) Delta, Myanmar: implications for public health
Hoque, M. A., Khaing, K. K., Fowler, M., Sultana, M. S., Myint, C. C., Swe, A., Dennis, P., Shahid, S., & Fones, G. R. (2025). GeoHealth, 9(11), Article e2024GH001326.
Genomic insights into diverse bacterial taxa that degrade extracellular DNA in marine sediments
Wasmund K, Pelikan C, Schintlmeister A, Wagner M, Watzka M, Richter A, Bhatnagar S, Noel A, Hubert C, Ratei T, Hoffman T, Herbold C, Hausmann B, Loy A. (2021). Nature Microbiology.
Offshore wind energy: assessing trace element inputs and the risks for co-location of aquaculture
Watson, G.J., Banfield, G., Watson, S.C.L., Beaumont, N.J. and Hodkin, A., 2025. Npj Ocean Sustainability, 4(1), p.1.
Sánchez-España, J., Falagán, C., Ilin, A. M., & Yusta, I. (2025). Minerals, 15(11), 1223.
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