Ecotoxicology and environmental monitoring research
The global population is increasing rapidly and humans are putting greater pressure on natural resources, such as food and water. Our ecotoxicology and environmental monitoring research examines how humans impact upon aquatic (marine and freshwater) and terrestrial ecosystems. We also explore the ecological consequences of human activity and seek to develop new methods to assess human impact on the environment.
With climate change and pollution becoming more pressing concerns, our research is helping inform better policy decisions and exploring how we can protect our environment in a sustainable way.
Our research outputs are regularly published by leading industry publications, including Global Climate Change, Aquatic Toxicology, Environmental Pollution and Science of the Total Environment.
Our research focuses on the following topics
- Ecology and conservation
- Ecotoxicology and pollution
- Plant sciences
- Animal sciences (zoology)
- Ecophysiology
- Climate change
Facilities and research methods
We have exceptional facilities that play an important role in our work, including the seawater flow-through aquarium facilities at the Institute of Marine Sciences, our research platform in Langstone Harbour, the Petersfield Waste Water Treatment facility, and our research vessels, greenhouses, microscopy suites, and molecular and bioinformatic facilities.
We monitor the effects of climate change by monitoring ocean acidification levels, and we study the impacts caused by pollutants such as metals, pharmaceuticals, plastics, oil, noise and radiation.
We use field-based and laboratory-based analyses, and our methods encompass everything from the latest in molecular and cellular biology, through to community ecology.
Collaboration and funding
We regularly collaborate on research with industry and academic partners, including English Nature, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Environment Agency, Blue Marine Foundation, Solent Forum, Oil Spill Response Ltd, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST), and the Society of Biology.
We have received funding from major funders such as the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), DEFRA, The Royal Society, the Crown Estate, the European Union (EU) and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Project highlights
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Differential gene expression in normal and intersex Crustacea: New horizons for investigating impacts of pollution, parasitism and climate change
Professor Alex Ford
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Transfer – Exposure – Effects (TREE)
Integrating the science needed to underpin radioactivity assessments for humans and wildlife, Professor Jim Smith, Professor Alex Ford, Karen Thorpe, Awadhesh Jha
Publication highlights
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Chronic ingestion of polystyrene microparticles in low doses has no effect on food consumption and growth to the intertidal amphipod Echinogammarus marinus?
Environmental pollution, 233, 2018, pages 1125–1130, Bruck, S. and Ford, A.T.
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Effects of vessel traffic and underwater noise on the movement, behaviour and vocalisations of bottlenose dolphins in an urbanised estuary
Scientific reports, 7(1), 13437, 2017, Marley, S.A., Kent, C.P.S., Erbe, C. and Parnum, I.M
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High‐resolution spatial modelling of greenhouse gas emissions from land‐use change to energy crops in the United Kingdom
Gcb Bioenergy, 9(3), 2017, pages 627–644, Richards, M., Pogson, M., Dondini, M., Jones, E.O., Hastings, A., Henner, D.N., Tallis, M.J., Casella, E., Matthews, R.W., Henshall, P.A. and Milner, S.
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Long-term census data reveal abundant wildlife populations at Chernobyl
Current Biology, 25(19), 2015, pages R824-R826, Deryabina, T.G., Kuchmel, S.V., Nagorskaya, L.L., Hinton, T.G., Beasley, J.C., Lerebours, A. and Smith, J.T.
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The oceans are changing: impact of ocean warming and acidification on biofouling
Exp Biol, 201, 2017, pages 245–258, Dobretsov, S., Coutinho, R., Rittschof, D., Salta, M., Ragazzola, F. and Hellio, C
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Use of passive sampling and high resolution mass spectrometry using a suspect screening approach to characterise emerging pollutants in contaminated groundwater and runoff
Science of the Total Environment, 672, 2019, pages 253–263, Pinasseau, L., Wiest, L., Fildier, A., Volatier, L., Fones, G.R., Mills, G.A., Mermillod-Blondin, F. and Vulliet, E.
Discover our areas of expertise
Ecotoxicology and environmental monitoring is 1 of our 6 areas of expertise in our Biological Sciences research area. Explore the others below.
Research groups
Institute of Life Sciences and Healthcare
We're exploring disciplinary boundaries to discover, understand and develop knowledge for the benefit of the environment and humankind.
Interested in a PhD in Biological Sciences?
Browse our postgraduate research degrees – including PhDs and MPhils – at our Biological Sciences postgraduate research degrees page.