Marine sciences

Marine sciences research

Explore our work in marine sciences, one of our areas of expertise in Biological Sciences

From climate change to over-fishing and pollution, we're exploiting our oceans in ways that aren't sustainable. With our oceans increasingly under threat, our Marine Sciences research is working to improve the marine environment for future generations, and make marine activities sustainable.

Marine researchers are at the forefront of international marine projects, from the molecular to the ecosystem and community level. In collaboration with scientists and industry from difference disciplines around the world, our research addresses some of the key environmental issues that we face in marine science, as well as advancing our knowledge of biological processes in marine ecosystems.

The overarching focus of our research is the interaction of humans with the marine environment, across a range of ecosystems and habitats – from tropical mangroves to intertidal soft sediments and even the polar regions, but with particular emphasis on coastal areas.

Our research is working to tackle pressing global issues, such as climate change, conservation and ocean acidification. We're addressing pollution, aquaculture, over-fishing and invasive species, and looking at marine governance.

Our research covers these topics:

Animal behaviour
Aquaculture
Biotechnology and biofuels
Cetaceans
Climate change
Coral reef ecology
Fisheries protection
Impacts of pollutants (e.g. metals, pharmaceuticals, microplastics)
Marine conservation and restoration
Mangrove ecology
Marine microbiology
Marine aquarium trade
Ocean acidification
Underwater video and remote sensing

Funders and collaborations

Within the Institute of Marine Sciences, collaborate with international research institutions, Universities, Government Agencies, local stakeholders, Non-Governmental Organisations, and industry.

Recent projects have received funding from major funding organisations, including the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Research Councils UK, the European Union, the Leverhulme Trust, the Environment Agency, and Natural England.

Recent publications

Chronic exposure to copper and zinc induces DNA damage in the polychaete Alitta virens and the implications for future toxicity of coastal sites

Environmental Pollution, 2018, DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.09.091, Dr Gordon Watson, Pini, J. M. & Richir, J.
Monetary evaluation of marine reserve ecosystem services in the Caribbean

National Accounting Review, Volume 1, Issue 1, pages 3-15, 2019, Professor Pierre Failler, Montocchio, C., Binet, T., Borot de Battisti, A. & Marechal, J-P.
Active management is required to turn the tide for depleted Ostrea edulis stocks from the effects of overfishing, disease and invasive species

PeerJ. Volume 7, Issue 26 p. e6431, 2019, Luke David Helmer, Farrell, P., Hendy, I., Harding, S., Robertson, M. & Dr Joanne Preston
Kleptopredation: a mechanism to facilitate planktivory in a benthic mollusc

Biology Letters. 13, 20170447, 2017, Dr Trevor John Willis, Berglof, K., McGill, R., Musco, L., Piraino, S., Rumsey, C., Vega Fernandez, T. & Badalamenti, F.
The oceans are changing: impact of ocean warming and acidification on biofouling communities

Biofouling, 2019, Dobretsov, S., Coutinho, R., Rittschof, D., Dr Maria Salta, Dr Federica Ragazzola & Hellio, C.

Staff

Professor Simon Cragg

Job Title Professor of Marine Zoology
Email Address Simon.Cragg@port.ac.uk
Department School of Biological Sciences
Faculty Faculty of Science and Health

Professor Alex Ford

Job Title Professor of Biology
Email Address Alex.Ford@port.ac.uk
Department School of Biological Sciences
Faculty Faculty of Science and Health

Dr Gordon Watson

Job Title Reader in Marine Zoology
Email Address Gordon.Watson@port.ac.uk
Department School of Biological Sciences
Faculty Faculty of Science and Health

Dr Joanne Preston

Job Title Principal Lecturer
Email Address joanne.preston@port.ac.uk
Department School of Biological Sciences
Faculty Faculty of Science and Health

Dr Federica Ragazzola

Job Title Senior Lecturer
Email Address federica.ragazzola@port.ac.uk
Department School of Biological Sciences
Faculty Faculty of Science and Health

Discover our areas of expertise

Marine Sciences is 1 of 6 areas of expertise within our Biological Sciences research. Explore the others below.

Biodiversity and evolution

Through our biodiversity and evolution research, we're expanding our knowledge of the diverse organisms that exist across the Tree of Life – from microbes to whales.

man holding an oyster on a boat in the Solent

Epigenetics and developmental biology

We explore new ways to treat genetic disorders, identifying novel targets for drugs and searching for advances in treatment that could impact the lives of millions.

Ecotoxicology and environmental monitoring

We're examining how humans impact ecosystems, and developing new ways to assess and counteract our impact on the environment.

Environmental microbiology and biotechnology

We're searching for new antibiotics and other important enzymes and molecules – and developing the new technology needed to harness microbes for human benefit.

Fungal cultures in a petri dish in microbiology lab

Molecular biophysics

We're exploring the composition and function of biomolecules, such as DNA, RNA and proteins, and looking for new ways to modify and manipulate their behaviour so they can be used to benefit society and industry.

Enzyme structure, courtesy of Centre for Enzyme Innovation, Portsmouth

Research groups

Institute of Biological and Biomedical Sciences

We're exploring disciplinary boundaries to discover, understand and develop knowledge for the benefit of the environment and humankind.

Marine Environmental Science Research Group

We're researching the interaction of humans with the marine environment, addressing some of the key environmental issues that we face in marine science.

Interested in a PhD in Biological Sciences?

Browse our postgraduate research degrees – including PhDs and MPhils – at our Biological Sciences postgraduate research degrees page.