Spatial-Temporal Dynamics of Effluent Discharge in Aquatic Habitats

My PhD focuses on the spatial and temporal dynamics of effluent discharge in aquatic habitats. The initial emphasis of the study is the release of treated municipal waste from Howden Sewage Treatment Works into the lower River Tyne, which is characterised by dynamic tidal patterns and high-flow conditions. Using diverse datasets encompassing river flow, tidal height, water quality, and effluent discharge, my PhD will examine effluent discharge across daily to seasonal timescales and during periods of low and high rainfall. This will identify when the effluent will be most prevalent in the River Tyne.
To assess the fate of the discharged effluent, my research will compare modelled predictions of spatial distribution with weekly observations measured in the vicinity of the discharge point. By integrating hydrological measurements with water quality and effluent discharge data, this study aims to enhance our understanding of effluent dynamics, providing valuable insights for future monitoring and predictive capabilities.
The results will also inform the potential for indirect emissions resulting from effluent degradation. Although the wastewater industry is not currently obligated to report such emissions, this is anticipated to change in the near future and the outputs of this study will help inform mitigation measures. Following the initial phase of work, this study will extend its findings to selected tributaries of the River Tyne that host smaller waste water treatment plants. This will identify how the spatial-temporal dynamics differ between small and large-scale rates of effluent discharge.

We have identified the potential impact of the CDT in consultation with 44 partner organisations, ensuring we are meeting the needs of potential beneficiaries. The impacts that we will develop robust pathways to achieve include:

Economic:
Our graduates will be a key pool of knowledge and skills to deliver the annual £11bn of economic benefit to the UK from 'opening-up' geospatial data. Their advanced skills in a rapidly changing technological field will help the UK geospatial industry realise the predicted global annual growth of 13.8% and transform the use of geospatial data and technology in smart cities, urban-infrastructure resilience, energy systems and structural monitoring.
Through continuous two-way engagement with our partners we will shape and deliver industry relevant PhD projects that apply students' unique training. Ongoing knowledge exchange with industry will be facilitated through regular interaction with the centre, the Industrial Advisory Board and partner participation at the Innovation Festival, CDT Assembly and Challenge Week events. We will work with the recently announced £80m Geospatial Commission to ensure the translation of new methods, techniques and technology to the broadest possible user base; using our partnerships with professional bodies to recognise the opportunities and challenges to realising the economic benefits of geospatial data.
SME and start-ups are will be major drivers of global geospatial industry growth. Innovation and entrepreneurial training will position our graduates to act as a catalyst of the growth needed in the UK to remain internationally competitive. Working with Satellite and Digital Catapults, and the £30million National Innovation Centre for Data, we will foster a 'full-circle' engagement with SME's and start-ups; to ensure our graduates understand the drivers for innovation, facilitate co-production and ensure the timely adoption of academic driven advances for economic growth.

Societal:
We have recognised the significant role geospatial data will play in providing the evidence for improved planning and response to significant global societal problems. The interdisciplinary PhD research conducted within the CDT will provide new insight and understanding in climate impacts and adaption, sustainable cities, and healthy living and aging. Our graduates will engage with key international and national organisations (e.g., Cities Resilience Programme of the World Bank, UK National Infrastructure Commission) to ensure the widest adoption of their research.

Academic:
Our graduates will form the next generation of geospatial scientists and engineers vital for interdisciplinary research at the engineering-societal-environment nexus. Their combined skills in geospatial technology and methods, along with advanced mathematical, statistical and computing skills, will provide the UK with a unique resource pool of academic leaders. The research produced by the centre, sustained and embedded by the skilled workforce it creates, will help address the Grand Challenges of the UK Industrial Strategy; AI and the Data Driven Economy, Future Mobility and an Aging Society.

To maximize academic outreach we will provide a Geospatial Systems Resource Portal that will allow researchers to access the new techniques and methods developed. Software and related methods will be open source, and tutorials and training guides will be developed as a matter of routine. We will organise CPD courses based on our unique integrated training in Geospatial Systems, open to cohorts from other CDTs within the digital economy space. We will foster cross-UKRI translation and learning by working with related CDTs; the ESRC CDT in Data Analytics and Society and NERC CDT in Data, Risks and Environmental Analytical Methods. Via our 9 international research partners our unique training approach and strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research will become internationally impactful.