Unraveling oceanic multi-element cycles using single cell ionomics

About the project

Oceanic elemental cycles are strongly influenced by marine microbes, including phytoplankton. Although it has long been recognised that the elemental composition of microbes is a key determinant of these cycles (1), analytical limitations mean current understanding is typically based on observations of limited numbers of elements averaged across mixed communities. Appreciation of potentially important heterogeneities at individual and population levels and a more holistic understanding of multi-element cycling is thus lacking (1, 2). Consequently, single-organism/cell analysis is a fast-growing field, but many techniques are hampered by low throughput. We aim to apply a new analytical tool (Time of Flight Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, ToF-ICPMS) to facilitate rapid multi-element analysis of individual marine phytoplankton cells (3) and potentially higher trophic levels. This project will focus on the key question of how variability in (co-)limiting nutrient availability influences the multi-elemental cellular composition of non-limiting nutrients (2), which has significant consequences for understanding coupled nutrient cycling (1, 2). Although this problem has been addressed in specific cases on an element-by-element basis (1), we lack true multi-element (‘ionomic’) treatments (2), which also account for the heterogeneity of mixed natural communities. The project will thus facilitate a deeper understanding of multi-elemental ocean biogeochemical cycles.

For full project details visit the Inspire project page .

Supervisors

• Mark Moore (University of Southampton)
• Maeve Logan (University of Southampton)
• Kate Hendry (British Antarctic Survey)
• Gavin Foster (University of Southampton)
• Clara Manno (British Antarctic Survey)

Professor Mark Moore

• Marine Biogeochemistry
• Oceanic nutrient and carbon cycling
• Phytoplankton photosynthesis

Supervisors

• Supervisors: Professor Maeve Lohan Professor of Marine Chemistry Professor Gavin Foster Professor of Isotope Geochemistry

Professor Maeve Lohan

• Professor Maeve Lohan: Professor of Marine Chemistry

Professor Gavin Foster

• Professor Gavin Foster: Professor of Isotope Geochemistry

Entry requirements

A 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent , in one of these subjects:

• any earth or environmental science discipline

Fees and funding

INSPIRE studentships are funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC, part of UK Research and Innovation, UKRI). The stipend is in line with UKRI standard levels, including the recent cost of living increase.

All studentships are fully funded for 3.5 years.

How to apply

To make an application, visit the how to apply section of the Inspire website .

Contact us

For questions about the project, email Professor Mark Moore:

For questions about the application process, email the graduate school office:

• cmm297@noc.soton.ac.uk
• gsnocs@soton.ac.uk

Research areas