School of GeoSciences Research

Research activities

Our group investigates using a variety of approaches including oceanographic cruises, geochemical measurements, ocean experimentation, seafloor mapping and modelling.

We have a research focus on the following:

  • Marine biogeochemical processes and carbon
  • Nitrogen and phosphorous cycles
  • Deriving high-resolution paleo-oceanography and paleoclimatology records
  • Understanding the relationship between environmental change and marine ecosystems and the genetic evolution of marine plankton
  • Informing marine policy
  • Sustainable management of ocean resources and conservation 

Major Research Activities:

NERC’s Changing Arctic Ocean Programme

This programme aims to understand how changes in the physical environment (ice and ocean) will affect the large-scale ecosystem structure and biogeochemical functioning of the Arctic Ocean, the potential major impacts and provide projections for future ecosystem services.

The Arctic is responding in unknown ways to profound changes in the physical environment as well as to multiple natural and anthropogenic events that place stress on Arctic ecosystems.  The scale of the challenges facing the Arctic is immense and is further compounded by the rapid rate of change.  

Visit NERC's Changing Arctic Ocean Programme website 

We are part of three consortium projects in the NERC’s Changing Arctic Ocean Programme.  

  1. Arctic ARISE aimed at detecting changes in Arctic ecosystems - Professor Raja Ganeshram is leading a module.  
  2. Arctic PRIZE project - Dr Sian Henley is investigating Arctic productivity in the seasonal ice zone.
  3. ChAOS consortium - Dr Sian Henley is exploring the changing Arctic seafloor. 
Visit the Arctic ARISE website   Visit the Arctic PRIZE website  Visit the ChAOS website

Basin-scale assessments of Atlantic deep-water ecosystems

Changing environmental conditions and human activities have major impacts on the distribution and sustainability of living marine resources. This poses a serious challenge to the business and policy that communities are seeking to balance with the societal needs and with environmental sustainability. 

EU H2020 ATLAS and iAtlantic projects will provide the first coherent, integrated basin-scale assessment of Atlantic deep-water ecosystems and their Blue Growth potential. 

Professor Murray Roberts is the Project Coordinator, Dr Lea-Ann Henry and Dr Sebastian Hennige are Investigators. 

Visit the EU H2020 ATLAS website Visit the iAtlantic website

Lithium for Future Technology (LiFT)

We are partners in Lithium for Future Technology (LiFT) a research project designed to increase our knowledge of global lithium resources to support a low carbon future.  This project is funded by funded NERC. 

Professor Raja Ganeshram and Dr Laetitia Pichevin are applying Li isotope geochemistry to understand the Li cycle. 

Visit the LiFT website

UKRI GCRF One Ocean Hub

As partners in the UKRI GCRF One Ocean Hub, we have a mission to transform our approach to ocean governance and research and work towards integrated and inclusive ocean governance.     

Visit the UKRI GCRF One Ocean Hub website

UKRI GCRF South Asian Nitrogen Hub

Our group is a partner in the UKRI GCRF South Asian Nitrogen Hub which aims to improve our understanding of the nitrogen cycle in South Asia and through its findings will support international action to prevent the harmful consequences of pollution, including ill health, loss of biodiversity and climate change, across the world. 

Visit the UKRI GCRF South Asian Nitrogen Hub website

Outreach and Knowledge Exchange activities:  

Edinburgh Ocean Leaders

This programme is designed to support the leadership, creativity and influence of exceptional ocean professionals working for the benefit of the ocean and society.  

Founders and Directors are Dr Meriwether Wilson and Professor Sandy Tudhope. 

Visit the Edinburgh Ocean Leaders website

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

The University is an accredited institution with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and actively participates in events, including the annual Conference of the Parties (COP). 

In 2019 Dr Meriwether Wilson and Professor Sandy Tudhope were official observers at COP25 in Madrid. 

Visit the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change website

United Nations ​​​​​Oceans

We have been granted special-accreditation to participate in the 2020 United Nations Ocean Conference, at a date to be confirmed in 2021. 

University and the Edinburgh Ocean Leaders are also official partners in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. 

Visit the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development website

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

Dr Sebastian Hennige, Professor Murray Roberts and Alan Fox, contributed to IPCC Special Report Ocean and Cryosphere, Chapter 5 Changing Ocean, Marine Ecosystems, and Dependent Communities. (2019).  Scientific evidence from this report will be used by policymakers. 

Download the IPCC report

International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP)

IODP is an international marine research collaboration that explores Earth's history and dynamics using ocean-going research platforms to recover data recorded in seafloor sediments and rocks and to monitor subseafloor environments.  The collaboration represents 23 nations whose scientists are selected to staff IODP research expeditions conducted throughout the world's oceans.

Regius Professor Dick Kroon is the current Chair for IODP Forum, which evaluates funding proposals for ocean drilling for this global consortium. 

Visit the International Ocean Discovery Program website