Quantifying river capture related fluvial incision and landsliding using in situ cosmogenic exposure dating

Supervised by Dr Martin Stokes, Professor Jim Griffiths (School of Earth, Ocean and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth) & Dr Christoph Schnabel (NERC Cosmogenics facility).

Applications are invited for a NERC funded PhD Studentship to start in October 2008.

The aim of this PhD studentship is to model spatial and temporal patterns of landscape erosion that occurs following a major, basin-scale (10's-100's km2) river capture event. This will be achieved through application of cosmogenic radionuclide dating to river terrace and landslide landforms that form in relation to a capture-related wave of incision. The project will initially focus upon the well studied Aguas-Feos river capture event in the Sorbas Basin of SE Spain. Here, an existing landform chronology using OSL and U-Series dating can be tested and then expanded throughout the captured drainage network to model and quantify rates and magnitudes of capture-related fluvial incision and valley side destabilization. The project will then target a less well-known capture event associated with the Rio Jauto in the NE Sorbas Basin. This drainage is a tributary to the Rio Aguas and was involved with a much earlier capture event. Its study will contribute significantly to understanding the regional long term fluvial system and landscape development. The project will comprise integrated fieldwork, laboratory and computer based terrain evaluation based approaches for data collection and analyses, with training provided accordingly. Fieldwork in SE Spain will include mapping, surveying, sediment facies analysis, sediment provenance studies, soil profile descriptions and sampling for cosmogenic dating. The laboratory work, involving sample preparation and analyses using multiple cosmogenic radionuclides (10Be, 26Al, 36Cl) will be undertaken at the NERC cosmogenics facility at East Kilbride (Scotland). Collectively, all data will be compiled within a GIS database for terrain evaluation and quantification of capture-related sediment erosion rates.

Applicants for the post should have/expect a 1st or a good 2:1 degree in Physical Geography, Earth Sciences or Geology. Applicants with a relevant MSc or MRes would be particularly welcome. The student will receive a stipend of approximately £12,940 per annum. The project also includes additional NERC fieldwork funding and analytical costs. The position is open to UK citizens, and EU citizens with appropriate qualifications who have been resident or studied in the UK for three years.

For informal enquiries about the project please contact: Dr Martin Stokes mstokes@plymouth.ac.uk

Applicants should send a CV, a letter detailing their suitability for the post as well as contact details of two academic referees to Ann Treeby, Faculty of Science Research Office, Room A504, Portland Square, Plymouth, PL4 8AA or email: ann.treeby@plymouth.ac.uk