PhD Studentship: CENTA 2027-B04 Microbial degradation of trace gases in post-wildfire soils

Background

Wildfires are increasing in frequency and severity in many regions as a consequence of climate change1. In addition to releasing large quantities of carbon dioxide, wildfires generate atmospheric trace gases including carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH₄) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)2,3. The fate of these gases after deposition to soils is poorly understood, despite the potential importance of microbial trace-gas oxidation for atmospheric chemistry, soil carbon cycling and ecosystem recovery.

Wildfire substantially alters soil physicochemical properties and microbial communities through the loss and transformation of organic matter, formation of pyrogenic carbon, changes in pH and nutrient availability, and alterations in soil moisture and structure. These changes may strongly influence the capacity of soil microbial communities to consume atmospheric trace gases. Early studies have shown that organic amendments can increase soil atmospheric methane uptake in agricultural soils4. However, we lack a mechanistic understanding of how wildfire severity and post-fire recovery affect microbial trace-gas oxidation.

This PhD will investigate how wildfire alters the capacity of soils to act as microbial sinks for atmospheric trace gases and whether this function can be enhanced during ecosystem recovery. It will examine interactions between fire severity, soil properties, pyrogenic carbon and trace-gas-oxidising microbial communities.

The research will employ a combination of gas measurements, soil mesocosm, and cutting-edge molecular techniques. DNA sequencing and metagenomic analyses will identify functional genes responsible for trace gas oxidation. Mesocosm experiments will test the effects of organic amendments on microbial activity and trace gas consumption, providing critical data on soil recovery and greenhouse gas mitigation.

Overall outputs:

The project will establish how wildfire affects soil trace-gas consumption and identify the microbial and environmental mechanisms underpinning this process. It will generate datasets linking fire severity, soil properties, microbial community composition and trace-gas oxidation, and provide a platform for future research on microbial ecosystem services and restoration of soil biogeochemical functions.

References:

[1] Kumar et al. 2019. Atmos Res 227:41-51. [2] Ciccioli et al 2014. Plant Cell Environ 37:1810-1825. [3] Gilman et al. 2015. Atmos Chem Phys 15:13915-13938. [4] Brenzinger et al. 2021. Biol Fertil Soils 57:1053-1074.

For further information on this project and details of how to apply to it please click the 'Apply' button above.

Further information on how to apply for a CENTA studentship can be found on the CENTA website: https://centa.ac.uk/apply/

Funding notes:

This project is offered through the CENTA3 DLA, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Funding covers: annual stipend, tuition fees (at home-fee level), Research Training Support Grant.

Academic requirements: at least a 2:1 at UK BSc level or a pass at UK MSc level or equivalent.

Further information: https://centa.ac.uk/apply/

International students are eligible for studentships to a maximum of 30% of the cohort. Funding does not cover costs relating to moving or residing in the UK. International applicants must fulfil the University of Birmingham’s international student entry requirements, including English language.  See: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgt/requirements-pgt/international/index.aspx.

References:

García-Carmona et al. Organic amendments as a tool to restore soil microbial diversity after wildfires in native Mediterranean forests. J Environ Manage. 2026. 397:128261.

Hu et al. Global recovery patterns of soil microbes after fire. Soil Biol Biochem. 2023. 183:109057

Lopez et al. Molecular insights and impacts of wildfire-induced soil chemical changes. Nat Rev Earth Environ. 2024. 5:431.

Nelson et al. Wildfire-dependent changes in soil microbiome diversity and function. Nat Microbiol. 2022. 7:1419.

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