Hands-on science: Students join research expedition aboard RRS Discovery

This summer, four undergraduate students from the School of Environmental Sciences spent time aboard the research vessel RRS Discovery during its latest expedition to the northern North Sea.

The voyage was part of the NERC-funded Pushing the Frontiers project, led by Liverpool's Professor of Ocean Sciences Jonathan Sharples, which is investigating the oceanographic impacts of newly developed deep-water floating offshore wind farms.

Oceanography students Lucie Marsh and Jacob Dickens joined the ship in Southampton, working alongside a multi-institute team of 20 scientists. Jacob took the 4 am-4 pm shift, analysing water samples for nutrients, carbon and salinity, while Lucie worked the 4 pm-4 am shift as a key member of the zooplankton sampling group.

At a stop in Aberdeen, Jacob and Lucie swapped with two Environmental Science students - Daniel Stutt and Lucy Shirt - who will remain aboard on the 4 pm-4 am watch until the expedition concludes in Dundee on 9th September.

Professor Sharples said: "Here at the University of Liverpool we are proud of our research-led learning, which gives students access to the latest knowledge about how the oceans and climate system work, and how they are expected to change in the future.

This expedition was the perfect opportunity for undergraduates to experience working in a large multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers. They quickly became key members of the science watches and will have some amazing datasets to explore for their final-year projects."

Lucie reflected on her time at sea: "Working alongside such a varied group of scientists was an invaluable masterclass in oceanography and has made me want to find more opportunities for hands-on field research."

Jacob added: "The experience has really brought my studies to life."

Still aboard RRS Discovery, Lucy commented:"This trip has consolidated my interest in ocean science."

Meanwhile, Daniel said:"I'm having an amazing experience that has sparked a real career interest."

All four students will use data collected during the expedition for their final-year projects. Their research will draw on information from moored instruments, oxygen sensors, plankton nets and high-resolution towed oceanographic sensors.

Find out more about studying ocean sciences at the University here and studying environmental sciences here.