Environmental Impact of Construction on Peatlands

Reducing greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions is one of the main goals of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement (signed in 2015 during COP21) which seeks to limit the global raise in temperature to 1.5 °C. Contributions from all the sectors are needed to reach this objective, and in recent years additional attention been set on the protection of wetlands and other natural habitats. 

Peatlands are a key asset in the drive to reduce annual carbon emissions due to their potential as a carbon sink and this is even more important in Scotland where 20% of the land is covered by peat [1]. However, peatlands have historically been considered as wastelands that needed to be re-used for other, more productive, purposes. This is the reason why circa 80% of UK peatlands are degraded. The favoured foundation option for any construction has been to excavate the peat and replace it by a granular soil [2]. The excavation process risks, however, drying sections of the peatland with the associated detrimental effect on the carbon storage. The current regulatory framework, e.g. National Planning Framework, seeks to protect these habitats of new developments due to the high environmental value that they bring to the ecosystem [3]. 

According the work produced by Dr Bernal-Sanchez, in collaboration with CSIC, Highland Council, SEPA, NatureScot, and Highlands & Islands Enterprise, the project team (together with Dr John McDougall and Dr Daniel Barreto) identified up to six alternative foundation techniques (e.g. timber piling or mass stabilisation) that could be undertaken to minimise the high environmental impact of excavate-and-replace techniques. Although the results obtained demonstrated that other forms of foundation exist, the most sustainable ones are barely used in the UK and other parts of the world. The latter is due to the fact that default foundation techniques are well-established, cost-effective, solutions whereas other (more sustainable) techniques would entail higher costs and there is still little experience [4]. Amongst the uncertainties, it is still not entirely clear how much better the new techniques are from the environmental point of view due to the lack of research in this topic.  

Building up on what the research team did in the previous project, key questions are sought to be answered whilst studying the identified foundation options and thus provide research-based recommendations, based on specific case studies, to contribute to a future geotechnical design guidance. The project will make use of the information as well as the connections made with the various stakeholders (i.e. CSIC, SEPA, NatureScot, H&IE and Taylor Wimpey). This will be essencial to locate a series of potential sites where the investigation will be based on. 

The main aim of this investigation will be focused on understanding the environmental impact of current foundation options on peatlands and compare it with alternative approaches to promote a sustainable solution for construction development. A series of advanced geotechnical testing will be also considered to understand the mechanical properties of proposed new foundation techniques. Thus, the project schedule will consist of three work-packages as follows:  

• Work-Package 1. Review previous work in the field of construction on peatlands, carbon stability and adaptation of carbon calculator to new developments. 
• Work-Package 2. Study of potential location sites, contact with stakeholders, and estimate environmental impact of default construction techniques at the identified sites.   
• Work-Package 3. Study and geotechnical testing of alternative (more sustainable) construction techniques, such as mass stabilisation, appraisal of environmental impact for the identified site and comparison with previous foundation techniques. 

Perspective applicants are encouraged to contact the Supervisor before submitting their applications. Applications should make it clear the project you are applying for and the name of the supervisors. 

Academic qualifications

A first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level, or equivalent achievements ideally in Civil Engineering or Sustainable Engineering.

English language requirement

If your first language is not English, comply with the University requirements for research degree programmes in terms of English language.

Application process

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisor, Dr Juan Bernal-Sanchez ([email protected]) to discuss the content of the project and the fit with their qualifications and skills before preparing an application. 

Contact details

Should you need more information, please email [email protected].

The application must include: 

Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline may provide details about

• Background and motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results.
• Research questions or
• Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods.
• List of references

The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support.

• Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project.
• Recent and complete curriculum vitae. The curriculum must include a declaration regarding the English language qualifications of the candidate.
• Supporting documents will have to be submitted by successful candidates.
• Two academic references (but if you have been out of education for more than three years, you may submit one academic and one professional reference), on the form can be downloaded here.

Applications can be submitted here. To be considered, the application must use:

• the advertised title as project title 

Download a copy of the project details here