River scientists, modellers, sediment specialists and geochemists from Newcastle University and the University of Liverpool, working with the organisations leading the response to the spill.
Project lead, Newcastle University. Leads WP1 and WP2.
Matt develops new techniques for monitoring rivers and Earth-surface processes, including drone-based and image-based river monitoring. He led the stream-flow monitoring group of a 33-country European COST Action and is a CAA-qualified drone pilot. He coordinates the project and its fieldwork.
Project co-lead, Newcastle University. Co-leads WP1.
Louise combines multibeam bathymetry with sediment sampling to reconstruct submerged environments. As lead of a previous NERC Urgency project she ran rapid field campaigns after a 2021 glacial outburst flood in Iceland. She leads the project's sediment sampling and coring.
Project co-lead, Newcastle University. Leads WP3, co-leads WP2.
Seb works on remote sensing and numerical modelling of coastal erosion, contaminant mobilisation and extreme events. He built the preliminary particle-transport model of the spill, and is a CAA-qualified drone pilot and experienced boat-based fieldworker.
Project co-lead, University of Liverpool. Leads WP4.
Annie researches the sources, transport, transformation and fate of microplastics in rivers. Her work shows how sediment and flow drive the wear, settling and retention of microplastics. She leads the NERC CONVERSE project, where communities help design research outcomes.
Specialist, Newcastle University. Co-leads WP4.
Adam is an expert on the sources, transport and fate of metals in rivers, including how abandoned mines in the upper Tyne catchment affect metal concentrations in the estuary. He leads the interpretation of metals associated with the pellets.
Specialist, Newcastle University. Co-leads WP3.
Chris studies the hydrodynamics of tidal rivers and how microplastics are transported and distributed through large river systems. He contributes to the project's modelling of pellet dispersal.
Research and innovation associate, University of Liverpool. WP4.
Michael brings laboratory expertise in measuring sediment-driven wear from images, settling-column experiments and surface chemical analysis of microplastics.
These organisations coordinate and deliver the response to the incident. Working with them means local observations and operational knowledge shape the research, and our findings reach the people responsible for monitoring, clean-up and recovery quickly.
Regional coordination of the response and longer-term recovery.
Environmental regulator, monitoring and incident response.
River restoration charity working across the Tyne catchment.
Environmental charity supporting shoreline surveys and community clean-up.
This project is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation through its Urgency Grants scheme. NERC Urgency grants support research that must start quickly to capture an unforeseen, time-limited opportunity.
