Investigating Environmental Pollution in India by Contaminants of Emerging Concern Transported in Floodwaters and the Potential of Bioremediation Using Nature-based Solutions

Contaminants of emerging concern such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products pose increasing risks to aquatic environments and human health. Yet, their behavior and fate during urban floods, especially in rapidly growing cities like Bengaluru, remain poorly understood. Floodwaters redistribute these pollutants across water, soil and sediment, affecting vulnerable communities. This project investigates these transport and exposure pathways and evaluates nature-based remediation methods including vegetated systems and biofilters. Research will be conducted at GITAM, Bengaluru, and Coventry University, UK, combining field sampling in flood-affected urban areas with advanced chemical analyses such as liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry. The PhD candidate will conduct spatial analysis, environmental risk assessment, and laboratory experiments using native plants and biofiltration to assess low-cost, practical solutions for contaminant removal. The project aims to identify contamination hotspots, characterize known and novel pollutants associated with floods, and evaluate the effectiveness of nature-based solutions for remediation. Outcomes will include improved understanding of pollutant pathways in urban floods and validated bioremediation strategies suitable for rapidly urbanising environments. This research addresses crucial gaps in knowledge regarding pollution dynamics in flood-prone Indian cities facing infrastructure challenges. Low-cost nature-based solutions could provide sustainable remediation options, protecting both ecosystems and vulnerable populations from chemical exposure linked to urban flooding

A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average. The candidate must demonstrate the potential to engage in innovative research and complete the PhD within 3.5 years. English proficiency with IELTS academic overall minimum score of 7.0 and minimum 6.5 in each component is required.

To find out more about the project, please contact ad5363@coventry.ac.uk. All applications require full supporting documentation, a covering letter, plus a 2000-word supporting statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project.