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New Publication: Tackling Microfibre Pollution Through Consumer Behaviour—Insights from MSc Research

Published on by Oluseye

We are proud to share that our MSc Environmental Management student, Babatunde Oluwadamilola, has published a peer-reviewed article titled “Beyond fast fashion: consumer behavior, microfibre pollution, and sustainable fashion choices in the UK” in the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences (Springer Nature).

This timely and policy-relevant study explores the often-overlooked issue of microfibre pollution from the fashion industry, shedding light on how UK consumers perceive and respond to the environmental impacts of clothing choices.

Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), extended with variables such as mitigation strategies, age, and income, the research analysed survey data from 350 UK participants using multinomial logistic regression and path analysis. The study found that:

  • Perceived behavioural control was the strongest predictor of intention to adopt sustainable fashion practices (β = 0.67),

  • Followed by subjective norms (β = 0.54) and attitudes (β = 0.28),

  • Mitigation strategies—including eco-labelling and public awareness campaigns—boosted these predictors significantly, both directly and indirectly,

  • Age and income further shaped the effectiveness of these drivers, with older and higher-income consumers showing stronger pro-sustainability intentions.

This research contributes important insights into the behavioural dimensions of environmental sustainability and provides evidence-based guidance for reducing fashion-related microfibre pollution.

We congratulate Oluwadamilola on this achievement, which exemplifies the impact and real-world relevance of student research in our department.

🔗 Read the full article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13412-025-01028-1

Empowering Climate Advocacy Through Science: Reflections from the Youth Climate Action Workshop in Nigeria

Published on by Oluseye

Our PhD student, Fatai Ilesanmi, recently contributed to a high-impact climate event in Nigeria, where he shared insights on innovative palaeoclimate research and youth-led environmental solutions.

Workshop Report
The Youth Climate Action, themed “Empowering the Next Generation for Climate Action,” was held on May 17, 2025, at the Oasis Event Center and Conference Hall in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. It convened over 150 participants, including students, policymakers, youth leaders, researchers, NGOs, and other stakeholders. Organised by GreenEarth Conservation Impact and Awareness Initiative (GECIAI), the event aimed to raise awareness and foster youth engagement in addressing climate change through knowledge exchange and practical collaboration.

During the workshop, I delivered a presentation titled “Lack of Climate Observation Data for Climate Studies in Africa: Implication of Stalagmites as Climate Tools.” My talk addressed the persistent scarcity of long-term, high-resolution climate observation data in West and Central Africa—regions particularly vulnerable to climate variability. I highlighted the value of stalagmites as robust palaeoclimate proxies, capable of filling critical data gaps through geochemical and isotopic analysis. Stalagmites, archived in caves across Africa, can provide continuous records of past rainfall, temperature, and monsoon dynamics spanning thousands of years. These records are crucial for validating global climate models and informing regional adaptation strategies.

I also discussed methodological challenges, including accessibility to cave sites and analytical constraints, while advocating for interdisciplinary collaboration to advance stalagmite-based research.

The workshop underscored the importance of youth empowerment in climate advocacy. Through interactive sessions, participants co-developed strategies for engaging communities in environmental stewardship. I left the workshop inspired, better connected, and equipped with actionable tools to contribute to Africa’s climate resilience.

I am deeply grateful to GECIAI for organising this impactful and timely initiative.

New publication: Acidity impacts on microbial diversity and litter decomposition for organic soils

Published on by Catharine

Upland areas of the UK were highly impacted by sulphur deposition during the acid rain era of the 1970s-80s. As these soils gradually recover from acidification, they have been loosing increasing amounts of waterborne carbon, known as DOC (dissolved organic carbon). This has resulted in surface waters in peatland catchments becoming increasingly browner in colour, and represents a notable carbon loss from these soils (which may eventually enter the atmosphere as carbon dioxide).

But why is this happening? There is a strong evidence base supporting a physiochemical mechanism in organic soils responding to changing acidity. Low acidity results in DOC ‘clumping’ together, bringing it out of solution, but increasing pH enables this organic material to dissolve back into the soil solution, making it mobile once more. However, are there other mechanisms behind this trend? After all, microbial decomposition of organic matter produces DOC, and conditions become more suitable for microbial activity with increasing pH.

In this study published in Plant and Soil, led by Dr Catharine Pschenyckyj, we assessed the impact of changing acidity on microbial communities and decomposition of dead plant material (as a proxy for DOC production). This was part of a wider long-term field experiment in the Snowdonia and Peak District regions, in which acid rain, and recovery, was replicated.

Interestingly, changing acidity didn’t significantly impact the decomposition rates, DOC production, or microbial diversity. However, decomposition was faster in podzol soils compared to peat soils, leading to higher DOC production. This suggests that soil type and its physical and chemical properties play a bigger role in DOC release than decomposition. This study helps us understand the complex interactions in organic soil ecosystems recovering from acid pollution.

Find out more about this publication here: https://rdcu.be/edbhK 

PhD Student mini-conference

Published on by Ambroise

Our PhD community impressed yesterday during the Earth and Environment PhD min-conference. This was a wonderful opportunity for the students to get feedback and questions about their work, while strengthening the research culture within the department.

The programme was as follows:

Environmental PhD Mini Conference Schedule

27th November 2024, 2-4pm

Each student to give a 7-minute presentation followed by 5 minutes for questions and feedback.

2:00 Welcome and introduction

2:10 Beginnings for environmental storytelling

Alison Reid, PhD candidate at Newcastle University

2:25 How can land provide multiple benefits for current and future generations? The case of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

Rach Butler, Carbon Reduction Coordinator at Stockton on Tees Borough Council, PhD candidate at Teesside University

2:40 Using Rainfall Isotopes to Decode Climate Variability: Implications for Stalagmite Studies in Western Africa

Fatai Ilesanmi, PhD candidate at Teesside University

2:55 Impact of prescribed burning on moorland carbon dynamics, microbial diversity and function

Dilmi Mapatunage, PhD candidate at Teesside University

3:10 Land-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation: The case study of the Tees River catchment

Okechukwu Ignatius Eze, PhD candidate at Teesside University

3:25 Above and below-ground carbon stocks and biotic changes during rewilding

Austine Otabor, PhD candidate at Teesside University

PhD student attends IUCN Peatland Programme Conference 2024

Published on by Catharine

PhD student Dilmi Mapatunage attended the IUCN Peatland Conference 2024, the largest gathering of 400 peatland experts, held in Aviemore, Scotland. The conference aims to showcase how the restoration of peatlands could pave the way towards transitioning into a green economy, and the role of healthy peatlands in supporting people and biodiversity by offering nature-based solutions.

The conference consisted of several plenary sessions on introducing the work of IUCN UK Peatland Programme and Peatland ACTION and delivering the key findings of the UK Peatland Strategy Report. Field visits to local peatland sites took place, to observe different peatland management and restoration techniques, combined with perfect weather and stunning views of the Scottish Highlands. Dilmi attended the Corr Riabhach demonstration site, which showcased peatland degradation and restoration efforts, such as erosion control and plant revegetation initiatives led by the United Nations. Dilmi presented a poster at the exhibition entitled, “Investigation of moorland burning and carbon dynamics for climate change mitigation”. Several delegates shared an interest in peatland burning and provided positive feedback and suggestions to refine and enhance the research.

The conference wrapped up with workshops and knowledge sharing sessions under different themes related to peatland management and restoration. Dilmi contributed to the ‘Translational palaeoecology and the art of collaboration’ workshop, engaging in discussions with a group of experts passionate about paleoecological records related to peatlands. Dilmi was inspired by the conference and looks forward to applying the feedback and suggestions received to further develop the research, and will attend more such meaningful conferences in the future.

New Study Addresses Nitrogen Accumulation in Soils for Better Environmental Management

Published on by Lisa

 

A TU-Durham University collaboration has yielded a detailed nitrogen budget to assess how nitrogen moves across different land uses in a large, mixed land-use UK catchment. This newly published work highlights the importance of accurately measuring nitrogen (N) accumulation to mitigate its harmful impacts on climate and ecosystems.

The Trent catchment, known for its extensive water quality monitoring, provided a unique opportunity to map nitrogen flows and pinpoint where accumulation occurs. One key finding was the higher nitrogen build-up in grassland subsoils compared to arable land, revealing the complex interactions between land use, nitrogen, and soil health.

Excess nitrogen in soil can lead to water pollution, loss of biodiversity, and increased greenhouse gas emissions, making proper nutrient management essential. This study advances our understanding of nitrogen dynamics, providing valuable information toward sustainable environmental management. Continue reading “New Study Addresses Nitrogen Accumulation in Soils for Better Environmental Management” →

Teesside Researchers Head Underground in Central Africa to Study Past Climate

Published on by Lisa

Why would anyone venture into caves to study the climate? The answer lies in palaeoclimatology—the science of past climates. At Teesside University, our Environmental Science team studies climate patterns to help communities prepare for future changes.

Dr. Lisa Baldini and Dr. Jens Holvoeth focus on reconstructing past climates – Lisa examines stalagmites, while Jens studies sediment cores. These ‘archives of past climate’ offer vital insights into climate trends before the Industrial Era began, giving us a baseline to understand today’s changes.

Dr. Mehnaz Rashid specialises in climate modeling and GIS, focusing on the tropics, where unpredictable rainfall can devastate subsistence farming. Meanwhile, Dr. Adrian Dye, our glaciologist, studies glacier response to rising temperatures, especially around sea ice, to predict future ice sheet collapse. We also have resident experts in soils, peatlands, agriculture, greenhouse gases, and microbiology—all of these are critical components of the Earth’s climate system.

This summer Dr. Baldini headed underground in tropical Central Africa with her PhD student (a Teesside Environmental Management MSc graduate) and local researchers. Here, in Dengui Cave (Gabon) she explains how stalagmites preserve a record of past climate in their chemistry, helping us understand how rainfall and temperature patterns have shifted over centuries.

At Teesside, we’re committed to tackling climate change—past, present, and future. Come join our Environmental Science BSc or Environmental Management MSc course so you can help make a difference too.

A Special Lecture at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

Published on by Oluseye

Dr Oluseye Oludoye recently had the privilege of delivering a special lecture at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. Invited by the Department of Environmental Science, Oluseye’s lecture focused on “Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in Pro-environmental Research to Reduce Single-Use Plastic (SUP) Waste.”

In his talk, Oluseye explored how TPB can be used to analyze and promote pro-environmental behaviours, particularly to reduce the prevalence of single-use plastics, which substantially threaten ecosystems worldwide.

Drawing from his recent research, Oluseye shared key findings on the effectiveness of TPB in predicting and influencing behaviours that contribute to SUP waste reduction. His research highlights the potential for TPB to inform public policy, guiding the development of strategies that can effectively encourage more sustainable consumer practices. Oluseye emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing environmental challenges, advocating for policies informed by robust scientific research and tailored to the cultural and social contexts in which they are implemented.

This opportunity was made possible through the support of the Faculty of Science at Chulalongkorn University, facilitated by the Sci-Super Plus grant, which funded Oluseye’s trip. This opportunity not only underscored the global relevance of his work but also strengthened the academic and research ties between Teesside University and Chulalongkorn University, paving the way for future collaborations in environmental science.

 

Green Jobs for Nature: MSc Student perspective on employability

Published on by Ambroise
Video Player

 

Employability in the green sector by Teesside University MSc students