Environmental change, adaptation and resilience
BGS Research
The environmental change, adaptation and resilience challenge area seeks to reduce the vulnerability of social human infrastructure and biological systems to relatively sudden change. This requires us to understand our natural environment, anthropogenic interaction with the subsurface and environmental response, and to model associated change. To do this we will continue to research our groundwater, sea floor, coasts, soils and landscapes, and urban infrastructural interactions with the subsurface.
It is likely that climate change will continue to be a major societal problem and its effects will last many years, and adaptation will be necessary. Adaptation is especially important in developing countries since they are likely to bear the brunt of the effects of global warming. This challenge area aims to help with societal needs and protect our environment; our research is underpinned by excellent laboratories and science capabilities for the delivery of evidence-based science.
Our projects
Sea floor: scientific ocean drilling
Since 2003, BGS have implemented several high profile expeditions for the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD).
Sea floor: marine geoscience
The marine geoscientists at BGS provide independent and expert geological advice, research and data acquisition to anyone working in the marine environment.
Urban geoscience
The BGS urban geoscience research group provides solutions for urban land-use planning and sustainable development.
Groundwater research
Our research addresses issues related to the sustainability of water resources and quality, impacts of environmental change on the water cycle, natural hazards, and human health.
Soils and landscapes
Increasing human populations, changing climates and the intensification in the use of our soils means that we are in danger of losing or causing irreversible damage to a resource that takes thousands of years to produce.
Geochemistry and health
We are working with Kenyan researchers to improve our understanding of the links between environment and health, strengthening our combined research.
Our facilities
Stable Isotope Facility
We are the largest UK producer of stable isotope data, particularly specialising in climate, environmental and archaeological studies
Inorganic Geochemistry Facility
The Inorganic Geochemistry Facility provides high-quality analytical expertise and specialist services for the production and geochemical interpretation of inorganic data.
Organic Geochemistry Facility
We specialise in organic geochemical measurements at the bulk and molecular level in complex matrices, like rock, sediment, soil and water.
Soil Physics Facility
Our facility provides a range of soil physical measurement services as well as complementary analyses to describe the degree to which soil organic matter is decomposed.
Aquifer Properties Facility
We undertake specialised core characterisation on drillcore and rock chippings from borehole samples for a wide range of hydrogeological purposes.
Dissolved Gases and Tracers Facility
We are the UK’s leading organisation for groundwater dating and tracing, using a wide range of environmental agents, equipment and capabilities.
Our core challenge areas
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