Facilities

Laboratory facilities and analytical resources

water@leeds has access to a broad range of facilities and analytical services throughout the University of Leeds. We offer opportunities for working in molecular, wet, and dry laboratory facilities, with several large incubators available for temperature controlled experimentation. The University of Leeds laboratories conduct bespoke analyses for governmental, commercial and charity organisations. We divide our equipment and expertise into two broad areas: laboratory analysis, including water, soil and chemical analysis, and field recording, including water flow and quality monitoring, meteorology, surveying, coring, and geophysics. Details of these services and facilities can be found below.

Sorby Environmental Fluid Dynamics Laboratory

Our facilities enable a wide interdisciplinary community to experiment upon a range of simulated natural processes, from flow-sediment transport links in alluvial channels, through the dispersal of sediment in the deep oceans, to particulate transport through pipes and rig vessels. Our instrumentation includes a range of Particle Imaging Velocimetry systems, which allow investigation of complex turbulent flow fields. We have a range of Anemometry systems that are ideally suited to collecting high spatial and temporal resolution velocity data for the validation of numerical models

The School of Geography Technical Services

The School of Geography Technical Services are a team of facilities professionals dedicated to supporting our cutting-edge research and teaching. If you wish to use any of these facilities (including laboratories, field equipment, workshop, vehicles, IT, web team and audiovisual equipment) please follow the link and visit the appropriate pages for further information.

Department of Colour Science Analytical Services

The Department of Colour Science Analytical Services are a specialist team of analytical chemists involved in providing analytical services to both industry and academia. We pride ourselves our efficiency, integrity and confidentiality to solving complex problems using the very latest state-of-the-art analytical instruments. We also conduct routine analysis for industry who simply want a fast and effective identification/characterisation of experimental and commercial compounds.

The School of Earth and Environment Analytical Services

The School of Earth and Environment Analytical Services provides an extensive range of services for the analysis of natural materials, waters and solutions (including rainwater, seawater, leachates, soils, rocks and vegetation). We have well-equipped analytical laboratories staffed by analysts with experience of working in both commercial and research sectors. All work is undertaken within a strict quality control system to ensure the highest quality data.

Controlled-temperature rooms:

We have a series of controlled temperature rooms and incubators with temperature and humidity control that can be used for rearing animals, as well as a plant growth suite for botanical work.

Molecular ecology laboratories

Laboratories include facilities for PCR and sequencing for molecular ecology, as well as large labs for preparatory work.

Wet and dry laboratories

Laboratories contain separate spaces dedicated to wet and dry work to allow a wide array of approaches to be carried out.

Experimental mesocosms

Located at the University Farm less than 10 miles from the main University of Leeds campus we have a series of experimental facilities available for research. These include 16x ~0.75m^3 pond mesocosms available for standing freshwater experiments - to date these have been used to assess the effects of invasive decapods (American Signal Crayfish, Chinese Mitten Crabs) on community assembly, community structure and ecosystem functioning. In addition we have recently built 16 recirculating streams (6m [L] x 0.3m [W] x 0.15m [D]) powered by electrical pumps, for experiments using invasive species and novel pollutants. Both of these facilities are registered Biosecure, allowing the use of invasive species in outdoor open experiments. We also possess 9 blocks of 4x 1m length channels with associated header tanks that can be transported to field sites for once-through streamside experimentation.

Field sites

River Cover Working closely with the landowner and the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust, we have initiated a project looking at the potential for reintroducing large woody debris into upland river systems of the UK.

On-going experiments are investigating the use of woody debris structures by juvenile fish (using electrofishing methods) and macroinvertebrates, as well as changes in hydraulics and river geomorphology.

We can negotiate access to the upper 5km of the River Cover and all tributaries for further research.