MISS MEGAN SQUIRE

Research Overview

My PhD is centred around incorporating ecological modelling into 3D simulations of marine growth on artificial structures, with a view to produce realistic models which will inform policy around the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas structures. 

The first chapter of the PhD focuses on building 3D models of marine growth using museum specimens. The full 3D model library can be viewed online: 

Sketchfab: squireM - Sketchfab

Interactive map: Visualising the Diverse Marine Communities attached to Human-made Structures in the North Sea

From previous experience at St Andrews university, I have also gained an appreciation for how marine policy is structured to inform our use of the marine environment, as well as the current gaps in knowledge that may prevent this policy from comprehensively protecting marine life. 

Current Research

My PhD is centred around incorporating ecological modelling into 3D simulations of marine growth on artificial structures, with a view to produce realistic models which will inform policy around the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas structures. 

Multiple climatic conditions will be used (temperate, sub-tropical, tropical) to build an understanding of how these structures impact the diversity of marine growth on a global scale - and how this diversity will be effected by current decommissioning requirements. 

Updated biomass calculations will then be created, to estimate the weight that marine growth communities add to offshore structures. 

Past Research

With the need to invest in renewable projects heightened by the current climate crisis, along with global initiatives such as the UN goals and Net Zero 2050 (2045 Scotland), it is more important than ever to also understand how these structures impact the marine environment.

Whilst completing a postgraduate degree at St Andrews University, I sought to understand how the presence of wind farms impacted fish populations in the North Sea. Through the use of taxonomic and functional metrics (e.g. species richness, functional richness), I built up a picture of how fish community composition had been effected by the construction of a wind farm. 

Knowledge Exchange

The first chapter of my PhD utilises publicly available museum collections, with a core focus on expanding public and cross-sector awareness of marine growth communities using visualisation techniques. 

Throughout this chapter, I have shared the 3D model library through VR experiences at the Maritime Museum (Aberdeen), the Discovery Zone at the Tall Ships Festival and at various conferences such as the Porcupine Conference, SIME conference and Offshore Europe Exhibition and Conference. 

The final aim of this chapter is to create a realistic simulation of a marine growth community on a known structure in the North Sea, using industry footage to guide the placement of models in the National Decommissioning Centre's marine simulator. This simulation will then be used as public outreach and by industry partners. 

Collaborations

This project is funded by the Interdisciplinary Institute at the University of Aberdeen, and incorporates individuals and learnings from Marine Biology, Geosciences, Engineering and Social Science disciplines.