Professor Graham Bird
Professor in Physical Geography / Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor / Director of Teaching and Learning
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Overview
Broadly I am a physical geographer and more specifically an environmental geochemist. My work has focused on the UK but also globally including such varied locations as Bulgaria, Canada, Indonesia, Kosovo and Romania.
I am the Associate pro-Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at Bangor University, as well as being the Dean of Education and Student Experience for the College of Science and Engineering and Deputy Head of School for the School of Environmental and Natural Sciences.
Additional Contact Information
Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor, Teaching & Learning
Dean of Education & Student Experience: College of Science & Engineering
Deputy Head of School: School of Environmental and Natural Sciences
Admissions Tutor
Thoday Building Room F23
Email: g.bird@bangor.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1248 383222
Qualifications
- Other: National Teaching Fellow
Advance HE, 2023 - Other: Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Advance HE, 2022 - Other: PGCTHE
Aberystwyth University, 2010 - PhD: Geochemistry
University of Wales, Aberystwyth, 2005 - MSc: Environmental Techniques
University of Wales, Aberystwyth, 2002 - BSc: Geography
University of Wales, Aberystwyth, 2000
Teaching and Supervision
I teach a number of modules in Geography and Environmental Science including field- and practical-based classes. Topics I teach range from introductory earth systems and processes to river systems, climate change and environmental geochemistry....and the works of Auguste Comte, Karl Popper and the development of Geography!
I am a National Teaching Fellow and Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Research Interests
Generally in the field of environmental geochemistry, with a particular interest in the impact of metal mining, metallurgy and mine tailings dam failures upon fluvial systems. Investigation into contaminant metal speciation using Sequential Extraction Procedures (SEPs) and the use of Pb isotopes as geochemical tracers of sediment and sediment-associated metal dispersal. Reconstruction of contaminant-dispersal and sedimentation histories using composite geochemical fingerprinting techniques and multivariate mixing models.
Postgraduate Project Opportunities
Publications
2023
- PublishedImpacts of metal mining on river systems: a global assessment
Macklin, M. G., Thomas, C., Mudbhatkal, A., Brewer, P. A., Hudson-Edwards, K., Lewin, J., Scussolini, P., D. Eilander, D., Lechner, A., Owen, J., Bird, G., Kemp, D. & Mangalaa, K., 22 Sept 2023, In: Science. 381, 6664, p. 1345-1350
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2021
- PublishedRiver sediment geochemistry and provenance following the Mount Polley mine tailings spill, Canada: the role of hydraulic sorting and sediment dilution processes in contaminant dispersal and remediation
Bird, G., Hudson-Edwards, K., Byrne, P., Macklin, M., Brewer, P. & Williams, R., Nov 2021, In: Applied Geochemistry. 134, 11 p., 105086.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2019
- PublishedOrigin and fate of Vanadium in the Hazeltine Creek Catchment following the 2014 Mount Polley mine tailings spill, British Columbia, Canada
Hudson-Edwards, K. A., Byrne, P., Bird, G., Brewer, P. A., Burke, I. T., Jamieson, H. E., Macklin, M. G. & Williams, R. D., 16 Apr 2019, In: Environmental Science and Technology. 53, 8, p. 4088–4098
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2018
- PublishedEstablishment of background water quality conditions in the Great Zab River catchment: influence of geogenic and anthropogenic controls on developing a baseline for water quality assessment and resource management
Ismaiel, I. A., Bird, G., McDonald, M., Perkins, W. & Jones, T., Jan 2018, In: Environmental Earth Sciences. 77, 2, 50.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedWater quality impacts and river system recovery following the 2014 Mount Polley mine tailings dam spill, British Columbia, Canada
Byrne, P., Hudson-Edwards, K., Bird, G., Macklin, M., Brewer, P., Williams, R. & Jamieson, H., Apr 2018, In: Applied Geochemistry. 91, p. 64-74
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2016
- PublishedField-scale study of the influence of differing remediation strategies on trace metal geochemistry in metal mine tailings from the Irish Midlands
Perkins, W. T., Bird, G., Jacobs, S. R. & Devoy, C., 1 Mar 2016, In: Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 23, 6, p. 5592-5608
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe influence of the scale of mining activity and mine site remediation on the contamination legacy of historical metal mining activity
Bird, G., Dec 2016, In: Environmental Science and Pollution Research.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2015
- PublishedIsotopic provenancing of Pb in Mitrovica, northern Kosovo: source identification of chronic Pb enrichment in soils, house dust and scalp hair
Brewer, P., Bird, G. & Macklin, M. G., 8 Aug 2015, In: Applied Geochemistry. 64, p. 164-175
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe long-term environmental impacts of the Mount Polley mine tailings spill, British Columbia, Canada
Byrne, P., Hudson-Edwards, K., Macklin, M., Brewer, P., Bird, G. & Williams, R., 2015, Geophysical Research Abstracts. Vol. 17. EGU2015-6241
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
2014
- PublishedArsenic within the secondary environment resulting from geogenic inputs, Harlech Dome, United Kingdom
Bird, G., Bell, H. E. & Perkins, W. T., 1 Apr 2014, In: Environmental Earth Sciences.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedDevelopment and application of an inhalation bioaccessibility method (IBM) for lead in the PM10 size fraction of soil
Boisa, N., Elom, N., Dean, J. R., Deary, M. E., Bird, G. & Entwistle, J. A., 1 Sept 2014, In: Environment International. 70, p. 132–142
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2013
- PublishedPotentially harmful elements (PHEs) in scalp hair, soil and metallurgical wastes in Mitrovica, Kosovo: The role of oral bioaccessibility and mineralogy in human PHE exposure
Boisa, N., Bird, G., Brewer, P. A., Dean, J. R., Entwistle, J. A., Kemp, S. & Macklin, M. G., 2013, In: Environment International. 60, p. 56-70
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2011
- PublishedProvenancing anthropogenic Pb within the fluvial environment: Developments and challenges in the use of Pb isotopes
Bird, G., May 2011, In: Environment International. 37, 4, p. 802-819
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2010
- PublishedDispersal of contaminant metals in the mining-affected Danube and Maritsa drainage basins, Bulgaria, Eastern Europe.
Bird, G., Brewer, P. A., Macklin, M. G., Nikolova, M., Kotsev, T., Mollov, M. & Swain, C., 1 Feb 2010, In: Water, Air and Soil Pollution. 206, 1-4, p. 105-127
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedManagement of the Danube drainage basin: implications of contaminant-metal dispersal for the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive
Bird, G., Brewer, P. A. & Macklin, M. G., 29 Apr 2010, In: International Journal of River Basin Management. 8, 1, p. 63-78
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedPb isotope evidence for contaminant-metal dispersal in an international river system: the lower Danube catchment, Eastern Europe.
Bird, G., Brewer, P. A., Macklin, M. G., Nikolova, M., Kotsev, T., Mollov, M. & Swain, C., 1 Jul 2010, In: Applied Geochemistry. 25, 7, p. 1070-1084
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedQuantifying sediment-associated metal dispersal using Pb isotopes: application of binary and multivariate mixing models at the catchment-scale.
Bird, G., Brewer, P. A., Macklin, M. G., Nikolova, M., Kotsev, T., Mollov, M. & Swain, C., 1 Jun 2010, In: Environmental Pollution. 158, 6, p. 2158-2169
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedSediment origin and dispersal dynamics in the lower Danube Basin
Bird, G., Brewer, P. A., Macklin, M. G., Nikolova, M., Kotsev, T., Sima, M. & Mollov, M., 2010, Proceedings of the 38th IAD Conference: Dresden, Germany.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
2009
- PublishedHeavy metals in potable groundwater of mining-affected river catchments, northwestern Romania
Bird, G., Macklin, M. G., Brewer, P. A., Zaharia, S., Balteanu, D., Driga, B. & Serban, M., Dec 2009, In: Environmental Geochemistry and Health. 31, 6, p. 741-758
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2008
- PublishedRiver system recovery following the Novat-Rosu tailings dam failure, Maramures County, Romania.
Bird, G., Brewer, P. A., Macklin, M. G., Balteanu, D., Serban, M., Driga, B. & Zaharia, S., 1 Dec 2008, In: Applied Geochemistry. 23, 12, p. 3498-3518
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2006
- PublishedA geomorphological approach to the management of rivers contaminated by metal mining
Macklin, M. G., Brewer, P. A., Hudson-Edwards, K., Bird, G., Coulthard, T., Dennis, I. A., Lechler, P., Miller, J. & Turner, J., 2006, In: Geomorphology. 79, 3-4, p. 423-447
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2005
- PublishedHeavy metal contamination in the Arieş river catchment, western Romania: Implications for development of the Roşia Montană gold deposit
Bird, G., Brewer, P. A., Macklin, M. G., Serban, M., Balteanu, D. & Driga, B., 2005, In: Journal of Geochemical Exploration. 86, 1, p. 26-48
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2003
- PublishedThe solid-state partitioning of contaminant metals and As in river channel sediments of the mining affected Tisa drainage basin, northwestern Romania and eastern Hungary
Bird, G., Brewer, P., Macklin, M., Balteanu, D., Driga, B., Serban, M. & Zaharia, S., 1 Jan 2003, In: Applied Geochemistry. 18, 10, p. 1583-1595
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Projects
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Environmental impact of the Mount Polley mine tailings spill
01/10/2014 – 14/12/2015 (Finished)
Other Grants and Projects
2015: Global innovation Initiative: Prof Morag McDonald, Dr Graham Bird, Dr Paula Roberts, Dr Bill Perkins, Prof Jerry Miller et al., to investigate “Establishing a network of research excellence for mine reclamation in Southeast Asia”. Awarded £150,000.
2014: Natural Environment Research Council (NE/M017486/1): to Prof Karen Hudson-Edwards, Prof Mark Macklin, Dr Paul Brewer, Dr Graham Bird, Dr Patrick Byrne to investigate “The environmental impact of the Mount Polley mine tailings spill and related clean-up operations, British Columbia, Canada”. Awarded £51,960.
2013: British Council to Prof Morag McDonald, Dr Paula Roberts and Dr Graham Bird to investigate “Transformation of degraded lands to productive landscapes”. Awarded £10,000.
Other Information
Peer-reviewed contributions to symposia and compiled volumes
Kotsev, T., Nikolova, M., Macklin, M.G., Brewer, P.A., Bird, G., Mollov, M., 2010. River water and river sediment contamination with As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, in: Momchilova, A. (Ed.), Bulgaria Geographic Atlas. TANGRA TanNakRa, Sofia, pp. 201-203.
Bird, G., 2010. Sediment origin and dispersal dynamics in the lower Danube Basin. In, Bloesch, J., Teodorovic, I., Sandu, C. (2010). Proceedings of the 38th International Association Danube Research Conference, Dresden; Germany, June 2010.
Bird, G.,2010. Provenancing sources of Pb contamination in Mitrovica, Kosovo: implications for human health and environmental management. Proceedings of the 2010 Society of Environmental Geochemistry & Health Conference, Galway; Ireland, July 2010.
Brewer, P.A., Nikolova, M., Bird, G., Kotsev, T., Macklin, M.G., Mollov, M., Swain, C., 2005. Source to sink river pollution assessment in northern Bulgaria: preliminary results on contaminant delivery in the lower Danube basin, Proceedings of the 5th International SGEM Scientific Conference: Modern Management of Mine Producing, Geology and Environment Protection, pp. 387-396.
Serban, M., Balteanu, D., Macklin, M.G., Brewer, P.A., Bird, G., 2004. Mining activities and heavy metal river pollution in the Apuseni Mountains, Romania, in: Morell, M., Todorovik, O., Dimitrov, D., Selenica, A., Spirkovsky, Z. (Eds.), BALWOIS 2004: Conference on Water Observation and Information System for Decision Support. Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Macedonia, Ohrid; Republic of Macedonia, pp. 1-11.
Bird, G., Macklin, M.G., Brewer, P.A., Balteanu, D., Driga, B., Zaharia, S., Serban, M., 2003. Environmental impacts of metal mining activities in Romania, in: Josan, N., Balteanu, D., Brewer, P.A., Macklin, M.G. (Eds.), The Environmental and Socio-Economic Impact of Industrial Tailings Ponds. University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania, pp. 87-96.
Bird, G., Brewer, P.A., Macklin, M.G., Balteanu, D., Driga, B., Serban, M., Zaharia, S., 2003. The impact and significance of metal mining activities on the environmental quality of Romanian river systems, in: CCMESI (Ed.), Proceedings of the First International Conference on Environmental Research and Assessment. University of Bucharest, Bucharest; Romania, pp. 316-332.
Brewer, P.A., Macklin, M.G., Balteanu, D., Coulthard, T.J., Driga, B., Howard, A.J., Bird, G., Zaharia, S., Serban, M., 2003. The tailings dam failures in Maramures County, Romania and their transboundary impacts on the river systems, in: Filho, W.L., Butorina, I. (Eds.), Approaches to Handling Environmental Problems in the Mining and Metallurgical Regions. Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 73-83.
Brewer, P.A., Macklin, M.G., Balteanu, D., Coulthard, T.J., Driga, B., Howard, A.J., Bird, G., Zaharia, S., Serban, M., 2002. The January and March tailings dam failures in Maramures County, Romania and their transboundary impacts on the river systems, in: Filho, W.L., Butorina, I. (Eds.), Approaches to Handling Environmental Problems in the Mining and Metallurgical Regions of NIS Countries: Proceedings of Advanced Research Workshop. NATO, Mariupol, Ukraine, pp. 56-64.
Reports
Bird, G. 2016. Assessment of proposed run-of-river hydro-electric scheme: Afon Conwy (AC) at Conwy Falls, Wales. Report for RWE.
Bird, G. 2015. Risk Assessment for bridge replacement and adjustments to weir on the Nant Gwydol, Powys, Wales. Report for Natural Resources Wales.
Bird, G. 2013. Geomorphological assessment of the Afon Anafon in relation to an abstraction licence application for the construction of a hydro-electric generation scheme. Report for John Howarth Hydropower Services.
Bird, G. 2013. Geomorphological assessment of the Nant y Waun Faith in relation to an abstraction licence application for the construction of a hydro-electric generation scheme. Report for Morben Hydro Ltd.
Bird, G. 2013. Geomorphological assessment of the Afon Cwm Mynach in relation to an abstraction licence application for the construction of a hydro-electric generation scheme. Report for Derwent Hydroelectical Power Ltd.
Bird, G. 2013. Geomorphological assessment of the Nant Gwernol in relation to an abstraction licence application for the construction of a hydro-electric generation scheme. Report for Derwent Hydroelectical Power Ltd.
Bird, G. 2013. Geomorphological assessment of the Afon Harnog in relation to an abstraction licence application for the construction of a hydro-electric generation scheme. Report for Morben Hydro Ltd.
Bird, G., Yorke, L. 2013. Geomorphological assessment of the Afon Lliw in relation to an abstraction licence application for the construction of a hydro-electric generation scheme. Report for DHJC Ltd..
Brewer, P. A., Macklin, M. G. and Bird, G. 2011. Geochemical assessment of soils in Bosniak Mahalla, Mitrovicë/a, Kosovo: implications for the proposed resettlement of families presently living in the Osterode camp. Report for Mercy Corps, Aberystwyth University; 33pp.
Jones, A.F., Brewer, P.A., Macklin, M.G., Swain, C.H., Bird, G., Griffiths, H.M. Huband, M. and Yorke, L. 2011. Late Quaternary River Development and Archaeology of the Middle Tywi Valley. Final report for the Dyfed Archaeological Trust Exploration Tywi! Project. Aberystwyth University: 97 pp.
Brewer, P. A., Bird, G. and Macklin, M. G. 2010. Pb levels and Pb isotopic signatures determined in samples of scalp hair from residents of the Osterode and Cesmin Lug camps, Mitrovica, Kosovo. Report for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Aberystwyth University; 10pp.
Brewer, P. A., Bird, G. and Macklin, M. G. 2010. Geochemical assessment of soils in Roma Mahalla, Mitrovica, Kosovo: implications for the proposed resettlement of families presently living in the Osterode and Cesmin Lug Camps. Report for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Aberystwyth University; 46pp.
Brewer, P. A., Macklin, M. G. and Bird G., 2004. A four year assessment of the impacts of active and historical metal mining activity and tailings dam failures on water and sediment quality in Maramureş County, Romania. Report for Maramureş County Council, AberystwythUniversity; 39pp
Brewer, P. A., Macklin, M. G. and Bird G., 2004. Identification and environmental assessment of the Rosia Montana geochemical 'footprint' in the Abrud/Aries catchment. Report for Roşia Montana Gold Corporation, AberystwythUniversity; 104pp.
Brewer, P. A., Macklin, M. G. and Bird G., 2004. A three year assessment of the impacts of active and historical metal mining activity on water and sediment quality in Satu mare County, Romania. Report for Satu Mare County Council, AberystwythUniversity; 39pp.
Brewer, P. A., Macklin, M. G. and Bird G., 2003. The impact of metal mining activity and tailings dam failures on water and sediment quality in Maramures County, Romania. Report for Satu Mare County Council, AberystwythUniversity; 38pp.
Brewer, P. A., Macklin, M. G. and Bird G., 2002. The environmental significance of contaminant metals resulting from historical and contemporary mining activity in Satu Mare County, Romania. Report for Satu Mare County Council, AberystwythUniversity; 39pp.
Brewer, P. A., Macklin, M. G. and Bird G., 2002. The impact of historical and contemporary metal mining activity on water and sediment quality in Satu Mare County, Romania. Report for Satu Mare County Council, Aberystwyth University; 49pp.
Conference papers (* denotes presented)
Hudson-Edwards, K.A., Byrne, P., Bird, G., Macklin, M.G., Matthews, T. R., Brewer, P.A., Williams, R., 2018. Restoration of river systems following mine tailings dam failures: a generic approach. Resources for Future Generations: Premier Conference on Energy, Minerals, Water, the Earth, Vancouver, 2018.
Byrne, P., Hudson-Edwards, K.A., Bird, G., Macklin, M.G., Brewer, P.A., Williams, R., Jamieson, H.E., 2018. Water quality impacts and river system recovery following the 2014 Mount Polley mine tailings dam spill, British Columbia, Canada. Geophysical Research Abstracts 20, EGU2018-13629.
Gautama, R.S., Badurhman, A., Bird, G.*, Mansur, I., McDonald, M.A., Miller, J., Moore, O., Perkins, W.T., Soeprobowati, T.R., Roberts, P., Suprayogo, D., 2017. Spatio-temporal variability in mine water chemistry: challenges for effective management. International Seminar on Current Development on Mine Reclamation Practices and Mine Water Management, Global Innovation Initiative, Pelambang, Indonesia, 2017.
Hudson-Edwards, K.A., Byrne, P., Bird, G., Jamieson, H.E., Macklin, M.G., Brewer, P.A., Williams, R.D., 2017. Speciation of vanadium in the Hazeltine Creek catchment following the 2014 Mount Polley tailings dam spill, Canada. Goldscmidt Conference, Paris, 2017.
Entwistle, J. A., Bird, G., Boisa, N., Dean, J. R., Amaibi, P. M. and Hunt, A., 2015. What drives bioaccessibility? A multi-technique approach to investigate the Pb-phases which control the overall solubility of Pb in topsoil & metaliferrous wastes. Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health Conference. Bratislava, 2015.
Bird*, G., Brewer, P.A., Macklin, M.G., Nikolova, M., Kotsev, T. and Sima, M. Contemporary & historical sediment-associated metal transport & storage within the lower River Danube: an example of study within a multi-national drainage basin. From Catchment to Coast: fluxes and transformations through the river-estuary system. An interdisciplinary conference for researchers and practitioners. Bangor, 2012.
Bird*, G., Boisa, N., Entwistle, J., Macklin, M. G., Brewer, P. A.andDean, J. R. The bioavailability and bioaccessibility of PHEs in soils and other contaminant sources in Mitrovica, northern Kosovo.Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health Conference. Edgehill, 2011.
Bird*, G., Brewer, P.A. and Macklin, M.G. Provenancing sources of Pb contamination in Mitrovica, Kosovo: implications for human health and environmental management. Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health Conference. Galway, 2010.
Bird*, G., Brewer, P.A., Macklin, M.G., Nikolova, M., Kotsev, T., Sima, M. and Mollov, M. Sediment origin and dispersal dynamics in the Lower Danube Basin. 38th International Association for Danube Research Conference. Dresden, 2010.
Bird*, G., Brewer, P.A., Macklin, M.G., Balteanu, D., Driga, B., Serban, M., Zaharia, S. The impact and significance of metal mining activities on the environmental quality of Romanian river systems. First International Conference on Environmental Research and Assessment Bucharest, 2003.
Bird*, G., Brewer, P. A., Macklin, M. G., Bălteanu, D., Şerban M., Driga, B., Zaharia, S. and Coulthard, T. The impact and significance of metal mining activities on the environmental quality of river systems in the Apuseni Mountains. The Environmental and Socio-Economic Impact of Industrial Tailings Ponds: International Conference. Oradea, 2003.
Brewer, P. A., Coulthard, T., Macklin, M. G., Bird, G., Bălteanu, D., Driga, B., Zaharia, S. and Şerban M. The long term fate and environmental significance of contaminant metals in the Tisa Basin. Second International Workshop on the long-term impacts of metal mining in the Someş and Tisa river basin: developing environmental protection and management strategies. Bucharest & Satu Mare, Romania, 2002.