Professor Graham Bird

Professor in Physical Geography / Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor / Director of Teaching and Learning

g.bird@bangor.ac.uk

+44 1248 383222

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Professor Graham Bird

View Professor Graham Bird’s profile on the Bangor Research Portal

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.

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

  • 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

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.

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.

I am happy to discuss potential project ideas with prospective students. General areas could include: - environmental geochemistry in relation to metalliferous pollutants in waters, soils, sediments and other environmental (or biological) media. - river systems in relation to geochemistry and the use of geochemical tracers. - legacy stores and geochemical timebombs in relation to pollutant storage and (re)mobilization.

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

2019

2018

2016

2015

2014

2013

2011

2010

2009

2008

2006

2005

2003

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.

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.