Michelle Williams

Michelle works in the River Water Quality and Ecology Department where she investigates phosphorus, nitrogen and silicon in rivers. Nitrogen and phosphorus act as fertilisers and are released into rivers, lakes and reservoirs by human activities such as farming and factories. These increased nutrients can cause an overgrowth of algae and use up a lot of the available silicon in the water. 

The group also research the effects of light and water flow velocity on biofilm growth rates in rivers. Biofilms are a collective of one or more types of microorganisms that can grow on many different surfaces. Their tight-knit structures make them more resistant to detergents and antimicrobials than other bacteria. 

Her group also leads the Thames initiative which is an integrated monitoring programme for water quality and ecological research across the River Thames Catchment.