Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Research group Analytical, Environmental and Geochemistry (AMGC), co-ordinator
Daro, Marie Hermande
Abstract
Northern European coastal zones suffer from high discharges of organic matter and nutrients. This creates eutrophication, influencing the planctonic trophic chains in these systems. Within this context, the DWTC project "Advanced Modelling and research on Eutrophiation" (AMORE) investigates the phenomenon of the Pheaocystis sp. Spring bloom in the Belgian coastal zone. The task of ECOL-VUB is to provide data on the transfers of microplancton (with diatoms, Phaeocystis and microplancton as main components) to the mesozooplancton. The data will be used to improve the present management sustaining model constructed by our partners in the network (Lancelot, ULB and Pichot, BMM). Measurement of phytoplancton pigments and their detection in copepod gut contents is the basic technique used by ECOL-VUB. Optimisation of the technique requires purchase of a Photodiode-Array detector to supplement the presently used WATERS HPLC. For this, a budget of 580 800BEF is required.
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