Objective The project HABIT researches the development and dispersion of HAB populations in sub-surface micro-layers. It focuses on a genus of phytoplankton that has a serious impact on the economic development of the European coastal zone and which frequently occurs in sub-surface, thin micro-layers. The overall objectives of HABIT are to resolve fundamental patterns in the occurrences of Dinophysis and quantify the processes that are important in governing their distribution. To this end, the project HABIT will i) investigate the maintenance and persistence of high density thin layers through studying interactions between fine scale physical diffusion and net growth and trophic relationships within them; ii) investigate the precise role of small scale structures on the coastal shelf as incubators for accumulations of Dinophysis; and iii) utilise physical models to examine the formation and persistence of gyres on the shelf, to predict their transport, and as a consequence HAB events at the coast. A high-resolution vertical profiler will be utilised in tandem with a moored profiling system currently in use in the US for studying HAB species occurrences. Thin layers of Dinophysis will be identified. Small-scale physical processes (vertical and horizontal diffusion) will be measured, and related to net growth. Results will allow an overview of the balance between dispersion and accumulation in the layers and the time-scale of their persistence. Retention zones and other small-scale structures on the coastal shelf will be investigated as incubators for thin layers of HABs using quality physical models to model and predict the formation, persistence and movement of these structures. In this way, potential incubator sites will be shown to depend on the hydrodynamic regime of the coastal ocean. The origins of HAB events will be identified and essential information given to managers, as the only mitigation action possible for naturally occurring events lies in their prediction. Fields of science natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesmeteorologynatural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistrynatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologyphycologynatural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicsmicroelectronicsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmolecular biology Keywords Dinophysis Harmful Algal Blooms Thin Layers Programme(s) FP6-SUSTDEV - Sustainable Development, Global Change and Ecosystems: thematic priority 6 under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006. Topic(s) SUSTDEV-2004-3.III.4.4 - Harmful algal blooms in European marine and brackish waters Call for proposal FP6-2003-GLOBAL-2 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme IP - Integrated Project Coordinator NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND GALWAY Address University road Galway Ireland See on map Links Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 0,00 Participants (3) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all INSTITUT FRANCAIS DE RECHERCHE POUR L'EXPLORATION DE LA MER' France EU contribution € 0,00 Address Rue jean jacques rousseau, 155 Issy-les-molyneaux See on map Links Website Opens in new window INSTITUTO ESPANOL DE OCEANOGRAFIA Spain EU contribution € 0,00 Address Avenida da. brasil, 31 - 2 Madrid See on map Links Website Opens in new window THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS ACTING THROUGH THE CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE United Kingdom EU contribution € 0,00 Address Pakefield road Lowestoft, suffolk See on map Links Website Opens in new window
