Impacts of Nanoparticles on microphytobenthic Biofilms and consequences on the Carbon cycle

Información del proyecto

NanoBioCar

Identificador del acuerdo de subvención: 702217

DOI

10.3030/702217

Proyecto cerrado

Fecha de la firma de la CE 21 Marzo 2016

Fecha de inicio 1 Septiembre 2016

Fecha de finalización 9 Abril 2019

Financiado con arreglo a

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Coste total

€ 195 454,80

Aportación de la UE

€ 195 454,80

Coordinado por

UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
United Kingdom

Objetivo

Intertidal and shallow subtidal zones are key areas for biochemical transformations, and particularly they play a crucial zone in the carbon cycle. In soft-bottom areas, most primary production is performed by photosynthetic microorganisms organised in biofilms, and called microphytobenthos. The organic matter they produce is rapidly respired by bacteria or consumed by higher trophic levels. Together, microphytobenthos and bacteria realise most carbon transformation in these areas, and are therefore important groups to study in a view to understand carbon cycling in coastal zones. Coastal areas are currently under influence of numerous stressors linked to anthropogenic effects. The impacts of ‘well established’ pollutants, e.g. metals, oils, nitrogen, are fairly well understood; however there is now evidence that new compounds, products of advanced technology, have the potential to disrupt the environment. The aim of this project is to understand how a recently developed family of compounds, namely nanoparticles (NPs), influences the development of biofilms and their impact on the carbon cycle. NP concentrations are increasing dramatically in the environment, but their effect on organisms and ecosystems is currently poorly described. Yet, genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of NPs have been demonstrated, including on microorganisms. In this project, laboratory and field experiments will be performed to characterise the effects of NPs on microphytobenthos and bacteria, on their trophic interactions and on their roles in carbon and nutrient cycles. Two common types of NPs will be tested in a wide range of environmental conditions, to decipher in which conditions NPs are more or less harmful to organisms and processes. Such understanding will allow developing strategies to reduce the impacts of NPs and will be beneficial to environment and human well-being in EU and elsewhere.

Ámbito científico (EuroSciVoc)

• ciencias naturales › ciencias biológicas › microbiología › bacteriología
• ciencias naturales › ciencias biológicas › ecología › ecosistemas
• ingeniería y tecnología › nanotecnología › nanomateriales

Palabras clave

• Nanoparticles
• Biofilms
• Carbon cycle
• Coastal area
• Microphytobenthos
• EPS
• Photosynthesis

Programa(s)

• H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions PROGRAMA PRINCIPAL
  
• H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
  

Tema(s)

• MSCA-IF-2015-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF)
  

Régimen de financiación

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

Convocatoria de propuestas

H2020-MSCA-IF-2015

Coordinador

UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX

• Aportación neta de la UEn: € 195 454,80
• Dirección: WIVENHOE PARK ; CO4 3SQ Colchester ; Reino Unido
• Región: East of England › Essex › Essex Haven Gateway
• Tipo de actividad: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Coste total: € 195 454,80