ODER Discharge - Environmental response

Objective

Project ODER addresses a range of key objectives concerning sources, pathways and biogeochemical cycling of metals, organic compounds and radionuclides at both spatial and temporal scales within the Oder System.

* To develop a database (GIS) on the concentration and distribution of organic and inorganic compounds and metals in conjunction with benthic ecosystem statistics within the southern Baltic coastal system;
* To use appropriate field and remote sampling techniques in order to characterise the spatial processes affecting the discharge of key organo-metallic compounds in the Oder discharge plume including the distribution and dispersal pathways of sediments and particulate materials;
* To study the cycling of suspended particulates and their attendant remineralisation and impact on the ecosystem;
* To collect and interpret the historical (the last 150-200 years) record of natural and anthropogenic input to the Oder System, and to ascertain and predict the response of the ecosystem to change.
* To evaluate the role of particulate transport, biogeochemical cycling (and diagenesis) in modifying the spatial pattern and historical record of natural and anthropogenic compounds in the Oder System.


Specifically, five study areas (the Oderhaff, Greifswalder Bodden, the coastal zone, the Arkona Basin and the Bornholm Basin) will be studied over a two year period. Long sediment cores will recover the depositional history of sediments in these areas over the last one to two centuries. Sampling and analytical procedures will include :

* Remote observation vehicle for 'live' observation of bottom sediment dynamics.
* Remote sensing and satellite analysis of plankton colour, water temperature and turbidity.
* Marine expeditions using research vessels (R/Vs) from the Christian Alberechts University, Kiel, and small craft from the University of Greifswald. Specialised marine sampling equipment for taking long, undisturbed cores in a variety of water depths . Sediment traps to collect sinking particulate material will be deployed.
* Large volume filtration for obtaining both suspended and dissolved metals and radionuclides at the same time.
* Laboratory analysis of metals, organic compounds, radionuclides and benthic faunas.
* The construction of a Geographical Information System using dBase formats and the development of a user-friendly interface of use of the GIS by the project members and interested third-parties.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › chemical sciences › organic chemistry
• natural sciences › earth and related environmental sciences › physical geography › cartography › geographic information systems
• natural sciences › chemical sciences › inorganic chemistry › organometallic chemistry
• natural sciences › chemical sciences › inorganic chemistry › inorganic compounds
• natural sciences › chemical sciences › nuclear chemistry › radiation chemistry

Programme(s)

• FP3-ENV 1C - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of the environment, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 0106 - Biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem dynamics

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

Address

West Mains Road Kings Buildings
EH9 3JW Edinburgh
United Kingdom

Participants (4)

BALTIC SEA RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Germany

Address

Seestrasse 15
18119 Rostock /Warnemunde

Christian-Albrechts Universität Kiel

Germany

Address

Olshausenstraße 40
24118 Kiel

Energiesysteme Nord GmbH

Germany

Address

Walkerdamm 17
24103 Kiel

Stockholms Universitet

Sweden

Address

106 91 Stockholm