Microbiological element cycling in coastal environments

Objective

Alterations in the rate of nutrient and dissolved organic
carbon supply to marine coastal ecosystems profoundly
influence the structure of plankton assemblages. The interplay and resource partitioning between autotrophic and
heterotrophic planktonic assemblages is important in
determining the structure of food webs. Yet to date we have
little understanding of the interaction and feed-back
mechanisms operating autotrophic and heterotrophic processes at the microbial level. The aims of MEICE are:

1) to lay the basis for interactive models of coastal
plankton and their environment through better
understanding of the factors that give rise to and
control coastal plankton community assemblages, and

2) to study resource partitioning and competition between
autotrophs and heterotrophs.

The project will develop in the following three phases:

1) laboratory experiments using batch and continuous
cultures of algal and microbial organisms;

2) mesocosm experiments; and

3) application of knowledge thus gained in a full scale
field programme in several open stations.

The investigations will include model simulations of carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen cycles. The viral impact on these
cycles and on resource partitioning and competition between
bacteria, heterotrophic flagellates, and phytoplankton will
also be studied.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › biological sciences › microbiology › bacteriology
• natural sciences › biological sciences › ecology › ecosystems › coastal ecosystems

Programme(s)

• FP3-MAST 2 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of marine science and technology, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 0104 - Biological processes

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Water Quality Institute

Address

11,agern Allé
2970 Hørsholm
Denmark

Participants (2)

UNIVERSITY OF BERGEN

Norway

Address

Jahnebakken 5
5007 Bergen

UNIVERSITY OF WALES - BANGOR

United Kingdom

Address

Askew Street
LL59 5EY Gwynedd