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Humic substances, modifiers of the response of aquatic ecosystems toacidification

Objetivo

The objective is to strengthen the scientific knowledge about functional properties of brown dissolved organic matter (humic substances (HS)) in surface waters which can influence the acidification of softwater ecosystems and its reversibility, and can alter the impact of acidification on aquatic organisms.

Specifically this project will address the questions to which extent humic substances: contribute directly to acidification; interact with other dissolved materials; and directly influence aquatic biota.

The research will cover investigations on acidification processes, the effects of acid precipitation on soil minerals and soil organic matter as well as on the amounts of deliberated solutes from catchment soils into the surface waters.

The role of HS in the acidification processes of aquatic ecosystems and its effect on aquatic biota will be studied through a large scale field experiment with whole catchment manipulation. In this international experiment, called HUMEX project, one half of a dystrophic lake and the corresponding catchment will be artificially acidified with water from a nearby lake (naturally low in salts and organic matter). The lake is divided by a water tight curtain from the other half which is serving as the unacidified control.

Detailed studies will include :
soil water in the catchment;
surface and groundwater entering into the lake;
chemical composition of lake water and of outflow water in particular regarding HS in the water column and in sediments;
microbial decomposition of detritus, nutrient (phosphorous and iron) availability in dystrophic water in relation to acidification and HS;
and impacts on bacterial, phytoplankton, zooplankton, macroinvertebrate, macrovegetation and fish communities.

Tema(s)

Data not available

Convocatoria de propuestas

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Régimen de financiación

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinador

ROYAL NETHERLANDS ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCE
Aportación de la UE
Sin datos
Dirección
6,Rijksstraatweg 6
3631 AC NIEUWERSLUIS
Países Bajos

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Coste total
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Participantes (6)