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Project Code [2007-PhD-B-2]

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Project title

Palaeolimnological assessment of recent disturbance / regime shifts in sediment cores from ecotonal brackish lake systems

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Mary Immaculate College

Lead Applicant

Catherine Dalton

Project Abstract

This project will examine the recent palaeolimnology of two brackish lake systems. Lakes sediments are important archives of palaeoenvironmental information as they reflect and sometimes amplify limnological processes that are directly or indirectly affected by climate change. In particular, those lakes situated at ecotonal boundaries are likely to provide sensitive records of responses to variations in climate. The project will utilise the historical record in brackish lake sediments to elucidate ecosystem disturbance via regime shifts which are of particular relevance given the future (predicted) warmer climate. Specifically the project will quantify the salinity and nutrient response in the fossil diatom, cladoceran and foraminifera records. These results will be supplemented by quantification of the organic isotope ratio (CN) in the sediment record in an effort to establish changes in allochthonous and authochonous sediment inputs.

Grant Approved

�94,947.14

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

Sectoral Impacts on Biodiversity

Start Date

01/10/2007

Initial Projected Completion Date

01/10/2010