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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
Initial Projected Completion Date
01/10/2010