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Project title

Physico-chemical Cycling of Nutrients and Carbon in Marine Transitional Zones

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Marine Institute

Lead Organisation

National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)

Lead Applicant

Peter Croot

Project Abstract

The research proposed here directly addresses knowledge gaps with regard to the impact of multiple environmental stressors on the cycling of nutrients and carbon in Ireland's marine transitional waters. Our overall goal is to improve our understanding, both qualitatively and quantitatively, of the physical and chemical processes, and their fluxes, that impact on the biological activity in Irish coastal marine and transitional waters. Our focus will be on 4 main themes; (i) fluvial derived elemental fluxes along the Irish coast (ii) Nutrient controls on primary productivity in transitional marine waters (iii) Bio-optics of transitional marine waters and (iv) Production and consumption of climate relevant gases in transitional marine waters. Our approach has a number of novel applications to Irish waters, most notably through the use of Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometry (MIMS) to assess O2/Ar ratios for productivity and climate relevant gases, assessing pico and nanoplankton abundance by flow cytometry, supply of trace elements via riverine fluxes including desorption from particles in the mixing zone and evaluation of nutrient controls on primary productivity through the use of bioassays and the measurements of urea, DON and DOP. The expected outputs from this project are of two broad types associated with their target audiences, (i) scientific research outputs and (ii) their translation into policy and stakeholder information. The outputs of the first kind are built on publication of 3-4 high impact open access articles (e.g. Frontiers, Biogeosciences) on key aspects of the work performed, conference presentation of this work with the additional result of the development of further capacity in this field, both human and equipment, through national and international collaboration by project end. The outputs of the second kind will be constructed around an initial stakeholder meeting to connect industry and community groups with interest in our work, at which time we will begin development of an infographic brochure for each of the catchments under investigation. At project end we will bring the same stakeholders and any new ones to a final meeting to discuss our findings and release a summary document for policy makers. Throughout the project duration, a website and citizen science twitter feed will also be maintained.

Grant Approved

�553,033.11

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

Water - Emerging and cross cutting issues

Start Date

01/02/2019

Initial Projected Completion Date

31/01/2023