Funder identifier: OS 1.95.8; ENV4-CT96-0213 (Other contract id)
Acronym: BIOGEST
Period: May 1995 till December 1999
Status: Completed
Thesaurus terms Biogas; Biogeochemistry; Estuarine chemistry
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| Institutes (9) |
Top |
- Université de Liège; Faculté des Sciences; Département d'Astrophysique, Géophysique et Océanographie; Unité d’Océanographie Chimique, more, co-ordinator
- Université Libre de Bruxelles; Faculté des Sciences; Département des Sciences de la Terre et de l'Environnement; Unité Modélisation Biogéochimique Système Terre; Laboratory of Chemical Oceanography and Water Geochemistry (LoCGE), more
- Koninklijk Nederlands Instituut voor Onderzoek der Zee; NIOZ Yerseke, more
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), more
- Koninklijk Nederlands Instituut voor Onderzoek der Zee (NIOZ), more, partner
- University of Aveiro; Department of Chemistry (DEQ-UA), more
- Université Bordeaux 1; Departement de Géologie et Océanographie, more
- University of Hamburg; Institut für Biogeochemie und Meereschemie (IfBM), more
- The National Institute of Biological Resources; Instituto de Investigação das Pescas e do Mar (IPIMAR), more
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| Abstract |
General information:
Estuaries are obligate pathways for the transfer of dissolved and particulate material from the continent to the
marine system through rivers. They are extremely dynamic systems usually characterised by strong physico chemical gradients, enhanced biological activity and intense sedimentation and resuspension. Furthermore, estuaries are subject to intense anthropogenic disturbance reflected in elevated loadings of detrital organic
matter, nutrients and toxic trace elements. All these features increase the potential for biogenic gas production within estuaries. In spite of their potential importance, very little is known about estuaries and their atmospheric coupling. On a global scale, estuaries may act as a significant source of these gases and their importance should be better investigated. Within BIOGEST, we will determine the distribution in surface water of European estuaries of biogases liable to have major environmental consequences: CO2, CH4, CO, non methane hydrocarbons, N2O, NH3, DMS, COS,volatile halogenated organic compounds and biogenic volatile metals. Simultaneously to biogases distribution, we will study related parameters and processes which are linked to biogases distribution: nutrients, organic and inorganic carbon, oxygen, respiration, primary production, atmospheric and sediment exchanges. The investigated estuaries will be the Elbe, the Ems, the Rhine, the Thames, the Scheldt, the Loire, the Gironde, the Douro and the Sado. Among those nine estuaries, the Rhine, the Scheldt and the Gironde have been selected for intensive seasonal studies. Results obtained during this project will serve to develop a biogeochemical model that will be used to i) propose an estimate of the present day biogases emission from European estuaries and, ii) predict future emission versus carbon and nitrogen loadings. This model will provide a decision tool for environmental policy.
Objectives:
1. To determine the production and distribution of biogases affecting climate and atmospheric chemistry in surface waters of European estuaries.
2. To evaluate the atmospheric biogases fluxes in European estuaries and their impact on the global budgets.
3. To understand major biological processes which are responsible for biogases distributions.
4. To develop a predictive biogeochemical model which can be used to relate biogases emissions to organic matter and nutrients loadings. |
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