Short introduction to the scientific departments Texel

The Department of Biological Oceanography (BIO) conducts research at the interface of microbiology and chemistry. The functioning of the microbial food web (algae, bacteria, grazers, viruses) is a major driver of the biogeochemical cycles at sea, whereas in turn the chemical composition of seawater (trace metals, CO2) determines the activity of the microbial food web. Both at sea and in the laboratory, BIO investigates and discovers the processes and mechanisms that the explain the dynamics and diversity of microbial communities and their interactions in time and space. Coupled hydrodynamic-ecosystem models are used to analyze and predict the complex interactions in the microbial food web in relation to its physico-chemical environment.

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Understanding the marine ecosystem, the role of the ocean in climate and climate change, and the environment for human activities at sea requires a thorough knowledge of the physical state of the ocean and an understanding of dominant physical processes that determine and/or alter this state. The department of Physical Oceanography carries out research by means of theoretical studies, hydraulic laboratory models, numerical (computer) models and observations at sea. The sea going research is carried out in the Dutch coastal zone and estuaries, in the North Sea, and in the world ocean.

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The Department of Marine Ecology has a focus on the functioning of intertidal, coastal zone, shelf and open ocean ecosystems with the aim for a mechanistic understanding of the structure and dynamic behaviour of marine populations and communities varying from plankton, benthos, fish and birds to marine mammals. Taking up one of the great challenges in modern ecology, we try to understand the properties of populations and communities on the basis of characteristics of individual organisms, the focus is on the role of bottom-up (food input and competition for food and other resources) as well as on top-down (predation) processes in structuring communities.

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Research in the Marine Geology department focuses on sedimentary systems, where the geo-, bio-, and hydrosphere interact. We study the dynamics of the seafloor with respect to its formation and capability to store climate and environmental information. Within GEO sediment and coral cores are used as climate archives. Furthermore, we study present-day processes using seismic instruments,  bottom landers, and moorings. The knowledge of the recent environmental conditions is applied to understand the responses to changing environmental conditions in the past. The marine geology department has a strong commitment to sea-going research.

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The Marine Organic Biogeochemistry department studies the origin and fate of organic matter, both of natural and anthropogenic origin, in the marine environment at the molecular level. Common general research questions are:

• Which organic compounds are present in the different compartments (biota, water, sediments) of the marine environment and what is their origin?
• What is their biochemical role in marine organisms, or, in case of anthropogenic components, what are their toxic effects?
• Which reactions (e.g. biotransformation and diagenesis) affect these components during transport in the marine environment? How are these reactions affected by environmental conditions and on which time scales?
• What can be learned from organic matter deposited in marine sediments with respect to marine evolution, the functioning of past marine ecosystems, climate variability and organic carbon burial?

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