Drs. Lieke L. Mulder
PhD Student
Department: Ecosystem Studies/ Marine Ecology
T. +31 (0) 113 577 476
Lieke.Mulder(at)nioz.nl

Visiting address:

Korringaweg 7

4401 NT Yerseke

The Netherlands

Postal address:

Postbus 140

4400 AC Yerseke

The Netherlands

 Topics:  

• Sediment biogeochemistry
• Nutrient boundary fluxes
• Benthic-pelagic coupling

  Techniques:

• Microprofiling
• Ecological Modelling 
• Nutrient Pore Water Extraction/ Fluxes

PhD - Thesis: 
P reduction - Intertidal Sediments as DIP source for Primary Producers

Primary production by both phytoplankton and microphytobenthos are key processes determining the carrying capacity of the Wadden Sea ecosystem. Our main aims are to investigate how bottom up processes regulate primary production of functional groups of phytoplankton and microphytobenthos, and how the structure of functional groups of primary producers is shaped as a result of the different resource demands.

The work proposed here specifically focuses on P as a factor limiting benthic and pelagic primary production in the western and central Wadden Sea, controlling the relative importance of pelagic versus benthic primary production and the species composition of the phototrophic communities. The implications of this compositional selection in structuring the food web and carrying capacity of the Wadden Sea will be addressed by defining the transfer of carbon to various development stages of selected benthic primary consumers.

Within this project we aim to assess the contribution of sediment-P in supporting benthic and pelagic primary production by measuring the sediment-water exchange of phosphorus for selected sediment types. To further evaluate the role of MPB on the benthic pelagic coupling we will develop a dynamic biogeochemical model, focusing on the dynamics of water-nutrient exchange and the modulating role of MPB populations.

co-promotors:
Katja Philippart
Karline Soetaert

PI and other PhD's on this project:
Dr. Jacco Kromkamp

Drs. Juliette Ly
Drs. Viola Lempfuhl

links: 

blog Zee in Zicht

Beagle Updates

post master project:
Fly Your Thesis - Sand Grains in Microgravity

We studied electrostatic interactions of topsoil particles to understand the reorientation of water-repellent coatings. This student experiment used an innovative approach to studying the properties of the orientation of water-repellent coatings at the level of an individual sand particle. In the experiment the hypothesised orientation and associated charge properties of the coating’s state were investigated by studying collisions between individual sand particles. When charged (non water-repellent) particles collide, they slightly repel each other and these collisions thus differ from those with ‘neutral’ grains (water-repellent or stripped of their coating). The only suitable research environment for observing such collisions, free of interfering factors, is in microgravity. The kinetics of these collisions is used to make the link between the chemical and large-scale properties of the soil.

Soil water repellency is a growing problem in many European countries within the context of the changing global climate. Means for combating and mitigating water repellency are being studied worldwide. Understanding the broad-scale dimension of water repellency allows more effective strategies to be developed.

The expected results of this student experiment fit well within the larger context and contribute to the linking and understanding of large-scale effects of water repellency in relation to the microscale coating chemistry. New insights gained by the application of the microgravity experiment data could improve our understanding of soil-water repellency and may influence the development of better mitigation techniques and land management strategies.

PI:
Drs. Sebastiaan de Vet (PostDoc at the University of Amsterdam)

Others:
Dr. Christina Giannopapa (Ass. Proffessor at the University of Eindhoven)
Dr. Erik Cammeraat (Ass. Proffessor at the University of Amsterdam)

Links:
blog Kennislink about the Mission

Noorderlicht