Dr. Loes J.A. Gerringa

ROYAL NETHERLANDS INSTITUTE
FOR SEA RESEARCH

Postal address:

P.O. Box 59,
NL-1790 AB Den Burg (Texel)The Netherlands

Visiting address:

Landsdiep 4
NL-1797 SZ ’t Horntje (Texel)
The Netherlands

 Phone:
(+31) (0)222-369300

Dept. BCO

E-mail: Loes.Gerringa@nioz.nl

Phone: (+31) (0)222-369436

Education

1972-1981           

14/9/1990           

Physical geography, University of Amsterdam. Masters in soil weathering.

PhD University of Groningen "Speciation of trace metals in relation to degradation of organic matter in marine sediment slurries".

Experience

01/03/1981 - 01/09/1985

Project manager at the National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection (RIVM)

01/09/1985 - 01/03/1990

PhD position, Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ)

01/05/1990 - 01/04/1996

Scientist at the Netherlands Institute for Ecology (NIOO), Centre for Estuarine and Coastal Ecology.

15/04/1996 - 01/04/1999

Scientist (part time 0.4) at NIOZ.

01/06/1999 - 01/01/2003 

Post doc (part time 0.5, NWO, NAAP, grant nr 85120004), at NIOZ

01/09/2003 - 01/01/2006

Post doc (part time 0.5,) at NIOZ

01/06/2006 - now

Senior scientist (part time 0.5,) at NIOZ 

Research interest

Interdisciplinary work concerning bio availability of metals for biota, phytoplankton in particular

My work focuses on the chemistry of iron (Fe) and the availability of Fe for phytoplankton in the (polar) oceans.

 The inorganic solubility of Fe in seawater is very low and in spite of all efforts, the speciation of Fe in seawater is far from known. In large parts of the oceans growth of phytoplankton is limited by Fe. The biological availability of Fe depends on the physical-chemical speciation of Fe, which is extremely complex and dynamic.

 Nowadays it is realized dissolved Fe actually consists of four physico-chemical pools: organically complexed Fe(III) i.e. [FeL], inorganic Fe(III) i.e. [FeIII'], reduced Fe i.e. [Fe(II)] and colloidal Fe. Please be aware that latter colloidal pool also consists of various chemical fractions, i.e.  being partly organically complexed and/or reduced. Until now it has proven to be impossible to ascribe the biological availability of dissolved Fe to one (or more) of these physical-chemical distinguished pools.

Current research

Phytoplankton are at the base of the marine food chain and their growth is limited by Fe in 40% of the oceans. The concentration of dissolved Fe (DFe<0.2μm) is low because its solubility is very low and sources of Fe to the open ocean are limited. Iron solubility is controlled by binding with dissolved organic ligands, which enhances the residence time of DFe and thus its bio-availability. Although these organic ligands are important, they are poorly defined and little is known about their sources and sinks. Iron binding organic ligands are ubiquitous in the ocean and in general are more saturated with Fe in deeper waters than in surface waters. In surface waters DFe is taken up by  hytoplankton and there is a high Fe binding potential for Fe released either by mineralisation of organic material or from external Fe sources (dust, lateral or horizontal transport). We aim to investigate the production, stability and losses of ligands from various sources. We hypothesise that production of ligands is not directly related biomass, but is controlled by specific biological processes such as active release of siderophores in Fe deplete conditions, excretion by cells, viral lysis and bacterial degradation. We intend to answer the question of whether ligands are predominantly formed in the surface ocean and are resistant to mineralisation, or whether ligands can be degraded. With that knowledge we will better understand the Fe cycle and our results will improve climate models incorporating the behaviour of Fe in the worlds oceans

Publications 

de Souza, G.F., Reynolds, B.C., Rickli, J., Frank, M., Saito, M.A., Gerringa, L.J.A., Bourbon, N., 2012. Southern Ocean control of silicon stable isotope distribution in the deep Atlantic Ocean, Global Biogeochem. Cycles, 26, GB2035, doi:10.1029/2011GB004141.

Alderkamp, A-C,. Mills, M.M, van Dijken, G.L., Laan, P., Thuroczy, C-E., Gerringa, L.J.A., de Baar,H.J.W., Payne,C., Tortell, P., Visser, R.J.W., Buma, A.G. J., Arrigo, K.R., 2012. Iron from melting glaciers fuels phytoplankton blooms in Amundsen Sea (Southern Ocean); phytoplankton characteristics and productivity. DSR II, 71-76, 32-48.

van Haren, H., Gostiaux, L, Laan, M., van Haren, M.,. van Haren, E., Gerringa, L.J.A. 2012. Internal wave turbulence near a Texel beach. PLoS ONE, 7(3),  e32535, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032535.

Gerringa, L.J.A, Alderkamp, A.-C, Laan, P, Thuróczy, C-E,  de Baar,  H.J.W., Mills, MM, van Dijken, G.L., van Haren, H., Arrigo, K.R., 2012  Iron from melting glaciers fuels the phytoplankton blooms in Amundsen Sea (Southern Ocean); iron biogeochemistry. DSR II, 71-76, 16-31.

Thuróczy, C-E, Alderkamp, A.-C. Laan, P, Gerringa, L.J.A., de Baar H.J.W., Arrigo, K.R., 2012. Key role of organic complexation of iron in sustaining phytoplankton blooms in the Pine Island and Amundsen Polynyas (Southern Ocean). DSR II, 71-76, 49-60.

Thuróczy, C.-E., L.J.A. Gerringa, M. Klunder, P. Laan, M. le Guitton, H.J.W. de Baar, 2011.  Distinct trends in the speciation of iron between the shelf seas and the deep basins of the Arctic Ocean.  Oceans J. Geophys. Res., VOL. 116, C10009, doi:10.1029/2010JC006835.

Thuróczy, C.-E., L.J.A. Gerringa, M. Klunder, P. Laan, H.J.W. de Baar, 2011.  Organic complexation of dissolved iron in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean. Deep Sea Res. II 58, 2695-2706 doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2011.01.002

Thuróczy, C.-E., Gerringa, L.J.A.,  Klunder, M,. Middag^, R., Laan^, P., Timmermans, K.R. and H.J.W. de Baar, 2010. Speciation of Fe in the North East Atlantic Ocean. DeepSea Res I, 57, 1444-1453.

De Baar, H.J.W., L.J.A. Gerringa, P.Laan, K.R Timmermans, 2008. Efficiency of carbon removal per added iron in ocean fertilization. Theme section “Implications of large-scale iron fertilization of the oceans” in: Mar Ecol Prog Ser., 364: 269-282.

Gerringa, L.J.A., S. Blain, P. Laan, G. Sarthou,  M.J.W. Vedlhuis, CPD Brussaard,  E. Viollier.  K.R. Timmermans, 2008. Fe-containing dissolved organic ligands near the Kerguelen Archipelago in the Southern Ocean (Indian sector). DeepSea Res. II, 55, 606-621.

Rijkenberg, M.J.A., L.J.A. Gerringa, K.R. Timmermans, A.C. Fischer,K.J. Kroon, A.G.J. Buma, H.Th. Wolterbeek and H.J.W. de Baar, 2008. Marine diatoms enhance the reactive iron pool by modification of iron‑binding ligands and stimulation of iron‑photoreduction. Mar Chem. 109, 29-44.

Blain, S., B. Quéguigiener, L. Armand, S. Belviso, B. Bombled, L. Bopp, A. Bowie, C. Brunet, C. Brussaard, F. Carlotti, U. Christaki, A. Corbière, I. Durand, F. Ebersbach, J-L. Fuda, N. Garcia, L. Gerringa, B. Griffiths, C. Guigue, C. Guillerm, S. Jacquet, C. Jeandel, P. Laan, D. Lefèvre, C. Lomonaco, A. Malits, J. Mosseri, I. Obernosterer, Y-H. Park, M. Picheral, P. Pondaven, T. Remenyi, V. Sandroni, G. Sarthou, N. Savoye, L. Scouarnec, M. Souhaut, D. Thuiller, K. Timmermans, T. Trull, J. Uitz, P. van-Beek, M. Veldhuis, D. Vincent, E. Viollier, L. Vong, T. Wagener, 2007. The effect of natural iron fertilization on carbon sequestration in the Southern Ocean. Nature, vol 446, 1070-1075.

Gerringa, L.J.A., M.J.A.Rijkenberg, H.Th.Wolterbeek, T.Verburg, M. Boye, H.J.W. de Baar, 2007. Kinetic study reveals weak Fe-binding ligand, which affects the solubility of Fe in the Scheldt estuary. Mar Chem., 103, 30-45.

Fischer A.C., Wolterbeek H.Th., Kroon J.J., Gerringa L.J.A., Timmermans K.R., Elteren J.T. van,. Teunissen T, 2006 On the use of iron radio-isotopes to study iron speciation kinetics in seawater: A column separation and off-line counting approach. Sci of the total environment, 362, 242-258.

Rijkenberg, M.J.A., Gerringa, L.J.A., Carolus, V.E., Velzeboer, I.,de Baar, H.J.W., 2006. Enhancement and inhibition of iron photoreduction by individual ligands in open ocean seawater. Geochim, Cosmochim Acta, 70, 2790-2805.

Rijkenberg, M.J.A., L.J.A. Gerringa, I. Velzeboer, K.R. Timmermans, A.G.J. Buma, H.J.W. de Baar, 2006: Iron-binding ligands in Ducth estuaries are not affected by UV induced photochemical degradation. Mar. Chem., 100, 11-23.

Gerringa, L.J.A., M.J.W. Veldhuis, K.R. Timmermans, G. Sarthou, H.J.W. de Baar, 2006.Co-variance of dissolved Fe-binding ligands with biological observations in the Canary Basin. Mar Chem., 102, 276-290.

Rijkenberg, M.J.A., Fischer, A.C., Kroon, J.J., Gerringa, L.J.A., Timmermans, K.R., Wolterbeek, H.Th., de Baar, H.J.W, 2005. The influence of UV irradiation on the photoreduction of iron in the Southern Ocean.  Marine Chemistry, 93, 119-129.

Rijkenberg, M.J.A., Gerringa, L.J.A., Neale, P.J., Timmermans, K.R., Buma, A.G.J., de Baar, H.J.W, 2004 . UVA variability overrules UVB ozone depletion effects on the photoreduction of iron in the Southern Ocean. J Phys Res Lett, 31, L24310. doi:10.1029/2004GL020829.

Schulz, K.G., Zondervan, I., Gerringa, L.J.A., Timmermans, K.R., Veldhuis, M.J.W., Riesebell, U., 2004. Effect of trace metal availability on coccolithophorid calcification. Nature, 430, 673-676.

Gerringa, L.J.A., M.J.A. Rijkenberg, K.R. Timmermans, A.G.J.Buma, 2004. The influence of UV radiation on hydrogen peroxide formation in the Atlantic Ocean near the equator. J Sea Res , vol. 51-1, 3-10.

Visser, F.,  L.J.A. Gerringa, S.J. van der Gaast, H.J.W de Baar and K.R. Timmermans, 2003. The role of reactivity and iron content of aerosol dust on growth rates of two Antarctic diatom species. J. Phycol. 39 (6): 1085-1094.

Rijstenbil, J.W., L.J.A. Gerringa, 2002. Interactions of algal ligands, metal complexation and availability and cell responses of the marine planktonic diatom Ditylum brightwellii, throughout a gradual increase of copper to toxic levels. Aquatic Toxicology 56: 115-131.

Gerringa, L.J.A., H.J.W. de Baar, R.F. Nolting, H. Paucot, 2001. The influence of salinity on the solubility of Zn and Cd sulphides in the Scheldt estuary. J.Sea Res., 46, 201-211.

Timmermans, K.R., M.S. Davey, B. van der Wagt, J. Snoek, R.J. Geider, M.J.W. Veldhuis, L.J.A. Gerringa, H.J.W. de Baar, 2001. Co-limitation by iron and light of Chaetoceros brevis, C. dichaeta and C. calcitrans (bacillariophyceae). Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 217: 287-297.

Timmermans, K.R., R. J. Snoek, L.J.A. Gerringa , H. J.W. de Baar, 2001. Not all eukaryotic algea can interreplace cobalt and zinc: Chaetoceros calcitrans (Bacillariophyceaea) versus Emiliania huxleyi (Haptophyceae). Limnol. Oceanogr. 46 (3): 699 - 704.

Timmermans, K.R., L.J.A. Gerringa, H.J.W. de Baar, B. van der Wagt, M.J.W. Veldhuis, J.T.M. de Jong, P.L.Croot, M. Boye, 2001. Growth rates of large and small Southern Ocean diatoms in relation to availability of iron in natural seawater. Limnol. Oceanogr. 46, 260-266.

Gerringa, L.J.A., H.J.W. de Baar, K.R. Timmermans, 2000.  A comparison of iron limitation of phytoplankton in natural oceanic waters and laboratory media conditioned with EDTA. Mar. Chem. 68, 335-346.

Nolting, R.F., W. Helder, H.J.W. de Baar, L.J.A. Gerringa, 1999. Contrasting behaviour of trace metals in the Scheldt estuary in 1978 compared to recent years. J. Sea Res., 42, 275-290.

Gerringa, L.J.A., H. Hummel, T.C.W. Moerdijk-Poortvliet, 1999. Vertical gradients for particulate Cu fractions in estuarine water over tidal flats. Hydrobiologia 405: 149-161.

Nolting, R.F., Gerringa, L.J.A., Swagerman, M.J.W., Timmermans, K.R., de Baar, H.J.W., 1998. Fe III speciation in the High Nutrient, Low Chlorophyll Pacific region of the Southern Ocean. Mar. Chem. 62, 335-352.

Gerringa, L.J.A.,  T.C.W., Hummel, H.,  Moerdijk-Poortvliet, 1998.Relations between free copper and salinity, DOC and POC in the Oosterschelde and Westerschelde, the Netherlands.  J. Sea Res., 40/3-4, 193-203. NIOO publication nr. 2395.

Gerringa, L.J.A., T.C.W. Poortvliet and H. Hummel, 1996. Comparison of chemical speciation of Cu in the Oosterschelde and Westerschelde estuary, the Netherlands. Est. Coastal and Shelf Sci., 42: 629-643. NIOO publication nr…

Gerringa, L.J.A., T.C.W. Poortvliet and H. Hummel, 1996. Erratum: Comparison of chemical speciation of Cu in the Oosterschelde and Westerschelde estuary, the Netherlands. Est. Coastal and Shelf Sci., 1996, 43: 135.

Absil, M.C.P., M. Berntssen, L.J.A. Gerringa, 1996: The influence of sediment, food and organic ligands on the uptake of dissolved copper by Macoma balthica in long-term experiments. Aquatic Toxicology, 34: 13-29. NIOO publication nr. 2032.

Gerringa, L.J.A., T.C.W. Poortvliet, J.W. Rijstenbil, J. van Drie and M.C. Schot, 1995: Speciation of copper and responses of the marine diatom Ditylum brightwellii upon increasing copper concentrations. Aquatic Toxicology, 31: 77-90. NIOO publication nr. 718.

Gerringa, L.J.A., P.M.J. Herman and T.C.W. Poortvliet ,1995: Comparison of the linear Van den Berg/RuziC transformation and the non-linear fit of the Langmuir isotherm applied to Cu speciation data in the estuarine environ­ment. Marine Chemistry, 48: 131-142. NIOO publication nr. 717.

Rijstenbil, J.W., J.W.M. Derksen, L.J.A. Gerringa, T.C.W. Poortvliet, A. Sandee, M. van den Berg, J. van Drie, J.A. Wijnholds, 1994: Oxidative stress induced by copper: defence and damage in the marine planktonic diatom Ditylum brightwellii (Grunow) West, grown in continuous cultures with high and low zinc levels. Marine Biology, 119: 583-590. NIOO publication nr.724.

Absil, M.C.P., L.J.A. Gerringa, B.Th. Wolterbeek, 1993: The relation between salinity and copper complexing capacity of natural estuarine waters and the uptake of dissolved ⁶⁴Cu by Macoma balthica.  Chemical Speciation and bio-availibility, 5(4):119-128. NIOO publication nr. 658

Gerringa, L.J.A., 1991: Mobility of Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe and Mn in marine sediment slurries under anaerobic conditions and at 20% air saturation. Neth. J. Sea Res., 27: 145-156.

Gerringa, L.J.A. and J.-P. Cambon, 1991: The extractability of Cu from marine sediment as a function of degradation of organic matter. Neth. J. Sea Res., 27: 157-163.

Gerringa, L.J.A., 1991: Problems with the estimation of the complexation characteristics of dissolved organonickel complexes. Analytical Proceedings, 28: 73-74.

Gerringa, L.J.A., J. van der Meer and G. Cauwet, 1991: Complexation of copper and nickel in the dissolved phase of marine sediment slurries. Mar. Chem., 36: 51-70.

Gerringa, L.J.A., 1990: Aerobic degradation of organic matter and the mobility of Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe and Mn in marine sediment slurries. Mar. Chem., 29: 355-374.

Gerringa, L.J.A., 1990: Speciation of trace metals in relation to degradation of organic matter in marine sediment slurries. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Groningen, 93 pp.

Lagas, P., J.P.G. Loch, C.M. Bom and L.J.A. Gerringa, 1983: The behaviour of barium in a landfill and the underlying soil. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 22: 12-19.