Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
Location
Texel
Function
Guest researcher
Expertise
  • Coral reef microbial ecology
  • Ecology of sponges
  • Nutrient dynamics on coral reefs
  • Pelagic-benthic coupling

Radio 1 Nieuws & Co: Kerngezonde koralen en 'terracottaleger' op de zeebodem

Dr. Fleur van Duyl

Guest researcher

Research interests

My current interests focus on:

1. Drivers of variations in bivariate isotopic niche space of sponges on the Saba Bank.
2. Consumption of DOM, removal of pico-and nanoplankton and (in)organic nutrient cycling by benthic communities  (pelagic-benthic coupling) with special focus on sponges. 
3. The functional (symbiotic) relations between microbes and macrobenthic organisms (corals, sponges).
4. Bioerosion by sponges of calciumcarbonate in a changing environment (acidification, eutrophication).
5. Community net accretion-erosion balance of calciumcarbonate on coral reefs.
6. Phosphorous sequestration by sponges and cyanobacterial mats on coral reefs.  

Topics require an interdisciplinary approach involving microbial ecology, autecology of macrobenthos, hydrodynamics, and biogeochemistry.

Fleur van Duyl taking a sample from the outflowing water of the  sponge Callyspongia plicifera on the Saba Bank.

Linked news

Friday 04 February 2022
“Taste” and “smell” of coral reefs provide insights into dynamic marine ecosystems
Coral reefs are hotspots of biodiversity and are amazingly productive with a vast number of organisms interacting simultaneously. Hundreds of molecules that are made by important members of the coral reef community were recently discovered by a team…
Tuesday 03 December 2019
Onderzoekers verkennen diepste en grootste onderwater-zinkgaten ter wereld
Van 5 tot 20 december organiseren het Koninklijk Nederlands Instituut voor Onderzoek der Zee (NIOZ) en Wageningen Marine Research een expeditie naar de Sababank, vlakbij het Nederlandse eiland Saba in het Caribisch gebied. Experts hopen aan boord van…
Monday 21 October 2019
Menselijke invloed hindert groei van koraalriffen rond Bonaire
Het koraalrif rond Bonaire staat bekend als één van de gezondste van het Caribisch gebied. Uit nieuw onderzoek door Wageningen Marine Research/NIOZ blijkt echter dat een groot deel van deze riffen er niet goed voor staat: de meeste ondiepe delen…
Friday 27 September 2019
Are sponges threatening Caribbean Reefs?
For coral reefs to persist, constructive processes must be greater than the destructive ones to enable positive growth. Due to global change (ocean acidification and warming) and local stressors (pollution, overfishing), opportunistic organisms such…
Friday 23 August 2019
Caribbean coral reefs, between resilience and warmer climates
A group of scientists from NIOZ, MARUM and ZMT are heading to Curacao to gather data on the modern and fossil reefs surrounding the island. Their expedition will last from August 23rd until September 3rd, and they will use state-of-the-art approaches…
Wednesday 17 April 2019
Caribische koraalriffen in 40 jaar tijd hard achteruitgegaan
De koraalriffen van Curaçao en Bonaire zijn de afgelopen 40 jaar hard achteruitgegaan. Deze ecologische afbraak van de riffen is voor een groot deel te wijten aan de gevolgen van bevolkingsgroei op de Caribische eilanden en aan de invloed van…
Monday 26 November 2018
Nederlandse onderzoekers ontvangen prestigieuze onderscheiding voor onderzoek naar koraalriffen op Curaçao en Bonaire
Het wetenschappelijk tijdschrift Coral Reefs heeft Nederlandse koraalonderzoekers onderscheiden met het 'Best Paper Award 2017'. De wetenschappers kregen de prestigieuze prijs voor hun onderzoek en publicatie over de wereldwijd langstlopende…
Thursday 15 March 2018
NICO-expeditie ontdekt koraalrif bij Saba in opvallend goede staat
Een ongerept stuk koraalrif in een uithoek van de Sababank blijkt in opvallend goede staat te verkeren. Dat ontdekten wetenschappers van Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) en het Koninklijk Nederlands Instituut voor Onderzoek der Zee (NIOZ) tijdens de…
Thursday 30 March 2017
Koraalriffen van de Nederlandse Antillen gaan binnen 15 jaar verloren
Op de zes Caribische eilanden die zijn verbonden met Nederland dreigen de koraalriffen binnen 15 jaar te verdwijnen. Daardoor zal ook een groot deel van de eilanden-economieën instorten. Het nieuw te vormen Kabinet moet met spoed een Deltaplan maken…

Linked blogs

Wednesday 04 December 2019
NIOZ@SEA | Sinkhole expedition to the Sababank
From 5 to 18 December, NIOZ and Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) are organizing an expedition to the Saba Bank, near the Dutch island of Saba in the Caribbean. Experts on board the research vessel Pelagia hope to gain more knowledge about the…
Friday 23 August 2019
NIOZ@SEA | Curacao mapping
A group of scientists from NIOZ, MARUM and ZMT are heading to Curacao to gather data on the modern and fossil reefs surrounding the island. Their expedition will last from August 23rd until September 3rd, and they will use state-of-the-art approaches…

NIOZ publications

  • 2023
    Candy, A.S.; Taylor Parkins, S.K.; van Duyl, F.C.; Mueller, B.; Arts, M.G.I.; Barnes, W.; Carstensen, M.; Scholten, Y.; El-Khaled, Y.C.; Wild, C.; Wegley Kelly, L.; Nelson, C.E.; Sandin, S.A.; Vermeij, M.J.A.; Rohwer, F.; Picioreanu, C.; Stocchi, P.; Haas, A.F. (2023). Small-scale oxygen distribution patterns in a coral reef. Front. Mar. Sci. 10. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1135686
    van Duyl, F.C.; van Bleijswijk, J.D.L.; Wuchter, C.; Witte, H.J.; Coolen, M.J.L.; Bak, R.P.M.; Engelmann, J.C.; Nugues, M.M. (2023). Recovery patterns of the coral microbiome after relief of algal contact. J. Sea Res. 191: 102309. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2022.102309
  • 2022
    Wegley Kelly, L.; Nelson, C.E.; Petras, D.; Koester, I.; Quinlan, Z.A.; Arts, M.G.I.; Nothias, L.-F.; Comstock, J.; White, B.M.; Hopmans, E.C.; van Duyl, F.C.; Carlson, C.A.; Aluwihare, L.I.; Dorrestein, P.C.; Haas, A.F. (2022). Distinguishing the molecular diversity, nutrient content, and energetic potential of exometabolomes produced by macroalgae and reef-building corals  . Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 119(5): e2110283119. https://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2110283119
    Humphreys, M.P.; Meesters, E.H.; de Haas, H.; Karancz, S.; Delaigue, L.; Bakker, K.; Duineveld, G.; de Goeyse, S.; Haas, A.F.; Mienis, F.; Ossebaar, S.; van Duyl, F.C. (2022). Dissolution of a submarine carbonate platform by a submerged lake of acidic seawater. Biogeosciences 19(2): 347-358. https://dx.doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-347-2022
  • 2021
    Webb, A.E.; de Bakker, D.M.; Soetaert, K.; da Costa, T.; van Heuven, S.; van Duyl, F.C.; Reichart, G.-J.; de Nooijer, L.J. (2021). Quantifying functional consequences of habitat degradation on a Caribbean coral reef. Biogeosciences 18(24): 6501-6516. https://dx.doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-6501-2021
  • 2020
    van Duyl, F.C.; Meesters, E.H. (2020). Cruise report RV Pelagia 64PE465 : Sinkhole expedition, 5 December - 18 December 2019 Guadeloupe-Guadeloupe. NIOZ Royal Institute for Sea Research: Texel. 79 pp.
    Meesters, E.H.; Bak, R.P.M.; van Duyl, F.C. (2020). Commentary: Managing recovery resilience in coral reefs against climate-induced bleaching and hurricanes: A 15 year case study from Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean. Front. Mar. Sci. 7: article 346. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.00346
    van Duyl, F.C.; Lengger, S.K.; Schouten, S.; Lundälv, T.; van Oevelen, D.; Müller, C.E. (2020). Dark CO2 fixation into phospholipid-derived fatty acids by the cold-water coral associated sponge Hymedesmia (Stylopus) coriacea (Tisler Reef, NE Skagerrak). Mar. Biol. Res. 16(1): 1-17. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17451000.2019.1704019
  • 2019
    de Bakker, D.M.; van Duyl, F.C.; Perry, C.T.; Meesters, E.H. (2019). Extreme spatial heterogeneity in carbonate accretion potential on a Caribbean fringing reef linked to local human disturbance gradients. Glob. Chang. Biol. 25(12): 4092-4104. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14800
    Visser, P.M.; Meesters, E.H.; van Duyl, F.C. (Ed.) (2019). Cruise report RV Pelagia 64PE430 : Bottom topography, groundwater discharge and cyanobacterial mats of mesophotic reefs, 25 January - 2 February 2018 Curaçao-Bonaire-Aruba (NICO expedition leg 3). NIOZ Royal Institute for Sea Research: Texel. 79 pp.
    Webb, A.E.; Pomponi, S.A.; van Duyl, F.C.; Reichart, G.-J.; de Nooijer, L.J. (2019). pH regulation and tissue coordination pathways promote calcium carbonate bioerosion by excavating sponges. NPG Scientific Reports 9(1): 758. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-36702-8
  • 2018
    van Heuven, S.M.A.C.; Webb, A.E.; de Bakker, D.M.; Meesters, E.; van Duyl, F.C.; Reichart, G.-J.; de Nooijer, L.J. (2018). In-situ incubation of a coral patch for community-scale assessment of metabolic and chemical processes on a reef slope. PeerJ 6: e5966. https://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5966
    van der Veer, H.W.; Cardoso, J.F.M.F.; Mateo, I.; Witte, J.IJ.; van Duyl, F.C. (2018). Occurrence and life history characteristics of tropical flatfishes at the coral reefs of Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean. J. Sea Res. 142: 157-166. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2018.09.010
    van Duyl, F.C.; Meesters, E.H. (2018). Cruise report RV Pelagia 64PE433 : Saba, St Eustatius and Saba Bank Benthic habitat mapping, and Benthic–Pelagic coupling, 26 February - 10 March 2018, St Maarten-St Maarten (NICO expedition leg 6). NIOZ: Texel. 60 pp.
    van Duyl, F.C.; Mueller, B.; Meesters, E.H. (2018). Spatio–temporal variation in stable isotope signatures (δ13C and δ15N) of sponges on the Saba Bank. PeerJ 6: e5460. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5460
    de Bakker, D.M.; Webb, A.E.; van den Bogaart, L.A.; van Heuven, S.M.A.C.; Meesters, E.H.; van Duyl, F.C. (2018). Quantification of chemical and mechanical bioerosion rates of six Caribbean excavating sponge species found on the coral reefs of Curaçao. PLoS One 13(5): e0197824. https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0197824
    Van Oevelen, D.; Mueller, C.E.; Lundälv, T.; van Duyl, F.C.; de Goeij, J.M.; Middelburg, J.J. (2018). Niche overlap between a cold-water coral and an associated sponge for isotopically-enriched particulate food sources. PLoS One 13(3): e0194659. https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194659
    Hoeksema, B.W.; Hassell, D.; Meesters, E.H.W.G.; van Duyl, F.C. (2018). Wave-swept coralliths of Saba Bank, Dutch Caribbean. Mar. Biodiv. 48(4): 2003-2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12526-017-0712-5
  • 2017
    Webb, A.E.; van Heuven, S.M.A.C.; de Bakker, D.M.; van Duyl, F.C.; Reichart, G.-J.; de Nooijer, L.J. (2017). Combined Effects of Experimental Acidification and Eutrophication on Reef Sponge Bioerosion Rates. Front. Mar. Sci. 4: 311. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2017.00311
    Mueller, B.; Meesters, E.H.; van Duyl, F.C. (2017). DOC concentrations across a depth-dependent light gradient on a Caribbean coral reef. PeerJ 5: e3456. https://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3456
    de Bakker, D.M.; van Duyl, F.C.; Bak, R.P.M.; Nugues, M.M.; Nieuwland, G.; Meesters, E.H. (2017). 40 Years of benthic community change on the Caribbean reefs of Curaçao and Bonaire: the rise of slimy cyanobacterial mats. Coral Reefs 36(2): 355-367. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00338-016-1534-9
  • 2016
    van Duyl, F.C. (2016). NIOZ-Saba Bank/Saba Cruise report : Net coral community calcification and hydrodynamics (Saba Bank/Saba) Caribbean Explorer II, 17/24-31 October 2015 Research cruise contributing to Project : Seawater chemistry of CO2 system and nutrients as drivers of benthic community structure and carbon metabolism of coral reef ecosystems of different trophic status. NIOZ: Texel. 43 pp.
    Rix, L.; de Goeij, J.M.; Mueller, C.E.; Struck, U.; Middelburg, J.J.; van Duyl, F.C.; Al-Horani, F.A.; Wild, C.; Naumann, M.S.; Van Oevelen, D. (2016). Coral mucus fuels the sponge loop in warm- and cold-water coral reef ecosystems. NPG Scientific Reports 6(18715): 11 pp. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep18715
    Mueller, B.; den Haan, J.; Visser, P.M.; Vermeij, M.J.A.; van Duyl, F.C. (2016). Effect of light and nutrient availability on the release of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by Caribbean turf algae. NPG Scientific Reports 6: 23248. dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep23248
    de Bakker, D.M.; Meesters, E.H.; Bak, R.P.M.; Nieuwland, G.; van Duyl, F.C. (2016). Long-term Shifts in Coral Communities On Shallow to Deep Reef Slopes of Curaçao and Bonaire: Are There Any Winners? Front. Mar. Sci. 3: 247. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2016.00247
  • 2015
    Brocke, H.J.; Wenzhoefer, F.; de Beer, D.; Mueller, B.; van Duyl, F.C.; Nugues, M.M. (2015). High dissolved organic carbon release by benthic cyanobacterial mats in a Caribbean reef ecosystem. NPG Scientific Reports 5(8852): 7 pp. hdl.handle.net/10.1038/srep08852
  • 2014
    van Duyl, F.C. (2014). Spatial and species specific variations in the diet of sponges Preliminary results 3.1. Sponges, macro algae and nutrients, in: van Beek, I.J.M. et al. Saba Bank research expedition 2013 - Progress Report. pp. 11-14
    Mumby, P.J.; Flower, J.; Chollett, I.; Box, S.; Bozec, Y.; Fitzsimmons, C.; Forster, J.; Gill, D.; Griffith-Mumby, R.; Oxenford, H.A.; Peterson, A.; Stead, S. M.; Turner, R.; Townsley, P.; van Beukering, P.; Booker, F.; Brocke, H.; Cabañillas-Terán, N.; Canty, S.; Carricart-Ganivet, J.P.; Charlery, J.; Dryden, C.; van Duyl, F.C.; Enríquez, S.; den Haan, J.; Iglesias-Prieto, R.; Kennedy, E.; Mahon, R.; Mueller, B.; Newman, S.J.; Nugues, M.; Cortés Núñez, J.; Nurse, L.; Osinga, R.; Paris, C.; Petersen, D.; Polunin, N. V. C.; Sánchez, C.; Schep, S.; Stevens, J.; Vallès, H.; Vermeij, M.J.A.; Visser, P.M.; Whittingham, E.; Williams, S. (2014). Towards Reef Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods. A Handbook for Caribbean Coral Reef Managers. University of Exeter: Exeter, Devon, UK. ISBN 978-0-902746-31-2. 176 pp.
    Mueller, B.; van der Zande, R.M.; van Leent, P.J.M.; Meesters, E.H.; Vermeij, M.J.A.; van Duyl, F.C. (2014). Effect of light availability on dissolved organic carbon release by Caribbean reef algae and corals. Bull. Mar. Sci. 90(3): 875-893. hdl.handle.net/10.5343/bms.2013.1062
    Mueller, B.; de Goeij, J.M.; Vermeij, M.J.A.; Mulders, Y.; van der Ent, E.; Ribes, M.; van Duyl, F.C. (2014). Natural Diet of Coral-Excavating Sponges Consists Mainly of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC). PLoS One 9(2): e90152. dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0090152
    den Haan, J.; Visser, P.M.; Ganase, A.E.; Gooren, E.E.; Stal, L.J.; van Duyl, F.C.; Vermeij, M.J.A.; Huisman, J. (2014). Nitrogen fixation rates in algal turf communities of a degraded versus less degraded coral reef. Coral Reefs 33(4): 1003-1015. dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00338-014-1207-5
  • 2013
    den Haan, J.; Huisman, J.; Dekker, F.; ten Brinke, J.L.; Ford, A.K.; van Ooijen, J.; van Duyl, F.C.; Vermeij, M.J.A.; Visser, P.M. (2013). Fast Detection of Nutrient Limitation in Macroalgae and Seagrass with Nutrient-Induced Fluorescence. PLoS One 8(7). dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0068834
    Cardoso, J.F.M.F.; van Bleijswijk, J.D.L.; Witte, H.; van Duyl, F.C. (2013). Diversity and abundance of ammonia-oxidizing Archaea and Bacteria in tropical and cold-water coral reef sponges. Aquat. Microb. Ecol. 68(3): 215-230. dx.doi.org/10.3354/ame01610
  • 2012
    Maldonado, M.; Ribes, M.; van Duyl, F.C. (2012). Nutrient fluxes through sponges: biology, budgets, and ecological implications. Adv. Mar. Biol. 62: 113-182. hdl.handle.net/10.1016/B978-0-12-394283-8.00003-5
  • 2011
    Maier, C.; de Kluijver, A.; Agis, M.; Brussaard, C.P.D.; van Duyl, F.C.; Weinbauer, M.G. (2011). Dynamics of nutrients, total organic carbon, prokaryotes and viruses in onboard incubations of cold-water corals. Biogeosciences 8(9): 2609-2620. dx.doi.org/10.5194/bg-8-2609-2011
    van Duyl, F.C.; Moodley, L.; Nieuwland, G.; van Ijzerloo, L.; van Soest, R.W.M.; Houtekamer, M.; Meesters, E.H.; Middelburg, J.J. (2011). Coral cavity sponges depend on reef-derived food resources: stable isotope and fatty acid constraints. Mar. Biol. (Berl.) 158(7): 1653-1666. dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-011-1681-z

Linked projects

AcroporaNet
Supervisor
Andi Haas
Funder
NA
Project duration
1 Jun 2010 - 31 Dec 2030
Bioerosion and 3D complexity of coral reefs in a changing environment
Supervisor
Fleur van Duyl
Funder
Wageningen Marine Research
Project duration
16 Jun 2014 - 16 Jun 2018
Long term coral reef community monitoring
Supervisor
Fleur van Duyl
Funder
Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research - Structural financial support
Project duration
1 Aug 2012 - 31 Dec 2017
Benthic-pelagic coupling on coral reefs of the Saba Bank and Saba
Supervisor
Fleur van Duyl
Funder
Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research
Project duration
1 Jan 2014 - 1 Feb 2019