Canadian Ecology Scholarships and Grants

Jumat, 22 Januari 2010

PhD Scholarship and grants in aquatic ecology: Measuring greenhouse gas emissions by aquatic systems colonized by noxious cyanobacterial blooms and role of the physico-chemical conditions on gaseous exchanges

Scholarship and Grant Description : There is a growing concern to know the role of small reservoirs generated by farming and waste water treatment ponds in populated regions of the world, given their recent expansion. These systems are often dominated by cyanobacteria, causing a sanitary risk due to the generated toxins. Moreover, the factors governing the production of cyanotoxins are not well understood, complicating the management of water downstream. Even if cyanobacteria contributes to the production of oxygen in the atmosphere, the biomass produced in these meso- to eutrophic ecosystems accumulates at the lake bottom, where microbial decomposition releases part of the carbon in the form of greenhouse gases (GHG; in the form of methane under anoxic conditions). Besides, a narrow link seems to exist between climate change and proliferation of cyanobacteria, already stimulated by the excessive enrichment in nutrients caused by urban, agricultural and industrial developments. Therefore, the physico-chemical changes linked to climate (e.g., increase in temperature, thermal stability and anoxia) should exacerbate the problems caused by cyanobacterial blooms. The nitrogen cycle being connected to cyanobacteria and their production of toxins, the emissions of nitrous oxide by meso- to eutrophic aquatic systems could also represent a significant contribution to global GHG emissions. The project will occur in Southern Quebec and possibly in the region of Perth in Australia (collaboration with UWA planned in 2011). It might also be linked to a scholarship and grant project on the production of cyanotoxins.

For More Information regarding this scholarship and grant, please visit : http://www.ete.inrs.ca/index.php?page=4_4
Category :
Contact address : Prof Isabelle Laurion
Institut national de la recherche scientifique
Centre Eau Terre Environnement
490 de la Couronne
Quebec (Qc)
G1K 9A9 CANADA

Tel: (418) 654-2694
email: isabelle_laurion@ete.inrs.ca