Sediment erosion and transport is critical to the ecological and commercial health of aquatic habitats from watershed to sea. There is now a consensus that microorganisms inhabiting the system mediate the erosive response of natural sediments ('ecosystem engineers') along with physicochemical properties. The biological mechanism is through secretion of a microbial organic glue (EPS: extracellular polymeric substances) that enhances binding forces between sediment grains to impact sediment stability and post-entrainment flocculation. The proposed work will elucidate the functional capability of heterotrophic bacteria, cyanobacteria and eukaryotic microalgae for mediating freshwater sediments to influence sediment erosion and transport. The potential and relevance of natural biofilms to provide this important 'ecosystem service' will be investigated for different niches in a freshwater habitat. Thereby, variations of the EPS 'quality' and 'quantity' to influence cohesion within sediments and flocs will be related to shifts in biofilm composition, sediment characteristics (e.g. organic background) and varying abiotic conditions (e.g. light, hydrodynamic regime) in the water body. Thus, the proposed interdisciplinary work will contribute to a conceptual understanding of microbial sediment engineering that represents an important ecosystem function in freshwater habitats. The research has wide implications for the water framework directive and sediment management strategies.
Der Datensatz aus Karte 4b des Niedersächsischen Landschaftsprogramms enthält die für die Wasserrahmenrichtlinie (WRRL) relevanten Küstengewässer, die seewärtig an die Übergangsgewässer / Ästuare anschließen und bis eine Seemeile seewärts der sogenannten Basislinie in die Hoheitsgewässer hineinreichen. Der Bereich außerhalb der Küstengewässer bis an die Niedersächsische Hoheitsgrenze (12-Seemeilen-Grenze) wird als Küstenmeer bezeichnet und dient hier zur Darstellung der Küstenlebensräume. Karte 4b „Landesweiter Biotopverbund“ stellt die landesweite Biotopverbundplanung dar, die sich aus verschiedenen Komponenten zusammensetzt. Ausgewählte qualifizierte Biotopflächen des Offenlandes, der Wälder, der Fließgewässer mit ihren Auen gemäß Aktionsprogramm Niedersächsische Gewässerlandschaften bilden als Kernflächen der jeweiligen Biotopobergruppen die Basis der einzelnen Verbundsysteme, ergänzt um die länderübergreifenden Biotopverbundachsen des BfN sowie ausgewählte Haupt- und Nebenachsen des Wildkatzenwegeplans BUND. Quellennachweis: © 2025, daten@nlwkn.niedersachsen.de
With increasing global change, coastal protection measures are becoming increasingly important for preserving our coastal features and infrastructure. Coastal protection often comes in the form of artificial structures however, artificial structures can also appear as renewable energy projects, maritime infrastructure and aquaculture installations. The ecological effects of such structures on the natural surroundings remains largely unclear. 36 tetrapod structures (4-footed concrete breakwaters each weighing 2.8 t) in groups of six were added to the MarGate underwater experimental area to the north of Helgoland, in the Southern North Sea, in 2009 at 5 and 10 m water depth. The 5 m fields TN5 (North), TM5 (Middle) and TS5 (South) have been monitored monthly, since their introduction, with respect to the abundance, species composition and size of the associated biota community. By carrying out this monitoring project, we aim to study the long-term effects of artificial structures on the local biotic community in shallow coastal ecosystems. Line transect based visual fish census conducted by trained scientific divers is used to survey the fish communities in the vicinity of each tetrapod field. For this, four 20m long line transects are laid out permanently in the four cardinal directions, each marked at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 m distance to the tetrapod field. Data collection is communicated by the diver via voice communication of the surface and noted directly in the standardized protocol together with metadata on algae coverage other environmental parameters.
We analyzed concentrations of dissolved and particulate trace metals, including iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), vanadium (V), molybdenum (Mo), thallium (Tl), and rare earth elements (REE), during a mesocosm-based phytoplankton summer bloom mimicking the intertidal zone of the southern North Sea (Jade Bay). The studies aimed to identify key drivers controlling their biogeochemical cycling in dynamic, high-productivity coastal environments. Our results highlight the tidally influenced coastal zone as a critical interface that alters the behavior of supposedly conservative elements such as Mo and Tl (Mori et al., 2021) as well as natural and anthropogenic REE (incl., lanthanum, samarium, and gadolinium) (Mori et al., under review). Trace metal concentrations and shale-normalized REE patterns, determined by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), were combined with biogeochemical bulk parameters and pigment-based assessments of phytoplankton growth and community composition (Mustaffa et al., 2020). Trace metal and REE cycling were evaluated in relation to phytoplankton dynamics, particulate organic matter composition (C, N, P), dissolved organic carbon, total dissolved nitrogen, and macronutrient concentrations (nitrate, ammonium, silicate, and inorganic phosphate). The dataset was obtained during a Planktotron-based mesocosm experiment conducted within the framework of the Coastal Ocean Darkening project (Mustaffa et al., 2020).
This dataset reports physiological measurements of two bivalve species, Mytilus edulis (blue mussel) and Magallana gigas (Pacific oyster), obtained during a three-month mesocosm experiment conducted in Sylt, Germany, in 2023. Physiological data were collected between 27 April 2023 and 25 June 2023.Twelve mesocosms were used to investigate the effects of temperature on individual-level physiological traits, with treatments including ambient temperature and ambient +3°C. Parameters measured include clearance rate, ingestion rate, and respiration rate. Environmental variables such as water temperature, depth, and sampling time were recorded for each measurement. Individual bivalves were labeled for tracking, and species identification followed WoRMS taxonomy. Measurements were performed using handheld multiparameter instruments and laboratory analyses. The dataset provides high-resolution, individual-based physiological responses of bivalves to moderate warming, supporting research on temperature-dependent feeding, metabolic processes, and energy flux in coastal ecosystems.