Das Projekt "How is the evolution of stratospheric ozone affected by climate change, and how strong is the feedback? (SHARP-OFC)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Bremen, Institut für Umweltphysik durchgeführt. One major goal of this project is to analyse updated observational trace gas data together with stateof- the art models (CTMs and CCMs) in order to obtain a better understanding of the interaction between ozone and climate change and the underlying dynamical and chemical processes. The extended satellite, balloon and aircraft observations combined with improved model calculations (CTM and CCM) are used to further reduce the uncertainties in the bromine budget, in particular the contribution from VSLS (very short lived substances) and to further elucidate on the role of iodine in the stratosphere. Furthermore detailed studies on the long-term evolution (trends and variability) of observed stratospheric trace gases with foci on profiles of O3, NO2 and aerosols retrieved from SCIAMACHY are proposed. Future evolution of stratospheric ozone will be investigated using updated EMAC CCM model runs, some of them in combination with an interactive atmosphere-ocean feedback. In addition to issues on the climate feedback on future ozone, particular emphasis will be given to the increasing role of N2O and GHG emissions.
Das Projekt "ICCE2008" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau durchgeführt. Die 31st International Conference on Coastal Engineering ICCE2008 findet vom 31. August bis 5. September 2008 in Hamburg mit ca. 650 Teilnehmern statt. Schwerpunktthemen sind Küstenprozesse, Häfen und Wasserstraßen, Coastal Environment, Küstenrisiken und Küstenentwicklung. Zusätzlich werden Short Courses zu verschiedenen Themen des Küsteningenieurwesens angeboten, die sich insbesondere an Studenten des Küsteningenieurwesens und des Wasserbaus, Doktoranden und interessierte Teilnehmer aus Praxis und Wissenschaft richten. Die eingereichten Abstracts der zum Vortrag bzw. als Poster akzeptierten Beiträge werden vor der Konferenz (15.08.2008) allen Teilnehmern in geeigneter Weise zur Verfügung gestellt. Vor Konferenzbeginn (31.08.2008) werden zwei Short Courses zu Morphodynamik (Workshop, 9 Referenten) und dem gerade erschienenen European Overtopping Manual (Workshop, 6 Referenten) durchgeführt. Mit dem Druck der 4-bändigen Proceedings (15.09.2008) werden die Konferenzbeiträge nachhaltig gesichert. Deutschland leistet mit Ausrichtung der ICCE2008 einen wichtigen Beitrag zum Küsteningenieurwesen und unterstreicht die Bedeutung deutscher Forschung.
Das Projekt "Role of geomagnetic field in atmospheric escape from Earth" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft durchgeführt. The geomagnetic field prevents the Earth from having its atmosphere swept away by the solar wind. But due to the partial ionization of the upper atmosphere by the sun's short-wavelength radiation electrodynamic forces can move the charged particles upward, against gravity, along open field lines. Already in the early space age it was recognized that considerable amounts of ionospheric ions populate the magnetosphere. In this study we will investigate the acceleration mechanisms of the up-welling ions at source regions altitude. For the first time the role of the neutral particles in the thermosphere are also included in the considerations. For our studies we will make use of data from the satellites CHAMP (400km), GRACE (500km) and DMSP (830km). The space observations shall be augmented by suitable EISCAT radar measurements. As a result the total rates of the different out-flow regions, polar cap, cusp, and auroral region will be quantified and their dependence on geophysical conditions determined.
Das Projekt "AURORa - Investigation of the Radar Backscatter of Rain Impinging on the Ocean Surface" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Hamburg, Zentrum für Meeres- und Klimaforschung, Institut für Meereskunde (IfM) durchgeführt. Over land, observations of rain rates are more or less operational. To obtain information about precipitation at the coastal zones, weather radars are used. However, over the oceans, especially away from the main shipping routes, no direct precipitation measurements are performed. In these regions, satellite data can provide information about precipitation events. Satellites deploying passive and active microwave sensors can operate independently of cloud cover and time of day. Passive microwave sensors give crude estimates of rain rates over large areas but cannot resolve small-scale rain events of short duration as are often observed in the tropics, for example. Active microwave sensors with high resolutions, such as synthetic aperture radars can provide more reliable information. Though the effect of rain on the atmosphere is a very topical area of research, the radar backscattering mechanisms at the water surface during rain events combined with wind are still not well understood. The purpose of this project is to investigate the radar backscattering from the water surface in the presence of rain and wind in order to interpret satellite radar data produced by active microwave sensors. Furthermore, the results should be embedded into models of the radar backscattering from the water surface to allow for estimating rain rates by using satellite data. Research topics: Rain impinging on a water surfaces generates splash products including crowns, cavities, stalks and secondary drops, which do not propagate, and ring waves and subsurface turbulence. We are investigating this phenomena at the wind-wave tank of the University of Hamburg. The tank is fitted with an artificial rain simulator of 2.3 m2 area mounted 4.5 m over the water surface. Rain drops of 2.1 and 2.9 mm in diameter with rain rates up to 100 mm/h have been produced. Wind with speeds 10 m/s and monomolecular slicks act on the water surface. The influence of the rain on the water surface is measured with a resistance type wire gauge, a two dimensional laser slope gauge and an coherent 9.8 GHz (x band) continuous wave scatterometer operating at VV-, HH- and HV-polarization. The influence of rain below the water surface is measured with colored raindrops which are observed with a video camera to investigate the turbulent motion and the depth of the mixed layer. At the North Sea Port of Buesum in Germany, a scatterometer operating at all polarizations and five frequencies will be mounted during summer of this year. The radar backscatter of the sea surface during rain events will be measured in combination with meteorological observations. With help of these measurements, existing radar backscatter models of the water surface will be improved for the presence of rain events. To validate the improved models, ERS-2 SAR-images will be compared with weather radar data.
Das Projekt "Barley dwarfs acting big in agronomy. Identification of genes and characterization of proteins involved in dwarfism, lodging resistance and crop yield" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft durchgeführt. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is an important cereal grain which serves as major animal fodder crop as well as basis for malt beverages or staple food. Currently barley is ranked fourth in terms of quantity of cereal crops produced worldwide. In times of a constantly growing world population in conjunction with an unforeseeable climate change and groundwater depletion, the accumulation of knowledge concerning cereal growth and rate of yield gain is important. The Nordic Genetic Resource Center holds a major collection of barley mutants produced by irradiation or chemical treatment. One phenotypic group of barley varieties are dwarf mutants (erectoides, brachytic, semidwarf, uzu). They are characterized by a compact spike and high rate of yield while the straw is short and stiff, enhancing the lodging resistance of the plant. Obviously they are of applied interest, but they are also of scientific interest as virtually nothing is known about the genes behind the development of plant dwarfism. The aim of this project is to identify and isolate the genes carrying the mutations by using state of the art techniques for gene cloning at the Carlsberg Laboratory. The identified genes will be connected with the mutant phenotype to reveal the gene function in general. One or two genes will be overexpressed and the resulting recombinant proteins will be biochemically and structurally characterized. The insights how the mutation effects the protein will display the protein function in particular. Identified genes and their mutant alleles will be tested in the barley breeding program of the Carlsberg brewery.
Das Projekt "MYFISH - Maximising yield of fisheries while balancing ecosystem, economic and social concerns" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität zu Kiel, Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre, Lehrstuhl für Umwelt-, Ressourcen- und Ökologische Ökonomik durchgeführt. The MSY concept was included as a principle in the 2009 Green Paper on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in accordance with the global imperative to manage fish stocks according to the maximum sustainable yield (MSY). This implies a commitment to direct management of fish stocks towards achieving MSY by 2015. Attaining this goal is complicated by the lack of common agreement on the interpretation of 'sustainability' and 'yield' and by the effects that achieving MSY for one stock may have on other stocks and broader ecosystem, economic, or social aspects. MYFISH will provide definitions of MSY variants which maximize other measures of 'yield' than biomass and which account for the fact that single species rarely exist in isolation. Further, MYFISH will redefine the term 'sustainable' to signify that Good Environmental Status (MSFD) is achieved and economically and socially unacceptable situations are avoided, all with acceptable levels of risk. In short, MYFISH aims at integrating the MSY concept with the overarching principals of the CFP: the precautionary and the ecosystem approach. MYFISH will achieve this objective through addressing fisheries in all RAC areas and integrating stakeholders (the fishing industry, NGOs and managers) throughout the project. Existing ecosystem and fisheries models will be modified to perform maximization of stakeholder approved yield measures while ensuring acceptable impact levels on ecosystem, economic and social aspects. Implementation plans are proposed and social aspects addressed through active involvement of stakeholders. Finally, effects of changes in environment, economy and society on MSY variants are considered, aiming at procedures rendering the MSY approach robust to such changes. The expertise of 26 partners from relevant disciplines including fisheries, ecosystem, economic and social science are involved in all aspects of the project. Global experience is engaged from North America and the South Pacific.
Das Projekt "Can the resistance and resilience of trees to drought be increased through thinning to adapt forests to climate change?" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Freiburg, Waldbau-Institut durchgeführt. Recent and predicted increases in extremely dry and hot summers emphasise the need for silvicultural approaches to increase the drought tolerance of existing forests in the short-term, before adaptation through species changes may be possible. We aim to investigate whether resistance during droughts, as well as the recovery following drought events (resilience), can be increased by allocating more growing space to individual trees through thinning. Thinning increases access of promoted trees to soil stored water, as long as this is available. However, these trees may also be disadvantaged through a higher transpirational surface, or the increased neighbourhood competition by ground vegetation. To assess whether trees with different growing space differ in drought tolerance, tree discs and cores from thinning experiments of Pinus sylvestris and Pseudotsuga menziesii stands will be used to examine transpirational stress and growth reduction during previous droughts as well as their subsequent recovery. Dendroecology and stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen in tree-rings will be used to quantify how assimilation rate and stomatal conductance were altered through thinning. The results will provide crucial information for the development of short-term silvicultural adaptation strategies to adapt forest ecosystems to climate change. In addition, this study will improve our understanding of the relationship between resistance and resilience of trees in relation to extreme stress events.
Das Projekt "Durchfuehrung des Projekts 'Umweltbildung in Kur und Erholung'" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU), Landesverband Baden-Württemberg e.V., NABU-Landesgeschäftsstelle Stuttgart durchgeführt.
Das Projekt "Elbe Flood 2002 - Ecotoxicological Sediment Assessment" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Frankfurt am Main, Institut für Ökologie, Evolution und Diversität, Abteilung Aquatische Ökotoxikologie durchgeführt. In August 2002 a meteorological condition causing extreme rainfall (normally seen once in a century) in many regions of eastern Germany, Austria and the western Czech Republic, occurred. In the area around Dresden many smaller rivers running down from the Erzgebirge had already caused some flooding. The Weißeritz flooded parts of the city of Dresden. A record water level of 9.40 m was reached. The flood wave propagated down the River Elbe and caused further widespread damage in cities such as Wittenberg, Dessau and Magdeburg. The River Elbe bursted its banks for more than 12 kilometres in width, flooding farmland, settlements, sewage treatment plants and industrial facilities (e.g. the chemical plant Spolana near Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic). The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of flooding caused by strong rainy events on the ecotoxicological potential of sediments taken short-time after the Elbe flood 2002. Sediment was sampled from 37 sites from the source in the Czech Republic to the estuary. To determine the toxicity of the sediments two freshwater invertebrate species, representing different taxonomic groups, life histories and habitats in aquatic ecosystems, were used. In the life cycle test with Chironomus riparius larvae were exposed to the sediments. The mean emergence, the number of clutches per female and the sex ratio were monitored at the end of the test. As 2nd test species the freshwater snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum was exposed to the sediments. The tested endpoints after an exposure of 28 days were mortality and reproduction of this species.
Das Projekt "Fate of 17-ethinylestradiol in the aqueous environment and the associated effects on organisms" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von RWTH Aachen University, Institut für Umweltforschung, Biologie V, Lehrstuhl für Umweltbiologie und -chemodynamik durchgeführt. Introduction: In aquatic systems, the bioavailability of a compound is dependent on numerous factors such as partitioning between water, different organisms and solids, biotransformation and food web transfer. This project dealt with the fate of an important environmental xeno-estrogen, 17-ethinylestradiol (EE2), in the aquatic environment. Therefore, the kinetics of EE2 in indicator species representing the different trophic levels of an ecosystem were assessed. As primary producers, green algae (Desmodesmus suspicatus) were selected. The water flea Daphnia magna and larvae of the midge Chironomus riparius were introduced as primary consumers of the water phase and the sediment, respectively. Finally, water as well as dietary uptake of EE2 were investigated in a target species and secondary consumer: zebrafish (Danio rerio). Methodology: In a first series of experiments, uptake of 14C-labelled EE2 (14C-EE2) from the water phase and elimination by the different organisms were investigated over time. In a second test series, both primary consumers were fed 14C-EE2 spiked algae in order to study bioaccumulation. Uptake of 14C-EE2 by chironomid larvae after water and sediment spiking was compared, including sediments of different composition. In a third series of experiments, male fish were short term (48 h) exposed to 14C-EE2 through different routes: by water exposure (WE) and by dietary exposure (DE) via both contaminated daphnids and chironomid larvae. Distribution of 14C-EE2 in the fish was studied by measuring the amount of radioactivity (RA) in the different fish tissues. Additionally, the effect of EE2 on the vitellogenin (Vtg) induction in male fish was compared after WE and DE in a long term (14 d) experiment. The RA in liquid samples was quantified by means of liquid scintillation counting (LSC). Solid samples were subjected to combustion in a biological oxidiser, trapping (14)CO2, measured with LSC. Water and organism extracts were analysed by means of HPLC with a radiodetector, except for algae extracts that were subjected to TLC. Metabolites were identified with GC-MS, high resolution LC-MS and enzymatic hydrolysis followed by HPLC with radiodetection. Metabolites, detected in the water phase, were tested for estrogenic activity by means of YES and ER-CALUX assays. Results: Accumulation and effects: Of the four organisms mentioned above, bioconcentration of 14C-EE2 was highest in the algae. Whereas the growth rate of D. subspicatus was significantly affected at high EE2 concentrations compared to unexposed algae, EE2 had no acute effects on D. magna and C. riparius. Daphnids showed a higher bioaccumulation potential after exposure via spiked algae. For chironomids, water exposure was the predominant uptake route. The presence of sediment lowered the bioavailability of 14C-EE2 to the larvae after both water and sediment spiking. Nevertheless, uptake was higher when the nutritional quality of the sediment was better. Etc.
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