Coping with an extreme environment : carbon acquisition by phytoplankton

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Project objective

We are searching for post-doctoral scientists with a strong background in algal eco-physiology. These individuals should be able to conduct biochemical experiments and collaborate with other physiologists. The research group currently consists of empirical ecologists and ecosystem modelers. We conduct field and laboratory studies with an aim to elucidate the growth limiting factors, trophic interactions, carbon cycling and ecosystem-function in the planktonic food web of extremely acidic mining lakes (pH 2.8 plus high concentrations of iron and sulphate) in Lusatia, Germany. To enhance our collective, mechanistic understanding and to improve our experimental design, we require a better understanding of the physiological consequences for the low diversity community of plankton of living in these adverse chemical environments. Given the low inorganic and relatively high organic carbon concentrations in the lakes, we propose to investigate:1. The potential existence and functioning of a Carbon Concentrating Mechanism (CCM) in the dominant phytoplankton species (Chlamydomonas sp. and Ochromonas sp.).2. The characterization of the phytoplankton by Ribulose-bisphosphate-carboxylase (Rubisco) specificity.3. The use of organic carbon by the phytoplankton.4. The strategies employed and the energetic costs of living in a low pH/high ion concentration environment. A better understanding of the mechanisms employed by the phytoplankton for carbon utilization and the energetic costs of living in such extreme environments will improve our understanding of the species composition of the lakes and the accuracy of food web and carbon cycling models developed. Subsequently, the results will facilitate the effective management and restoration of these acidic lakes.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• UNIVERSITY OF POTSDAM · POTSDAMCoordinatorGermany

Links

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