Project Page Views: [ 677 ]
| Project Metadata Element | Details |
| Project Title | Macroalgal biomonitoring - applying phenolic compounds as biomarkers for metal uptake characteristics in Irish coastal environments |
| Research Area | Water |
| Project Acronym | |
| Principal Investigator or Lead Irish Partner | Solene Connan |
| Lead Institution or Organisation | National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) |
| Lead Country | Ireland |
| Latitude, Longitude (of Lead Institution) | 53.27905, -9.05794 |
| Lead Funding Entity | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Approximate Project Start Date | 24/12/2005 |
| Approximate Project Finishing Date | 24/12/2008 |
| Project Website (if any) | |
| Links to other Web-based resources | |
| Project Keywords | Coastal water; Transitional water; Metal contamination; Macroalgal biomonitoring |
| Project Abstract | Although brown seaweeds are commonly applied as biomonitors for metal contamination in coastal and transitional waters, the environmental impacts (e.g. eutrophication, salinity) on phenol contents, which are largely responsible for their metal-binding properties, are poorly understood. This project quantifies variation in seaweed metal accumulation caused by environmental impacts on phenol production, composition and exudation both in situ and in culture experiments. Research outputs include a report on the contaminative status of selected coastal sites, the development of a standard protocol in brown algal biomonitoring of metals in Irish waters, considering environment-induced variation in algal phenols in situ, and recommendations for improved coastal management including seaweed harvesting. |