Under the title "Effects of complex chemical stresses on microbial communities in the field, laboratory and model using the example of the Moselle" (BLooM), the main focus is on the interaction of various stress factors such as drug residues, pesticide residues and household chemicals. The researchers want to find out how they influence the composition of the microbial species community and what role this plays in connection with cyanobacterial blooms. "This cyanobacteria species, which is relevant for the Moselle, is so interesting because it produces toxic substances under certain conditions. The effects of such algal blooms can result in mass fish mortality, as was observed in the Oder in the summer of 2022," says the project manager at Osnabrück University, Prof. Dr. Andreas Focks. The Federal Institute of Hydrology is providing a total of around € 170,000 over three years for the investigations at Osnabrück University
The scientists will carry out field investigations and laboratory studies as part of the project, while so-called effect models will be created at Osnabrück University. The aim is to describe the growth of algae species and the relevant cyanobacteria species, taking into account various influencing factors, both without and with additional pollution from organic trace substances. There are also plans to use the model to simulate field conditions in order to analyze the complex interactions between microbial species communities and chemical pollution as well as multiple environmental parameters. "In the long term, our aim is to use the Moselle as an example to show the extent to which human influences can change the composition and dynamics of primary producers and what effects this can have on the condition of flowing waters," explains Ella Rothe, the scientist at Osnabrück University responsible for modeling in this project.
Further information:
https://bfg-gewaesserwissen.podigee.io/5-algen
BfG department "Microbial Ecology" (https://www.bafg.de/DE/1_Die_BfG/Organisation/Abteilung_U/U2/mikrobielle_oekologie_node.html)
BfG Department "Water Chemistry"
(https://www.bafg.de/DE/1_Die_BfG/Organisation/Abteilung_G/G2/gewaesserchemie_node.html)
Further information for editorial offices:
Prof. Dr. Andreas Focks, Osnabrück University
Institute of Mathematics
andreas.focks@uni-osnabrueck.de
