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Project properties |
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| Title | PH-buffering capacity of red mangrove Rhizophora mangle in laboratory experiment |
| Group | Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group |
| Project type | thesis |
| Credits | 24-36 |
| Supervisor(s) | S. Pino Cobacho, M. J. A. Christianen |
| Examiner(s) | M. J. A. Christianen |
| Contact info | sara.pinocobacho@wur.nl |
| Begin date | 2020/09/01 |
| End date | 2021/12/31 |
| Description | Mangroves, seagrasses and coral reefs are well-known for acting as global carbon sinks, and they commonly occur in association in the tropical coastal zone. These habitats are connected through chemical and material interactions (ecosystem connectivity) that provide them with a higher ecological resilience. The capacity of seagrass to protect coral calcification by buffering water pH has already been proven, however, when it comes to mangroves this capacity is still being debated. In times of climate change, ocean acidification is one of the main threats for calcifying aquatic organisms such as corals and algae, thus knowing how the overall biome counteracts these effects will help to create efficient management strategies. The student will design a laboratory experiment to test the pH-buffering capacity of mangroves within the context of biogeochemical connectivity. Juvenile mangrove trees are being cultured a the AEW lab. |
| Used skills | |
| Requirements | knowledge of water chemistry and/or water quality, affinity with experimental work and laboratory skills. |