Project properties
Title Assessing Chemical Pollutants in Bonaire's Marine Ecosystems
Group Marine Animal Ecology
Project type internship
Credits 36
Supervisor(s) Dr. Gulsah Dogruer
Examiner(s) Tinka Murk, Reindert Nijland, Ronald Osinga, Rosa van der Ven, Diede Maas
Contact info gulsah.dogruer@gmail.com
mae.education@wur.nl
Begin date 2024/11/01
End date 2025/11/01
Description This project aims to assess the concentrations of PCBs, PBDEs, organochlorine pesticides, metals (in sediments only), and PAHs in both sediments and the water column of Bonaire's coastal environments. Additionally, lionfish species will be collected from the same locations where sediment samples and passive samplers (for the water column) are obtained. Lionfish, an invasive species commonly found in Bonaire, will be targeted during diving activities. The field study will be conducted in November and December 2024 and January 2025, with the samples analysed to determine how the concentrations compare to thresholds set by European regulations for protecting marine species, such as sea turtles and corals.

The internship will involve travel to Bonaire (with partial coverage of travel expenses) to collect samples from sediments and the water column at defined locations during November, December 2024, and January 2025. Samples will then be transported to Wageningen Marine Research in Ijmuiden for extraction and analysis.

Students at Wageningen Marine Research will receive monthly compensation throughout the internship period, plus an additional fixed living allowance while on the island.
Used skills Field sampling, ASE/Soxhlet, Liquid-Liquid extractions, GC-MS and LC-MS analysis
Requirements The student must be able to dive and hold an advanced diving certificate. Ideally, two students must work together as a team, with a diving buddy, for safety during diving activities.