UV-radiation and its impact on genetic diversity, population structure and foodwebs of arctic freshwater

Keywords

Updated 2001-04-10

The aim of this international project is to measure and model arctic UV-radiation and assess the effects on freshwater planktonic organisms and foodwebs. The fieldwork and experiments are conducted at Ny-Alesund, Spitsbergen. The specific aim of our participation is to study the food web effects of UV-B stress by means of in-situ enclosure studies. In the laboratory we found that UV-B stressed algal cells may increase in volume and form a thicker cell wall. These changes in the algal cells may reduce their digestibility by zooplankton. Further the role of photopigments (like melanin and carotenoids), present in some zooplankters, will be studied in relation to the survival of these animals at high UV-B exposure. Research activities Grazing experiments with Daphnia pulex (melanic and hyaline) are performed in in-situ enclosures (under different UV exposures) in the Brandal Lagune during July. The green alga Chlamydomonas will be incubated in-situ under different UV exposures to assess the potential use of this alga as a biodosimeter for UV-B. Further the survival of melanic and hyaline daphnids will be tested in-situ.

This is not a National Implementation Plan (NIP) project

https://nioo.knaw.nl/

Status: Completed
Project time span: 1996 - 2000
Data collection: not specified
Data processing: not specified
Data reporting: not specified

Contact information

Contact person: Ellen van Donk
Address: NIOO-CL P.O. Box 1299 3600 BG Maarssen Netherlands
Phone: +31 294 239300 (inst.) / 239353 (direct)
Fax: +31 294 232224
Email: ln.wank.ooin.lc@knodnav
Other project contacts: Visiting address: Rijksstraatweg 6 3631 AC Nieuwersluis

Parameters and Media

Parameter groups measured/observed/modelled

UV effects

Media sampled/studied/modelled

Algae (algae, phytoplankton)

Additional information or further specification of types of data / information collected, species / tissues / organs sampled, etc.

Laboratory and in-situ UV exposure experiments Sampling frequency: only in July

Geography

Regions studied: UV effects
Stations or areas where observations are made: Brandal Lagune

Data availability

Are data archived or planned to be archived at an AMAP Thematic Data Centre?: no
If no (or only part of data are reported to a TDC), where and how are (other) data stored?: Data will be available to other projects and/or international programmes
References to key publications (or planned publications) and data reports: Ellen van Donk and Dag Hessen (1996). Loss of flagella in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii due to in-situ UV-exposure. Scientia Marina 60: 107-112. Ellen van Donk and Dag Hessen (1995) Reduced digestibility of UV-B stressed and nutrient-limited algae by Daphnia magna. Hydrobiologia 307: 147-151 Ellen van Donk. H. De lange and B.A. Faafeng (in prep) Impact of UV-radiation on plankton in an arctic freshwater lagune (Brandal Laguna), Spitsbergen.

Samples/specimens archived in specimen banks?: No

Methods & Procedures

Not specified

Additional Information

Is this a bi- AND multi-lateral project (i.e. a project involving cooperation between different countries)?: Yes
Other institutes involved in the project: - University of Oslo (prof.dr. D.O. Hesssen) - Norwegian Institute of Water Research (dr. B.A. Faafeng and Dr. A. Hobaek) - Uppsala University (Sweden)