Projects
The interplay between microalgal biology and flocculation: the influence of cell surface properties and excreted organic matter on flocculation of microalgae. KU Leuven
Microalgae are considered as one of the most promising new sources of biomass for food, feed, biofuels and bulk chemicals. Despite of their potential, a major challenge is efficiently harvesting these unicellular organisms. Microalgae have a small size and a high colloidal stability. Flocculation is considered to be a low-cost and a low-energy technology for harvesting microalgae. But flocculation of living microalgae differs from ...
Interference of algal organic matter (AOM) with microalgae flocculation: influence of AOM properties on floc chararteristics and the consequences for harvesting microalgal biomass using sedimentation and flotation Hasselt University
Indirect control of soil texture on decomposition of organic matter by mediation of the soil moisture balance - expansion of a field experiment with the factor soil drainage/capillary rise and 13C-pulse-labelling Ghent University
Soils function central ecosystem compartments as emitter of greenhouse gases, reservoir of
nutrients and carbon, water and biota. The dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM) are interlinked
with local as well as global biogeochemical cycles and its study is a research topic of high relevance
agriculturally and environmentally. One key determinant of soil microbial activity is soil texture with
enhanced physical ...
The impact of iron-dissolved organic matter colloids on the fate and bioavailability of trace metals and phosphorus in surface water. KU Leuven
Phosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient in many aquatic ecosystems. In agriculture, P is present in fertilizer and in animal manure. Widespread and intensive use of fertilizer and animal manure cause diffuse P emissions to the environment, leading to eutrophication of water bodies and impaired water quality. The fate of P in natural waters is strongly linked to that of iron (Fe) bearing particles, to which P can bind. Streams contain ...
Characterisation and bioavailability of organic matter at the basis of marine foodwebs Ghent University
The amount and bioavailability of organic matter that reaches the bottom of the sea is an important structurig factor for the trophic composition of benthic communities. To determine the quality of organic matter a Victor3 multilabel reader will be used. This reader allows different measurements of food sources including cell quantification, cell conditions, enzymatic activity, protein measurements.
Contribution of chemoautotrophic and chemosynthetic organic matter production pathways to freshwater and estuarine benthic invertebrate communities KU Leuven
Aquatic foodwebs can be fueled by photosynthetically produced organic matter (terrestrial or aquatic), or by chemo-autotrophic or methane (CH4)-based metabolic pathways. While CH4 production is generally much lower in estuarine and coastal systems than in freshwater sediments, the opposite holds for chemo-autotrophic pathways. While both the production and consumption of methane are known to be important to cosumers in specific environments, ...
The role of algal organic matter in microalgae biomass harvesting: a multi-scale study Hasselt University
Contribution of chemoautotrophic and chemosynthetic organic matter production pathways to freshwater and estuarine benthic invertebrate communities Ghent University
Aquatic foodwebs can be fueled by photosynthetically produced organic matter (terrestrial or
aquatic), or by chemo-autotrophic or methane (CH4)-based metabolic pathways. While CH4
production is generally much lower in estuarine and coastal systems than in freshwater sediments,
the opposite holds for chemo-autotrophic pathways. While both the production and consumption
of methane are known to be ...