Freshwater and Marine Phycology
Microalgae are extremely important for the productivity and carbon balance of aquatic ecosystems. This program focuses on ecophysiology and cell biology of marine and freshwater microalgae. Research topics include: marine microalgal blooms (with special reference to the role of biotic and abiotic factors in harmful algal bloom formation and levels of toxicity); microalgal potential for biotechnology (e.g. biofuel potential, isolation of bioactive compounds, aquaculture feeds); bioluminescence of marine dinoflagellates and the establishment of this endpoint in whole effluent toxicity tests; benthic microalgal community analyses; nutrient physiology with a focus on nutrient utilization of micro- and macroalgae with reference to phytoremediation of nutrients; invasive micro- and macroalgal species research (e.g. will climate change lead to range expansions of toxic microalgae).
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