Contents:
The aim of this practical is to get insight in the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems. Participants will learn research methods that have been developed to collect samples from different components of aquatic ecosystems, and to analyze some of the most important processes. In particular the oxygen- and carbon cycle will be studied, the productivity of algal- and water plant-dominated systems, and selected aspects of the behavior of persistent organic pollutants will be addressed. The latter will focus on sorption characteristics of several chlorobenzenes to sediment and plastics, including error propagation. Oxygen dynamics will be studied in detail by means of field and laboratory experiments focused on reaeration, primary production, sediment oxygen consumption, and respiration. Measurements will be performed in the Forum Pond at campus that together with laboratory experiments will yield parameter values for a model on oxygen dynamics. The model will be built in Smart, tested against a dataset from continuous measurements in the pond, and results will be presented.
In the third week, the entire group will receive in-depth limnological training at Lake De Kienehoef (Sint-Oedenrode), its adjacent pond in the park, and the nearby lowland river Dommel. This five day intense field practical includes camping at the site from Sunday till Saturday. The lake is a former sand excavation and stratifies during summer. Vertical profiles of water quality variables will be made, as well as a detailed description of abundance and spatial distributions of macrophytes, macrofauna and zooplankton. The fish community will be sampled, and sediment cores will be collected. The pond, which is located in a recreational park, will be examined thoroughly; water quality variables, sediment, fish, plants and macrofauna will be studied. A drift sampling will take place on part of the Dommel river.
In the last week, data gathered during the multi-day field trip will be elaborated, a search for the cause of extinction and turbidity in the deep lake will be undertaken, and an overall report of the field trip will be written. Participants will use a lab/field notebook to log their activities and meassurements. Particiapnts will use the e-learning tool LabBuddy to prepare for the practicals.
Learning outcomes:
After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
construct a model on a selected process, such as oxygen dynamics in a pond, using the program Smart and to evaluate its performance;
perform adsorption experiments with organic micro-pollutants, calculate their adsorption and assess error propagation;
demonstrate sampling techniques when performing aquatic ecological research;
adapt to varying conditions during multi-day fieldwork;
compose a scientific report when cooperating with several groups of participants.
