BASIN: Buoyancy Control And Salinity Driven Microbial Interactions in Nodularia Blooms
Name of applicant
Christian Furbo Reeder
Title
Postdoctoral Fellow
Institution
University of Southern Denmark
Amount
DKK 1,953,000
Year
2025
Type of grant
Reintegration Fellowships
What?
This project explores the impact of the algae Nodularia on Danish waters. Each summer, the Baltic Sea turns green with blooms of Nodularia, and because of climate changes they expand towards Danish waters. As these blooms sink to the deeper ocean, they alter the carbon and nutrient balance in our ocean. Understanding their impact on the Danish waters are crucial for managing coastal health.
Why?
It is critical to understand the microbial processes in our ocean. As Nodularia spreads into the saltier Danish waters, it loses their buoyancy and begins to sink. When Nodularia sinks, it affects oxygen levels, nutrient cycling, and carbon storage, creating hotspots for microbial activity which ultimately influence fisheries, biodiversity, and the overall health of Danish waters.
How?
This project, called BASIN, will explore how saltier water makes Nodularia lose their buoyancy and how sinking clumps interact with microbes. By combining laboratory experiments with advanced imaging, genetic tools, and pressure simulations, BASIN will reveal the hidden processes behind these blooms. This knowledge is key to predicting their role in a changing climate and protecting our seas