Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/B505362/1
Resolving the trophic interactions between earthworms and microbial communities leading to stimulated methane degradation in soil.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor I Thompson, NERC CEH (Up to 30.11.2019), NERC CEH - Oxford
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor JC Murrell, University of East Anglia, Environmental Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor J Prosser, University of Aberdeen, Inst of Biological and Environmental Sci
- Grant held at:
- NERC CEH (Up to 30.11.2019), NERC CEH - Oxford
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Atmospheric
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Pollution and Waste
- Global Change
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Pollution
- Systematics & Taxonomy
- Population Ecology
- Soil science
- Abstract:
- In the UK and the EU, landfills are the first and second largest sources of anthropogenic methane, respectively. Significant progress must be made in source reduction as well as researching and developing cost-effective strategies of attenuating fugitive landfill gas emissions (LGE) if the legally binding targets set by the Kyoto Protocol are to be met. Landfill cap biocovers are touted as an environmentally friendly, economically feasible and sustainable means of attenuating LGE [1, 9], however, the biological mechanisms underpinning the technology is largely unknown. Our research has demonstrated that the capacity of soil to eliminate pollutants is greatly improved after having been mixed by earthworms. Our aim in the proposed study is to demonstrate how a simulated landfill biocover containing earthworms can be used to eliminate LGE. Through the use of cutting edge molecular biology techniques, such as stable isotope probing of DNA and RNA, a detailed mechanistic understanding of the interactions between earthworms and the active microorganisms in a landfill biocover will be revealed.
- Period of Award:
- 2 Aug 2004 - 1 Jan 2008
- Value:
- £133,123 Lead Split Award
Authorised funds only
- NERC Reference:
- NE/B505362/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £133,123
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Staff | Total - T&S | Total - Other Costs | Total - Equipment | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £69,809 | £5,616 | £14,422 | £11,163 | £32,112 |
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