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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
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  

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FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)

Total - StaffTotal - T&STotal - Other CostsTotal - EquipmentTotal - Indirect Costs
£69,809£5,616£14,422£11,163£32,112

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