Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/A/S/2002/00962
Structure and function in the benthic nitrate reducing communities along the nitrate gradient in a high nitrate estuary, the Colne estuary, Essex.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Prof. D Nedwell, University of Essex, Biological Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor AM Osborn, RMIT University, School of Applied Sciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Essex, Biological Sciences
- Science Area:
- Marine
- Freshwater
- Overall Classification:
- Marine
- ENRIs:
- Pollution and Waste
- Natural Resource Management
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Biogeochemical Cycles
- Ecosystem Scale Processes
- Community Ecology
- Abstract:
- Nitrate reduction along a NO3- gradient in the Colne estuary will be investigated using polyphasic methods correlating process rates with quantitation of the presence and activity of key bacterial NO3- reduction genes (napA, narG, nirS, nosZ, nrfA). Real time PCR will be used to quantify functional genes from DNA and gene expression by RT-PCR from mRNA. The realised in situ activity of these genes will be assayed with 15N stable isotope tracers (15N NO3- & NO2-) in the presence/absence of specific inhibitors (chlorate, acetylene) and measuring 15/14N ratios in the products of NO3-/NO2- reduction. Seasonal and spatial variation in gene presence and expression with related process rates, combined with analysis of specific processes using slurry experiments will reveal new information about the structure, function and activity in these ecologically important communities.
- NERC Reference:
- NER/A/S/2002/00962
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £320,831
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs | Total - Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £4,958 | £172,377 | £47,042 | £79,293 | £17,160 |
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