Uncontrolled discharges of nitrogen can cause large changes in coastal marine ecosystems. Therefore, finding methods for reducing nitrogen levels is a subject that has interested many researchers. Algae that can photosynthesize and produce oxygen live in the sediment in shallow and sunlit marine environments. These algae compete over available nutrients with some types of bacteria that naturally convert elemental nitrogen to molecular nitrogen. Under the Idea Support project The importance of alternative reaction paths in sediment for removing nitrogen in shallow marine areas, researchers have studied some such microorganisms, known as Anammox Bacteria. “If we succeed in creating relationships where enough Anammox Bacteria can use up nitrogen, this will reduce the risk of the types of large algae blooms that have been occurring over the past 15 years. If these bacteria are important in shallow marine systems, we need to modify earlier theories about how nitrogen circulates in the ocean and the atmosphere," says Stefan Hulth, Professor of Microbial Marine Chemistry at the University of Gothenburg and the Project Leader.
Combinations of ideas
The starting point for this entire Idea Support project was to use ideas that had been tested in deep marine ecosystems and apply them to shallow sunlit bays. Using bacteria to remove nitrogen from household sewage in sewage treatment plants is a well-known method, and the project´s initial idea was about using similar bacteria to clean up coastal marine environments from far too many nutrients containing nitrogen.
About halfway through the project it became clear that competition over nitrogen in shallow marine environments was often so fierce that it was difficult for the desirable bacteria to survive. “After that we studied the processes under different conditions in a range of shallow marine environments, most often with similar results. Our goal now is to naturally create environments that are optimal for the survival and growth of such bacteria," says Stefan Hulth.
The project lives on
The original Idea Support project was implemented over a four-year period and concluded in 2006, but it has developed into new projects with new research grants from, for example, the Swedish Research Council and FORMAS. “What we would like to continue to work on is questions related to why Anammox Bacteria seem to have such a hard time acclimatizing in some systems but dominate others. Is it only because of competition over nutrients, or could it be something else?" wonders Stefan Hulth.
A total of six researchers, from six different research institutes (the University of London, the Danish National Environmental Research Institute in Silkeborg, the University of Århus in Odense and the University of Gothenburg) have participated in the project. One doctoral student has defended his thesis under the project. In addition, a number of degree projects for Bachelors´ and Masters´ degrees have been completed.
Extremely important
Stefan Hulth believes that Mistra´s Idea Support was a deciding factor for his own career, the creation of a research network, and for testing the original idea. “We are heading toward a situation where free research is relatively neglected. As I see it, for this type of support, where there are larger risks, Mistra´s Idea Support programme makes an extremely important contribution to research funding. It makes it possible for, above all, younger researchers to establish themselves under freer conditions," he says. He continues, “For us, Idea Support meant that we could invite in and open up to international collaboration, where we brought together related competencies that were relevant to the research question. We received a lot of attention, and that led to our now having a large international network from a broad knowledge base," says Stefan Hulth.
