Highlights:

§ The data management team is now developing the central data portal, where all data stored in different databases (ie. at BMDC and VLIZ), will be made publicly accessible. This is a pilot for both data centers.

§ Contaminants in biota and sediment (ILVO and BMDC)



The average of Fe and Al values will be used for normalization on sediment fraction. Principal Component Analyses and Spatial clustering analyses on normalized data show that Cd and Hg concentrations are linked and behave more closely to PCBs than to others heavy metals.

§ Eutrophication: Remote Sensing (REMSEM and MUMM)



Spatial patterns of Chl a variability in the Belgian waters (BCZ) result in seven classes, which look directly linked to the bathymetry and other physical parameters (eg. fronts). First results show the influence of nutrient input from the Scheldt and Atlantic waters, maximum turbidity, nutrients and chl a concentrations close to the coast, higher Chl a concentrations with higher turbidity in the BCZ, and earlier starting of the Chl a bloom in the west and later in the north-east.

§ Phytoplankton dynamics and species composition (UGent and VLIZ)



The General Additive Mixed Modelling method is applied to study the spatiotemporal evolution of diatom and dinoflagellate abundances in two periods (1970-1978 and 1995-2011), which finally result in four separate models.

§ Ocean acidification (ULg and BMDC)



There is a clear relation between pH and eutrophication, ocean acidification (increase CO2 in air), S-N atmospheric deposition and oligotrophication. The compiled datasets of pH show the seasonal dynamics of high pH in summer versus low pH in winter. Plotted time trends indicate a link to the stop of land-input of phosphates in the end of the ‘80s. An overall decrease in methane concentrations, salinity, temperature and wind speed is observed in the BCZ. It should be studied whether this is related to long-term climate changes.